[SnowTroll]

Half the fun of the internet is discussing things with people. Exchanging ideas. Even when you're playing a mud, the fun part of the game is your interaction with other players. The brightest spot in your roleplaying day is having a heated in character argument with another character. The brightest spot in your PK day is a good fight, even if you lose. The brightest spot in your hack and slash day is getting together with a few other players and comparing who's doing better.

The downside of the internet is its anonymous nature. There are no consequences, there is no shame. It really paints an ugly picture of human nature. Absent repercussions, people are offensive to one another and totally incapable of having a civil discussion or exchange of ideas. I've been on muds where all kinds of discussion topics are banned, because people might be offended, because on the internet, people are offensive.

It's really sad when someone rushes to say, "Everyone shut up! Don't discuss this! Don't respond! It's going to turn into something ugly and uncivil. Learn from our past mistakes and don't discuss controversial issues!" It's really sad that this is the resolution people try to pursue because people on the internet are idiots.