Be respectful In the digital age

The theme of this month is respect for others. Respect is often associated with polite and courteous actions, treating others with compassion, empathy, and fairness. In this digital age, where anyone can become an anonymous keyboard warrior, it seems like the cornerstone of respect in society is being lost. Is the internet the sole culprit behind all this rudeness? We will examine a few recent controversies.

When the Netflix adaptation of the infamous Japanese anime One Piece debuted, it sparked a controversial discussion regarding the resemblance of the original characters. Inaki Godoy despite being recognized by the comic’s author, received the most disrespectful comments. Portraying the main character Luffy, he was criticised for his acting skills and appearance, including being called cringe-looking and a terrible actor, along with various personal attacks. Even if one believes he is not the ideal cast for the show, is it acceptable for netizens to relentlessly attack him? Disrespectful criticisms not only hinder the actor’s development, but they also perpetuate the trend of spreading hate on the internet, which is indecent.

While showing respect for others doesn’t mean ignoring the mistakes they have made, truthfully pointing out the problem is also a form of respect. Let’s take the movie Avatar: The Way of Water as an example. It captivated our minds with its stunning visual effects, leaving most viewers in awe of James Cameron’s work. However, some critics identified an underlying issue in the movie: the excessive focus on visuals resulted in incomplete character development. Their criticisms were reasonable, critical, and, most importantly, respectful. They acknowledged the effort Cameron put into building the world of Pandora while highlighting the areas where the director could improve in future works. As we can see, a respectful judgement doesn’t always have to express approval, as long as it is presented in a critical manner.

Let’s reflect on our behaviour on the internet. Have you ever posted rude comments? Have you fully considered the consequences of your actions? Or are you simply following the crowd blindly? It is easy to sit behind screens and behave however we want as anonymous individuals online, but we should think twice before taking action. Put yourself in the shoes of the person you are targeting and consider how they would feel after reading your words online. By being respectful, both you and I can contribute to creating a more harmonious environment not only on the internet but also in our real lives.

6L
21 September 2023