History Main / GIFT

This phenomenon has been studied in an academic setting, and by all accounts the satirical analysis is spot-on; normal people become more aggressive when they think their behavior carries no real-world social consequences. When people do not have to worry about getting in trouble with their [[NeverLiveItDown loved ones, school, or place of employment]], or getting into [[TalkToTheFist a direct]] [[NoHoldsBarredBeatdown physical altercation]] with anyone, they feel that they have nothing to lose by being [[{{Jerkass}} shameless, insufferable jerks]] behind the veil of anonymity that is TheInternet. Therefore, the internet doesn't magically turn people into jerks, it [[HumansAreBastards reveals humanity for what it truly is]].

This phenomenon has been studied in an academic setting, and by all accounts the satirical analysis is spot-on; normal people become more aggressive when they think their behavior carries no real-world social consequences. When people do not have to worry about getting in trouble with their [[NeverLiveItDown loved ones, school, or place of employment]], or getting into [[TalkToTheFist a direct]] [[NoHoldsBarredBeatdown physical altercation]] with anyone, they feel that they have nothing to lose by being [[{{Jerkass}} shameless, insufferable jerks]] behind the veil of anonymity that is TheInternet.

Hence the depressingly large number of people who think that being a cyberbully is funny, and that {{the Internet}} is the perfect place to spew all the bigoted, [[{{Hypocrite}} hypocritical]], provocative, or otherwise hateful bile they would never say in real life. The GIFT also contributes to the pervasiveness of cyber-bullying [[KidsAreCruel among kids]] [[TeensAreMonsters and teenagers]], which has led to [[DrivenToSuicide suicides]]. The academic name of the phenomenon is the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_disinhibition_effect Online Disinhibition Effect]], but even leading researchers use GIFT outside the journals. It should be noted that the Online Disinhibition Effect cuts both ways; while some people become [[{{Jerkass}} jerks]], other people find the anonymity and lack of consequence on TheInternet allows them to be more honest and talk about issues that, under normal circumstances, they would be unable to speak about. These issues can be as simple as [[PeripheryDemographic liking a movie or show normally seen as outside their demographic]] or as serious as mental health issues, but in either case, the exact same anonymity that turns some people into [[{{Jerkass}} Jerkasses]] allows them to speak things that they might want to talk about but be unable to do normally for fear of social stigma.

Of course, the advent of newer social media sites such as Website/{{Facebook}} and comment feeds on certain news sites, which require people to use their real name and maybe even other details about themselves when posting, has put the theory a bit into question and re-evalutation, as plenty of people (barring the ones who uses fake names and throwaway accounts) seem quite willing to be just as obnoxious, rude, and abusive while posting under their real identity as people posting under a pseudonym. Lack of anonymity, it seems, might dissuade some people from being jerks, but it doesn't appear that it is as effective a way to keep people on good behavior as originally thought.

Of course, the advent of newer social media sites such as Website/{{Facebook}} and comment feeds on certain news sites, which require people to use their real name and maybe even other details about themselves before posting, has put the theory a bit into question and re-evalutation, as plenty of people (barring the ones who uses fake names and throwaway accounts) seem quite willing to be just as obnoxious, rude, and abusive while posting under their real identity as people posting under a pseudonym. Lack of anonymity, it seems, might dissuade some people from being jerks, but it doesn't appear that it is as effective a way to keep people on good behavior as originally thought.

Of course, the advent of newer social media sites such as Website/{{Facebook}} and comment feeds on certain news sites, which require people to use their real name and certain other details about themselves before posting, has put the theory a bit into question and re-evalutation, as plenty of people (barring the ones who uses fake names and throwaway accounts) seem quite willing to be just as obnoxious, rude, and abusive while posting under their real identity as people posting under a pseudonym. Lack of anonymity, it seems, might dissuade some people from being jerks, but it doesn't appear that it is as effective a way to keep people on good behavior as originally thought.

Of course, the advent of newer social media sites such as Website/{{Facebook}} and comment feeds on certain news sites, which require people to use their real name and certain other details about themselves before posting, has put the theory a bit into question and re-evalutation, as plenty of people (barring the ones who uses fake names and throwaway accounts) seem quite willing to be just as obnoxious, aggressive, and abusive while posting under their real identity as people posting under a pseudonym. Lack of anonymity, it seems, might dissuade some people from being jerks, but it doesn't appear that it is as effective a way to keep people on good behavior as originally thought.

Of course, the advent of newer social media sites such as Website/{{Facebook}} and comment feeds on certain news sites, which require people to use their real name and certain other details about themselves before posting, has put the theory a bit into question, as plenty of people (barring the ones who uses fake names and throwaway accounts) seem quite willing to be just as obnoxious, aggressive, and abusive while posting under their real identity as people posting under a pseudonym.

The idea of anonymity's irresistible corruption due to lack of consequences and escape from [[BigBrotherIsWatching restraints caused by being watched]] is extremely pervasive. Think of the people who leave unholy messes and/or graffiti in public restrooms. Nobody sees them do it, and they almost certainly wouldn't make such a mess in their own bathroom where they'd have to clean it up ([[TrashOfTheTitans hopefully]]), or when they're a guest in someone's home. The basic idea [[OlderThanFeudalism was first proposed by]] Creator/{{Plato}} in ''Literature/TheRepublic'', where he recounts the myth of the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ring_of_Gyges Ring of Gyges]], one of the original InvisibleJerkass stories. At least one psychology paper has confirmed that Internet anonymity [[http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/climate_desk/2014/02/internet_troll_personality_study_machiavellianism_narcissism_psychopathy.html is attractive to narcissistic, psychopathic, sadistic people]] who take pleasure in making others suffer.

A {{Subtrope}} to SeriousBusiness and InternetBackdraft. VocalMinority is where most of this comes from. See also InternetToughGuy, {{Troll}}, WhiteKnighting, GarbagePostKid, ResidentFreak, ADarkerMe, BecameTheirOwnAntithesis, and {{Griefer}} for specific forms of this, or any comment section. Compare WhatYouAreInTheDark.

The equation is ''"Normal Person + Anonymity + Audience = [[{{Jerkass}} Total Fuckwad]]"''

This phenomenon has been studied in an academic setting, and by all accounts the satirical analysis is spot-on; normal people become more aggressive when they think their behavior carries no real-world social consequences. When people do not have to worry about getting in trouble with their [[NeverLiveItDown loved ones, school, or place of employment]], or getting into [[TalkToTheFist a direct]] [[NoHoldsBarredBeatdown physical altercation]] with anyone, they feel that they have nothing to lose by being [[JerkAss shameless, insufferable jerks]] behind the veil of anonymity that is TheInternet.

Hence the depressingly large number of people who think that being a cyberbully is funny, and that {{the Internet}} is the perfect place to spew all the bigoted, [[{{Hypocrite}} hypocritical]], provocative, or otherwise hateful bile they would never say in real life. The GIFT also contributes to the pervasiveness of cyber-bullying [[KidsAreCruel among kids]] [[TeensAreMonsters and teenagers]], which has led to [[DrivenToSuicide suicides]]. The academic name of the phenomenon is the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_disinhibition_effect Online Disinhibition Effect]], but even leading researchers use GIFT outside the journals. It should be noted that the Online Disinhibition Effect cuts both ways; while some people become [[JerkAss jerks]], other people find the anonymity and lack of consequence on TheInternet allows them to be more honest and talk about issues that, under normal circumstances, they would be unable to speak about. These issues can be as simple as [[PeripheryDemographic liking a movie or show normally seen as outside their demographic]] or as serious as mental health issues, but in either case, the exact same anonymity that turns some people into [[JerkAss Jerkasses]] allows them to speak things that they might want to talk about but be unable to do normally for fear of social stigma.

Hence the depressingly large number of people who think that being a {{Troll}} is funny, and that {{the Internet}} is the perfect place to spew all the bigoted, [[{{Hypocrite}} hypocritical]], provocative, or otherwise hateful bile they would never say in real life. The GIFT also contributes to the pervasiveness of cyber-bullying [[KidsAreCruel among kids]] [[TeensAreMonsters and teenagers]], which has led to [[DrivenToSuicide suicides]]. The academic name of the phenomenon is the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_disinhibition_effect Online Disinhibition Effect]], but even leading researchers use GIFT outside the journals. It should be noted that the Online Disinhibition Effect cuts both ways; while some people become [[JerkAss jerks]], other people find the anonymity and lack of consequence on TheInternet allows them to be more honest and talk about issues that, under normal circumstances, they would be unable to speak about. These issues can be as simple as [[PeripheryDemographic liking a movie or show normally seen as outside their demographic]] or as serious as mental health issues, but in either case, the exact same anonymity that turns some people into [[JerkAss Jerkasses]] allows them to speak things that they might want to talk about but be unable to do normally for fear of social stigma.

This phenomenon has been studied in an academic setting, and by all accounts the satirical analysis is spot-on; normal people become more aggressive when they think their behavior carries no real-world social consequences. When people do not have to worry about getting in trouble with their [[NeverLiveItDown loved ones, school, or place of employment]], or getting into a direct physical altercation with anyone, they feel that they have nothing to lose being [[JerkAss shameless, insufferable jerks]] behind the veil of anonymity that is TheInternet.

Hence the depressingly large number of people who think that being a {{Troll}} is funny, and that {{the Internet}} is the perfect place to spew all the bigoted, [[{{Hypocrite}} hypocritical]], provocative, or otherwise hateful bile they would never say in real life. The GIFT also contributes to the pervasiveness of cyber-bullying [[KidsAreCruel among kids]] [[TeensAreMonsters and teenagers]], which has led to [[DrivenToSuicide suicides]]. The academic name of the phenomenon is the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_disinhibition_effect Online Disinhibition Effect]], but even leading researchers use GIFT outside the journals. It should be noted that the Online Disinhibition Effect cuts both ways, while some people become [[JerkAss jerks]], other people find the anonymity and lack of consequence on TheInternet allows them to be more honest and talk about issues that, under normal circumstances, they would be unable to speak about. These issues can be as simple as [[PeripheryDemographic liking a movie or show normally seen as outside their demographic]] or as serious as mental health issues, but in either case the exact same anonymity that turns some people into [[JerkAss Jerkasses]] allows them to speak that they might want to talk about but be unable to do normally for fear of social stigma.

Hence the depressingly large number of people who think that being a {{Troll}} is funny, and that {{the Internet}} is the perfect place to spew all the bigoted, [[{{Hypocrite}} hypocritical]], provocative, or otherwise hateful bile they would never say in real life. The GIFT also contributes to the pervasiveness of cyber-bullying [[KidsAreCruel among kids]] [[TeensAreMonsters and teenagers]], which has led to [[DrivenToSuicide suicides]]. The academic name of the phenomenon is the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_disinhibition_effect Online Disinhibition Effect]], but even leading researchers use GIFT outside the journals. It should be noted that the Online Disinhibition Effect cuts both ways, while some people become [[JerkAss jerks]], other people find the anonymity and lack of consequence on TheInternet allows them to be more honest and talk about issues that, under normal circumstances, they would be unable to speak about. These issues can be as simple as [[PeripheryDemographic liking a movie or show normally seen as outside their demographic]] or as serious as mental health issues, but in either case the exact same anonymity that turns some people into [[JerkAss Jerkasses]]

Hence the depressingly large number of people who think that being a {{Troll}} is funny, and that {{the Internet}} is the perfect place to spew all the bigoted, [[{{Hypocrite}} hypocritical]], provocative, or otherwise hateful bile they would never say in real life. The GIFT also contributes to the pervasiveness of cyber-bullying [[KidsAreCruel among kids]] [[TeensAreMonsters and teenagers]], which has led to [[DrivenToSuicide suicides]]. The academic name of the phenomenon is the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_disinhibition_effect Online Disinhibition Effect]], but even leading researchers use GIFT outside the journals.

The idea of anonymity's irresistible corruption due to lack of consequences and escape from [[BigBrotherIsWatching restraints caused by being watched]] is extremely pervasive. Think of the people who leave unholy messes and/or graffiti in public restrooms. Nobody sees them do it, and they almost certainly wouldn't make such a mess in their own bathroom where they'd have to clean it up ([[TrashOfTheTitans hopefully]]), or when they're a guest in someone's home. The basic idea [[OlderThanFeudalism was first proposed by]] Creator/{{Plato}} in ''Literature/TheRepublic'', where he recounts the myth of the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ring_of_Gyges Ring of Gyges]], one of the original InvisibleJerkass stories.

This phenomenon has been studied in an academic setting, and by all accounts the satirical analysis is spot-on; normal people become more aggressive when they think their behavior carries no real-world social consequences. When people do not have to worry about getting in trouble with their [[NeverLiveItDown loved ones, school, or place of employment]], or getting into a [[TalkToTheFist direct]] [[ArmorPiercingSlap physical]] [[NoHoldsBarredBeatdown altercation]] with anyone, they feel that they have nothing to lose being [[JerkAss shameless, insufferable jerks]] behind the veil of anonymity that is TheInternet.

Hence the depressingly large number of people who think that being a {{Troll}} is funny, and that {{the Internet}} is the perfect place to spew all the bigoted, [[{{Hypocrite}} hypocritical]], provocative, or otherwise hateful bile they would never say in real life. The GIFT also contributes to the pervasiveness of cyber-bullying [[KidsAreCruel among kids]] [[TeensAreMonsters and teenagers]], which has led to [[DrivenToSuicide actual suicides]]. The academic name of the phenomenon is the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_disinhibition_effect Online Disinhibition Effect]], but even leading researchers use GIFT outside the journals.

Fun fact: the German, Norwegian, Swedish, and Danish word ''Gift'' means "poison"... which seems oddly appropriate.

A {{Subtrope}} to SeriousBusiness and InternetBackdraft. VocalMinority is where most of this comes from. See also InternetToughGuy, {{Troll}}, WhiteKnighting, GarbagePostKid, ResidentFreak, ADarkerMe, BecameTheirOwnAntithesis, and {{Griefer}} for specific forms of this, or any comment section (''especially'' on YouTube). Compare WhatYouAreInTheDark.

The idea of anonymity's irresistible corruption due to lack of consequences and escape from [[BigBrotherIsWatching restraints caused by being watched]] is extremely pervasive. Think of the people who leave unholy messes in public restrooms. Nobody sees them do it, and they almost certainly wouldn't make such a mess in their own bathroom where they'd have to clean it up ([[TrashOfTheTitans hopefully]]), or when they're a guest in someone's home. The basic idea [[OlderThanFeudalism was first proposed by]] Creator/{{Plato}} in ''Literature/TheRepublic'', where he recounts the myth of the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ring_of_Gyges Ring of Gyges]], one of the original InvisibleJerkass stories.

Fun fact: the German, Norwegian, Swedish, and Danish word ''Gift'' means "poison"... which seems oddly appropriate. (And makes you wonder how it wound up with a ''positive'' meaning in English.)

The '''[[FunWithAcronyms G'''reater''' I'''nternet '''F'''uckwad '''T'''heory]]. First [[TropeNamer given a name]] by the boys at ''Webcomic/PennyArcade'', it is a theory that seeks to illuminate why so many people seem to degenerate into antisocial {{Jerkass}}es online, when they might only be mildly unpleasant or even polite in-person.

The '''[[FunWithAcronyms G]]'''[[FunWithAcronyms reater ]]'''[[FunWithAcronyms I]]'''[[FunWithAcronyms nternet ]]'''[[FunWithAcronyms F]]'''[[FunWithAcronyms uckwad ]]'''[[FunWithAcronyms T]]'''[[FunWithAcronyms heory]]. First [[TropeNamer given a name]] by the boys at ''Webcomic/PennyArcade'', it is a theory that seeks to illuminate why so many people seem to degenerate into antisocial {{Jerkass}}es online, when they might only be mildly unpleasant or even polite in-person.

The idea of anonymity's irresistible corruption due to lack of consequences and escape from [[BigBrotherIsWatching restraints caused by being watched]] is extremely pervasive. Think of the people who leave unholy messes in public restrooms. Nobody sees them do it, and they almost certainly wouldn't make such a mess in their own bathroom where they'd have to clean it up ([[TrashOfTheTitans hopefully]]), or when they're a guest in someone's home. The basic idea [[OlderThanFeudalism was first proposed by]] {{Plato}} in ''The Republic'', where he recounts the myth of the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ring_of_Gyges Ring of Gyges]], one of the original InvisibleJerkass stories.

Fun fact: the German, Norwegian, Swedish, and Danish word ''Gift'' means "poison"...which seems oddly appropriate.

A {{Subtrope}} to SeriousBusiness and InternetBackdraft. VocalMinority is where most of this comes from. See also InternetToughGuy, {{Troll}}, WhiteKnighting, GarbagePostKid, ResidentFreak, ADarkerMe, BecameTheirOwnAntithesis, and {{Griefer}} for specific forms of this, or any comment section. Compare WhatYouAreInTheDark.

A {{Subtrope}} to SeriousBusiness and InternetBackdraft. VocalMinority is where most of this comes from. See also InternetToughGuy, {{Troll}}, WhiteKnighting, GarbagePostKid, ResidentFreak, ADarkerMe, BecameTheirOwnAntithesis, and {{Griefer}} for specific forms of this, or any comment section. Compare WhatYouAreInTheDark.

A {{Subtrope}} to SeriousBusiness and InternetBackdraft. VocalMinority is where most of this comes from. See also InternetToughGuy, {{Troll}}, WhiteKnighting, GarbagePostKid, ResidentFreak, ADarkerMe, BecameTheirOwnAntithesis, and {{Griefer}} for specific forms of this, or any comment section. Compare WhatYouAreInTheDark.

Some people aren't like this at all. Some people are still polite, still kind, still decent, even when there are no repercussions for being otherwise. These people are great.