Stick or Honey?

Following from an IM-conversation with Del-Jai, I wanted to write something about the way we treat people with attitudes that are contraproductive to a livable society.

Now, I've read stuff on the internet, including a lot of comics which include a lot of ridicule, humour to the point of insulting, and other ways of pointing out how bad the attitude of predominant youthly characters in western societies is. And although their behaviour may be dispreferent, I think the constant row of insults in their direction feed their attitude even more. Seriously, someone who insults people on a regular basis (interval: a few seconds) won't be very much impressed by getting clearly insulted, unless he can't understand the insult: he'll just think you're arrogant. These people often identify with characters that make "protest music" in some way, wear provocative clothes and use provocative methods to "say what they mean".

They want to show that they aren't satisfied, or something of the like. I'll be quite honest: I couldn't care less what they want to show, because I don't listen to someone who uses insults to attract attention.. See what I'm getting at?

The other way I've seen people act is silence and toleration. We know where that leads. More people following the voice that speaks, or keeping silent for fear of the speaking mass.

Getting back to the basics: how did these people become asocial anyway? In case anyone feels offended by me using that term: if you go around cursing and insulting people, dressing to provoke because you think that's the way society should see you, you've earned it.

The answer to the question, however, is: they had an example. These people can be influenced.. but we want to tell them to be nice to people, by telling them off. By acting like they are trash, why shouldn't they act their role. What we need are examples that will reintegrate society.

We've tried the stick. We've hit as hard as we could. Now, I'm handing out honey-pots.. who's helping?