1. Have you ever witnessed or experienced negative fallout for something you or someone else said online?

Personally, I haven’t experienced this. However, I’ve witnessed some posts on Facebook by some people who are politically passionate and have seen some awful comments and people “tearing them apart” in the comments section. Usually these people are purposely posting things that are provocative or divisive politically.

2. Have you ever witnessed or experienced the public shaming a person or organizations for something that they said online?

Well, we’ve seen a lot of this in the “me too” movement when it comes to sexual harrassment. Saw some online posts of churches and church leaders who were subject to scandale. Thinking specifically of a post I read about Bill Hybels and his church and how he was exposed. Another example I can think of is the celebrity, Bill Cosby and how all those allegations came out about him.

3. What strategies will you employ to ensure that you don’t become a participant or victim of the Internet Rage Machine?

I usually don’t post provoactive or political stuff, because I don’t want to “poke the bear” or comment on heated comment threads. I tend to be careful of my wording and review what I’m about to say several times or think of the consequences of posting this, example: what people might think of me or what this might imply. I think these things are wise, in order to not be a participant or victim of the rage machine.

It’s hard because being so aware of how the internet is a rage machine can make you very “self-concious” digitally of making sure you have some sense of “control” over the right image you want to portray. Realistically though, you cannot control what people are going to think of you, since sadly the online world allows for quick judgements without really understanding the person.