Why People Post Hateful Comments

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Jamaica did not get on the Internet until 1995. Previously we used Bulletin Board Services, (BBS). To use BBS your computer would use your land line to connect to another computer. We were a small population of geeks. We knew each other. We had meetings, social functions, We respected each other and although we didn't agree on various topics, we we always civil. That's cause we knew each other personally. One July a pile of newbies jumped in and starting attacking. As this was a BBS the owner had their phone numbers and could do a reverse trace and find out the name, the address, etc. Visits were paid to the addresses and we learned the attackers were school boys. One of them, who was particularly insulting had his computer seized by the police. The group had a meeting where they analysed why these boys would do this. Why join a site to attack others? The reality is that these boys felt powerless. They were nothings and nobodies and to make themselves feel equal, feel in control, they attacked. Hiding behind a computer screen they thought they were 'safe'. Today, the population of powerless nobodies fills the Internet. Hiding behind a screen they attack to make themselves feel better. They couldn't insult you in Real Life, being cowards and weak. Oh! But online, they are Superman! Sending hateful emails, making offensive posts etc. is how they exalt themselves. By blocking them, not answering, they lose their power.