I think , perhaps, it all has to do with the basic personality quirks of your typical flamer. In theory, what sets flamers apart from intelligent human beings is that, instead of posting a coherent review with constructive criticism or at least honest opninion, flamers tend to yell and screech, and seldom back up their rants. For example, a piece might be well-written, but have absolutely *atrocious* grammar. Is this a sin worthy of hanging? Well, no - but it is something that takes away from the story, and as such, is something one might want to bring before the author's attention. There are things like spell- and grammar-check, proof/beta readers, etc., that could in theory help them fix this sort of thing, after all, and your courteous readers would phrase their review and grammar-criticism in a form of weakness -> reason -> possible solutions as above. A flamer, on the other hand, tends to write something more along the lines of "OMG teh grammar in this SUCKS!!!'.
Why? Because flamers are vile little cretins that can't be bothered to speak to people with anything even remotely approaching respect. The 'net gives them a feeling of anonymity. After all, no one is going to call their mom or bury them in the sandbox for saying things online they'd never dream of uttering in the actual *presence* of the author. Like the person that cuts you off, locks you behind slow traffic, and flips you off on the highway, Anonymous Man believes he will face no consequences for his actions, and therefore ignores all pretenses of civility and manners.
...Then again, that's just my take on things. Your screaming reviewers might just be that - individuals with the mental prowress of a two-year-old, throwing verbal tantrums in the mistaken belief that anything but a sound paddling will come of this behavior.
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2004-03-26 08:59 am (UTC)Why? Because flamers are vile little cretins that can't be bothered to speak to people with anything even remotely approaching respect. The 'net gives them a feeling of anonymity. After all, no one is going to call their mom or bury them in the sandbox for saying things online they'd never dream of uttering in the actual *presence* of the author. Like the person that cuts you off, locks you behind slow traffic, and flips you off on the highway, Anonymous Man believes he will face no consequences for his actions, and therefore ignores all pretenses of civility and manners.
...Then again, that's just my take on things. Your screaming reviewers might just be that - individuals with the mental prowress of a two-year-old, throwing verbal tantrums in the mistaken belief that anything but a sound paddling will come of this behavior.