Apr. 26th, 2011

(I will disclaim first that I'm aware that Metafilter's comments threads are really clean compared to many online communities. The thing is, I usually avoid those communities! So when Metafilter threads develop patches of toxicity, it's obviously going to be somewhat more noticeable to me.)

In a Metafilter thread following a post about something bad happening to someone or a group of people - for example, racial discrimination, hurricanes, medical bankruptcy, rape, hit in crotch by meteorite - how quickly does the first comment appear that:

* Downplays the bad thing's importance?
* Suggests that the victim(s) deserved it?
* States that "everyone already knows" about the problem, with the implication that discussing it is pointless?
* Suggests that efforts at fixing the problem will either make no difference or "only make things worse?"
* Questions the motives or legitimacy of an organization or person complaining about or working to resist said -ism?

Additionally, how does the identify of the bad-thing-afflicted group affect the speed and density with which Metafilter's disdain presents itself? Or, to rephrase: With whom does Metafilter sympathize the most, and with whom the least?

Cut because this is depressing. Also, I am ashamed of my tiny sample size. )

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