Internet Suicide

The internet, to many, is life - virtually. Many of us have more friends online than off. Many of our businesses can only perform when we are online. We live online.

Off line, when someone disagrees with us or their opinion differ slightly, we will swallow the pride and at worst, ignore them for a few days. When we need them, we'll run back to them, tail between the legs. Sometimes, when we get rejected by someone or we cannot face up to the realities of life, we will cry suicide, hoping someone will rescue us from the misery. The fact that they do it just to say "I tried to help her" and not really because they care, is irrelevant. When you get discharged from the mental hospital, your home is flooded with beautiful bouquets and cards from people telling you how special you are. You never stop to think why they only do it now, instead of giving you the love you needed to start with.

So is it in internet communities too, but the people are much bolder, much more prepared to exaggerate for the cause. People become bullies - they attack what they fear, they attack before they are being attacked. Dr Phil McGraw always refers to this personality trait where people have a "Get them before they get me" attitude.

Unfortunately, oftentimes, these people are defeated. The 'victims' of the attack don't even have to do anything other than giving them enough rope to hang themselves. They simply have to ignore the attacker long enough...

This is ultimately exactly the same rope they use when they start crying virtual suicide. The suicide notes include numerous public cries for help, wherein they will state their intention to resign from the community or wish for the person they initially victimised to be removed from the society and what a loss that will be to the community to lose such an amazing person as yours truly.

It's terrible that in a community as big as the internet, people can become so lonely and disillusioned that they have to resort to such childishness. Of course they don't really intend on leaving - it's a cry for help and attention. Everyone will pay their condolences, having no idea of what went down and what the person did to create the situation. When they get one response from someone who feels sorry enough for them, they'd stay 'due to public demand'.

For those who feel sorry for the internet suicidals, be sure to get the full story, uncensored before you make silly comments about things you know nothing about. Low confidence is a terrible disease that causes moral rot, similar to an internet virus which destroys your hard drive until your computer is useless.

If you are the victim of internet bullying, just ignore them - don't rise to the bait. Let them hang themselves...