As I sorted through the many newsgroup articles, I became quite shocked at the different attitudes regarding "aggressive driving." Many authors wrote with anger and frustration, and attacked other author's opinions without analyzing the situation. As human beings, we are all guilty of expressing our anger and frustration on something other than the original stimulus that put us in that state. It is my belief that this type of behavior is helping to promote aggressive attitudes in newsgroups. For example, before clicking on to a newsgroup and responding, did the particular person have a bad day at work? Did he or she just have an argument with a significant other? Did he or she consume any alcohol or drugs that might have enhanced this kind of behavior or impaired his or her logical thinking? Or is the person just frustrated with themselves and their personal life, therefore taking their frustrations out through communicating aggressively with others in a newsgroup? Before I can answer why aggressive attitudes and beliefs are openly expressed in newsgroups, I feel the previous questions needs to be addressed. The question of, "Why do people participate in newsgroups?" is an easier question to answer. Some possibilities are loneliness, boredom and frustration. It is a natural impulse within us to desire some kind of stimulation from others. We tend to seek out others to share our experiences, and to communicate our thoughts and feelings. When we find ourselves in situations where our emotions or our environment is unstable, our need for social interaction with others increases dramatically. Through newsgroups, people have a place to go to express and unload their emotions.
1. Introduction
2. How Newsgroups are Described in the Generational Curriculum
a. Looking at Other Viewpoints
b. My Opinion of Newsgroups
3. Attitudes and Newsgroups
a. Different Attitudes for Different People
4. Is There a Moral Crisis in Driving Attitudes?
a. A Summary of Dr. James' Congressional Testimony
b. Reasons Attitudes are Present in Aggressive Driving
5. Conclusion
a. My Overall Understanding on Newsgroups
b. My Advise to Newsgroup Explorers
1. Introduction
Due to my lack of knowledge in the cyber-space world, I have stumbled over the language used by "computer literates." At first, many terms used sounded so foreign to me however, like most things, through association I have become quite familiar with most of the terminology. Therefore, before I continue, I feel it is very important for me to define what a newsgroup is. A Newsgroup is a bulletin board located on the internet where people post their attitudes and beliefs towards a particular subject being discussed. The primary purpose for newsgroups is to form different levels of communication amongst a variety of people who share a commonality towards a particular subject. They interact with each other positively or negatively through their cognitive thinking, emotions, desires, feelings, and goals. Though the name newsgroup has a prestigious sound to it, don't let that fool you. There are a numerous amount of newsgroups that include a wide range of topics which are open for discussion. As you will see, my report 1 is based on the "aggressive driving" newsgroup. I read such newsgroups as, rec. autos.driving, uk.transport, rec.autos.makers.ford.mustang, alt.gossip.royalty, alt.talk.royalty, rec.arts.poems, rec.arts.prose to name a few. By reading these newsgroups and not participating, I became a lurker. A lurker is a person who reads the bulletin boards without actively participating to what an author has posted.
2. How Newsgroups are Described in the Generational
Curriculum
a.) Looking at Other Viewpoints:
In summary, the three generational 5 student reports which focused on Social Psychology of USENET Newsgroups all point in a positive direction. All three students, .Kaihilei Pimental, Kristen Evert, and May Rose Isnec,
openly expressed their adventures in participating with a newsgroup by explaining their initial fears towards newsgroups, how they overcame these fears, what they liked and disliked about their experiences and by giving some advice to future generation students. After reading through these three reports, I found myself asking why were they initially scared to post a message on the bulletin board when no one would know who they were? What drove them to this kind of fear? Unfortunately, none of these reports explained this. Perhaps another generation class will focus on this topic. Beneath this summary you will find a few important quotations that I chose to retrieve from each report for you to read as a quick overview of each individual report. There fore, you can absorb a small piece of their thoughts and understandings of social psychology of USENET Newsgroups.
1.Kaihilei Pimental: "Here is what I learned: flaming is when a message is posted with an unpopular comment or when there are differing opinions; and spaming is when a message is posted to numerous groups, sometimes containing a topic irrelevant to the group itself." "My unfamiliarity with newsgroups prompted a variety of feelings. I experienced quite a bit of anxiety before finally getting up enough nerve to post a small message."
2.Kristen Evert: "...participating in a newsgroup really had a lot to do with what I like: my interest, people, who like what I like, and new information." "The most predictable responses to messages come either when there's a straight forward question or a controversial or negative issue. Questions usually lead to answers and opinions yield disagreements, more opinions, and sometimes flaming. As previously stated, sometimes things lead to intense agreement or disagreement."
3.May Rose Isnec: "Cyber-psychology not only provided me with knowledge of the internet, but it also cultivated me as an individual. I have learned to always try something new." "Our opinions of each other are based on our minds...our visual stimulation is satisfied by words, icons, pictures- which are all extensions of our mind."
b) My Opinion of Newsgroups:
Through this assignment, I have acquired a new view, understanding, and knowledge about newsgroups. My view towards newsgroups is that they're not for everyone, meaning we are not all the same. The reason we are unique individuals is because we choose to have different interests. Their are some of us that can sit in front of the TV and watch football all day long, while others might find that a complete bore. My understanding to newsgroups is that it is a new means by which people can come together by communicating their thoughts, opinions and ideas while sharing their emotions through the usage of a computer regarding a particular subject. Lastly, my knowledge about newsgroups has grown tremendously. I have learned that the ability to learn something new and express it through a written language without losing its meaning or purpose is quite difficult. Writing is a skill. Through the usage of newsgroups where people write freely, many people don't realize the effect of the usage and style of words they chose to use has on others. Writing is also time consuming because it is a thought process. It is for this reason I don't see myself as a newsgroup participant. Currently, I don't have extra time to participate actively in a newsgroup. If I did have extra time, I would spend it with my kids or finish one of my many "started-but-never-ended" cross-stitch sewing projects.
3. Attitudes and Newsgroups
a.) Different Attitudes for Different People:
As I have previously mentioned in this report, many messages posted on the bulletin boards are quite offensive. As you will see here, authors speak out about "aggressive driving" and share their view points with some strong emotions. As you read each one, keep in mind that what I have quoted is only a portion of the article. I purposely chose items that I felt was important and needed to be addressed for this report.
1. What Goes Around Comes Around: "The Cognitive Dissonance Attitude"
Subject: Re: Aggressive Drivers and Road Rage
From: Nobert Pirzkal npirzkal@eso.org
Date: 1997/09/02
Message-Id: 340BB46E.D86BA7F7@eso.org
Newsgroups: rec.autos.makers.ford.mustang
There is nothing more irritating than people who are totally inconsiderate. Like the idiot that is merging onto a highway and expects you to move and let him on. Why should I have to adjust for him?
Unfortunately, this author has a blind attitude. He doesn't realize that he too will someday need to merge on the highway while hoping someone will open a gap for his car. The philosophy of treating others how you would like to be treated does not apply to him. Our society needs to realize that by letting one more car on the highway, you won't be getting to your destination any later, and to also be considerate of others while driving a car.
2. Power: "The I'm Always Right Attitude"
Subject: Re: Aggressive Drivers and Road Rage
From: dgsmith@wilmington.net (D G Smith)
Date: 1997/08/30
Message-Id: 5u96lo$rhn@news.wilmington.net
Newsgroups: rec.autos.makers.ford.mustang
Aggressive, road rage drivers are the biggest problem. They're the ones who intentionally create danger for others, "justified" or not. Obviously, you're not man enough to turn the other cheek and count your blessings that you've survived another day on the road. Newsgroups: rec.autos.makers.ford.mustang
I can rip a little on newsgroups and hardly anyone ever challenges me. Do you know why, Greg? Because I'm right.
Mike
Though Mike has a valid point, does it make him any more right to give the last sarcastic response? Who is the winner on this one? As far as I can tell, it looks like a no-win situation. Mike's response didn't solve or answer the problem but rather created a new one. Through Mike's sarcastic reply, it's obvious he would like to gain or have some kind of control. Unfortunately, the "I'm always right attitude" appears quite often in newsgroups, as it does in our every day lives. Why does this type of behavior exist? Due to the great amount of pressure on people today to succeed in life, people' desires have gone out of control. They want more power and more control. This power struggle exists in our society norms.
3. Frustration: "The Rage Attitude"
Subject: Re: A car crash
From: "Dr. Driving" dyc@aloha.net
Date: 1997/08/31
Message-Id: 3409C59B.A4C@aloha.net
Newsgroups: alt.gossip.royalty,alt.talk.royalty,rec.arts.poems,rec.arts.prose
Robert Maughan rob@etymon.demon.co.uk wrote:
The stupid woman died in a car crash chased by her fans; the paparazzi were her biggest fans and remain so while there's money in the story, and there's money in it for years yet. Three people died, one is seriously injured. Diana and Al Fayad could afford to die, mourn for the families of the two who were at work.
RJM.
I purposely chose to write about this article last because it had such an impact on me, unlike the other articles that I read. This article was different- it was written with absolutely no thought involved, and at times I asked myself, why? What kind of person would write something so evil? How can anyone refer to the late Princess Diana as stupid? And in the same article state that she and Al Fayad could afford to die. Money can't buy her two children a new mother. The author of this article has a lot of mental/personal problems that need to be addressed. It is obvious through his article that he is very frustrated with his own personal life. It should not be implied that our society is responsible for this man's unkind words.
4. Is There A Moral Crisis in Driving Attitudes?
a) A Summary of Dr. James' Congressional Testimony:
In Dr. James' report on "Aggressive Driving and Road Rage", you can find a wealth of information pertaining to "road rage" and how it is driven by us mentally. He openly speaks about the causes of "road rage," and how it should be understood, identified, and dealt with. To understand it, "requires the ability to analyze a road rage incident and see its natural steps of development or escalation." You must witness the actual occurrence in order for you to analyze the base root of the problem. As children, we identify this aggressive behavior on the road through TV and by watching our parents drive. It is then we realize that while sitting in a car different rules apply. Dr. James believes that we learn aggressive driving behavior as children, which is an acquired habit taught by our parents, and it can be unlearned through proper steps. Culturally speaking, Dr. James shows that our attitudes, beliefs and cognitive behaviors are some of the causes of "road rage". He points out that there is a great need to convert negative driving to a more positive one because it occurs all around us. "Road Rage" does not only take place in high density cities such as New York. This report goes in depth, discussing the anatomy of "road rage". Since 1977, Dr. James has been doing research on driving behavior, and since 1962 he has focused primarily on behavioral science. Therefore, he adds that our emotional and physical stress that we encounter in everyday situations can lead to the reduction of our alertness while we are driving. Interestingly though, he continues to point out that even though many people may need to seek help from psychotherapy or anger management. This isn't enough to cure the problem of "road rage" because it is a cultural norm-not a psychosis.
b) Reasons Attitudes are Present in Aggressive Driving:
With each passing generation, societies change, people change, and lifestyles change. They have to in order to keep up with the pace that was set from previous generations. Society changes through people, people change through lifestyles, and lifestyles change through the desires and needs of people. This networking helps promote our feelings and emotions. We share these feelings with others on a daily basis whether we're conscious of them or not. Today, we want it all. We want more than what our parents had, and in the future our children will want and have more than we do. Technology and money, two controlling factors, help drive our societies to change at a very rapid pace while culturally leaving behind some of our attitudes and beliefs. We are taught at a young age to be territorial. We build fences and walls to let others know where our territory begins and ends. We feel that we "own" the space around us and around things we own such as our cars, especially if it is a nice, expensive car. When someone violates this norm and invades our territory, especially while driving, we feel threatened. This personal threat is a process to the beginning of "road rage." I interpret this attitude as an invasion of space attitude, which unfortunately becomes aggressive behavior. We've been taught as human beings, dating back many centuries, to protect our surroundings upon an invasion from others. Through our own socialization processes, we should focus on what is being taught and observed by our children. They are learning our bad driving habits and they are the next generation. Our morals need to change.
5. Conclusion
a)My Overall Understanding on Newsgroups:
Most of us realize how critical first impressions can be. We usually try to "get off to a good start" by presenting ourselves in a "proper" manner through our appearance or our speech. Unfortunately, our first impressions are not always correct. At times we choose to hold on to these first impressions rather than revise our opinion according to recent contradictory information that we've received, which helps us to avoid admitting our initial impression was originally a mistake. We use stereotyping as a means to help us simplify things around us, our environment, people, etc. Through newsgroups, we label authors by the choice of words they used, the content and context of what they wrote, their topic of discussion, as well as their grammar. Though first impressions are obviously important, they can either work for or against us. The issue of first and last impressions is particularly relevant to newsgroups because written language is a representation of a person's thoughts, emotions or opinions. Our feelings drive our thoughts which we post for others to read. Through newsgroups, relationships develop. Some turn into friendships or social groups while others form barriers. The mystical magic of being involved with a newsgroup is that no one knows who you are or what you look. The prejudice barrier against appearance, accent, race, or color of skin is broken however, it stands tall against written speech which can still be attacked and criticized. Therefore, it is to my understanding that through newsgroups people have the ability to communicate with one another on any notable topic in a free-style manner without restrictions or inhibitors, allowing emotions, desires, feelings, and goals to rise to the surface.
b)My Advice to Newsgroup Explorers:
To conclude this report, I now direct future generations to explore newsgroups by communicating with an open mind. First, acquire the knowledge of what is being discussed in the newsgroup by clicking on to various articles written. While reading these articles, absorb and process this information by writing down all of your thoughts, feelings, and emotions (anger), towards or about the author(s). Write freely and expressively. Then, take a break. At a later time, return back to the same article(s) that had an affect on you. Before making any harsh judgments, reread these articles to see if they still affect you in the same way as they did the first time you read them. Maybe you'll see a change in your attitude or see something different in the point of view of the author. This method of investigating newsgroups, and the application of cognitive thinking may help you understand what drives people to react to a certain stimulus such as written language.
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