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After watching a YouTube video or reading someone’s post, do you often scroll down to see negative comments? Many people do this all the time, especially if the topic of the post is hotly debated. What is behind this strange desire?
The ubiquity of negativity
One of the reasons is that it is everywhere, which means that we already perceive it as the norm. Social networks are teeming with trolls and haters, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to find “corners” of the Internet free from them. Everyone is literally two clicks away from someone else’s rudeness in their address.
There is no need to specifically look for the negative – it haunts us. And very soon we become addicted to it (yes, it can be caused not only by chemicals or, say, video games). And the fact that we simply cannot resist doing something (in this case, reading the comments) is a clear confirmation of this.
Feeling of superiority
Have you ever read someone’s negative review and thought that it was clearly not written from a great mind? People are used to judging others, in a sense, this is our nature. We are focused on ourselves. And even the kindest of us think that they (and those around them) could be better.
It is important for us to assert ourselves, and other people’s comments provide such an opportunity. We all face challenges every day. There is not a single person on earth who would be happy every day of his life and believe that he had nothing to worry about and nothing to overcome. And when we lack something, it’s so easy to comfort ourselves by saying, “Well, I’m better than that evil troll anyway.”
Other people’s mistakes give many self-confidence. Not the most healthy behavior, and it is important at least to learn to notice it behind you.
The ability to feel … at least something
It happens to many people at least from time to time to fall into apathy. There are so many terrible things happening in the world every day that we gradually learn to distance ourselves from what is happening and not overreact emotionally. This is a wonderful property of the psyche, otherwise the next news would simply lead us to a nervous breakdown.
Such protection is necessary, but we still need to experience vivid emotions. And sometimes it doesn’t matter what: happiness, sadness, anger. Only by feeling something, we feel truly alive. Reading negative comments provides that opportunity, especially if they are about something we really care about. We get upset or angry, and this, oddly enough, gives us a boost of energy. Here it is – another step towards addiction.
What to do with it?
First, admit to yourself that we really have an addiction and it’s bad. She takes control of her life. So the next time you read a controversial post or article on a hot topic and are about to get into the comments, try to stop yourself. Listen to your feelings. Was it hard for you to keep up? If so, there is definitely work to be done.
Secondly, remember that the consumption of negativity can affect your mental state – at least spoil your mood or make you more irritable. Finally, don’t forget that hate is not something worth spreading. On the contrary, it is worth fighting against it, it is worth preventing its spread.
Life is so difficult. Even if you are not trolling anyone, but just reading malicious comments, you provide a platform for haters to express themselves. Maybe it’s time to stop doing it?