IT IS with bemusement and amusement that I note the harshness of social comments in the online version of The Press.

Up they pop, materialising from pixels like ghosts in the machine whenever anyone dares to offer egalitarian solutions to unemployment, welfare and social problems.

Primitive urges of self-survival and pride in their own success transcend social altruistic conscience. Insults are exchanged with ferocity. This harmless pastime of pointless debate escalates into mutual pixel rage.

Alarmingly, these views are prevalent in the real world. Many seem to have an inherent inability to look at things from a perspective of social responsibility. The accomplished shrink from the morality of graduated taxation. They baulk at any infringement on the often ill-gotten gains of the wealthy.

They consider those on welfare to be losers, parasites and bone idle. “Work for your dole” is the populist dogma from these accusers as the unemployed struggle on £60 a week.

I suggest these pixel dwellers leave behind their pseudonyms and send letters affirming their social intolerance to The Press under their proper names.

Maybe they could even offer some practical solutions to our social ills.

T Scaife, Manor Drive, York.