Why are negative threads the most popular online?

[Clash, Never a Meter Maid]

I can't stand a lot of frivolous things (certain music acts, movies, TV shows, foods, etc), but more often than not that's why I don't dwell on them- or rant about them much.

And- keep in mind, this is an internet-wide phenomenon, not a Wrestlecrap one- I'm befuddled as to why the venting is far more commonplace than seeking out fellow fans of something, by a ratio of 78% in favor of venting. Yeah, blind praise would be equally as tiresome, but the reality is that it's the minority on most boards with high traffic. It seems like sometimes a bunch of haters of something will converge and get really vocal, and the fans just shy away into the corner for the most part.

Or maybe I'm just biased because it's usually the stuff I happen to like/tolerate that gets all the grief, I dunno.

[Mr. Backlund]

If you post a negative thread, you give everyone free reign to agree with and bash something, but also immediately encourages the opposite viewpoint to come in and defend their take on the subject matter. This typically leads to debate and why the threads get a ton of posts, especially if it takes a bad turn.

Meanwhile, a positive post invites everyone that shares the same opinion as you, but most people have the common decency to keep it to themselves if they disagree on the subject matter. Without that debate, you basically have nothing more than people saying "I agree", which gets old after a page or two.

I don't think its people being more negative then positive, just a case that starting off negative actually invites debate and more opinions to be expressed.

[Strotha]

People like to bitch about things.

[laughytaffy]

Because they're the most interesting.

[delurked]

Its more fun to read someone's negative opinion on a subject.

[MrBRulzOK]

Let's face it. The internet thrives on negativity. Without it the whole thing would be a much duller place.

[Cela]

I like X
Yeah, X is great.

Aaaaaand, the thread dies.

[El Cokehead del Knife Fight]

The Internet was created to bitch about movies and share pornography with one another.

[HMARK Center]

Yeah, when looked at simply, being negative often comes across as being combative, or as if you're laying down a challenge to somebody who does like something.

Read one of the New York City rag newspapers (the Daily News and ESPECIALLY the tripe that is the New York Post) and check out their sports sections. You'll see how often the reporters "go negative" on something, as it's a way to stir the pot and create more stories. You also get more readers, as you attract people who agree with you, and also draw in people who think you're an idiot and who can't stop themselves from reading your column. They feel like they've been challenged, and must answer the challenge.

Positivity is better for you, but it's almost never confrontational.

[Red Impact]

1: Because negativity gives more views.

2: Because the internet grants practical anonymity. Anonymity means no consequences and, thus, no danger of anyone holding you to what you say.