I think the problem is not only with the Internet but mainly with people having no idea of just how large and varied the world is, how other people see things and how bizarre shit lurks just behind the horizon of their own life experience. The Internet only connected different strains of people together and now they are surprised, disgusted, scared or angered by what they see. And such phenomenon isn't even limited to the Internet.
For example, in case of this "sexual harassment in tech", I really think it's a matter of significant lack of understanding between the parties involved. Apparently it's not the case that most women would agree to have sex with just any random dude, but nevertheless some men seem to expect exactly that. OTOH, I very much doubt that they would be willing to take them by force, but nevertheless women end up worrying about all the possible things that may have happened.
> good policy and good laws depend on a logical and unemotional view of things
That's plausible. Good policy probably benefits from understanding, which seems to be improved by familiarity, which reduces emotional reactions, particularly the negative ones.
> You should not, however, make decisions based on how you feel about things.
But OTOH, if for whatever reason you can't obtain familiarity and understanding, it probably may be safer to follow your gut feeling. I think that's what guides many people and they probably don't think about it much.
> The internet is all about the feels - the mob, the pain, the sadness, the outrage.
THB, you could equally well describe Bolsheviks or Nazis that way. And they have this curious property of predating the Internet by several decades ;)
For example, in case of this "sexual harassment in tech", I really think it's a matter of significant lack of understanding between the parties involved. Apparently it's not the case that most women would agree to have sex with just any random dude, but nevertheless some men seem to expect exactly that. OTOH, I very much doubt that they would be willing to take them by force, but nevertheless women end up worrying about all the possible things that may have happened.
> good policy and good laws depend on a logical and unemotional view of things
That's plausible. Good policy probably benefits from understanding, which seems to be improved by familiarity, which reduces emotional reactions, particularly the negative ones.
> You should not, however, make decisions based on how you feel about things.
But OTOH, if for whatever reason you can't obtain familiarity and understanding, it probably may be safer to follow your gut feeling. I think that's what guides many people and they probably don't think about it much.
> The internet is all about the feels - the mob, the pain, the sadness, the outrage.
THB, you could equally well describe Bolsheviks or Nazis that way. And they have this curious property of predating the Internet by several decades ;)