General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsOn the bright side, I'm so well informed from reading DU
I'm sometimes shocked by how little some people know about issues that we who post to DU take for granted. A half hour of CNN does not an informed person make.
More than once I've had everyone at the table look at me for the answer to a question.
Also, a shout out to the mind boggling knowledge of the posters here. When a thread veers into the technical... whoosh... it's all I can do to comprehend what I'm reading.
So thank you DU for constantly educating me.
Cooley Hurd
(26,877 posts)TxDemChem
(1,918 posts)And so did my BS meter. My husband has actually increased both as well, even though he has not yet joined. Working with birthers and conspiracy theorists, we have to be on our toes at all times.
winter is coming
(11,785 posts)been informed, while providing as little useful information as possible.
East Coast Pirate
(775 posts)You get as much information watching 2 1/2 Men.
winter is coming
(11,785 posts)East Coast Pirate
(775 posts)jimlup
(7,968 posts)Supersedeas
(20,630 posts)winter is coming
(11,785 posts)eridani
(51,907 posts)The best feature by far. You need to know which heritage tomatoes would do best in your climate, a translation from Middle English or Japanese, where to go to find info on the insurance exchanges, and just about anything else, you'll find it here.
underpants
(182,604 posts)Really? 12 years?
The pre-War on Iraq information was not both mind opening and, sadly , completely spot on accurate.
I made a comment about "the McDonald's coffee lady" and was quickly and completely corrected. This was several years before the "Hot Coffee" documentary. As the OP stated the level of technical information on that one thread was dumbfounding.
The movies "W" and Michael Moore's "Sicko" had nothing that I was not already aware of.
The best comparison I can offer is my lucky access to alternative music in the 80's while everyone else was listening to hairbands and shiny music. I knew the others would dissolve away and they did.
arcane1
(38,613 posts)Not only do I never encounter a news item that I haven't already seen here, but I've never encountered a right-wing talking point that wasn't already debunked here.
DU rocks! And so do DUers!
Cooley Hurd
(26,877 posts)Which reminds me... you HAVE to introduce the newer DUers to your marqueed, Cranky Underpants signature gif!
Here's a classic gif of mine (gotta be a decade since I used it):
On edit: It was soo much bigger in 1024x768 (2003 standard resolution).
East Coast Pirate
(775 posts)Did I mention math? That too.
marble falls
(57,010 posts)Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)Doctor_J
(36,392 posts)True and hilarious
Mr.Bill
(24,238 posts)If you want to see how poorly informed the Fox News crowd is, just try to convince one of them that the federal budget deficit has gone down in the last few years. They quickly resort to the "cooking the books" argument, because they have no facts to bring to the discussion.
arcane1
(38,613 posts)It's so far beyond their awareness that it just *must* be a librul lie
KamaAina
(78,249 posts)and think "Hmmm. That sounds familiar."
Then it hits me. "Oh. I read that on DU six weeks ago!"
Fumesucker
(45,851 posts)Or years, sadly sometimes.
Curmudgeoness
(18,219 posts)There is so much information here, that I just cannot remember it all when the time comes to use it. But knowing 1/10 of what I see here is more than most others know. Amazing people here.
lpbk2713
(42,736 posts)Snarkoleptic
(5,996 posts)He's a strong progressive voice with an encyclopedic knowledge of history, politics and policy.
tblue
(16,350 posts)Very few typos too. Lots of smart people here. And if you want the latest news, this group doesn't miss a thing!
malaise
(268,694 posts)DU is light years ahead of M$Greedia
mountain grammy
(26,598 posts)I'm amazed at the depth of information I find. For a long time, I never posted anything. It's a bit intimidating, but now I keep jumping in because my husband gets tired of hearing me rant and I've got to get stuff off my chest sometimes..
DainBramaged
(39,191 posts)East Coast Pirate
(775 posts)Nothing good can come from them.
DainBramaged
(39,191 posts)instead of blanket dissing us
East Coast Pirate
(775 posts)I love all animals. Will visit the DU Pets forum.
peasant one
(150 posts)I rarely post but I have been on DU at least ten years. I am amazed when I talk with others who don't read DU--they are always less informed. I love the arguments here and have really learned from people--not only on political but social issues as well. I feel I am a much more empathetic person and I have even changed my opinion a time or two.
My sanity was saved when I found this place. Thanks to all
Bunnahabhain
(857 posts)Can you tell me how you distinguish the wheat from the chaff here though? I mean every time I correct a hugely blatant error here I get roundly attacked.
East Coast Pirate
(775 posts)who was in the mood to rant about something. I just make a flippant remark back and move on.
Bunnahabhain
(857 posts)But I just have this thing about letting lies or misfacts stand unchallenged. I think we are all morally charged with not letting untruths stand unchallenged. Just my personal burden and I get that too.
East Coast Pirate
(775 posts)Ghost Dog
(16,881 posts)steve2470
(37,457 posts)It's why I'm still here after 9 years and sending Skinner my money.
reusrename
(1,716 posts)silverweb
(16,402 posts)[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]I finally had the chance to get to know a new neighbor the other day -- a 20-something, very bright, educated young woman -- who had never heard of fracking.
I couldn't believe it at first, but jumped at the opportunity to introduce her to the subject (at which she was horrified). The more informed we are (thank you, DU!), the better we can help others understand the things going on that affect all of us.