According to other academic studies, between 65 and 93 perfect of human communication is nonverbal: facial expression, tone, body movement. Put very simply, our brain has evolved over millions of years to subconsciously spot these cues so we can better read and empathize with each other. Communicating via computers removes that cues, making communication abstract and anchorless [...] Most of the chief protagonists in this book I met online first, and offline second. I always liked them more in the real world. By removing the face-to-face aspect of human interaction, the internet dehumanizes people, and our imagination often turns them into inflated monsters, more terrifying because they are in the shadows. Meeting them in person rehumanizes them again
The Dark Net ~ Jamie Bartlett
The digital world, both the regular internet and the dark net, was built to overcome the barriers of the physical world. It was created to connect us in a way that was never possible before, defying the obstacles of time and space. We could form communities based on ideas and interests and commonalities more than cities or countries. We weren't supposed to be trapped or isolated anymore. It was meant to build deeper bonds of understanding between us and bring us together. Too often, the opposite happens: we misunderstand each other and distort and defame each other and block each other off.
The easiest way to deal with the trolls is to remove their anonymity, to force websites or platforms to insist that everyone log in under their real names. That wouldn't stop online nastiness entirely of course, but it would at least make trolls a little more accountable for their actions, and perhaps encourage them to hesitate before abusing others. But removing anonymity online has its drawbacks. Anonymity is not a modern invention designed to protect trolls. It also allows people to be honest and open and invisible when there are good reasons to. We dispense with that at our peril
Despite its flaws, the digital world represents freedom to many people. The online world offers unimaginable opportunities that can't be accessed in outside world. It's where people find their voices, discover new ideas, meet other people.
The digital world doesn't just change time and space. It transforms the human element. It changes how we interact with and relate to other people. In fact, instead of people, we have personas. We get the opportunity to make and remake ourselves—have a fresh start, have as many fresh starts as we please.
In the digital world, people aren't standing behind you and watching over your shoulder. Or standing right in front of you and making you uneasy. You don't have to look them in the eyes and watch their horrified reactions or condescending judgment or intolerable pity. And they can't look at you and stare you down and make you nervous. Now, there's a screen in between that protects you.
It's that cover that affords people courage to speak and say the things they're afraid to say out loud. Seeing the words can be more powerful and moving than speaking them. Those written words can have a more far-reaching and enduring effect than spoken words that fade immediately into thin air after utterance.
Online, you can be whoever you want to be. You get to tell your own story. Sometimes it's a complete work of fiction: you fool everyone else and even, perhaps, yourself. Like I said, the digital world changes the human element. You can find your humanity or lose it. This world, this digital world, we created. It's what we make of it
Photo by Rodion Kutsaev on Unsplash