“the thing about the online discussion is freedom of speech and everyone has the right to have their own opinion(…)”

Meeh, freedom of speech in this case has nothing to do with what’s happened here. Especially mentioning the fact of an ‘online discussion’ doesn’t change the simple fact of absolutely uncalled for verbal aggression on the Flamer’s part.

Surely, we get used to the idea of hiding behind a safe veil of the internet and our physical remoteness from the first time we use the web to chat, IM, give opinions, criticize. We are seduced to think we are invincible every time we vent our anger at someone we only acknowledge as a virtual, not physical being. Just like in a game.

It is sometimes easy to forget that the person sitting on the other side of the screen is exactly like me, with feelings and aspirations, etc.

I am thinking of an allusion to a game, more than that, I am thinking specifically of the latest GTA games or any of the Sims game. You meet other virtual beings and play by imitating real life to a certain extent. But you come to a point when you want to try something you’d never try in your life: set new boundaries, break the game’s laws, drive on the wrong side of the road, abuse a pedestrian, not feed your dog, etc. And when you are tired you switch off the game or restart it.