Maybe it's just me, but...

[Zaphod42]

I am very new here at DU, and am still feeling my way around, digging though threads, etc... So far, I confess to being somewhat disappointed.

I have, so far, seen very little actual "discussion" here at DU. Mostly what I see is members copying/pasting large sections of some news article into a "post", and then linking to the article at the bottom. The replies to these posts tend to be very short, knee-jerk reactions, seemingly intended to elicit similar "counter replies"; folks here seem to just enjoy "egging things on"....

Maybe I just haven't looked deeply enough yet; maybe there is some actual "discussion" going on here at DU. Maybe somewhere on here there is somebody who actually writes something (greater than two sentences) from their heart...an actual opinion...a point of view, maybe...

So far here at DU, I've only seen a bunch of folks who like to anonymously bitch, gripe, and groan about the news of the day. Is this a "news aggregation site", or a "discussion forum"? Maybe there's some thought provoking stuff here somewhere; I'll keep digging....

[hlthe2b]

1. It is both a news aggregation site AND a discussion forum.

You should expect the same range of types of responses.

[Arkansas Granny]

2. Welcome to DU. Sorry you're not enjoying the experience.

[SharonClark]

3. You're not wrong.

DU tends to have some discussions, mostly in the non-political threads. Political threads are often used to share articles of interest to the poster followed by short responses or epithets regarding Trump or other nasty people.

You've already posted this thoughtful piece, maybe you can post more of these and see if the responses are more of what you expected from DU.

[Zaphod42]

20. I'll do that,

Thank you.

[in2herbs]

4. Try searching the Groups for topics you want to discuss. There's not a lot of participation but

it's supposed to be a "safe" area to share ideas about pets, gardening, end of life issues, music, environment, etc. DM me if you start one cuz I'd like to join the discussion. I think there are some who monitor some Groups cuz when I've posted looking for some info I've gotten quick replies and from nice posters. Sometimes I need a break from politics. Welcome.

[Zaphod42]

21. Thanks

for the welcome, I appreciate it!

[dawg day]

5. Is there another site you prefer?

There are a lot of alternatives that you might choose from that would better suit what you're looking for. No site works for everyone, after all.

[Sogo]

6. Hey, I'm relatively new here, also,....

and I'll tell ya, I didn't come in as a newbie and start throwing shade....Sheesh....Not very impressive....

Just sayin'....

[Piasladic]

9. not new but

I almost never commented in the past, but I realize that was a mistake. DU is DU because of the back and forth. To comment and pose questions is what makes this my favorite place to come home to.

[JuJuYoshida]

7. I've found a lot of good topics I've saved, my only complaint about DU is...

You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.

[dawg day]

11. Now I have that song stuck in my head....

It's got some great lines though.

[genxlib]

8. The nature of posts follow the nature of the news cycle

On days like these, news is coming fast and furious. Commentary, likewise, gets reduced to largely drive-by snarking.

When there is time for a deep breath, there is time for more serious commentary. It comes and goes.

My recommendation would be to sort by the "Greatest Threads" to see the posts with the most activity. Many of those will have the minimalist input that you are complaining about but that is also where you find the most substantive discussion.

It is a community and like all communities, it comes with the good and the bad. But it is here to be found.

Welcome.

[Zaphod42]

22. Thank you

Sounds like a good approach, I'll give it a try.

[eleny]

12. Here's one you can sink your teeth into

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100212584752

[Zaphod42]

23. Good read

Thanks for bringing it to my attention; I enjoyed it!

[KatyMan]

32. Or this from the old version of the site

Last edited Wed Oct 16, 2019, 10:07 AM - Edit history (1)

https://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=624815

This is the funniest thing I've read here.

This is a great great site, give yourself time to get into it, it is hard at first.

[Farmer-Rick]

14. There are many really good discussions going on

Usually when a new issue or story has just broken, you get the most diverse opinions. Check out some older popular threads.

But if you are wanting something specific post a question. DUers love to answer questions, even hypothetical questions, and we provide links for further reading.

[Zaphod42]

24. I'll keep that in mind

Thank you.

[mahina]

36. You might need a time machine.

Look back at the old DU. I first read it on Jan 21 2001. We had great posters, some of whom you see on the In Memoriam page. One, Khephra, gathered great journalism from all over the world. People responded.

I wonder where your impression what what DU would or should be was formed?

Anyway like everything else, it’s what you make it.

Welcome to DU!

[yellowdogintexas]

15. Welcome to DU! check out General Discussion, Latest Breaking News and The Lounge

Lots of talking and stress busting in the Lounge. It is pretty much non political except for humor. Lots of cat pictures. The Lounge is where you meet people.

Also if you look under places, your state will have a group.
There are several subgroups under Reading and Writing, Home and family which I enjoy.

[NCLefty]

16. It doesn't help that we're not notified of replies. Are we supposed to bookmark all our posts and

then go back repeatedly to check for replies? This alone renders most replies "fire and forget," and most attempts at conversation suffer for it.

/shrug

[Skittles]

18. click on the MY POSTS tab

you can quickly see any replies

[Zaphod42]

25. Yes

I see that the "My Posts" turns yellow when there are new replies...

Why is there no option to "recommend" replies?

[Skittles]

37. that you would have to ask the Admins

I can honestly say I have never even thought about it

[Zaphod42]

26. See below

Lol at "fire and forget"...

[Skittles]

17. DU is an oasis away from the sick repuke world

maybe you need something else

[RobinA]

19. Well, You Got Here

about ten years too late for what you apparently want.

[tblue37]

27. Look for H2O Man's posts--they are think pieces, as are Shockey80's, and many of Soph0571's.

Several other DU regulars also post such essays.

[Zaphod42]

42. Thank you

I will look into those members.

[blueinredohio]

28. I love D.U., I like the short articles.

I read a lot of news here that I would otherwise never hear. I like the shorter posts. I don't want to read a book and I have my own opinions I sometimes read other people's opinions but it doesn't change my mind so really I could care less.

[Zaphod42]

40. okie dokey...

Fair enough.

[Vinca]

29. I hate to be rude, but if you don't like us you can always leave.

[ramen]

30. I blame the news cycle for a lot of that impression.

Things are so frantic right now that we are buried in trying to respond to, or at least catalog, or at least notice, each new pint of fresh hell served up all day, and every day. I think it's understandable.

There is still discussion. Try staying out of LBN and GDP and see if you see any differently (this is advice I should try.. I am guilty of glueing to the news cycle because I am so scared about what is going on).

Also, if you haven't already tried this, start some discussions on topics that interest you and see if people bite. I'll keep an eye out and participate constructively.

There's my 0.02, anyhow

[Zaphod42]

41. Good advice

Thank you.

[MrsCoffee]

31. Maybe you have some more recovering to do first.

Your profile says you are a recovering conservative. I’m sure this is all pretty new for you.

[Zaphod42]

39. Touche'

Well played!

[kentuck]

33. You might like some of Nance Greggs' posts, also.

She is very original.

[LexVegas]

34. Oh great. Another anonymous bitching thread. nt

[tblue37]

35. I should have mentioned Atticus, too, and PCIntern. nt

[Aristus]

38. There is a lot of both. I've been here since 2001. I wouldn't have stayed if

there wasn't some substantive discussion going on.

Keep your heads, Zaphod; you'll find what you're looking for...

Just be sure to bring your Joo Janta Peril-Sensitive Sunglasses with you...

[Zaphod42]

43. Props

for the HG reference!! I remember those from the book, but they don't show up in the BBC radio production, as I recall...

[Aristus]

44. They were in the TV show, though.

Along with that horrible fake second head...

[Zaphod42]

45. After watching the movie...

which I regret, btw, I just couldn't bring myself to watch the TV series. For me, the genius of the HG just doesn't translate well to visual media. I'd much rather just listen to it, and "see it" in my mind...

Back in 1981, our local NPR station, in Tuscaloosa, AL, broadcast the BBC Radio production of the HG...one 30 minute episode every Sunday evening. 3 of my buddies and I always made sure at least one of us was recording it. I've still got 2 or 3 of those old cassette tapes stored somewhere....

[Aristus]

46. The TV show is notable for the graphics representing the HHGTTG.

They were lauded as 'excellent computer animation', but were all actually hand-drawn animation cels. They're superb, and provide a freeze-frame bonus for sharp-eyed viewers.

[Zaphod42]

47. Interesting...

Maybe I'll relent and give it a look. It can be streamed from somewhere, I imagine...?

[Aristus]

48. It's on DVD.

Interesting fun fact regarding the show: The sunrise at the beginning of the first episode is simply a common light bulb rising up behind a diorama of the countryside where Arthur lives. Talk about low-budget special effects!

[Zaphod42]

49. Ok, Ok...

I'll look into it. It might take a while, though...

[Crunchy Frog]

50. Hi and welcome.

I've been here for a very long time, and I would say that the quality of the posts is not what it used to be.

There are often discussions of controversial issues, but they tend to turn into shouting matches with holders of differing views treated as heretics.

There are definitely positives though. DU can feel like an oasis of sanity in a world that feels like it's going insane.

I hope you'll stick around for awhile and give it a chance. I think we all hope to see more recovering conservatives.

Another site you might want to check out is Daily Kos.

Oh, and whatever you do, don't check out this old thread. https://upload.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x7950254

[Zaphod42]

51. Thanks for your reply.

I'll definitely be hanging around DU. For all my grumbling, I do like the site overall. The snark factor here is quite impressive...!

I am a member over at DKos. I post many lengthy political comments there, but I have not written any political diaries as of yet. I mainly stick to writing pieces for several sub-groups... gardening, cooking, etc....

I ignored your clear instructions not to check out your linked thread...but couldn't see the pictures...I've never used "photo bucket", whatever that is....

Thanks again for your reply and your welcoming thoughts!