The Problem with The Internet

In the digital era, the world online is now becoming what seems to  be a culture of animosity—where everyone is a glass half empty kinda person. Relentless hate has been known to often drown out people trying to voice their appreciation and meaningful debates. The shift has manifested on a wide range of platforms, from social networks to forums, impacting public figures as well as everyday individuals.

There used to be a time when society eagerly celebrated its icons, drawing inspiration from their accomplishments. A world where ESPN analysts are passionate about the sport and not the controversy that drives engagement. Today, however, the story has shifted toward fault-finding rather than praise. Take NBA legend, LeBron James, whose extraordinary skills and contributions to basketball are frequently met with unwarranted hostility online. Everywhere you see he is being put down, whether through his age, his stats, or even his own son. Veteran coach Doc Rivers has noted, "Back in my day, we used to celebrate our stars." It should be embarrassing for the entire NBA community that a person has had to even say this.

These days, social media platforms tend to be home to echo chambers—the algorithm thinks you agree with a specific viewpoint,  and so it shows you more of it so you will be pleased by the app. Within these so called safe spaces, hate grows faster than you can say stop. And the way Reddit works, the more people disagree with you, the farther down the feed your comment goes.

While the surge in online hostility is disheartening and definitely overwhelming, it is important to remember that criticism, when offered with good intentions, is essential for accountability and improvement. An example that comes to mind is tech YouTuber, Marques Brownlee. In late 2024, he encountered significant backlash after sharing a sponsored video in which he was seen driving at 95 mph in a 35 mph zone—a dangerous lapse that drew widespread reproach. People trusted this guy to tell them which cars are good and which aren’t, and now he was seen abusing one?

In response, Marques publicly acknowledged his error, calling his actions "absolutely inexcusable and dangerous.”

Similarly, his "Panels" app, which had faced criticism for its steep subscription fees and intrusive ads, was overhauled based on user feedback, demonstrating how well-founded critique can lead to meaningful and useful improvements.

The key challenge lies within differentiating between pointing out a mistake to ameliorate the situation and hating because you have nothing better to do.