How the internet is pulling people apart instead of bringing them together.

 You may have noticed the name of my blog. Part of what inspired me to write this post is online trolling and the toxicity it spreads. More importantly, however, is where it originates from. It's easy for me to say "I blame news media." and be done with it... but it goes deeper than that. What's currently happening in society and what has also been happening in society for years is also a problem. Largely political, partially racial, and somewhat due to cultural changes in the LGBTQ+ community - are ALL contributors. 

That's right, the world at large going at each other's throats over deciding how we should be accepting of each other, who should lead and how we should perceive races other than our own is to blame. Nowhere can that be seen better than on the internet. Just hours ago even I was in an online game being harassed by not just 1 or 2 but THREE different people for being a "trumpie" even though I had not stated any previous political view. 

Clearly these people were taking out their hatred of republicans that followed our previous president religiously on any innocent bystander that happened to stop on by. Now this wouldn't be a problem if this kind of thing only happened once or twice - but no - it happens frequently, and on a daily basis. I cannot stress enough how tired I am of this kind of thing happening to not only me, but others. 

You see, the biggest problem with this is the harm it can bring back into our actual lives once we return from our PCs, Laptops, Gaming Machines, and what have you. If you let these people affect you that are smearing their hatred and disgruntled opinions of things on innocent victims such as you and me the toxicity can bleed through offline.

I've been so fed up at times that I've gotten snappy with my own family members when they bring up a subject I got back from hearing about online in some unnamed forum somewhere. The debates and insults are endless and the petty assumptions never-ceasing. This, of course, makes them confused and I have to apologize which only makes my day worse and me suffer.

Adding to this, I have a medical condition that causes mood swings and it's hard not to just take the easy path and lash out at people online for things that aren't their fault. Becoming the monster I dislike, as it were. In closing, I humbly request that those reading this think twice before being malevolent online. 

You could be severely hurting someone with your words alone.