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'Webtribution' Makes Revenge Painful, Tangible, and a Group Activity

by Warren Riddle on December 2, 2009 at 03:01 PM

By now, everyone is wholly familiar with the cautionary tales of unwitting (or dimwitted) folks who get fired, arrested, or publicly chastised because of incriminating photos or comments that appear on the Web. But, an increasing number of people are also feeling the repercussions of being the tattle-tale or rumormonger in those scenarios.

The Wall Street Journal investigated the phenomenon it has appropriately dubbed "Webtribution," and how hasty Web retaliations and attacks can have disastrous consequences for everyone involved. Online message boards and groups provide incredibly easy methods of rallying support, but that also often results in a mob mentality and so-called "Ox-Bow incidents."

The piece details specific situations and the damaging consequences that can result from the widespread dissemination of baseless rumors and outright lies. Such anonymous, vengeful attacks have even begun to attract the attention of law enforcement in recent years, as Google, in particular, was forced to reveal the identity of a spiteful blogger.

The Net definitely enables such behavior, and it even promotes exacting retribution with the existence of revenge-themed sites, like ThePayback.com. But, while it may seem harmless to rail against someone from behind a monitor, it's more important than ever to remember two wise, old adages that begin with these famous words: "If you can't say anything nice . . . " and, even more appropriately, "Don't write a check that your... " [From: The Wall Street Journal]

Tags: arrest, crime, crime and punishment, crimeandpunishment, top, vigilantism

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