The Young 'uns

I have a problem with the internet.

More specifically, I have a problem with the idea that people on the internet are not real. That they just need to "man up" when deeply personal and offensive insults are dealt to them, as if there are no feelings to hurt at the other end of the wire. Something cruel typed is no more justifiable than when spoken to a person's face.

Saying something is true does not make it so. In this case, bullies saying that what they say on the internet is not to be taken seriously is wishful thinking on their part. You don't get to tell people how they should or should not feel about what you say to and about them. The fact that you want to be able to behave like a dick without consequence doesn't mean you can, and it certainly is not justification.

The one that ticked me off today was a forum topic started by a kid (about 14-16, I think?) about types of art school. He and his dream were ripped to shreds by supposedly professional artists under the guise of good advice. This happens a fair bit, as if we need to keep the arts private and discourage kids from coming into OUR feild. But the icing on the cake was a topic started about this kid, to whine about his responses. Sure they were childish, but erm... he's a child? He had no reason to know anything yet about working in the arts, and the people with the means to educate and inspire him chose not to.

We are already driving so many young people away from the arts through poor representation and funding, so why be so active in discouraging those who actually show an interest? If they are foolish, they need educating. And those of us with the privilege of education need to step up and share it rather than keeping it by as a means to feel better about ourselves in arguments.

I used to be a member of a livejournal community dedicated to posting amusing things from DA. It was fun for a while, but among my many reasons for leaving was it's increasing use to mock the artwork of children and beginners. And if they didn't like that behaviour, they needed to grow up. That made me a little sick.

The final straw, incidentally, was when I called someone out on baiting another person in an argument, and was told that I was as bad as a rapist for not agreeing with their every word.

Revolting.