...one of the interesting dynamics about blogging, one that I've noticed in myself, and certainly seen lots of evidence for over the past couple of years. People are far more willing to show anger, aggression, sarcasm, and petty meanness over the blog than they ever would in person. One of my goals has been to see if we can design a container that will hold all of that, cultivating the better angles of our nature and reversing that tendency to flame.

And we aren't the only bloggers going through this.

Fighting web rage

So much is lost in written communication v. in person or even oral communication. It is even more difficult when the topic of conversation is an emotional issue.

It's also easier to interact in ways that are rude and discourteous, because the Internet offers a buffer. When I interact with others in-person, I am much less likely to be flagrant or rude. But the Internet provides a (false) sense of disconnectedness, which allow people to behave in ways that would not be acceptable with in-person interaction.

It's important to remember that it is okay to be nice, but equally it is okay to admit when something is offensive or hurtful.

It is important to speak up when interaction become hurtful. We are all accountable to each other.

"People are far more willing to show anger, aggression, sarcasm, and petty meanness over the blog than they ever would in person."

It's called The Online Disinhibition Effect.