Is the Web a "dark hole" for "lonely" people?

**TripleRLtd** · February 2nd, 2005, 01:55 PM

I find what the Judge (who sentenced the teen who created the Blaster Worm variant) declared in such a sweeping and negative stereotype to be highly subjective and out of touch with the new world of online internet communications. But, I was wondering if I was the only one who thought this. My gosh; for as much time as many of us spend online with friends we have found here (or "enemies"

), what does that say about us? And, I don't mean to condone what the currently 19 year old did, which was wrong, but I question what this "Judge" seemed to say about some internet users.
Anyway, here is the article:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6881275/

He could have gotten 10 years behind bars, but the judge took pity on him, saying his neglectful parents were to blame for the psychological troubles that led to his actions.

The Internet “has created a dark hole, a dungeon if you will, for people who have mental illnesses or people who are lonely,” U.S. District Judge Marsha Pechman said. “I didn’t see any parent standing there saying, ‘It’s not a healthy thing to lock yourself in a room and create your own reality.”’

Defense attorneys said that Parson feared leaving the house and that his parents provided little support...

So, what do you think?

**TripleRLtd** · February 2nd, 2005, 02:07 PM

BTW:
In a previous interview, the then 18 year old had this to say:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3078580/

TODAY’: In cases like this, there are a lot of quick, simple characterizations of the accused given to the media — for example, he was a loner, he didn’t have friends, he was reckless, etc. How would you describe yourself?

PARSON: “I’m the complete opposite of the way I’ve been portrayed in the press. I’m not a loner. I have a very supportive close group of friends. I’m not reckless, I don’t do drugs, smoke or drink. This is the first time I have ever had a run in with the law. It’s hurtful to see the accounts of me. I’m not depressed, embarrassed about my weight, or a misfit. ”

**NooNoo** · February 2nd, 2005, 02:10 PM

I think if you do find yourself in the wrong community, that's exactly what you end up in - a dark hole. The same can be said for winding up in a gang.

Everything has a dark side and the mentally ill have always been morbidly attracted to that which the "well adjusted" would never entertain.

**TripleRLtd** · February 2nd, 2005, 02:17 PM

And I agree.
But, I think that I am finding this to be an insult by an "older" generation, who have no idea about what the internet has become for so many people.
Online "communites" are such a new phenomenon and so misunderstood by those who just don't get it, or computers for the most part. I see and hear it everyday from, especially, older people who are just getting "into" computers and the internet.

**confus-ed** · February 2nd, 2005, 02:24 PM

Go on then .... I'll be the bad guy on this thread too .. sooooo ... I agree wholeheartedly with the judge !

I can think of one or two around here who fit his description ! One of them has wax nipple clamps !

Let battle commence !

**TripleRLtd** · February 2nd, 2005, 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by confus-ed

... one or two around here who fit his description ! One of them has wax nipple clamps !

Let battle commence !

Perhaps you two should take that to a one of the old WD standby's:
You know:
FIGHT NIGHT AT WD!!!

Anyone care to oblige them? Cleete?

**Ya_know** · February 2nd, 2005, 02:49 PM

Originally Posted by TripleRLtd

Perhaps you two should take that to a one of the old WD standby's:
You know:
FIGHT NIGHT AT WD!!!

Anyone care to oblige them? Cleete?

I will chew him up and $h!+ him out. He's lost to me once already this week...

**Cleetus** · February 2nd, 2005, 03:04 PM

Originally Posted by TripleRLtd

Perhaps you two should take that to a one of the old WD standby's:
You know:
FIGHT NIGHT AT WD!!!

Anyone care to oblige them? Cleete?

What would that prove?
Aren't you the one that always buts in and stops any good conversation anyway?
Can't we all just get along?

**Ya_know** · February 2nd, 2005, 02:12 PM

I think you are taking it purely out of context. It's obvious that the judge was only saying that this applies to those that already have a challenged mental status, not that the Internet causes perfectly sane people to lose sense of realty.

Now will somebody turn down the Jacuzzi? It’s melting my wax nipple clamps!

**Cleetus** · February 2nd, 2005, 02:26 PM

It allows redneck wannabe's to become ego-centic sociopaths totally dominating a group of people that they have never met in person.....

So in short, I agree with confus-ed

**Cleetus** · February 2nd, 2005, 03:51 PM

I think Trip should be banned for calling us all names and trying to start a fight.

**TechZ** · February 2nd, 2005, 04:05 PM

There are always two sides to everything, the Internet can be what the judge said, or it can be the exact opposite. Most of the people I meet arent "lonely" people and I dont find the Web a "dark hole".

**TripleRLtd** · February 2nd, 2005, 04:12 PM

Originally Posted by Cleetus

I think Trip should be banned for calling us all names and trying to start a fight.

I think that you'd probably love an enema.

Originally Posted by Z

There are always two sides to everything, the Internet can be what the judge said, or it can be the exact opposite. Most of the people I meet arent "lonely" people and I dont find the Web a "dark hole".

Yes, I agree, it can be the exact opposite.
Perhaps I am taking her comments out of context, but she linked both mental illness and loneliness together.

...people who have mental illnesses or people who are lonely

So, I take it that I am the only one who found these statements insulting many online community participants and members.

**Cleetus** · February 2nd, 2005, 04:15 PM

Originally Posted by TripleRLtd

Perhaps I am taking her comments out of context, but she linked both mental illness and loneliness together.
So, I take it that I am the only one who found these statements insulting many online community participants and members.

Maybe because it hit home so much becuase you are lonely OR mentally ill