THE INTERNET WARRIORS

Who are the people that get so angry online? Why do so many of them choose to harass people, threaten people, and stretch the freedom of speech to its limits?

More than a third of us participate in online debates, according to research done by Pew Research Centre. During the past three years, documentarist Kyrre Lien has met some of the most active online commenters across the world. From the fjords in Norway, to the U.S. desert, a boat in Denmark and an apartment in Lebanon.

He has met the men who generally are a bit older and turn the comments section into a masculine arena, and the women, who more often choose Facebook – a much younger arena.

Research also shows that the ones who are very active in debates online are somewhat more critical to immigration and trust the government less than others.

Ashleigh Jones, England

“That bitch has really fucking pissed me off. FUCK YOU, YOU TIRED ASS SHOWGIRL CUNT GO BACK TO PARTY CITY WHERE YOU BELONG” – Twitter comment to Lady Gaga.

Tore Tømmerdal, Norway

“I’m lucky, indeed! ’Cause I don’t need a cell phone. Free as the day is long.” Comment on a story about a new cell phone.

Steinar Vetterstad, Norway

“REALLY COWARD MANAGEMENT, THEY SHOULD HAVE TAKEN THEIR HATS AND CAPS AND JUST LEFT” Comment on an article about coach trouble in the soccer club Stabæk in Norway in the newspaper VG.

Kjell Frode Tislevoll, Norway

“The behaviour displayed by people in muslim countries,proves thatt it was wrong,to end colonialism,thatt it should have continued, to keep the muslims under control,’cause we in the western world is a more civilized version of humanity, that’s why we should be baby sitters for the muslim countries, so bring back colonialism” When 14 people were killed in a suicide bombing in Kabul in Afghanistan. VG.

Pete Seville. USA

“Burrito jalapeno illegals back packing they cum here disrespect are flag traditions anyway pretend they love America bullshit.” Comment to a story by Fox News about a demonstration at a Trump-rally.

Muhammad Basit, Norway

“Research and peace are connected for the benefit of all humankind.” Comment on an article about the Norwegian Sovereign Wealth Fund in Aftenposten

Robert Jackson, UK

“Fuck Islam and dont you ever stand up for that evil cunt religion” Comment to a Facebook-post about the difference between Islam and terrorism.

Frank Fisher, UK

“Can anyone think of any public institution in the UK that wouldn’t be improved by a humane tactical” Twitter comment

Imaad Osman, Lebanon

“The one who waits for democracy from America, is the same who expect the devil will bring them to heaven!!!” Facebook-comment on Imaad’s wall

Scott Munson, USA

“would our government stage this to try to scare people into gun control?” To a story about the shooting in San Bernardino.

Anders Fjäll Stenstad, Norway

“Is there really anyone who believes this bluff anymore? People have said that people are like sheep, and that is quite likely! My gosh!!” The polar ice continues to melt. Article in ABC Nyheter.

Sina Staes Janevska, Norway

“If Hitler had taken care of the muslims instead of the jews, the world had been better today….I think.. Well, I can dream about it” Facebook-post from Sina Staes on her own profile.

Alexandra Velichkevich, Russia

“Shame on the European world !!! Damn, the fagots are all around!!!!” To a story when a U.S. ambassador said he was a homosexual.

David Reese, USA

“WOW” Facebook-comment to a story about a tornado touching down in Colorado, US.

Sofia Srour, Norway

“I've come to a point where if I take off my hijab, Muslims might shame me and non-Muslims might think they finally freed me. I don't give a fu*king sh*t. My body, my rules. My hijab, my choice.” Twitter-status

Roger A. Hicks, UK

“Sending children of different race to the same schools is a form of EUGENICS, encouraging them to mix and later intermarry…” Twitter-status

Nick Hayes, USA

“Voting for Hillary is the same as killing ur own children! Get ready for civil war if that cunt gets in. Hillary supporters will be 1st 2 go!” Twitter comments a few months before the U.S. election.

The exhibition:

The exhibition consists of containers decorated as the living rooms of The Internet Warriors and photographs out on display.

It has been shown on Youngstorget in Oslo, Torget i Trondheim, Horten, Kristiansand and in Fredrikstad.

Here you can see how it looked.


How:

During the last three years, documentarist Kyrre Lien, have traveled across the globe to meet The Internet Warriors. Tens of thousands of comments have been read to narrow it down to the group now presented as a documentary, book and exhibition. Some of the ones portrayed are some of the most active debaters the Internet has to offer. The selection of people tries to be representative of the people who debate and is based on demographic statistics from the book “Likes – dislikes”, as well as research done by Pew Research Centre.

Video/text/stills/editing by: Kyrre Lien
Executive editor at The Guardian: Charlie Phillips
Executive editor at VG: Svein Kjølberg

Translation by: Kyrre Hellevang Tveiten

Proofreading: Ellen Emmerentze Thommessen Jervell

A special thanks to: Friends, family and all of you who opened your homes. 

With the financial support from: Fritt Ord Foundation, The Guardian, Bertha Foundation, Verdens Gang, Trondheim Kommune, Fond for Lyd og Bilde and Trondheim Fylkeskommune.

Made possible by the sponsorship from Bakken & Bæck.