This probably isn't a huge shock to you, but trolls don't exactly bring out the best in us; however, science now supports what we all already know.
It seems that even if you do not participate in an online comment flame war, doing so much as reading a flame war can affect your ability to make rational decisions.
Scientists at George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication ran a survey of 1,183 people who had to read an article about the benefits and risks of nanotechnology.
They also had to read the comment section. Half had civil comments and the other half saw a full pro vs. Con flame war.
They did not participate in the comments themselves. People who read the flame war were more likely to have strong support or opposition about nanotechnology.
Meanwhile people who read the civil argument were able to reach a more civilized, down the middle approach.
The conclusion is that what other people say has a strong effect on how we reason, and when people have really passionate, irrational arguments about something, we get suckered into it and react in much the same way.
Learn more about this subject here.
3d wooden brain teasers for you to try via OMG Facts http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/omg-facts/WpAq/~3/qPG1gyAQftc/55418
3d wooden brain teasers for you to try from Net Sauce http://netsauce.blogspot.com/2013/12/reading-comments-by-trolls-can-affect.html
You're probably thinking that Mickey Mouse only has FOUR fingers, and you'd be correct.
Although the first Swiss Army Knife was built by a German company in 1891 is the most iconic example of a multitool, it wasn't the first one.
As bizarre as the story of the man in the iron mask is, it was actually inspired by a prisoner in France during the 17th century!
