Netiquette 101: Rule #2 - "Just because you live in a barrel doesn't mean you have to act like a monkey"

I have found it interesting that peoples behavior changes dramatically when they believe they won't get caught doing something.  I'm quite sure there are volumes of articles written by the mental health community as to why this is.  Through all the 50 cent words they use to give reasoning to this human phenomenon, there is an obvious reason for it. 

We are naughty because...well....we can be.  It's that simple.  And if we really think we'll never be caught, we behave even more outlandishly.  Interesting, eh?

So, you add this theory to how anonymous we perceive the internet to be, the humans inherently naughty nature  and {{WHAM}} you've got an irresistible combination.  Invisibility + Naughty Nature = A barrel of monkeys!

Today's rule is a little more formal than my silly rendition but you get the picture.  This rule has a few simple principals to follow for clean, clear and respectful internet communication:

1. Be Ethical
2. Breaking the Ethical Laws is Bad Netiquette!

Being ethical seems simple enough but there are caveats because we all didn't hatch from the same egg on an island in the South Pacific.  But this is about communication so follow an ethical approach to talking.  As in real life, think before you speak (type), read and re-read until you know you've not offended the hair off someones head with your opinions.  Really people....if you're willing to be seen doing or saying what ever you are typing, then by all means go ahead and send/post it....but don't blame the internet for the nuclear fallout you'll experience later. 

And there are repercussions for our "Bad Netiquette", like some people have found out the hard way.  Remember the young lady who lost her high-paying job because of several "naughty" Facebook posts from a long party weekend?  Or the fella who lost his job and fiance after a YouTube video was posted from his very naughty bachelor party? 

A more applicable example to this article is "Ned" who made several online pseudo-profiles and proceeded to post things like "Cats are crunchy and taste good with ketchup" and "Did you smack your baby today?" But after 100's of bans as inappropriate "Ned's" IP address was flagged by his ISP and {{SMACK}} the bars slammed shut on his high-speed internet account.  Wanna be on dial-up?  Jump in the barrel with the rest of the monkeys. 

In the next post, we'll review Rule #3: "Lurk before you leap"