We were fascinated by this ABC 20/20 investigation of “neighbors from hell.” Does any of this behavior seem familiar to you? We think so.
Transpose the issues presented here from the physical neighborhood to the electronic one. Aaron Walker Stalker will bulldoze your fence rather than slow down at the turn of his driveway. William Hoge will call the police because your grass is an inch too high. R.S. McCain will declare himself the victim of your shenanigans, then shine his laser into your windows the minute your back has turned. All of this is made worse by the internet, which rewards negativity, dishonest argument, and “link baiting” over factual journalism or a conciliatory narrative. Everyone feels completely justified in their actions, no matter how obscene or over-the-top, because the other guy is the one truly at fault just by virtue of his being there.