This goes back to the classic bullying concept. Knowing that you are upsetting someone else makes some people almost feel better about themselves. They know they can set someone off just by leaving a single comment, even just 1 word at some times. They seem to feel more important because others disagree with them. It's not necessarily about being right, but about knowing its bothering other people and getting a reaction out of them.

I think this viewpoint that the fame aspect is a big part of why people argue so much on the internet is very interesting. I feel like everyone is so obsessed with the drama that's going on around them that arguments are catapulted to fame. Everyone wants to give their opinion and add to the drama, and this just makes the original commenter even more famous.

I think small differences in opinions are able to blow up as much as they are today on the internet because people don't have the immediate consequences that would subsequent in face-to-face conversations. It's a lot easier to be mean and argue when you don't have to actually see the reactions of others or ever talk to them again.

I think it's hard for media outlets to cut down on anger and hatred because that's the drama that readers crave. Especially in a time dominated by Tiktok, few people want to take the time to read a "boring" article. However, if theres drama involved, the viewership goes up, because everyone wants to know the drama.

I think that this is something that is incredibly hard for people in our generation. We are so stubborn in our opinions and tend to only see our way as the right way, even when maybe it isn't. It's okay to have differing opinions and its incredibly important to respect others' opinions, even if we disagree.

This quote not only relates back to comment sections, be even something a little more personal like text messages, which I think just shows how important it really is. It's so simple for people to misinterpret messages like "okay." because you don't have that tone and gesture. Some may read it simply as okay, and some may read it as anger or annoyance. Without the face to face contact, it is incredibly hard to communicate the emotion behind conversations, and in comment sections, where people are often seeming to look for drama, misinterpretations are even more prevalent.

I think that this is something that is super important to point out. Commenters find it so much easier to antagonize others on the internet because there aren't any immediate repercussions. These aren't people you see every day at work, or really even someone you will likely meet in your lifetime, and because of this there really isn't a punishment for being mean. The worst that can really happen is the platform banning you, which is simple enough to get around with a new account.

I feel like its pretty obvious that comment wars can damage mental health, but I find it interesting that psychologists say that it damages society as well, and I completely agree. I feel as if these comments really just polarize everyone even more and create a more toxic environment for everyone.