I swear over the past three months for every 10 posts, nine of them are negative. And in the comments of the one positive post lurks someone trying to turn the conversation towards the negative because they just can't help themselves.
People seem to spend 97% of the time lamenting over how things are changing and it's everyone else's fault but theirs, 3% of the time ignoring what posts are about and going off on their own diatribe, and 0% of the time thinking of what they could personally do to make their communities better places. Sweet Jesus what a positive impact it would have on the community if people acted with as much fervor as they posted. Reminder: posting on the internet in private groups doesn't count as working hard to be a good member of your community.
There are a few types of people in these groups. The person I hate the most is the one with big internet balls who acts tough and calls people out online instead of knocking on their door and discussing things like adults do. You know, those if you have a problem, you know where to find me people. All the eye rolls, you attention whoring idiot. The person on these sites I love the most is the one who is a comedian in the comments and who keeps up neighborhood running jokes. We need someone to lighten things up and you are heroes.
I'm on a page for our neighborhood in Philly and one for the shore. I literally spend most of my time reading them with my mouth agape. People are fucking crazy and judging from what they post, they don't care who knows it. I have to watch my consumption of these groups because too much has me hating my neighbors and where I live. Don't get me wrong - I know the comfort that comes with commiserating over a common problem, but when it tips too far into everything is a problem and we're all going to die, it's time to get out.
Is this everywhere? Does your neighborhood have one? Does good come out of it or is it Debbie Downerville?
