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I've seen people post real names addresses and workplace details during flame wars, but never seen it get to a physical attack.
One group I'm in has had regular meetings in RL. I've known people that have met, enjoyed each other's company - even dated - then come to be the bitterest enemies online over issues of name calling and (I kid you not) whether it is ok to quote posts from one forum area into another forum area on the same site.
I think there's something about the text medium on screen that allows people to vent their spleen in ways that they would never do in person.
I have grown to imagine to myself that I am face to face with the person and reading my post to them before I post insults - if nothing else, reducing an argument to offensive language tends to remove your support.
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Overhead, the Albatross hangs motionless upon the air,
And deep beneath the rolling waves,
In labyrinths of Coral Caves,
The Echo of a distant time
Comes willowing across the sand;
And everthing is Green and Submarine
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