So that Internet slang is not misleading, it is worth understanding the meaning of some words, the features of their use and learning to correctly interpret the phrases of other users. For example, is a flame the same as a flood, or something else? We have to admit that the terms that appeared in the English-language segment of the Internet change dramatically when they fall at the disposal of Russian-speaking users.
The origin and meaning of the word
The term is a derivative of the English flame. A fairly poetic comparison, because the heated debate really looks like a fire, and it becomes almost impossible to control it. A flame is not just a dispute, but its continuation out of control. Opponents begin to quarrel, become personal, instead of arguments in the conversation attacks begin to appear. It turns out that the very purpose of the conversation is lost, instead of it there is a gambling desire to take over the enemy.
When the argument begins for the sake of argument, and everyone forgets the original idea of the conversation, this is called the “flame”. On most Internet resources, it is monitored by moderators and suppressed if possible.
Why do they make a flame?
Of course, an uncontrolled dispute can begin on its own, without a special purpose. If the topic of conversation touches someone’s point of view, casting doubt on it, especially in a disrespectful way, you can lose your temper and start a quarrel. Created specifically for socializing. Networks provide for any kind of mutual communication, including disputes, but it is advisable to refrain from rudeness and insults. Another thing is that not everyone adheres to this simple rule.
Anonymity on the Internet leads to the fact that many users feel impunity, so they give free rein to their inclinations. Flame is the easiest trolling technique. When passions heat up, the interlocutor can be brought to an expressive emotional reaction. Trolls use this to mock, so if someone provokes you into a stupid quarrel, it is with a high degree of probability a deliberate attempt to "breed" into a flame.
Using the word in RuNet
Despite attempts to use all terms correctly, in full accordance with the original source, it is extremely rare to avoid conversational change. For many users, a flame is the same as a flood - aimless chatter that takes away from the topic. In fact, a flood is called a malicious attempt to clog the information space with meaningless messages. Why does this seem funny to someone? The question remains open. At the same time, it would be wrong to put an equal sign between these two concepts, even taking into account the semantic change in RuNet.
We usually call a flood of abstract chatter. If it occurs in a branch devoted to a specific topic, then moderators or other users may simply ask not to flood or issue a warning. But if the conversation turns to personalities and a quarrel erupts, then we can talk about flame, although the common vulgarism “srach” is used more often. In the social. networks for communication emotional quarrels occur so often that it seems that people enjoy the opportunity to merge the negative on each other.
Flame or holivar?
A more popular term, which is often replaced by the word “flame”, is “holivar”. Despite some common nuances, these are still different things. From the English phrase holy war, that is, a holy war in the sense of the battle for faith (religion), a term popular on the network came from. Both the flame and the holivar are a war of words in which "all means are good," but the subject of military operations plays an important role.
If this is just a heated discussion between supporters of diametrically opposite points of view, and the subject of the dispute can be relatively easily distinguished among the messages, then this is a holivar. But as soon as everything sinks into absurdity, and the topic of the thread becomes absolutely elusive, and the debate goes solely for the sake of the argument itself, then this is a flame or, in simplified language, a typical “srach”.
Flame Safety
If you perceive social. networks for communication in an extremely positive way, then with the development of the flame in the comments there is the only true way of reaction. You just need to leave the discussion, unsubscribe from notifications and forget about it. Commenting on the flame in a similar vein, you automatically agree to all the negative emotions that you may experience later.
If you decide to participate in a heated discussion with the transition to the individual, you should consider the possibility of trolling in your address. Do not take this to heart - Internet disputes are just letters on the monitor that have nothing to do with your real life. The following rule logically follows from this: try not to publish your real data, place of residence, any information that can be used against you on the Internet.