Article fails without Chris Brown's "Planking" comment and TV's Andy Levy's epic response and apology (new window)...

JasonOfOrillia: That's exactly what it is turning into because a substantial portion of the audience gets their jollies off being outraged.

Well, you're spot on about a good chunk of people getting their kicks off being outraged. Just check out the tampon thread on the main page- some people just haven't had a good day unless somebody hurt their feelings.

JasonOfOrillia: As long as people are punished for being themselves expect them to edit themselves. Or hire someone to edit them for themselves.

Still, it's just not a good idea to say everything that comes to mind. Sure, you can say "I'm just saying what people are thinking," that isn't necessarily a good characteristic. Standard politeness has most of us censoring ourselves regularly. This politeness means we can all get along because we understand that we need to fit into society instead of just barging through social situations like a rhino through a field of tulips. It's your right to say whatever comes to mind, but wise people cut that back a bit and try not to say things they know will be inflammatory or things that might be misunderstood in an open forum.

The ease with which people can post to Twitter and Facebook means we don't have that chance to think things over- we think it, we whip out the phone, we post it where everyone can see it. Before this technology came about, there was more of a lag where we might think "you know, this might not be the best thing to say." Even adults who ought to know better get caught by this, not just teenagers posting stupid crap about Christmas presents.