You are *such* a sociologist. (Says the deviance and social control nut turned anthropologist) I agree with all you've said, in the previous post and this, and I think your arguments are great - well thought out and presented in an easy to understand, straight-forward style. If all academic-type writing was like this, the world would be a much better place.
So, as we've agreed that social norms about who can/should comment when and where and to whom about what do exist on the internet, here's a follow-up question: How do new members of various internet communities learn about these norms? Given that the public perception of the internet, and the way it's often portrayed in various other media can lead a first-time user to believe that 'you can say anything on the internet,' how do we socialize the newbies in cyberspace? What social cues can be given to lead them in the right direction, given the absense of 'traditional' social cues such as body language, tone of voice, etc.?
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So, as we've agreed that social norms about who can/should comment when and where and to whom about what do exist on the internet, here's a follow-up question:
How do new members of various internet communities learn about these norms? Given that the public perception of the internet, and the way it's often portrayed in various other media can lead a first-time user to believe that 'you can say anything on the internet,' how do we socialize the newbies in cyberspace? What social cues can be given to lead them in the right direction, given the absense of 'traditional' social cues such as body language, tone of voice, etc.?