Pour out your anger against your teacher, curse your mother,
insult your lover, rail against regulations; letting it all hang
out by posting anonymous on-line sticky notes has become China's
latest Internet fad.
It's not the Great Wall but the "Hate Wall", where web surfers
with any kind of gripe can get relief from the stresses of life by
writing away their blues.
Xiao Xu, is a typical poster on Hate Wall who says she feels
better after repeatedly plastering a phrase over and over
again.
She goes on-line and writes a single word -- yu men, meaning
depressed -- on a post-it note that is then stuck on the animated
wall.
"I am addicted to it now. I log on to the website whenever I am
upset, no matter how trivial the cause," Xu told the Shanghai
Youth Daily.
Although she feels better after pouring out her emotion, she
finding the exercise is giving her personality a boost of
aggression.
"I've begun to use dirty words in daily life, which I've never
done before, " she said.
The "Hate Wall" website is not alone there are several of them
serving the same purpose.
Predictably many of the posted notes are full of venom and nasty
language. Some are even directed at people.
The websites become more popular a hot debate on whether they
are ethical has spread over the internet.
Dai Wei, a public relations officer with the Internet Society of
China say the organization doesn't have the authority nor is it
interested in regulating the portals.
"I hope the websites and the netizens show some self
discipline," he said, pointing out that people who post nasty notes
directed at identifiable individuals can be sued for libel or
slander.
While posting quick notes is helping Xiao Xu expel her pent up
anger not everyone thinks it's a great form of release.
Xu Leiting, psychologist and vice director with the Beijing
Internet Addiction Treatment Center said websites designed for
emotional outlet are no substitute for professional help.
"Outbursts on a website won't solve people's problems," he said
adding that exercising or listening to music may be better
mood-improving therapies.
(Xinhua News Agency November 23, 2006)