Cyber Cruelty

I'm going to broach a subject that has crossed my path recently in the case of the VIVIs. I have closed the books on that one, and my understanding is that things are moving in the right direction again. But not without people getting hurt, and what for, for goodness' sakes?

I also understand that some in J-land get subjected to hateful comments, and I just don't understand why anybody needs to be cruel to somebody you don't know, you've never met and in all likelyhood not even spoken to on the 'phone. Or had an IM exchange with, for that matter.

At the end of the day, you're looking at somebody's writing, on your computer screen. You may not agree with it, it could conceivably offend. Fortunately, the Internet is endowed with a white cross in a red cross. If you click your mouse on it, the relevant window closes. Nobody forces you to read an Internet page, do they?

I'm probably too naive for my own good (am I? nah), but would like to ask for a bit of tolerance around the block.

Oh, before I click SAVE: I have no indication to suggest that any journalers of my acquaintance are guilty of any such practices. At the end of the day, any AOL member can cook up a screenie - or anyone on the net can make a screenie under AIM - which is used to make such comments.