I was reading an article on the New York Times website; it was a column for parents; a mother wrote in because she was nervous about flying with her two young children. She was concerned about disturbing other people (not many like her around) and was seeking suggestions on ways to keep her two little ones entertained for the long flight. She received some good responses from parents and she received some venomous responses from parents and non-parents. Some people were downright evil.
The woman wrote back to let people know that her trip went very well and thanked those who offered helpful suggestions; she also commented on all the hateful comments people made. I can’t remember if it was her or the author who asked the question, “If you don’t have kids, why are you reading a column that’s for people who do?” Hmmm…now that was a great question. You thought I would have been a little offended because I don’t have kids and I was reading the website. I enjoyed it, the Mother’s letter, the author’s advice to her and some of the positive helpful comments the posters offered. But the person who asked the question had a great point. I don’t have any children, I have never traveled with children, so I could offer no help to the mother; i.e. I did not respond.
My question would have been, “Why are you responding to a question no one asked.” I understand you have every right to, but why would you choose to? And the Mom answer “because I can”
Why all the negatives? She wrote in asking for advice and people took upon themselves to explode on how much they hate traveling with children around or the fact that they hate children in general and they hate people who have children. They commented on how she should not have had two kids so close together (this one I found laughable). They commented on how they were perfect when they were children and that children today are horrible. Some parents wrote in how they are perfect parents with perfect kids who would never in a million years embarrass them in any way shape or form. Some people said she should have just stayed home. One guy said she should drive the 1,200 miles. Then the negative respondents started to go after the people who had made some positive suggestions for her. It was insane.
I find this a lot with articles that I read or on the message board and forums that I visit. People’s comments come way out of left field. Most of the time they don’t have anything to do with what the writer of the topic has to say. People see it as their chance to be edgy or clever I guess, but it’s not.
I visit a site dedicated to the “Howard Stern Show” regularly; I thought it was supposed to be a fan site, but 98% of it is hating on Howard, screaming how the show isn’t as good as it was 30 years ago (is anything?) how Howard has changed since he has gotten married, how he’s a sell out…people just seem to be very very angry. As Howard and Artie would say, “Whaaaaaaaaaa!!—the show isn’t good any more–whaaaaaa!!!” It can’t be that bad, you’re still listening to it after all these years. Not only that, but now you’re PAYING to listen to it.
I have listened to Howard’s show for I don’t know how many years and the show still seems like the same show it has always been. I still find it very entertaining.
Or I love when a person responds to an article simply by asking, “Who cares?” They don’t see the hiccup in their question. You used your time & energy to not only read the article, but then you spent even more of your time & energy filling out the comment box and hitting the submit button. “Who cares?” You do.
I actually read an article by someone who was threatened with death because a reader didn’t like the review he gave the Blackberry Storm. Can you imagine? Someone threatened to KILL him over his review of a cell phone. Is it really THAT serious? You would take a person’s life, destroy this man’s family, you would risk going to jail, giving up your freedom for 15 years to life over a negative comment about a $200 cell phone that is probably going to be obsolete two weeks after it hits the shelves. Really? Wow. Even if the guy was joking…why would you say that?
I don’t know. I read tons of articles a day, according to most of the responses I read people shouldn’t do anything because it irritates everyone. But no matter how much I agree of disagree I never feel compelled to respond to them…or do I? I just spent my time writing this article expressing my feelings about people who act like idiots…complaining about things that are not important. Basically doing what i chastise others for doing. Hmmm…what a viscious circle.
On second thought, “Please feed the Snarks.”
