Does the web turn people mean? Or reveal true selves?

I think chat rooms and things like the IRC where people can be anonymous and have little retribution to society for a cruddy attitude - they feel free to show themselves in not so bright colors..... then others being exposed to this behaviour begin to be de sensitized to it, or begin to adopt some of the traits for themselves.... and it is a vicious cycle. either that or it could be the radioactive waves and subliminal messages emitting from the cpu and monitor.... anyone see my tin foil hat?

On the internet you can be anonymous so they think they can say whatever they want. They would probably like to do the same in real life but it is not socially acceptable. Thankfully there are still some genuinely nice people in this world. I tend to just ignore people who are being jerks because they are not worth my time or energy.