Technology; It Brings Out The Best And Worst of Us

'62 Chevy interior detail with fuzzy dice (click to enlarge)
Nikon D810; Nikon 24-120 f/4 VR lens @ 65mm; 1/30th sec. @ f/ll; ISO 400
This image had extreme contrast from the bright sunny Oklahoma daylight outside to the dark
floorboard area.  The D810 was able to easily capture all detail in both highlights and shadows.

In my lifetime, I've seen the invention of lasers, personal computers, the internet, hand-held calculators, and lots and lots of other technology.  In fact, much of the technology we see and use today.  One cool autumn night in 1957 when I was a boy, I even saw the first manmade satellite, the Soviet Union's (at the time) Sputnik fly over the U.S.  My father and grandfather and I walked out into the dark and could see this little twinkling light moving briskly across the sky (From that point on, I was hooked on the space program).  I watched live as the first man walked on the moon. Technology, created by humankind has brought all of us tremendous benefits in science, medicine, food production, quality of life improvements, etc.  But technology has also brought us despair in the form of advanced and super destructive weapons, whether explosive, chemical or biological.  It has also brought chaos and laziness and, when misused, many deaths. 

"...the best of times and the worst of times" (partial quote), as was written by author Charles Dickens.

The one piece of technology I use and appreciate the most is the Internet.  I would give up cable television, radio, physical books, etc., before I would give up access to and the devices I use to access the Internet.  Why?  Because I can access every kind of information on the Internet.  I can also learn, research, be entertained and view just about anything I desire.  I can virtually travel, dream, discover and educate myself.  The possibilities are almost endless.  But the internet has one big downside.  Here is my question to you.

Why is it that so many individuals feel it necessary to spew vile, vitriolic, hate-filled comments all over the Internet, either directly or through social media?  At its worst, we all know of cases where this type of behavior has caused others to take their own lives, due to extreme shame, peer pressure, and unwanted public knowledge of personal information, etc. I've heard psychologists talk about hiding behind anonymity, opportunity and other reasons, but I've haven't heard a satisfactory answer that makes this phenomenon understandable to me.  These people fill the forums, comment sections, social media and any other place they can put forth their rancor with such hatred and foul, nasty, horrid, offensive and sickening words. Why?  What has made them so angry and critical of almost everyone and everything?  Or is it for fun, in some cases?

I understand and fully support free speech.  I don't support censorship.  Hence, the proliferation of these types of repulsive activities.  I can and choose to ignore them.  You can and should ignore as well.  We all can ignore them so they can't be so prolific in our lives.  But what is the genesis of all of this?

When I read a blog or article, often I read the comments made by other readers.  I find the comments provide further insight into the subject at hand and find it also interesting what others think about the subject.  Typically, the first few of comments are germane to the dialog and are constructive in nature, then the hatred and nasty comments typically start.  And after the first one is posted, all hell breaks loose with like-minded individuals jumping into the pit of hostility. It only takes one—and what they write usually is a personal attack based upon nothing or something not even related to the subject matter.

In my way of thinking, I always found it better to be constructive in one's comments.  I think it is better to offer comments that don't criticize for the sake of criticizing, but to further the conversation in an intelligent manner for the benefit of all, whether supportive of the author's assertions or critical in a constructive manner. Personally, I try hard not to hate anyone and certainly never wish bad on anyone, even those who may have tried to hurt me or wrong me in the past. But that is just me.  

All I can say is thank goodness for the ability to screen hating, degrading, contemptuous comments and spam out of the comment section in many of the well-regarded blogs.  I know I get them on occasion and I won't put up with that kind of negative discourse.  

If we choose to respond to these low lifes and comment on the hatred they put forth or try to rebut what they write, that just encourages them to continue.  If we all ignore the garbage that these people write, maybe they will get on a slow boat to the Antarctica and decide to stay there—without Internet coverage!

You won't see any comments that don't support a healthy and construction furtherance of the topic on this blog.  Censorship?  Yes, and I detest having to do it.  But sometimes you just can't yell fire in a movie theater and it be okay.

Enough said, You get my drift.  

Thanks for looking.  Enjoy!

Dennis Mook

Many of my images can be found at www.dennismook.com.  Please pay it a visit.  I add new images regularly.  Thank you.


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