WE don't need reminding that, for all its power for good, the internet has a darker underside: trolls, who can anonymously post vitriolic abuse and threats in the direction of those with whom they disagree, or those they merely happen to dislike. The distinguished classicist, Mary Beard, knows what this entails. The author Jon Ronson wrote a perceptive book about online shaming and was himself subjected to an online witch-hunt. Many women have been subjected to misogynistic abuse on social media.
Such outlets have also given an immense voice and power to the herd-mentality instinct. Comedian Al Murray earlier this year criticised the mob mentality on social media for attacking free speech, adding that people were "weaponising" their anger if they took offence at something in the public domain.
Now the Moderator of the Free Church of Scotland has warned of this herd approach. Rev David Robertson targets atheist groups which, he says, seek to instil a new morality in Scottish schools - one in which, he alleges, dissent from secular humanism will not be tolerated; Scotland is becoming a "monochrome society" with no real freedom of speech because of the "mob mentality" of social media and ruling elites, which threatens anyone who opposes the "equality and diversity" agenda.
We have, fortunately, a long way to go before we become a monochrome society devoid of freedom of speech. But Mr Robertson's wider point is well taken. How do you counter the mob mentality? By mobilising fierce arguments of your own? Can, in fact, the power of the mob be overcome? The Moderator's own thoughts - “In Christ things are different. There is real and genuine diversity. Because we are in him we don’t have to be all the same" - have much to commend them, but it may take more than that to stand up to a mob in full online cry.
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel