At some point or another, everyone is considered a hater. Whether you hate on a person, a restaurant, a drink, someone’s shoes, someone’s face, someone’s bone structure, or even Tom Brady. We are all still haters. But there is a specific kind of hater that has come into circulation that apparently causes a lot of conflict. Personally I laugh about this sector of hate because it is so silly and so outlandish, that at times, I even join in. You guessed it. I am talkin about you, “E-Thugs.”
Due to my upbringing in the modern game world, I always had access to some sort of gaming machine. Up until about the time I was 15-16, I did not have access to a microphone, nor did I play games via the interweb that had voice communication. But hello high school and hello counter-strike. This is the first and probably the best example of the origins of an “e-thug” that I can remember. Let’s look at a few definitions that urban dictionary provides regarding this coveted title:
· Electronic thug. A pale, pimple faced, skinny white kid who would most likely burn up if he came into contact with natural sunlight. Spends all of his time threatening people over the internet to compensate for his lack of a life and hatred of humanity for not accepting him.
· An internet thug. They usually sound very tough and scary. Does not show people who they are in public. Probably got picked on in school, comes online to higher their self-esteem. Talks a-lot of non-sense around the area of insulting your mommy to penis size. Stays behind the monitor so nothing can hurt them.
· A shit stirring computer geek that only exists on the internet and thinks he is top shit by typing in capitals, swearing excessively and thinking they can kick your arse in a fight.
These are just a few great examples of how to define one. I personally was never opened to the world of VOIP (Voice over IP) but I had a wide access to discussion forums. And as everyone knows, no one likes to be wrong…EVER. Not in real life and not in electronic or “E-Life.” So this whole talking business from behind a computer was nothing new, just something understood. But after entering the world of online gaming with a headset, my horizons expanded. Keep in mind this was around 1999, and the market for games played online was expanding as fast as my waist band on thanksgiving. So it took me by surprise at first that there are so many people out there just running their mouths behind a computer. But wait it gets better. For the most part, the ones that are “e-thuggin” are kids under the age of 13. It’s amazing the freedom that everyone has once their parents leave the room and shut the door. It’s almost like you would become a different person. To make it worse, there was no way of hiding the age of the individual. When your voice is higher than Mickey Mouse, there is no way you are 25 years old. Take that back, there is no way your balls have dropped. Sorry little guy but you have no credibility nor should your parents spoil you with enough freedom to openly express yourself on the internet.
After counter-strike starting to phase out of mainstream gaming, and such titles as halo and ghost recon came into play, the “e-thuggary” stepped up its game. Computer systems were and still are not as cheap as a consul to purchase or maintain. The introduction of the $200 gaming system expanded the market to everyone. Yes there are kid friendly games (games approved for under the age of 13) but who really plays them? No body. No one wants to feel good about playing a game. You want to KILL KILL KILL. This is the driving force behind the internet. Be the best at all costs. And thanks to the easily accessible Wi-Fi capabilities, everyone is connected at some place or another.
And to make everything worse, it seems like everyone always has something to say. Doesn’t matter if it is foreign affairs, current events, sports, the epidemic happening in the Ivory Coast, or what former president George W. Bush is eating for breakfast, there is always a comment to be made. Why? Cause people like to talk about everything. The best part about the internet, you can post anonymously about it, ranting and raving about something you don’t know real facts about, other than what you read on Google news.
So that makes you a real expert right?
Before I keep going on, I’ll admit, I am a direct result of all of this. Have I indulged in a quick “e-thug” pick me up from time to time? Yes I have. Have you ever talked over a child and it made you feel better because you are superior in every way? Yes it’s a terrible thing to say but to clown someone, via the internet, has no real concequences at all. That’s what the internet was really invented for. Well, that and porn, youtube, and hulu (Praise the internet Jebus).
Could a person really get away with running their mouth in public like they would on the internet? Not where I am from. What I have witnessed, mirroring your behavior online in a public situation is never tolerated. Granted I do have a little control of what comes out of my mouth, but there are some that don’t and they have received a pounding for it. Wanna start “e-thuggin” at a bar? Bad decision. You don’t have a computer screen to hide behind and 8 times out of 10; the guy listening in may poses the strength to ram that beer bottle down your throat. Just sayin.
Lets all face it. If you love sports and a specific sporting team (Cowboys and Astros fan here), then you are used to dealing with their ups and downs on a regular basis. And yelling at a tv or yelling at your fantasy cast computer screen is just as bad as posting it on a discussion form. If I ever saw Lance Berkman(when he was still with the team) in person, I would never say “way to blow that double play last night to win the game you jack wagon.” Why would I not say that? Not only is that rude, I may get a baseball bat to the face. Same with football or any other sport. You would never go up to a professional athlete and tell them to “suck it” for ruining the game, would you? It is so much better to do it in the privacy of your home because there are no consequences. Does it make it right? Probably not. It’s like talking about your friends behind their back. “Behind their back Thug?”
But as far as comments on personal opinions, I really don’t mind it, especially my own personal comments. It’s really what I am thinking and how I view things. And in the case of my blog (yes this is a reaction post), I welcome it. It actually makes me want to post more to stir a reaction. That’s what these things are all about… the reaction factor. The only thing I ask is you use proper grammar and sentence structure to publically defame my opinions.
So here’s to you, oh king of “E-Thugs”. Keep it up. One day it might actually be worth something. I’ll drink to that.
Your mommy has a small penis. WHAT!
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