Marco.org

Responses on a niche-subject forum were far nicer and more helpful than general web/tech/YouTube comments:

However, the responses I received on the chicken forum were anything but that! They were thoughtful and articulate and people were genuinely trying to be helpful. Responses came in quickly. It really was a great experience.

That’s when it occurred to me: the problem isn’t with the medium (Internet & potentially anonymous posting); it’s with the company I keep!

The time I spend on the Internet is on mailing lists with computer programmers and gaming forums. I read Apple Fanboy rumor sites and Urban Dictionary. I watch videos on YouTube of guys getting hit in the groin with footballs. I shouldn’t be surprised by the level of discourse! I look at lolcats for chrissakes! Honestly, do you really expect quality comments on a warez or torrent site? a pr0n site? or even worse, TechCrunch?

Makes a lot of sense.