But that is the thing. Fantasy or real, they seem to draw out some really bleak emotions. Predominantly the ones where people seek revenge for past situations where they have felt powerless, out of control, humiliated by people who have contravened what they perceive as being universal moral codes that they have sacrificed their own desires to live by.
And, yes, then you get a 'Group of the Slighted', banding together to mete out some kind of on-line 'justice'. It does look an awful lot like what bullying would look like in RL. It would be terrifying if it were in RL. It's pretty unpleasant to see it virtually enacted on-screen. I guess, for me, it's just a slightly unpleasant reminder of what humans can be like.
I really think its the apotheosis of what I don't like about AIBU.
And, yes, I get that people think it's funny and a bit of a laugh and an entertainment on your phone whilst you're waiting in a queue or for a doctor's appointment that is running late (and feeling mildly irritated that your time is leaking away in pointlessness - which, I think, is something that contributes to the over-all 'feel' of these 'Cheeky Fucker' threads,) but I guess that 'It's only a joke. It's not real,' thing is part of what I hate about them. Because it's corralled safely into a 'It's not real' space, it permits an unleashing of quite bleak behaviour.
I honestly find them quite grim. And I think paxillian has really put her finger on why that is.
I'm a bit depressed that these threads seem to be being held up as the epitome of what MN is all about.
MN is obviously just a website where people post all kinds of stuff. But I'm afraid I reserve the right to be a bit bewildered by the absolute love for these threads above all others.