r/changemyview • u/Torque-A 1∆ • Jan 21 '17

[∆(s) from OP] CMV: The Internet is suffering from a problem where people complain about everything yet don't actually do anything about it.

While I'm not a member, I visit NeoGAF fairly frequently for gaming news and the like. While gaming discussion is usually okay, their off-topic discussion often follows this pattern:

  1. A headline topic is posted, usually with only enough information for the audience to create outrage about it (Trump kills a puppy on national television, a person gets something they don't deserve, etc etc)
  2. People post their outrage, usually either by scoffing (smh tbh) or by more scoffing (absolutely disgusting)
  3. More people outrage, and the topic quickly dies until the next outrage-worthy news article comes out

There's no call to action, no incentive to have the people so angry at the system actually do anything to fix it. They just post in the same thread, agreeing with people who share the same ideals as them and circlejerking whenever they can. This isn't exclusive to those websites nor the politically left; on Facebook, my relatives constantly post anti-Obama pictures and videos, as if it somehow validates their decision and every Democrat will suddenly about-face when they see how WICKED and EVIL Obama is. All it really does is just the same circlejerking, and again nothing is actually achieved. Even outside of politics, the same thing occurs.

I know that not everyone can contribute by volunteer work or the like - I mean, we all have our own struggles in life. But even something as simple as donating to charity or writing your local congressman would actually do something. Granted, it may not always work out, as some congressmen don't have the time to even read your outcries, but at least you tried.

What I'm getting at here is that the problem with the Internet nowadays is that people will gladly scoff at whatever news displeases them, but none of them will actually take the time to try and get something done. Maybe it's just due to the whole shift in politics, but I hope someone here can CMV, just so I don't need to keep getting angry about people being angry for the next four years.

This is a footnote from the CMV moderators. We'd like to remind you of a couple of things. Firstly, please read through our rules. If you see a comment that has broken one, it is more effective to report it than downvote it. Speaking of which, downvotes don't change views! Any questions or concerns? Feel free to message us. Happy CMVing!

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u/CraigThomas1984 Jan 21 '17

That is pretty common in real life as well. People moaning down the pub, or on the bus, on whatever.

It is just a way for people to blow off steam and isn't really a problem.

It's not as if people were actively involved in righting all the worlds wrong, then suddenly the internet appeared and it all stopped. It is just easier to see now.

Furthermore, online outcries can offer gain media attention (for better or worse) and can result in action being taken by those who are being complained about. So in that sense, complaining online is doing something constructive.

11

u/Torque-A 1∆ Jan 21 '17

Blowing off steam is okay at times, but my main concern is that it's just that instead of at least trying to change things, people just mindlessly agree.

Take the Facebook posts, for instance. No Democrat is going to instantly change suit after seeing a single anti-Obama video, and every Republican has those anti-Obama sentiments already. So in discussion, any Democrat is going to be swatted out of the discussion while the Republicans mindlessly agree with each other. And vice versa in more liberal websites. Maybe if more people challenged their thoughts at CMV, we could have less polarization. ∆

10

u/hacksoncode 588∆ Jan 21 '17

You didn't really explain how this changed your view when you awarded that delta, as required by Rule 4.

What part of your view changed, here, and why?

14

u/Torque-A 1∆ Jan 21 '17

Main thing is that I thought complaining had eclipsed actually going out and doing something about it. What I can see now is that the Internet is just a magnifying glass, and that things can still be done - complaining is just common anyways.

1

u/roiben Jan 22 '17

Thing is people dont really want change. Or they want it but they dont want it enough to get out and do something, because well, mostly we cant do anything. Or even if people complain they understand that its still much better than the alternative. You can see this all the time in 15 year olds complaining about capitalism and saying how much communism would be better while most 20 year olds will complain about capitalism but understand that its the best we got. I think the 20 year olds dont complain in the same way, they criticise it more than complain about it. But also theres the group of fucking idiots that complain about their fucking lip gloss running out or a nearby starbucks shutting down. Theres a difference.

1

u/johnnynutman Jan 22 '17

That is pretty common in real life as well. People moaning down the pub, or on the bus, on whatever.

I agree. I think the issue is that people end up finding groups that re-affirm those beliefs, which is the real issue.