To quit the Internet or not quit the Internet: that is the question.

[Buried Alien]

I've been a denizen of the World Wide Web for over ten years now. The Internet has literally changed my life, for the better in many ways, for the worse in others.

When I first discovered the Web a decade ago, it was pure pleasure, no pain. I loved the wealth of information available to me. I loved the discussion. Later, I loved the fact that I could acquire goods that would otherwise be inaccessible to me (through Amazon.com, etc.).

Many of those things are still true today, but in the recent years...especially in recent weeks, it's also come with a hefty helping of baggage that I used to shrug off, but I'm seriously sick and tired of dealing with.

I'm a conflict-adverse person. I hate getting into arguments with people. I hate getting walked all over like a doormat even more, though, so from time-to-time, I've had to be assertive, even aggressive to defend myself and my opinions on the Web.

I used to manage this well, and I still can and do, but it's become more painful as the time has gone on. I used to walk away from these conflicts feeling satisfied with myself for having defended myself well. Now, I'm just sick at heart that I have to do it at all.

I'm sick of the conflict. Sick of the cattiness. Sick of the rudeness and presumptuousness I see in Internet forums (occassionally here at CBR, but seemingly everywhere I post on the Web). And I can't lay it aside or pretend it doesn't exist anymore.

It seems like the wisest thing to do would be to just walk away from the Internet forever, but I'm not ready yet to part with the good things that come with it.

Internet Fatigue is getting to me. :(

Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

[Royal]

In Russia, Internet quit you!!

[Shellhead]

No need to go to extremes, just take some time off and immerse yourself in the offline world for a time. Spend more time in a world that fully engages all of your senses... take long walks, go to a museum or art gallery, eat exotic foods, gets some extra exercise, and talk to some random strangers about the weather.

[i_mmmchocolate]

You'll be fine. Follow Shellhead's advice.

[rick]

I've been a denizen of the World Wide Web for over ten years now. The Internet has literally changed my life, for the better in many ways, for the worse in others.

When I first discovered the Web a decade ago, it was pure pleasure, no pain. I loved the wealth of information available to me. I loved the discussion. Later, I loved the fact that I could acquire goods that would otherwise be inaccessible to me (through Amazon.com, etc.).

Many of those things are still true today, but in the recent years...especially in recent weeks, it's also come with a hefty helping of baggage that I used to shrug off, but I'm seriously sick and tired of dealing with.

I'm a conflict-adverse person. I hate getting into arguments with people. I hate getting walked all over like a doormat even more, though, so from time-to-time, I've had to be assertive, even aggressive to defend myself and my opinions on the Web.

I used to manage this well, and I still can and do, but it's become more painful as the time has gone on. I used to walk away from these conflicts feeling satisfied with myself for having defended myself well. Now, I'm just sick at heart that I have to do it at all.

I'm sick of the conflict. Sick of the cattiness. Sick of the rudeness and presumptuousness I see in Internet forums (occassionally here at CBR, but seemingly everywhere I post on the Web). And I can't lay it aside or pretend it doesn't exist anymore.

It seems like the wisest thing to do would be to just walk away from the Internet forever, but I'm not ready yet to part with the good things that come with it.

Internet Fatigue is getting to me. :(

Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)


One thing I learned during my forced sabbatical was that it is really easy to get "locked" into the net.

Shellhead is right when he tells you to step away from the keyboard, go outside and enjoy the real world for awhile.

It will help your attitude, it really will.

We'll still be here when you are ready to come back. :)

[thespianphryne]

Buried Alien,

The internet is made up of people. People often behave in inexplicable and awkward ways. When you leave the internet you will go to a place that is full of people. As much as you try, unless you go to extremes, you can't quit people.

Take a small break from the idiocy, do things that are fun. Follow Shellhead's advice. Hopefully you'll feel better about the whole lot of us.

-Das

[Shellhead]

I took a five-year break starting in 1996. I didn't mean to be away so long, but there was so much going on in other aspects of my life, plus my old computer got taken down hard by a virus. When I came back in 2001, the internet was better than ever in terms of user-friendliness and content. Months later, I found CBR, and that was even better. I'm back for good, though I still take time out once in a while, especially when I go on vacation.

[Perry Holley]

The internet is made up of people.The internet is Soylent Green?

[Ronald Bryan]

The internet is Soylent Green?
And the Internet tastes so good.

[thespianphryne]

Two cannibals were eating dinner. One said:"I really hate my sister."
The other said:"Well, just eat the noodles."

[Ronald Bryan]

Did you know that Al Gore invented sisters?

[Agent Helix]

I'm sorry, but the first post in this thread is a prime example of the very drama it decries. It seems like you're creating your own self-fulfilling prophecies.

[Athena Bast]

The internet is like working retail.

[Buried Alien]

I'm sorry, but the first post in this thread is a prime example of the very drama it decries. It seems like you're creating your own self-fulfilling prophecies.

And your response is a prime example of why withdrawing from the Web has become one of the options on the table. If you're not going to be helpful, at least don't cause more trouble.

The "I'm sorry" you started your post with comes off as entirely insincere in light of what followed. I doubt that you're sorry at all.

Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

[Agent Helix]

It wasn't insincere, and it's not meant to cause trouble. Everything you described is extant in all forms of social interaction. The internet is no worse and no better. It's just newer.

If you don't want to get into arguments, don't get into arguments. Honestly, if you're fed up with it and want to leave, then leave. Don't make a big to-do about it. What are you really expecting people to say? My response was a far cry from harsh cattiness.

What I mean is, if you really are fed up, if you really just don't like messageboards (which this sounds like, not "the internet" as a whole, just forums), just go. It'll be easier for you. Get emails from people you want to stay in touch with, tell people you want to know that you're done, and then just get on going. There's no point to belaboring it if you're genuinely unhappy with it, because it's not going to change. There've been boards that I've gotten so fed up with that I just had to pull up stakes and quit, but it happens. Your level of tolerance for people being people may vary, but the basic principle remains pretty much constant.

But this thread, and I'm being totally honest with you and not trying to be a dick, comes across as a cry for attention. Honestly, it really does. It seems like you're asking people, without explicitly asking, for reasons to stay, or for people to want you to stay. We can't give those to you. If you want to stay and keep posting, you have to come up with reasons to do so on your own. If you want to go, same deal. I know I'm new here, but I've been around this mysterious series of tubes long enough to know a few things about it, and about the various sundry peoples that inhabit it. And if being at messageboards really does bother you as much as you say it does, then I can't offer any advice other than to quit.

[rick]

One of the biggest drawbacks I have found on the internet is that if a person wants to vent or even just plain bitch a bit, more often then not some guy is going to come online and for the other posters own good straighten them out by being “blunt” and telling them how things are.

Heck sometimes, I’ve been the one being “blunt”.

I guess the problem with that is that on occasion people might want to realize that not every conversation needs to be fixed and not every person needs to be set straight.

Sometimes the polite thing to do is to just let them get what’s bothering them off their chest and not to spend time pointing out what in your opinion they are doing wrong.

[Matt]

The only advice that I can offer is ... Do whatever makes you feel good. Stay, take a break, become a hermit ... whatever. It is a decision that you have to make on an individual basis.

[Paul McEnery]

One of the biggest drawbacks I have found on the internet is that if a person wants to vent or even just plain bitch a bit, more often then not some guy is going to come online and for the other posters own good straighten them out by being “blunt” and telling them how things are.

Heck sometimes, I’ve been the one being “blunt”.

I guess the problem with that is that on occasion people might want to realize that not every conversation needs to be fixed and not every person needs to be set straight.

Sometimes the polite thing to do is to just let them get what’s bothering them off their chest and not to spend time pointing out what in your opinion they are doing wrong.

Hah! The standard Dad vs. Mom approach to problem-solving.

Yeah, I've been the blunt berk before, and it usually wasn't the right thing to do. Better to explore people's problems with them.

But I gotta say, Buried, with the best will in the world, you do seem to be drama queening it a bit here.

Shellhead's right. If it's time to take a break, take a break. Reconsider the arguments you get into, and why, and then come back refreshed and with a resolve not to get caught up in bullshit.

Best advice I've got, I'm afraid.

[Dan Apodaca]

If you want to rant, write a blog. Don't post on a message board and then get frustrated with people responding. That's just masochistic masturbation.

[Tom]

And your response is a prime example of why withdrawing from the Web has become one of the options on the table. If you're not going to be helpful, at least don't cause more trouble.

The "I'm sorry" you started your post with comes off as entirely insincere in light of what followed. I doubt that you're sorry at all.

Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

I totally agree with him. And I'm not sorry. You are being a drama queen and you should get off the net until you can deal with differing opinions, which you clearly can't.

[General Grievous]

I've been a denizen of the World Wide Web for over ten years now. The Internet has literally changed my life, for the better in many ways, for the worse in others.

When I first discovered the Web a decade ago, it was pure pleasure, no pain. I loved the wealth of information available to me. I loved the discussion. Later, I loved the fact that I could acquire goods that would otherwise be inaccessible to me (through Amazon.com, etc.).

Many of those things are still true today, but in the recent years...especially in recent weeks, it's also come with a hefty helping of baggage that I used to shrug off, but I'm seriously sick and tired of dealing with.

I'm a conflict-adverse person. I hate getting into arguments with people. I hate getting walked all over like a doormat even more, though, so from time-to-time, I've had to be assertive, even aggressive to defend myself and my opinions on the Web.

I used to manage this well, and I still can and do, but it's become more painful as the time has gone on. I used to walk away from these conflicts feeling satisfied with myself for having defended myself well. Now, I'm just sick at heart that I have to do it at all.

I'm sick of the conflict. Sick of the cattiness. Sick of the rudeness and presumptuousness I see in Internet forums (occassionally here at CBR, but seemingly everywhere I post on the Web). And I can't lay it aside or pretend it doesn't exist anymore.

It seems like the wisest thing to do would be to just walk away from the Internet forever, but I'm not ready yet to part with the good things that come with it.

Internet Fatigue is getting to me. :(

Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

The way i see it, i left newsarama on my own accord because of the bitchiness, negativity and plain rudeness.

If you find the right forum, like i have found CBR well then you're sorted.
newsarama is a melting pot for pure arseholes who find it easier to be offensive than posistive,

heck matt brady bans 3 to 4 people there everyday, i believe it was once a good forum, but now it has degenerated into madness.

So don't completely quit the internet. just cut down. it's always good to discuss comics with decent fans who want to share views and info.

[General Grievous]

If you don't want to get into arguments, don't get into arguments. Honestly, if you're fed up with it and want to leave, then leave. Don't make a big to-do about it. What are you really expecting people to say?

The problem is'nt getting into arguments.

Some Indignant fans just never give up-they sometimes can't accept events and changes in comics.

I am only speaking from a comic book Thread point of view, Not music, books,tv or film, it could happen there also.

For instance,

People didn't like The Fact that Superboy prime Pounded-or punched on the walls of reality( Check wikipedia for material relating to superboy primes pocket dimension to see if there was an actual physical tangible barrier wall)

Nobody said anyone had to like this turn of events but one just has to accept it as it happened.

Same thing when spiderman gets a new costume, panic panic madness madness madness!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyways people fruitlessly try to argue about such things, and at the same time go out and buy ten copies of infinite crisis.
When you prove them wrong thier only recourse is to disrespect you or Add a driveby remark against your post.

Comic books can be absurd sometimes. it's in that very nature that we buy them-heck superman can fly! peter parker got bit by a radio-active spider thus aquiring amazing abilities.

Not acceptable or Logical in real life but fun in this melieu always.

[Ed Cunard]

I'm with Tom, Agent Helix, and others on this one, BA. You've clearly been going through some stuff over the past year--you've started quite a few threads this past year on anger, or disagreements you had with others, or things of that nature.

Taking a break would probably be the best thing for you.

[The Mirrorball Man]

Maybe starting this kind of thread is one of the things that draws you to the internet? Just a thought.

[Kid Omega]

Agent helix's response was reasonable and pretty measured. It wasn't a big bear hug, or a pat on the head, but it was sincere, which is more helpful than what you want to hear.

Helix is a smart guy and a good poster, and if you're going to snap at him because he said something helpful, bu something you didn't want to hear, then maybe you should take a break.

[Puma]

If you have to ask the question you already know the answer.

[Valmore]

It is always good to take a break from the internet and then come back and catch up on what you missed.

[howyadoin]

Agent helix's response was reasonable and pretty measured. It wasn't a big bear hug, or a pat on the head, but it was sincere, which is more helpful than what you want to hear.

Helix is a smart guy and a good poster, and if you're going to snap at him because he said something helpful, bu something you didn't want to hear, then maybe you should take a break.Damn, you beat me to it.

Ken, seriously, just try taking a break for awhile. It won't mean you're a bad person or anything.

[i_mmmchocolate]

I can't understand why you continue creating these threads. If you need to take a break, just take one.

[Alan2099]

Disappear for a while. Don't tell anybody, just go.

Every once in a while, you might want to stick your head back in the door (so to speak) to see what's going on, but don't join back in until you're really feeling ready and when you do join back in, there's no reason you have to carry the baggage with you.

Feel free to reinvent yourself. Pick up a new name and start with a fresh reputation and a blank slate.

[JeffreyWKramer]

BA, your real problem isn't the Internet, it's your underlying issues with anger and conflict. Until you address those professionally, you're going to keep having issues in whatever you're doing in your life. Take a break from online stuff if you want - probably not a bad idea - but don't think that will actually solve anything. Walking away from the net won't solve this problem for you, as you'll just cart it along to something else.

The issues you're describing with being online are just small manifestations of the bigger problem. Do something about the problem, not the symptoms.

And yeah, I know I'm just saying what I and others have said before. That's because it's still honest, good advice.

[Slam_Bradley]

Ken, it's the internet. It's not a big deal. You need to deal with your internal issues. This is a symptom, it's not the cause of the disease.

[Lone Ranger]

*jumps on top of the pile*

BA - I agree with many of the others.

You've started this type of thread often enough to warrant addressing some of the issues in your life.

Good luck.

[Dan Apodaca]

it's the internet. It's not a big deal.

All of us would do well to remember this mantra.

[Valmore]

All of us would do well to remember this mantra.

I'm going to meditate upon this wisdom while viewing MySpace.com.

[Alex L]

I'm going to meditate upon this wisdom while viewing MySpace.com.

Looking for underage girls or fat chicks who are pretty good with Photoshop? :p

Buried, take a break from the 'Net. Take a month, take a week, heck -- take a couple of days, if that's all you need.

We'll still be here when you come back.