Digital Communication or the last argument I will ever have on Facebook

I recently got into an Argument on Facebook over a subject that in fact I really don't care that much about with a person I don't even know.

It started out to be about a discussion that I feel passionately about but rarely discuss with people.  - Religion. 

It was more a God vs. Atheism question, but I’ll use the term “Religion” for the sake of this blog, for the record, I do believe in God, just not organized religion.  A friend of mine said she was an Atheist.  Most of the time people that I have encountered that claim to be Atheists actually believe in God or a so called supreme being but can’t stand Organized religion.  I asked her if this was true.  She said no, she does not believe in a God or any higher power. 

This is where the argument began.  8-10 Facebook posts and rebuttals later and I was ready to strangle a man in Florida that just would not shut up!  He couldn’t let it go.  He had to have the last word.  So I let him.  And in the end out of anger and disgust, I deleted every word I wrote in that post. 

What started out as a simple question to a friend on why she didn’t believe turned into an ugly argument on faith, values, politics and eventually the First Amendment.

I have never been so angry and ashamed in my life.  Now for the one person in Florida who might be thinking “WOOT!”  I am not angry or ashamed because I feel that you were right, because I still disagree with you.  But it really does not matter.  

I was never really angry at him or my friend.  I have more on my plate right now than most people know.  AND I AM FURIOUS ABOUT IT.

But what I am so angry about is no ones business but my own.  

But that does not excuse my behavior on Facebook. I am ashamed that I focused that anger on a stranger, even if our opinions differ.

I don’t know him from Adam, and he has no idea who I am other than a simple disagreement/rant online.  Talk about judging a book by it's cover.  He could be a husband, a father, a brother, a son...the point is I don't know anything about him.  And because of a simple disagreement escalating into a furious online fight, for a short time I HATED HIM.  And anyone who knows me knows, I don't hate anybody.  Not really.  

THIS IS THE FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEM WITH THE INTERNET. 

We're all anonymous. But we’re all connected right?  No we’re not. Not really. You cannot see a person’s face or read their body language or hear the TONE of their voice in a text message, e-mail or post on Facebook.

TYPING IN ALL CAPS IS NOT YELLING.  IT’S JUST TYPING IN ALL CAPS.  IT’S EMPHASISING SOMETHING BOLDLY. But people think you are yelling and angry for some reason.  And I didn't start out angry...but I did get angry.  Or maybe I was channeling the anger I have for other issues towards him.  In any event he is a total stranger and a difference of opinion does not justify the way I felt.

If we were sitting together talking around a table drinking and eating pizza I would have never gotten that angry.  But then I would have probably stuck to my principles and never discussed Religion in the first place.  But it is easy and fun to do thing from behind the safety of a computer screen.  We are all self righteous commentators in the digital realm. 

I was born a generation too late.  I once wrote a report on Communications and mentioned that I felt the internet was actually doing more harm towards social relationships than helping and when I gave the report in class they looked at me like I had lobsters coming out of my ears.

There have actually been studies that suggest that Google is single handedly responsible for the shortening of attention spans in America.  I read about it in an article in Atlantic Monthly.  Not that google is a bad thing, but I can honestly say I have trouble concentrating on reading books because I cannot get the information FAST enough.

We live in a fast food world.  AT&T’s motto used to be “Reach out and Touch Someone” Now, or the last time I checked it is “Your world Delivered.” 

It’s a phone and internet company, not a Domino’s Pizza.  But the internet is making all business’ and people live in a world of instant gratification. 

We don’t just want it now, we want it 15 minute ago.  People break up with people via text messaging and Facebook…well after my little argument today with a total stranger, I’m beginning to think my initial thought was the correct one – it’s a big waste of time.

Digital Communication can be a scary thing.  If I can get into an argument with a stranger about a topic that I rarely even discuss, then what’s next?

Digital Drive By Shootings?   Digital Muggings?   Digital Rape?

Actually we already have that don’t we.  You can get attacked, mugged and raped and you don’t even have to pull your eyes away from the computer screen to experience it all.  We’re not communicating anymore.  We’re just pillaging and raping and not even slowing down to witness the carnage we leave in our wake.  Why should we, it’s only Digital.

What a “World” we live in. Well it’s not my world.  

You can have it.

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