The Down Side of Human Nature

A bit of levity. If you haven't yet seen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDPAUi3VPSo George Bush and Steve Bridges at the White House Correspondents Association Dinner April 29, 2006; you should. This is funny whether you like Bush or not. George W knows how to laugh at himself.

Here is a very funny lip sync routine with a cool finish http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wcRkVpm03M

And, last but not least, some crazy Frenchmen (they could be French Canadians, i don't know) and their "Human Slingshot" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QokpXX9L8qM Don't worry, you don't have to speak French to get this one.

Now you ask "What in the world do any of these videos have to do with 'The Down Side of Human Nature'? (its an honest question)

While i suppose the original intent of YouTube (and other video posting services like it) was to allow people a shot at their "fifteen minutes of fame", the thing that impresses me the most is how people are so ready to be rude. Just flat vulgar, rude and obnoxious. It makes me wonder "Why, when these apparently intelligent people [they're smart enough to be able to use a computer, etc] could say *anything*, why do so many people invariably choose to be *so* rude, *so* vulgar and *so* obnoxious?" It really doesn't matter what the subject of the video is, if there are at least 20 comments, at least one of them will be along the lines of "thats the stupidest thing i've ever seen".

This is why Usenet and others have always maintained an etiquette - a standard acceptable to people willing to engage in thoughtful discussion.

Thats it - don't blame the computer - we were fine when it was all DOS. Windows is responsible for the downfall of modern civilization - you heard it here first :-)