Is it normal to have a facebook complex?

65% Normal
23 Comments

Why do people turn into such D-bags over the computer but not in real life. You can add a person on Facebook and they suddenly turn into a prick. Not because of politics either they just decide they are going to be a prick. This happens with a lot of people I knew. I hang in real life and everything is cool, fun we hang out. Yet I add them on Facebook and they become huge jerks, I block them and I start ignoring them in person. What is it about Facebook that turns people into such jerks? Does anyone understand the psychology behind this? This only seems to happen on Facebook. I have never seen it happen on any other website.

Voting Results
65% Normal
Based on 26 votes (17 yes)
Help us keep this site organized and clean. Thanks!
[ Report Post ]
Comments ( 23 )
  • [Old Memory]
    10 years ago

    Theres not many social consequences being a prick on the internet, or atleast its not immediate consquences. In real life if you insulted someone like the internet you face immediate threat to your survival.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    1
    1
  • crion
    10 years ago

    People don't filter their behavior online. I believe this has to do with the way typing bypasses the regulating effects of the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for (among many other things) keeping you from acting like a douche around others.

    The psychological term for this phenomenon is the "Greater Internet Fuckwad Theory," discovered by Jonathan Gabriel et al. some years ago, after evidence discovered in UT04.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    1
    1
      -
    • TheProph
      10 years ago

      Right, except the "Greater Internet Fuckward Theory" is a joke, or a "meme".

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      0
      0
  • handsignals
    10 years ago

    Iv'e always said it turns adults into children.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    1
    1
  • Psoriano
    10 years ago

    It's interesting how before such an abomination existed (I'm talking about Facebook) and most Internet interaction was through chat, it worked exactly the other way around. You would add anyone on MSN messenger and they'd all be the coolest people in the world, they'd share tons of personal things with you and everything, and then in real life they'd be utter douche-bags.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • KeddersPrincess
    10 years ago

    Hm. Never happened to me.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • Sog
    10 years ago

    I'm at the point in life where the vast majority of facebook posts by my friends are either about babies or cats.

    It's boring, but I guess I should consider myself lucky.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • DangerousPotatoGuy
    10 years ago

    I guess this showed way back in the great flame war of '99 that people will always feel safe being a prick/troll behind a keyboard, something that is way too hard to do irl. Same as most people who swear online, they don't usually swear irl.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
      -
    • Anonymous Post Author
      10 years ago

      Yes but I can deal with swearing. If someone wants to cuss online fine but I am never a prick to any of these people and they suddenly decide to treat me like shit since we happen to be on the computer. I don't understand the logic behind this. I never do this!

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      1
      1
        -
      • peterr
        10 years ago

        I think you are sweet.

        Comment Hidden ( show )
        1
        1
      • DangerousPotatoGuy
        10 years ago

        Agreed, in this case it's weird cuz you get to see that person irl which to me sounds odd. I think they're used to being that way and just couldn't change in your presence

        Comment Hidden ( show )
        0
        0
  • Valqueer
    10 years ago

    I would love it if someone became a real prick!

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
      -
    • RoseIsabella
      10 years ago

      Hahaha... Just like a giant human shlong?

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      0
      0
        -
      • Valqueer
        10 years ago

        Precisely, comrade, precisely.

        Comment Hidden ( show )
        1
        1
      • Anonymous Post Author
        10 years ago

        I think he would try to sit on them. He must just love slapping around penises.

        Comment Hidden ( show )
        0
        0
  • [Old Memory]
    10 years ago

    I haven't noticed this.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • robbieforgotpw
    10 years ago

    Facebook causes me to take a dump in my pants

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
      -
    • TheProph
      10 years ago

      That's just bad diarrhea, not terriblebook, I mean facebook.

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      0
      0
  • Derpinism
    10 years ago

    this could be attention seeking behavior. so they act like clowns.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
      -
    • Anonymous Post Author
      10 years ago

      Well I don't get that. I was nice enough to be this persons friends in real life than I get on the computer and they act like a prick. What are they hoping to gain? I pay attention to them anyways till they decide to piss me off. Which only seems to happen when we are both on the computer together. this only seems to happen on FACEBOOK. Since I have done this on email sites and other sort of websites and they treat me this way. What kind of attention are they looking for? Do they want to lose friends?

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      0
      0
  • Fall_leaves
    10 years ago

    It's a pissing contest, that's all

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • Shackleford96
    10 years ago

    That's just how digitalism works...

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
      -
    • shuggy-chan
      10 years ago

      Myfacebook, not yourfacebook

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      1
      1