Miss Southern Sunshine
Posts: 7427
   
Location: South Central Florida | Interesting article. All of us have seen just plain mean people. They are not only on cyber world, but have been in the "real" world since the original sin.
I believe there has to be a balance somewhere. Between accusing someone of animal cruelty when you don't know anything about the situation, to crazy praise for someone that clearly can't ride.
I don't really remember ever posting anything about anyone else. Mostly I don't even have time for my own life let alone worrying about someone elses. However I have sat in the sstands at a loooong horse show and remarked on rides I watched. I could not tell you what an "out of style hat" would even look like, I just don't know fasion at all. But I have made remarks like, "ohhhh, too bad they over ran the first, could have been a half second faster", or "I don't know how that horse clocks like her does...it's always (faster or slower) than it looks". I don't think I have ever said anything I would not say to the person. And I don't see that as mean.
I do get aggrivated when the NFR comes around and no one can say anything about the riders there. It would be like not being allowed to talk about NFL players during the super bowl. I think conversation is good, and if the industry wants to be treated seriously they need to be able to take criticism.
I don't know what the balance is, but other sports go wildly in many directions but I don't see many pro athletes crying. I think more than anything, we should teach our children not to find their self worth in what other people, mostly strangers say. Life is full of mean and jealous people that will try to knock you down at every turn...get back up and learn or ignore, but don't let it make you what you are. |
Horse Show Cyber Bullying
