West Eleven, Inc.

As I watched the game I had my smartphone with me and was following the reactions on Twitter and on the 'Conversation' feature on ESPN. I read the postings. Added some on Twitter, which were then auto-posted to Facebook and read the responses (eye opening, thanks Glenn) and this morning while reading the post-game comments I find myself feeling a wee bit ashamed.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I believe in Free Speech. But we have become a world of haters. Of the 900+ postings for the game on ESPN more than 95% had some gay slur, swearing, taunting, threat of violence or sometimes all of the above. Some of it was even referencing the game rather than the people who were posting. After a horrible hit on a Bruin I read 'That's Bullshit! Fucking Canadians.' for the record both players are Canadian. There was more; 'We should go a kill one of the Sedin Fags' and 'Take a stick to Burrows face.' and 'I hope that cocksucker gets a 50 games suspension.' and so on and so on. Really?

I like the old ways. When after a game you listened to the press conference. You read the morning paper comments from educated sports writers. You stood around the water cooler and spoke your mind and your peers spoke there's and everything said was transparent. You knew who said what and you know how they meant it. At least Twitter and Facebook enable you to know who it is - unless it's been retweeted.

And that was just one game. We are seeing more and more of this type of un-social media everywhere we turn. From comments posted to a news article to postings on CNN.com. Anywhere people can leave comments chances are those comments are not very positive.

Most professional leagues have a gag-order in place for players. Perhaps it's a good idea for us all. 

While watching Game 4 my phone will be where it should be, on my desk charging while I remember the Golden Rule.

- Shane