Sickness Of Crowds Or Why I’ve Had Enough Of Digg

I have found many good stories via Digg since the site has been around. Now, I understand that the Internet is not the most wholesome of places, but I am increasingly repulsed by the bad-taste of Digg commenters. It seems to be getting worse and worse.

For example, one of today’s top stories included “Todder Dies In Hide-And-Seek Game“. Popular comments include:
- “He won, right?”
- “He was so dedicated that he did not even fear death, so long as it secured his victory. Legendary.”
- “wow…adds a completely new dimension to the game”
- “owned”

One Digger finally had something useful to say:

so i’m feeling that deep & instant empathy i always feel for other parents who’ve lost a baby — but that’s not the worst thing. that first comment, and the +83 diggs it’s gotten? that’s … hideous.

in spite of the revulsion i feel at the individuals who contributed to that number, i sincerely hope that they never have to experience the loss of a little one — no matter how badly they need some perspective on the subject.

here’s hoping they find that perspective some other way. meanwhile, i seriously need to turn off my digg feed and go take a shower. ick. just ick.

I’ve killed my Digg feed permanently. I do enjoy many of the stories that come through, but we really need an eduDigg of sorts, something with similar contributory mechanisms, but utilized by those with souls.

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4 comments to Sickness Of Crowds Or Why I’ve Had Enough Of Digg

  1. Francois Guite
    January 27th, 2007 at 1:29 pm

    Thank you for stating out loud what a lot of us feel.

    Although I couldn’t do without the internet, I am often dismayed by the stupidity that I encounter. I don’t know whether it’s solely a reflexion of reality or if indeed the internet brings out the worst of some people.

    If there is a Wisdom of Crowds, there is also a foolishness of gangs whereby some try to outdo the inanity of others.

  2. EduDigg Service at apcampbell
    February 7th, 2007 at 12:40 am

    [...] I really enjoy reading some of the articles that come through my Digg feed.  Like Alec, I’d love to see an EduDigg service get launched; where educators and other interested peop [...]

  3. Couros Blog » Blog Archive » The Connection Between Anonymity and Nastiness in the Online World
    March 21st, 2007 at 4:26 pm

    [...] to shock, and of course, makes more sense once you read the article. After thinking about my own recent post re: Digg, I particularly liked this paragraph. People who can spontaneously invent [...]

  4. Free Online Educational Game
    March 12th, 2008 at 6:58 am

    Online Computer Games

    Online computer games take advantage of the Internet to offer an exquisite gaming experience. Online computer games are of four types.

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