Do ,you think creating Discussionist was a great idea?

[mylye2222]

Positive points for me; Well obviously many trollers had left here and migrated over ther. DU is more calm.

Negative.points. Way tooo much confrontatations and very disgraceful OT, essentially against everything that sounds progressive. I do see much of hatred statements expressed here. Like poor and ignorants things targeting Obama voters, immigrants, denial......

[geek tragedy]

1. I salute the good DUers who fight 'em over there

so we don't have to fight 'em here.


From what I can tell, it's largely wingnuts and all of the people I was glad to see get shitcanned from DU.

[mylye2222]

3. I am among that lot.

Anbd thanks you for your support.

[SidDithers]

20. +1...

Sid

[hlthe2b]

45. I saw an entire thread populated by previously banned DUers...

not surprisingly, I suppose. And, of course it was every bit like the DU attack threads the "cavers" and others post.

I have to say, though, I've seen posts from some previously banned DUers that I have missed. Not sure what happened with them, but glad to see they have a place to post other than the usual..

And, of course those who have taken issue with certain groups at DU are creating another Meta over there.

Finally, though, there are the conservatives. I see a few that are trying to contribute in a constructive manner. Most, though approach the site in a typically aggressive and overtly abusive way. I can live without any of that...

[Cha]

2. Sounds like a distraction.. but that's just me.

[1000words]

4. It's a vehicle of "product diversification."

There are mouths to feed, and PR firm bills to pay.

[RKP5637]

78. +1, n/t

[JI7]

5. it seems to be a place for those who hate people of color, women, gays

etc.

[mylye2222]

7. Yes, and feminists, foreigners, Hispanics....even no-pol jokes, when they come from a progressive

[Bluenorthwest]

25. That's about the size of it.

I think that was the intention.

[greatauntoftriplets]

26. I think you've got it right.

Place is a turnoff for me. It seems to bring out the worst in too many of the people posting there.

[Cali_Democrat]

58. Keep in mind many of those folks are DUers and began posting there immediately

It just shows you we have loads of bigots on DU...which I always suspected.

They're just more well-behaved here so they can avoid getting tombstoned.

[Number23]

68. Yep. You can tell alot by the folks who keep harping on how much they enjoy it there

They're usually some of the main ones that make this place suck for the members of the real Democratic base.

[RKP5637]

80. +1, n/t

[Purrfessor]

85. So I'm a bigot because of my occasional interaction

at discussionist.com? I didn't realize the bar that defines bigotry had been lowered to such an extent.

[Sheldon Cooper]

88. I don't know. Are you a bigot?

Cali Dem certainly did not say that EVERY SINGLE PERSON who posts on that board is a bigot. So why did you assume he/she was referring specifically to you?

[Purrfessor]

92. Looks like a pretty broad brush to me...

"Keep in mind many of those folks are DUers and began posting there immediately. It just shows you we have loads of bigots on DU...which I always suspected."

[Sheldon Cooper]

93. Even if it was a broad brush, which I do not believe is the case,

why would you assume the comment was directed at you, specifically?

[Cali_Democrat]

94. I did not mean every DUer

I apologize if it came across that way. I've noticed there are some good posters there taking apart the right wingers. But it's hard to get over the fact that I saw bigotry there almost immediately which leads me to believe that many of those bigots post right here.

[Purrfessor]

96. Thank you, Cali...

Perhaps I was a bit sensitive. I am one of those discussionist members helping to address and correct right wing propaganda.

I visit numerous online newspapers and debate conservatives in the various comment sections. I enjoy setting the record straight even if those who choose to ignore facts refuse to accept reality.

It's just something I enjoy, and will continue to do so. Besides, reading some of the outlandish conservative beliefs and conspiracy theories provides me with a bit comedic relief. They are occasionally a funny bunch, even though they are actually serious in what they post.

[pintobean]

97. But, we also have many watchers

Word spread across the conservative sites pretty quickly.

[mylye2222]

6. I was just wondering, because

For years, RWingers had ( and its maybe still active) Freerepublic to spread their hatred among themselves.

And I have also heard of another forum called Conrvative Underground....

[kcr]

8. I think some of the trolls left, but not all, and we're still getting new ones

And they seem even bolder. I can't help but wonder if they're helping to attract them to DU, and the tone of DU is being affected.

[surrealAmerican]

9. It's too soon to tell.

As to how it affects DU, I haven't noticed much difference yet, but I usually avoid the obvious flame-bate threads.

[ancianita]

10. Agreed. So far it doesn't look "great."

[Enrique]

11. what does OT mean?

[mylye2222]

13. Just means that I want to ask DUers what are their feelings on Discuss.

Good things and bad things.

And, for the 100000000....th or so time...... I AM ESL.

[muriel_volestrangler]

74. Specifically "...Way tooo much confrontatations and very disgraceful OT, essentially against..."

What is the OT that is disgraceful?

[Reter]

24. It means Off Topic

Not sure why the other guy didn't answer you.

[blm]

102. ESL - English Second Language. She is French, lives in France.

.

[11 Bravo]

12. I'm guessing it probably won't result in a cure for cancer.

It's a new internet forum. Great? Nope. The end of the world as we know it? Nope.

[ErikJ]

14. Good to mix things up. After 10 years forums can begin to get a bit "set in their ways"

which can limit the free exchange of ideas.

[groundloop]

16. So far I've seen very little free exchange of ideas over there

A teeny tiny bit, but mostly just fighting. I've already kinda' given up on it. IMO it's slightly possible that progressives/liberals and conservatives could be more or less friendly at a bar-b-q or fish fry, but on an internet forum - forget it.

[billh58]

15. Seems like DU meta

with trolls, socks, zombies, and wing-nuts. Not the kind of people that I'd normally associate with.

[Inkfreak]

17. I applaud this site's admins success.

And the site looks great. It's living up to its name as I see it. Lots of back & forth between left & right. Some feel the need to shit on Skinner's new site because that's what some do. It doesn't bother me in the least. I've got DU and now when I have read every OP that intrests me I can go to The Disscusionist now. Which is great cause there's not a lot of sites that I like.

[Sheldon Cooper]

18. It's a business decision, and really shouldn't be viewed through

any other prism. It wasn't designed to be DU Lite, or DU Hard Core, or whatever. It's simply another mechanism for making money for the owners. There is nothing wrong with that, by the way.

[Kingofalldems]

29. So why are there donations for DU if it's a business?

[Jesus Malverde]

30. DU makes money off ads.

You donate, you don't get ads.

[Sheldon Cooper]

31. I don't know, it's not my company.

You should direct that question to the owner.

[Princess Turandot]

71. DU use the name 'donations' for what are closer to 'subscriptions'...

to the website. It's not much different than taking a paid subscription for something like the NY Times.

[sendero]

19. It was a fantastic idea.

.... and I don't recommend engaging with every wingnut that posts, but some of them do add value to the discussion.

And here you are way to restricted as to what you can say. Living in an echo chamber is comfortable, but growing is always uncomfortable and yet preferable.

It's not a free for all, there are still rules about civility.

IMHO, it is a freaking home run.

[etherealtruth]

21. Sure

As a general discussion/ political discussion board I hope it succeeds.

I am not sure that is what I am looking for, but I go over (trying to give the site traffic) because I am so very grateful for DU having been here during the Bush years, the Iraq war (etc). Since I do feel gratitude to the administrators of DU I want to do my small part to encourage success of Discussionist

[deutsey]

22. If it provides a place for people who like mixing it up with other views

in verbal sparring and brawls, so be it.

[LWolf]

23. It might be if certain posters

on both sites could simply let it be, and not constantly have to post about "the other site."

Kind of defeats the purpose.

[cyberswede]

64. I think that activity will die down...

it's still new, but once the site evolves more of its own personality, I think the sniping about DU will fade away (probably not entirely, but enough).

[hrmjustin]

27. I enjoy arguing eith rwers and exposing their lies.

[rrneck]

28. Sure.

It's just another internet forum in an internet full of them. DU is marketed for one kind of user, DS is marketed for others. The tension occurs here between charismatic fundamentalist evangelistic true believers and regular believers. That's what all those protected groups and hosts are designed to manage. Over there, most anybody can say most anything and the jury system is supposed to deal with it.

Look at it this way; all those people you don't like are keeping Skinner from charging you an arm and a leg for DU. Hey, baby needs an new pair of shoes.

[pipi_k]

32. Yeah, actually I do.

In fact, I think it was a brilliant idea whose ramifications may not be known for some time.

So reading through this thread I see that some think there's little free exchange of ideas over there. I disagree.

I've actually engaged with a few Conservatives who have been polite and respectful. And, as I pointed out a few days ago, if you want to know what someone else was/is thinking...and why...ask THEM.

IMO, you're more likely to get the truth about why someone did or said or believes something if you ask them rather than sitting in an echo chamber where people waste time and energy speculating on why someone else thinks a certain way. Oh, sure, people can say that someone did or said something, but what they can't say...without being a mind reader...is WHY.

Also...some think there's a lot of fighting going on over there.

OMG. How shocking!!! There sure isn't any fighting here at DU, right?



Let's forget for a moment the DU Troll Wars.

Let's talk about fighting between members of the same party, FGS!!!

Men against women. Women against men. Liberals against Moderates. People running around spewing epithets at anyone who doesn't think the way they do. "You can't be a REAL (Democrat/Liberal/Progressive/whatever) unless you believe this, this, and this".

So basically, there are some who are only comfortable as long as others are agreeing with them.

And then some feel like it's all one big war to be fought. No compromise...take no prisoners!!! Fight them "over there"...blah blah blah. Holy cow, that sounds just like the crap GWB tried to sell us as justification for the war on Iraq!

Anyway, I'm not going to try and convince anyone to go over there and give it a good honest chance. The way I see it, the more balanced it is (fewer actual DUers), the more interesting the experiment is.

And as Eldridge Cleaver said, "Too much agreement kills a chat". DU itself is great. What makes it suck is people who apparently feel threatened by an opposing POV, even if it's from someone in their own political party.

[leftstreet]

36. +1

Nicely stated

[NCTraveler]

43. Good post pipi. nt.

[Blue_In_AK]

49. Totally agree.

[mindwalker_i]

55. I couldn't agree more

Fighting? A bit, and people one both sides have been assholes, but for the most part, there have been a lot of good discussions. More importantly, both sides have found out that the stereotypes they nurture don't apply to the rank-and-file. That begs the question, were do those come from. I think leaders of the parties are the crazy ones. And it's up to the rank-and-file to fix it.

In some ways it's refreshing. I saw a post here the other dya that essentially said someone used a word that that person didn't like in the title of a message, which ruined their "safe place." The point being that sometimes we can't even discuss something without someone else throwing a fit.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

63. Thank you! You've said it all much more clearly than I ever could. n/t

[Ms. Toad]

65. That's about right. n/t

[Skittles]

66. pretty cool, being "polite and respectful"

while supporting a party that loves war, torture, stealing elections, suppressing votes, crashing the economy, starting crap wars, along with hating workers, women, gay folk, poor folk..............aw who gives a FUCK if they "polite and respectful"? FUCK THEM ALL.

[pipi_k]

99. And they'll likely

keep on supporting a party that does things like that as long as there are enough DUers around to call them assholes, morons, idiots, batshit crazy, etc. etc., and to expect the very worst from them.

Can't see where any of that ever changed anyone's mind, but whatever.


If the main goal is just to fight with someone, then that's what will happen. Nothing ever changes. It just goes on and on in a big standoff.

[JoePhilly]

76. +1

[ellenfl]

81. every time i ask conservatives i know 'why?', i get talking points but usually silence. eom

[yuiyoshida]

33. I have not used it as yet..

Not really sure I want to. I have enough stuff going on, and prefer to be here rather than most places on the world wide net.

[Exposethefrauds]

34. Great idea IDK it is ok I guess

In the big picture of things it is not a great idea like a cure for cancer or 420 solution but it is an idea non the less and it does not hurt anyone so why not

[octoberlib]

35. These threads obsessing about Discussionist on DU are getting old.

Either go there or don't go there. Your choice.

[ChisolmTrailDem]

37. How about taking that question to the place it belongs. This isn't Discussionist!!! Some of

us are not there for a reason!

[pintobean]

48. Did you know

you can trash a thread without even opening it?

[mindwalker_i]

57. Or not click on it in the first place

But some people just want to complain...

[WinkyDink]

38. Not on my radar whatsoever.

[leftstreet]

39. A great idea, and the time is right n/t

[Louisiana1976]

40. I like Discussionist. It's true that there are wingnuts there--but I don't

get involved with them.

[Cleita]

56. Actually, they are easy enough to shut up.

They don't have many facts at their fingertips. If they are rude I leave them alone but if they are civil I will engage them.

[hamsterjill]

41. I can't seem to get logged on.

I guess I'm just too much of a liberal!!! LOL

Seriously, I've signed up and waited for a confirmation email. None received and nothing in junk mail, etc.

Gone back to the site twice to ask that a confirmation be re-sent. None received and nothing in junk mail, etc.

I've clicked on the "click here if you're still having trouble" which takes me to an internet error page.

Anyone else having this difficulty??????

[NCTraveler]

42. If it's adding to Skinners bank account I'm good with it.

I really don't think it is going to have a great impact on this place once everything settles out. It is a move based on the idea of additional revenue. I hope it works out for Skinner. Skinner will know if it was a great idea in about six months or so. For me I think the impact will be insignificant.

[hack89]

44. Yes. nt

[Blue_In_AK]

46. I'm enjoying it, personally.

But then a lot of my friends who are no longer here for one reason or another are there, so it's fun to reconnect. DU has gotten kind of preachy at times, and I find it quite distasteful.

[KittyWampus]

47. There are some funny threads in the Fun Section.

[Marrah_G]

50. I haven't gone over there.

[steve2470]

51. it was a great idea but not for all, obviously nt

[randys1]

52. I was banned, i wont be civil to rightwing trash

[PeaceNikki]

59. yup. no interest in paling around with anti-choice Rand humpers.

I live in a red area. I have plenty of real life interaction with the other side. I don't want or need any more, thanks

[Number23]

69. Randy, if YOU were banned, that's all the proof I'll ever need to not step a toe in that place

[JustAnotherGen]

79. Plus 10000000

Couldn't agree more - where randy is not wanted I don't need to be!

[randys1]

87. Wow, you love me, you really love me...Sally said

[JustAnotherGen]

90. Here's to you! No really - here's to you!

[randys1]

91. Thanks, and now for something completely different

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024987118

[randys1]

86. Appreciate the compliment

[Rex]

84. That's why I will only lurk there.

I cannot be nice to RWingers. Bad enough they infest this place.

[Gormy Cuss]

53. I think that it has potential as a new revenue stream for admin, so yes.

They seem to be happy with it so far too.

I just wish that the admins would reconsider the vague TOS , the lack of moderation duties for the hosts, and the mind-numbing inconsistencies of juries on DU. This site used to shut down bigotry quickly. Now it's allowed as long as the poster doesn't phrase it in the form of an ad hominem attack.

[Cleita]

54. I like it. But I disagree with you that DU is calmer.

It's not getting very good discussions on DU anymore because everyone who isn't in lockstep on one POV is afraid to post. That kind of calmer is not good for a website that was once noted for getting facts out and that meant a lot of hashing out of disagreements.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

60. If a tree falls in the forest....

I haven't been there, just like I haven't been to a thousand other political boards that exist on the internet. It has zero effect on you if you don't go there.

[DonCoquixote]

61. If giving creeps

a place to creep keeps them off here, and manages to help fund DU, good. However, let's not have illusions; the place will attract SCUM, and worse, SCUM that will pretend they are liberals. At least you knew what Free Republic was.

[Raine]

62. I tried it, answered to a question on whether I liked it or DU better. I made the mistake

of saying DU and got crapped on for politely reponding with my preference ... I'm done over there. Seems like some just want to get into it over nothing!

[Rex]

67. Yes I think the admins are brilliant.

[The Midway Rebel]

70. Yes. As much as some hate the right, they need to be engaged and debated.

Not so much as to convince or persuade them to our side or to hang out with them, but there is a silent audience that sits on the fence, whose minds are more open to new ideas and will learn from reading the threads. I post there for them. And I'm having a good time whooping their right wing asses and exposing their false briefs, fears, and hatreds.

[kentauros]

72. I'd say it was a good idea, not a great idea.

The humor-impaired turn me off bigtime, and so, I've already gotten bored with the place.

Plus, many of the rightfully-banned people from here are beginning to show up there, and that's another major factor for driving back here. The lack of safe-havens is an additional major negative against it.

[BainsBane]

73. The positive side is that people are free to be who they are

The downside is that people are free to be who they are.

[Capt. Obvious]

75. I generally enjoy it

The Politics forum tends to move a lot quicker than GD it seems which I enjoy.
Granted some (many?) of the threads I don't bother opening it's still nice to see new threads bubbling at the top of page 1. I find I have to dig too much here to not lose interesting threads that die on the vine.

I'm still working out the kinks of forum structure and how to use tags to create your own forums. I think that has great potential.
The natives are getting restless over people misusing tags and posting in the "wrong" forum.

The Sports forum is nice - a forum where you have no idea the political bent of the person you're talking to, and all sports are discussed in one forum as opposed to splitting topics based on sport. And so far I haven't noticed the typical sports trash talk.

Cooking threads are posted in Life

[pipi_k]

98. Hee hee...

that whole "wrong forum" thing

The natives are getting restless over people misusing tags and posting in the "wrong" forum.

Makes me laugh! It has shades of OCD about it, sort of.

OMG!!! Your thread on xxxxxx is going to contaminate my thread on yyyyyyy!!! Move it someplace else, Buster!!! aughhhhhhh!!!!

[Maeve]

77. It's worth a try

Not for me--too much crap to wade thru and I don't have that kind of time anymore, but worth seeing if it can fly.

[ellenfl]

82. where is it? eom

[CrispyQ]

106. Here:

http://www.discussionist.com/index.php

[ellenfl]

108. thank you. eom

[Puglover]

83. True irony.

Posters bad mouthing people that post over there saying they create a bad atmo here for the good democrats here.

Meanwhile in other forums (on DU) the same posters referring to folks here that post in GD as "morons" "clueless" and whining endlessly about how horrible DU is ad nauseam.

I think it's a fine idea over there. Admin obviously did. If people find it distasteful there is an ultra simple solution. I have made a couple of posts but honestly the whole discussion board thing is becoming less and less a part of my life. It's fun to lurk and glean good information but I post very infrequently.

I guess I am getting less and less tolerant as I age. Last week a friend and I drove to Nayon (a "suburb" of Quito) Nayon is a town with probably 100 or more "viveros" or plant stores. Bonsai and gazillions of tropical plants. I was on a quest to find a "Brugmansia Sanguinea" for my back yard. Like a lunk head I forgot to bring a pic on my cell. So we spend hours trying to locate one. We found one. Probably the only one in town. Anyway I posted about our adventure on Ecuador Expats on Facebook. It was a fun and exciting day.

Suddenly a poster jumps in to inform us all that this particular plant is loaded with scopolamine. Which is used in kidnappings and other nasty stuff mostly in Colombia. And now my nice little thread about how cool Nayon is turns into a discussion of kidnapping and murder etc etc etc.

I know this happens all the time but I just don't have the patience for it like I used too.

Better to sit and watch the sun set.

PS The irony of my lengthy post is not lost on me.

[Katashi_itto]

89. It's a revenue generator.

[Beacool]

95. I don't know since I have no time for that site.

[Trajan]

100. I left Yahoo Political Chat some 15 years ago

To escape the constant craziness and inanity ...

I have no intention of returning to that nonsense ..

[Jamastiene]

101. I tried to sign up and do some fighting over there and

never got the confirmation email. Not only that, when I clicked the contact link, it said no such page existed. I wouldn't know if it is a good idea or not, because I never got in to fight the trolls. Just reading it wouldn't give me an overall opinion on it, not like actually being able to jump in and fight.

[sellitman]

103. For me it duplicated Twitter

Tons of trolls who contribute nothing and are not there to reason with.

That's one reason I never joined.

[Warpy]

104. I've noticed a little increased civility here since it's been up

and it's only been a week or so. I'm starting to think of it as a honey pot for discontented Republicans, conservative Democrats, and outright trolls.

It seems to be working that way. We'll see how it's working a month from now.

[CrispyQ]

105. I've spent a little time over there.

And that's where I'll keep it - a little time. I'm curious if it evolves, but so far it seems belligerent. There's a poster there that turns everything into the abortion issue. It's amazing how they can take an issue & twist it to abortion.

[KamaAina]

107. Too early to call.

Except for CNN, which is projecting it for Romney.