People that visit the World Wide Web come across many voices — both feminine and masculine voices that can be described as serious, sarcastic, angry, meek, smart and sometimes simply stupid.
When I say “voices” I mean the writings published by people on Internet forums, weblogs, e-mail groups and chatrooms. I, of course, exclude websites that belong to public, commercial and charitable institutions. I’m also not referring to professional writings, because the meanings that lie within such pieces are quite different.
It is interesting to understand the concept of “e-screaming”, something that was referred to in a study published by a specialist European magazine.
“E-screaming” is a word used to describe the particular style of language used by an online writer to show the superiority of his or her argument in relation to the opinion of others. In other words, “e-screaming” is something done with the aim of invalidating the voices of others by raising the tone of one’s language.
Check an online forum and you’re sure to find an odd screamer lurking somewhere in the thread. Because such people doubt their capabilities of persuasion they tend to use emotional and psychological tactics to ensure readers become preoccupied with their message rather than listening to rational voices that may be less vociferous.
E-screaming is used in an array of ways by different groups. The entire concept makes discussion threads and forums rather interesting and convinces people to subscribe to their views to such an extent that a reader could be misled into believing that these are the prevailing majority opinions.
Due to the fact that those who e-scream use strong language and intense phrases, other people feel obliged to use similar methods to attract attention. Discussion forums gradually become battlefields of screaming voices that seem to be at each other’s throats. Unfortunately, humble and logical voices are then left on the sidelines.
This may perhaps explain the absence of irrationality and objectivity in most Internet writings. Many people live within a tide of emotional reactions; this can be seen from what they write in refutation of others. These people totally abandon the basic etiquettes of civil dialogue and respect of other people’s views. They even lose courage to admit being wrong.
Perhaps the biggest victims of e-screaming are the silent and meek voices. Naturally, screaming prompts people to magnify themselves in their opposition of others. They forget the fact that the ultimate or absolute truth is an illusion that doesn’t exist.
