Comments on: Alter & Umbrage http://aphilosopher.wordpress.com/2008/07/26/alter-umbrage/ A Philosopher's View of the World...assuming it exists. Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:55:42 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Miley-Cyrus-Fan http://aphilosopher.wordpress.com/2008/07/26/alter-umbrage/#comment-1486 Miley-Cyrus-Fan Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:31:37 +0000 http://aphilosopher.wordpress.com/?p=322#comment-1486 hmm.. thank you very much. usefull information hmm.. thank you very much. usefull information

]]> By: magus71 http://aphilosopher.wordpress.com/2008/07/26/alter-umbrage/#comment-1459 magus71 Sat, 26 Jul 2008 21:17:29 +0000 http://aphilosopher.wordpress.com/?p=322#comment-1459 Although the spewing of anonymous venom is nothing new, it's never been as easy as it is right now. Speaking in general, one had to have a bit of writing skill and possibly a decent resume to get things published in the days of paper-only. Now though, all one needs is Verizon and a laptop. I truly believe that the internet has brought modern America's sense of decency to an all time low. I don't say this because of the pornography so easily accessed, but primariliy the language that is used on a day to day basis. People are much more rude to one another than they were when I was growing up, especially the younger people. Cursing in public and at each other is common place and I believe it has its roots in anonymous bad language which, as you pointed out, is acceptable. So the progression is natural. Language mneans something. Words have power. Anecdotely, I think that people can make themselves dumber by the way they speak. I believe language organizes our thinking, and our actions can follow our words. Our attitudes follow also. Since joining the Army, I've made a conscientious effort to swear less, since everyone around me cursed so much, and it repulsed me. So, while what is happening on the internet (and indeed it is happening), is not new--neither is it acceptable. Although the spewing of anonymous venom is nothing new, it’s never been as easy as it is right now. Speaking in general, one had to have a bit of writing skill and possibly a decent resume to get things published in the days of paper-only. Now though, all one needs is Verizon and a laptop.

I truly believe that the internet has brought modern America’s sense of decency to an all time low. I don’t say this because of the pornography so easily accessed, but primariliy the language that is used on a day to day basis. People are much more rude to one another than they were when I was growing up, especially the younger people. Cursing in public and at each other is common place and I believe it has its roots in anonymous bad language which, as you pointed out, is acceptable. So the progression is natural.

Language mneans something. Words have power. Anecdotely, I think that people can make themselves dumber by the way they speak. I believe language organizes our thinking, and our actions can follow our words. Our attitudes follow also.

Since joining the Army, I’ve made a conscientious effort to swear less, since everyone around me cursed so much, and it repulsed me.

So, while what is happening on the internet (and indeed it is happening), is not new–neither is it acceptable.

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