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Why are people utterly terrified of anyone or anything a bit different?

84 replies

OrangerySmorangery · 20/07/2025 14:00

There’s a trainspotter who posts videos on social media. He’s in his 20s, is eccentric, and his enthusiasm is infectious. The way he films himself is sometimes a little strange (he uses a head mounted camera to show his reaction as the train goes by) but it’s really difficult not to like him and his videos. I should add that I have no interest in trains or the railways beyond using them.

He’s clearly living his best life and making money doing it; more power to him! It’s actually quite life affirming.

A good proportion of the comments under his videos are really positive. However, there is a sizeable minority who make fun or are abusive in a really nasty way. Mostly male I should add.

Ive just no idea why anyone would feel the need to respond in that way. He’s a harmless guy doing what he enjoys.

OP posts:
Guavafish1 · 20/07/2025 14:11

Most people can say what they like when anonymous.

need to change social media rules

LaMadrilena · 20/07/2025 14:09

Hi! Can you pass a link? Sounds like just the sort of thing I'd like! I love people who are passionate about random stuff.

Toodles89 · 20/07/2025 14:09

It's human nature to be wary of anyone who is different, strange, behaves outside the social norms.

However this is not what you're describing. They're not terrified they're bullying trolls. Have you just discovered the comments section?

FlatErica · 20/07/2025 14:09

I subscribe to this YouTuber, OP, and I’m not interested in trains at all: I really just enjoy his enthusiasm. It’s no surprise that some commentators are utter shits and it’s also not surprising that a lot of them are men. It’s been like this as long as we’ve had YouTube.

OrangerySmorangery · 20/07/2025 14:09

SallyD00lally · 20/07/2025 14:06

However, there is a sizeable minority who make fun or are abusive in a really nasty way.

That means they're nasty bastards.

Why would you think it meant they're 'utterly terrified'? 😳

Because I think it’s ultimately motivated by fear of something different or someone doing something out of the “norm”.

OP posts:
BitOutOfPractice · 20/07/2025 14:07

You should’ve read what the men were writing on the internet about the England women’s team on Friday. Absolutely appalling.

I occasionally see the poster you describe op. He’s just a lovely force of nature.

SallyD00lally · 20/07/2025 14:06

However, there is a sizeable minority who make fun or are abusive in a really nasty way.

That means they're nasty bastards.

Why would you think it meant they're 'utterly terrified'? 😳

RhaenysRocks · 20/07/2025 14:06

There's a basic human tendency to mock anything that you don't personally like. I teach teens and it's the first response to anyone who says they like a topic, hobby, TV show whatever that isn't the "right" one. I'm pretty harsh on the offenders and ask them to explain why they are mocking X, what exactly is it that they find funny or offensive or whatever but it's a perennial, ever present problem. The psychology of it is really interesting.

TheDandyLion · 20/07/2025 14:05

It's easy to be mean online. Francis has over 2 million followers so his exposure is going to attract allsorts including the horrible ones.

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