The 'Net and the Arithmetic Rise of the Cyber Bitch

The Internet is great for a lot of things: purchasing books, looking at porn, getting directions, rudimentary research, and figuring out where a movie is playing. But what seems to be the primary mission of the ‘Net is to produce a legion of cyber-bitches. You know of whom I’m speaking. These cyber-bitches usually sign their names “anonymous” after writing something racist, misogynistic, or just plain stupid. The ‘Net has succeeded only in allowing the proliferation of these digi-cowards. You have to be real bitch-made to use the anonymous option when the ‘Net is already a continent of anonymity. You are removed from the sound of your words, from your intended audience, and from the actual writing itself—you are more connected to your words via pen and paper than typing on a keyboard—so why would you try to hide any further? It’s a facet of loser-dom that is damn near impossible to comprehend. What are you so afraid of?

If you doubt me, take a look at the comments section on any news agency’s site. Hell, check out any site where any idiot can post. For every piece of intelligent commentary, there are a dozen comments from “anonymous” posting things like, “first, bitches”, or “you have cheeseburgers?” or baleful quips like, “kill all niggers,” or “fist that bitch.” You’re kidding, right?
If you cannot stand by your words, do not present them in any fashion. Not audibly or typographically. Our world is in too precarious a spot for the cyber-bitches to be allowed to continue wasting our most precious resources: time, attention, and synapses.

I challenge all of you to sign your shit. In the 21st century there is no reason for people to hide under the aegis of anonymity. This early in our new aeon, we have to hold each other (and ourselves) accountable for all our collective multimedia bullshit. Otherwise, we’ll be continuing to traverse the same pothole filled superhighway of the previous century.

Don’t be afraid to stand by your words, thoughts, or beliefs. If you want to use the word “nigger” or say something as stupid as the commentator on my post about PK/FR, own that shit. Stop being a punk.

People want to say that the ‘Net is our highest form of representative democracy. If this is the case, another Asian Tsunami and another Katrina should wipe us out for our hubris. Shit, I’ll be the brother with the tattoos, shaved head and muscles doing the rain dance.

Stop being so damn cowardly or I’ll make it my life’s work to short-circuit all of you cyber-bitches.

Word is digital-bond.

Shawn Taylor