@mc5punk 13 April 2025 more from that month

Short story: The Why of Haters on the Internet

Sofia's room was a small sanctuary full of life and creativity. The walls were decorated with posters of his favorite bands, neon lights that changed color according to his mood, and shelves crammed with books about music and composition. In a corner, his acoustic guitar rested, his faithful companion since he was ten years old. That afternoon, sunlight shyly entered through the window, illuminating his desk where his laptop was open. But instead of being inspired by the warm and welcoming atmosphere, Sofia had a frown on her face while reading the comments on her latest video. — "Your voice is unbearable," wrote an anonymous user.  - "Dedicate yourself to something else, this is not your thing," another commented. Sofia sighed deeply and closed the laptop with a sharp movement. His heart was heavy, as if every negative word had become a stone that he carried with him. She dropped into her swivel chair and looked out the window, wondering why anyone would want to be so cruel to her. I didn't understand what I had done to deserve those attacks. At that moment, the door to her room burst open and Carla, her best friend, entered. Carla was a vibrant and energetic young woman, with curly hair pulled back in a high ponytail and a smile that seemed to light up any place she arrived. She had a bag of popcorn in her hand and was wearing ripped jeans and a T-shirt with the phrase "Be your best version". - Reading those comments again? - Carla asked as she let herself fall on Sofia's bed as if it were her own. Sophia turned slowly towards her, still with a gloomy face. "Yes..." he replied with a sigh. I don't understand why some people take the time to write such ugly things. They don't even know me. Carla frowned and took the laptop from Sofia's hands without asking for permission. She settled between the colorful pillows on the bed and began to read the comments. "Let's see..." he said while checking. Check this out: "Your music helped me get through a bad day. Thank you for sharing your art." Why don't you focus on these messages? There are many people who admire and support you. Sofia smiled faintly, but still seemed unsure. - That's easy to say, Carla. But when you read something negative, it seems to weigh more than all the positive comments put together. Carla was about to respond when Andrés, Sofia's older brother, appeared. Andrés was tall and gangly, with tousled hair as if he had just run out of somewhere. He had a cup of coffee in his hand and was wearing a gray sweatshirt that said "Game Over." He always had a relaxed attitude, but a sharp intelligence shone in his eyes. - What's going on here? - he asked as he sat down in a chair by the desk. "The haters are attacking again—" Carla replied before Sofia could say anything. Andrew nodded as if he understood the problem perfectly. He put his cup down on the desk and looked at Sofia earnestly. "Look, Sofi," he said as he crossed his arms. Haters are inevitable when you do something public. Most of them don't even have a problem with you; they're just projecting their own frustrations or seeking attention. It's not a personal thing. Sofia looked at him curiously as she nervously played with the strings of her guitar. - And how do you know so much about haters? - he asked. Andres smiled and took a sip of coffee before answering. "Because I had them too when I started my video game channel—" he said wistfully. At first I was very affected by his comments, but then I realized something: I can't control what others say, but I can control how I react. And believe me, ignoring them is the best thing you can do. Carla nodded enthusiastically from the bed. - Exactly. Also, think about this: if you have haters, it means that you are doing something right. You're standing out enough for someone to waste their time talking about you. Sofia laughed for the first time all day and put the guitar down on the nearby sofa. —I guess I've never seen him like this before," she admitted as she fiddled with her fingers. But still... how do I ignore those things? Sometimes I feel like his words stay with me longer than they should. Andres got up slowly and walked over to her to pat her on the shoulder. "Surrounding yourself with the right people—" she said with a warm smile. Like the two of us," Carla added as she lifted the popcorn as if toasting it. That night, after talking with Carla and Andrés, Sofia decided to investigate more about the phenomenon of haters on the Internet. He sat down in front of his laptop again, but this time not to read hurtful comments but to look for answers. She found articles and videos explaining the reasons behind toxic behavior: personal insecurities, anonymity, and even boredom. He found that many times people left hurtful comments because it was easier to take out their frustrations on someone unknown than to face their own problems. The next day, feeling stronger and determined not to be affected by the haters, Sofia recorded a new video for her channel from her favorite corner: a space decorated with warm lights and hanging plants where she always felt calm. - "Hello everyone," he began saying in front of the camera with a sincere smile while holding his guitar in his hands. "Today I want to thank everyone who supports me and sends me positive messages. You are the reason I keep doing this."  He paused for a moment before continuing: - "And for those who leave negative comments... I sincerely hope that you find something that makes you happy because I know that those words come from a place of pain or personal dissatisfaction." When she finished recording and uploaded the video, Carla and Andrés were there to support her from the nearby sofa. —That was amazing—" Carla said excitedly as she hugged Sofia. You are a real warrior!  "And now you're ready to face the digital world," Andrés added proudly while giving her a friendly tap on the shoulder. Over time, Sofia learned to focus on the positive and ignore the negative. Although the haters still appeared occasionally, they no longer had power over her. Their music grew in popularity and their community became a space full of love and mutual support. The experience not only strengthened Sofia as an artist but also as a person. She learned a valuable lesson: Although she could not control what others said or thought about her, she could choose how to respond to it. And that choice made all the difference in his life and in his musical career. Source of the images. Image created with Starryai.