created by Stock-Health4590 on 03/12/2024 at 20:15 UTC*
16 upvotes, 24 top-level comments (showing 24)
Idk if this has been posted before or if this is the best place to ask this question. But I alway wondered why people care about online strangers opinions. I know people are designed to want a community but can people really not understand they don't have to prove anything to these people. It's just really confusing to me. Or is there something wrong with me?
Edit 1: I'm mostly talking about other people opinions about themselves.
Comment by lotsagabe at 03/12/2024 at 20:23 UTC
19 upvotes, 2 direct replies
Because their acceptance of their own opinions is tied to social validation rather than fundamental internal harmony.
Comment by FoghornLegday at 03/12/2024 at 20:25 UTC
4 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Sometimes it’s helpful to hear what other people have learned about the world and evaluate it against your own experiences. And sometimes it’s just annoying when someone disagrees with you whether you know them or not, and it’s kind of fun to argue about it. It has nothing to do with the particular person on the other side
Comment by ElectricSnowBunny at 03/12/2024 at 20:24 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
People crave acceptance and are sensitive to how others perceive them.
Comment by CafeTeo at 03/12/2024 at 20:39 UTC
2 upvotes, 1 direct replies
For me it is not that I care about other's opinions. I care if they are dumb asses about it.
Like you don't like something. Ok cool. BUT if you have to attack others for daring to think differently WHY? And when entire groupd of thousands of redditors do it it is even more mind blowing.
So I am not worried if other people think differently from me. I am worried when they treat it like a fact and when they must force this on others.
I have PLENTY of friends and the occasional internet rando who I can discuss things we feel differently about. But 99% of the time. Opinions = facts on the internet. And 99% of the time 10,000 people AGREE an opinion is a fact, to make it worse.
But yes to the root of your concern. I should not care even about that. But it is hard to see people be so fucking dumb.
Comment by PmUsYourDuckPics at 03/12/2024 at 20:41 UTC
2 upvotes, 1 direct replies
You are literally asking strangers on the internet for their opinion.
Comment by celestialpeachlove at 03/12/2024 at 20:43 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
People care about strangers' opinions online because it can feel validating to receive feedback from a broader community, and the desire for connection and approval is a natural part of human behavior, even in virtual spaces.
Comment by TheRealEkimsnomlas at 03/12/2024 at 20:45 UTC*
1 upvotes, 1 direct replies
It interests me what a random sample of people think. I don't mean to depersonalize or discredit, but you have to be honest, it can't be much more than that. Not finding random opinions that are concordant with yours shouldn't be a big deal- nevertheless, it can be a bit of a blow to realize a different perspective is better than yours. but if you're a mature person you take that on and use it to refine your own views.
Comment by BGnDaddy at 03/12/2024 at 20:45 UTC
1 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I couldn't care less.
But what do you think?
Comment by BC_Arctic_Fox at 03/12/2024 at 20:48 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I've definitely noticed an increase in crowdsourcing decisions - interesting phenomenon!
Comment by mrxexon at 03/12/2024 at 21:03 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
There is an old saying that you can't see your own face.
We depend on other people's opinions to tell us who and what we are in society. Because we ourselves cannot tell without that feedback.
Comment by extremelight at 03/12/2024 at 21:14 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Edit 1: I'm mostly talking about other people opinions about themselves.
If someone has something to say about me, good or bad, I'd want to know. It's just natural curiosity. Doesn't mean I have to do anything with it
Comment by aspnotathrowaway at 03/12/2024 at 21:16 UTC*
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
If it's a subjective topic like say taste in music or shows, then I would agree it's not worth putting much stock in online opinions. However sometimes it's not just a matter of differing opinion or seeking validation – especially when it comes to discussions that can drastically impact decisions that those involved or those who will read them will take. For example if you're a doctor/researcher and someone is going around falsely claiming you're a paid shill or some other damning thing without evidence, there is a risk that it will have an impact on you and your livelihood IRL. Keep in mind that employers nowadays scour the web in their recruitment processes.
Comment by paradiseunlocked at 03/12/2024 at 21:33 UTC
1 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Sadly, we're in a world where people are desperate for approval and validation. People even go out of their way to ask strangers to "rate me." It's a weird new society norm that I feel comes across as desperate. The younger they are, the worse feel for them. IMO, they weren't taught healthy social boundaries and are severely lacking emotional intelligence.
Comment by venusinfeathers at 03/12/2024 at 22:36 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I don't anymore, but when I was a teen, I definitely cared what others thought of me online.
I had a horrible home life and lived in a shitty community, so I went online for validation and socialization. People disliking me online hurt because I had nowhere else to turn. Plus, they got away with terroristic threats and more back then, so whether or not faceless people liked you was more prudent than it is now if you wanted to socialize online.
Comment by BookReadPlayer at 03/12/2024 at 22:50 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Must be a tribal thing. I’m an AI, and I only really consider other AI commentary relevant.
Comment by Spyderbeast at 04/12/2024 at 00:14 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
People may not have large and healthy social circles. Yet they have healthy and kind instincts
Their circle makes them think they're weird and strange and weak for their normal human feelings
So they wonder if they're stupid for caring
I hope they find the validation they need to dump the toxic people in their lives, but failing that, I hope they live without guilt for a pure heart
Comment by One_Surprise_7258 at 04/12/2024 at 00:40 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I guess because they want validation and acceptance 🤷
Comment by ArtfulDoggie at 04/12/2024 at 01:06 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
It seems now that if your opinion doesn't match others.Then they're gonna hate you, cancel you, dox uou, swat you.
It's a mad mad mad mad world (Good movie too)
Comment by Original_Tennis6758 at 04/12/2024 at 01:21 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I heard it from a video creator's talk. There's a research saying people are more likely to notice voices opposing them. That's why you occasionally see youtubers/bloggers focus so much on a negative comment, even there are thousands of positive voices.
The reason is, from revolutionary psychology, imagine you are a tribe leader thousands years ago. Tribe is a small community, so you have to make sure everyone's satisfied to have everyone working.
Comment by LadyNinaxxx at 04/12/2024 at 01:41 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
It also seems very strange to me, but I think it is due to a lack of self-confidence. Then they are affected by what others think or believe about them, needing their approval. Which is very sad and I think to work on it in therapy hahahaha
Comment by Available_Dingo6162 at 04/12/2024 at 01:56 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Good point.
If I am trying to change your opinion about a thing, it is because I respect it. If I think you are dirt, why would I bother trying to change your opinion, when I don't respect it in the first place?
The ultimate in disrespect is not giving the slightest of damns about what someone else thinks. Treating someone as if they were an insect, basically, is SO disrespectful. Because to me, the most respectful things you can do for a person is listen to them, consider what they have said, and respond to them.
Comment by Felinomancy at 04/12/2024 at 02:05 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
*If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,*
*But make allowance for their doubting too;*
Comment by Scuh at 04/12/2024 at 02:15 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
IMHO, people want to be like others to feel safe in the world.
If you have a different point of view, you have to be strong enough to push that point through. It is difficult to get to that mindset.
I also see it along the same as extroverts and introverts. There are more extroverts in the world than introverts, which is why there are so-called rules that everyone should follow to feel love/safe.
Comment by yara-aragon at 04/12/2024 at 09:07 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
honestly, i just think it’s because of the very nature of the human, i mean we are social creatures after all, so being liked and accepted into any group/community is just instinctual imo