@Skullgrid I don't really know why they do that but my best guess is that joining others to express anger at a third thing is a form of social bonding.
I used to have several neighbours who would watch a weekly television program on animal abuse. As far as I can see, the experience of gathering next to the letterbox and denouncing the animal abusers gave them a sense of community.
It may also fulfil the dual function of reassuring them that the world has plenty of people who also don't support the hated object.
Karma/subreddit systems incentivize posting inflammatory things for their insular communities to circle-jerk over. Nothing fuels the upvotes like righteous indignation. Spreading positivity doesn't give the short-term endorphin release that internet points give you.
This mostly relates to stuff you disagree with (politically, etc):
It’s really easy on the Internet to live in a bubble, surrounded by others and material you like and agree with. This is especially true when it comes to the political right or left. Posting/viewing material from the “other side” serves three purposes: 1) it’s different from what your Internet crowd posts and therefore novel and interesting, 2) it’s something to gawk at, and 3) it keeps your crowd up to date on what the opposition is doing and thinking, which is important if you want to debate/defeat/win them over.
Example: you’re on the left and a “look what the right is memeing” sub/community starts posting a lot of trad-wife material. You have now been 1) introduced to a new concept (and thereby upgraded your Internet cred with new slang), 2) provided with novel material to yourselves meme about and make fun of (in this example, Ben Shapiro’s sister’s oversized titties), and 3) inoculated to the concept so when your 19-year-old cousin starts whining at Thanksgiving about how all the women at college are sluts and why can’t he find himself a good traditional wife you can give his manosphere-brainwashed ass a thorough smackdown thanks to some sweet rhetoric you picked up from the snarky comments section of aforementioned posts, instead of weakly stammering something about equal partnerships (or worse yet, not understanding the nuance behind wanting a “traditional wife” and thinking this is a perfectly normal expectation for dating in the 21st century that totally won’t lead down the path of inceldom).
There is another, 4th reason: self-reflection. Sometimes, during a blue super-moon lunar eclipse, you see content that’s from the other side that makes you wonder, “are we the baddies?” Or perhaps, “okay maybe they have a point there.” Or at the very least, “yeah I can see where maybe we’re not at our absolute best on this particular aspect of this specific issue.” At least, it would be nice if that ever happened, right?
I recently found an interviewer who is clearly more left leaning but he does interviews with very conservative/right wing people (mostly students) and just like, not to argue or anything, he just asks a question and they answer and he goes “okay thanks” then posts it without any added comment on the socials. It really interested me cause like, I can see why they might think the things they think. Doesn’t mean I agree with them, but at least it’s a way to listen and kind of see the humanness in people who you might otherwise instinctively villainize.
I’m nowhere near Bill Gates money and never will be.
I think amongst my circle of family and friends, I probably net 3-4x more than the highest earner I know. For the most part, I can buy myself whatever gadgets or books or food or things I typically want.
But…I don’t, well, I don’t always.
In fact, oftentimes I find myself putting off buying Book A or B because I just don’t feel like it’s a good use of money right now.
Sometimes I won’t even buy myself new socks until all of mine have been worn down to absolute tatters. I own two pairs of jeans and one pair of shoes and they’re going to go until they completely fall apart.
Other times, I want this new game and I don’t buy it because I can’t really justify it for how much time I might end up having for it.
But if anyone I know gets me any of the above or similar, I’d honestly be super happy. It removes that mental battle for me and I get something I actually want / need.
In my defense, at least in 2023, I’ve spent more money on donations, paying other people’s medical premiums, holiday and birthday gifts for others, and vet bills than anything directly for myself 🫣
It’s not that, I can be the same way. I don’t feel I need or have the time for a lot of things. I help charities and do reduced rate work for non profits all the time. Ask me to buy myself sushi, and I’ll consider if I really need O Toro tonight.
I was and still am proud of myself for dropping the last season after two episodes and never finishing the show. I read the books last year and they were great. Still cant believe how far behind the books are compared to the show.
I always find it interesting when people target Chick-fil-A… Like why them specifically and not all the others? Especially the other companies that go all rainbow in June and have spots in pride parades. www.dataforprogress.org/accountable-allies-pride
Usually how these things work is that it’s either employees donating and having to list their employer. Or the employer will match any donation to a non profit from any employee up to a certain amount.
So this could be 1 employee donating 3k and Microsoft matching it
Years ago, a coworker told me about someone famous who had died that morning. I don’t remember who, only that it was someone who I had heard good things about, was well liked, and seemed like a nice person.
I was actually sad to hear about it. I probably would have gone weeks without hearing about their death otherwise, and it wouldn’t have bothered me as much. Instead, my morning was ruined by someone who just wanted to be the first to tell people, and treated the news like it was merely another piece of trivia.
I decided right then and there not to share bad news without a reason. Sometimes people need to hear unpleasant things, of course, and I don’t dodge that responsibility. There’s no reason to pointlessly spread negativity, though, especially when the information isn’t particularly essential to anyone.
I don’t know why I typed that. It’s basically the exact opposite of what you asked. Uh… sorry!
Thanks, I need to spend time thinking about this. I’m drawn to discussing contentious topics because it’s interesting. I worry that without discussing these things which interest me that I won’t have a lot to say.
This made me think of that Curb episode where Larry’s mom (I think) dies and his dad just didn’t tell him because he didn’t want to ruin his trip to New York.
I dont see as the opposite, but the opposite, it is a very insteresting story and a way to see this kind of situation that OP is talking about. Thanks for sharing.
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