So this heart thingie is basically a popularity contest

[LynneSin]

great!

Maybe I'll save my donation til after the fundraiser drive since I could never donate enough for everyone who is a DU member to get one heart!

I don't know about you, but my mom made me give valentines to everyone in the class so that no one would feel left out!

[BikeWriter]

1. That's the way we did it, too.

[LynneSin]

3. I am so disappointed in this whole thing

First - no one should send a heart to me because I will not be making any donation until after the fundraiser.

I mean, I graduated 3rd grade awhile back and this just reeks of third grade posturing.

To the people who put my name down, thank you but if there was a way that I could opt-out of this mess I would.

[fleabert]

98. ditto nt

[tjdee]

2. Yes, it's basically a popularity contest.

But it's a good idea for a fundraiser, and people seem to like it.

The middle-schoolness of it kind of makes me feel a tiny, tiny bit bad, but if it helps Skinner and co. out and makes people happy I guess I can get over my ego issues. :)

[LynneSin]

4. But then there will be those of us who won't donate now

because it's such an immature way of trying to raise funds while in a way hurting others.

[tjdee]

5. I guess that's a possibility, but then there are the people who

will donate to give themselves a heart, there are people who want to give others hearts, etc.

I actually think it will work better than grovelbot, because of the way it triggers everyone's inner kid and all that implies.

I don't know that I would have done it, though, for the reasons you stated.

[LynneSin]

7. Yeah, well I remember the kid in 3rd grade crying because he didn't

get any hearts.

ANd I remember the snooty kids who thought they were 'all that' because they received the most.

I was usually somewhere in between, which was fine for me but this who heart thing just stinks. The least the admin could do was to allow people to opt out if they wanted to.

[LostinVA]

18. At our school, we HAD to give a valentine to every single kid

[woo me with science]

101. LOL that didn't matter.

The popular kids got the Barbie valentines with the Candy Heart border. You knew if you got Elmer Fudd on plain paper you were shit.

[GalleryGod]

29. Total. Garden. Fertilizer.

I also..will be keeping my $20.00 In MY Pocket.

[NashVegas]

21. I'll Donate Wednesday

If hearts are still an option, I'll spread some around.

[I Have A Dream]

72. If they're going to do it, I think that it would be better if just...

the receiver knew it rather than everyone. (i.e., don't display it in each post.) My heart hurts because of this. I know that it brings back a lot of painful memories for many people. :(

[hfojvt]

109. I do not see the popularity contestness of it

If I had, say, five, would I really care that someone else has 12. It kinda sucks, however, to have less than 3. But I think, OTOH, if I made a $50 donation that it would be tough to pick my top ten and later in the day I probably would see someone else that I wish I could give a heart.

[Heidi]

6. I know whatcha mean, LynneSin.

I think Skinner, Elad and EarlG had good intentions with the heart thing, though. They had no way of knowing that a few DUers would become a popularity competiton with polls being posted about it, etc. Call Me Wesley and I are only giving hearts to people who don't have one; we don't donate in the names of DUers who already have donor stars, so why should this be any different?

:thumbsup:

[LynneSin]

8. That's what I was thinking if I donated

But I'm just not donating this time around

[Crazy Dave]

14. A good and practical idea

"Call Me Wesley and I are only giving hearts to people who don't have one"
I did a gift donation yesterday so that person got the hearts and today I'll only be able to pass out a couple when the payment goes through. I'll also look for someone without one. :)
Everybody should get a heart or a star like you said. :thumbsup:

[GalleryGod]

35. Heidi ! Here's Another!

[Heidi]

39. I swear, there is no water like that _anywhere else_

in the world. The first time I saw it, it took my breath away. I wish I'd been painting then. :cry:

:hi: Gallery God! :hug:

[enigmatic]

86. that's a great idea

I've done that in the past but this time I'll wait until the drive is over to do it again.

I understand what Skinner. Elad, and Earl were doing, but I want no part of it because of what you and Lynne said...

[mdmc]

103. that is so kind

thanks for doing this

[Crazy Dave]

9. I've got a silly question

How do you give them out? I don't see a link or button for it unless my donation hasn't been processed yet.

[ScreamingMeemie]

10. Underneath your heart...the donate sentence should now read

Give this person a heart you have (x) hearts left...or something close to that. Click on the link for the person you want to give a heart to and Voila.

[Crazy Dave]

11. Thanks MrsG

:)

[Crazy Dave]

12. I will not give LynneSin a heart as per her wishes but...

I do confess to stealing her "More Cowbell" gif :evilgrin:

[LynneSin]

13. You may steal my cowbell gif

That I'll accept!

[Ptah]

15. I wish after two, it would just show 'more than two'

I think it's only going to last until tomorrow.

:shrug:

[LynneSin]

16. Actually - that would be a good compromise

I mean, I see that DU upped the number of donations to 1200 so they needed a push.

I say that after two hearts that's it. Maybe it would encourage people to donate to those who haven't received a heart yet.

[ScreamingMeemie]

19. Somebody suggested in here yesterday that each person should

get one big heart in their sigline, and that the secret admirer PM's could still go out so people would know just how many people adore them if Skinner wanted to do it that way. I am at the point where I think I may just come back on Wednesday.

[Misunderestimator]

20. I think that's a wonderful idea.

:thumbsup:

[ScreamingMeemie]

27. I am trying to find the original post by the DUer who suggested it

last night. I thought it was a great idea.

[ScreamingMeemie]

30. It was our own Redstone who thought of it.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=4735578&mesg_id=4735904

[Misunderestimator]

34. Excellent idea!

[billyskank]

24. Please don't go!!!

:cry:

[ScreamingMeemie]

28. I'm still here.

:hug:

[In_The_Wind]

45. Maybe this will help a little.

www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=4738160&mesg_id=4738160

What do you think?

[In_The_Wind]

17. I think you've made an excellent suggestion Ptah.

Good morning

[Strong Atheist]

22. I don't look at it that way....

I think it is a nice thing to do for someone you like, and I think that it was meant that way...

[LynneSin]

32. Now imagine you're the kid in the class who doesn't get any

I guess nobody likes you then

I was never the girl that got valentines from everyone but my heart broke for the poor kid who got just 1 valentine (probably from me since my mother made me send to everyone) and it's just heartbreaking.

[Strong Atheist]

38. Actually, I was the type of kid that didn't get many (or any)

and I was shocked to get any here... it was really unexpected and very nice... I would not have been upset if I did not get any here (I REALLY was not expecting to get even one), and I am humbled and happy that I did. It was a nice thing to do, and I am glad for all the people getting them, no matter how many they get. I wish everyone would get at least one ...

[LynneSin]

41. That's my problem - I want everyone to get one

HOwever, I don't have $426,815 to donate to DU to ensure that everyone gets at least 1 heart!

[Left Is Write]

82. I want everyone to get one too...

but I did what I could. :loveya:

[helderheid]

114. how about we all pledge to choose one heartless and make sure they get one

?

hard to regulate, I get that.

[tyedyeto]

127. I gave mine to people with no hearts a few minutes ago.

I don't even know them but their space was empty. I hope it makes them feel good, like it did me yesterday. Even if it doesn't, I feel good paying them forward.

[cleofus1]

23. i agree with you in principal

but it is a hell of a canny way of raising money...i think skinner has us pegged...

[merh]

25. IMHO

It's a bad idea all the way around.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=4735143&mesg_id=4735364


Just wanted to stop by your thread Lynne & give you a hug :hug:

:loveya:

[GalleryGod]

26. You Betcha By-Golly Wow! (not)

Nice intentions...we turned it into DU CRAP, A-Gain!

[LynneSin]

33. Oh hell I might just break my vow just because of the early Big shot

:loveya:

Of course it's right before payday so I ain't spending money on anything unless absolutely necessary!

[Hugin]

31. Too bad! I'm giving you a heart *anyway*!

So THERE!

:P

[tjwmason]

36. The Lounge could turn anything into a popularity contest.

I've only sent one valentine, and only received one - I'm in no great hurry to change those numbers either.

[greatauntoftriplets]

37. Thank you for saying it....

:thumbsup:

[Laelth]

40. It's brilliant.

Good fundraising scheme. :thumbsup:

-Laelth

[Patiod]

42. I am SO out of the loop

Didn't even figure it out until I got a PM

Hey - it got me to donate, so I'd say it's working.

[crispini]

43. Psst... when you donate, you get a heart.

And then you have lots to give to people who don't have any! I think it's fun. I gave all of mine to people who didn't have any and then I did it again!

[Puglover]

44. Hey Lynn

I guess the difference is...I'm 51 years old now and beyond the 3rd grade in more ways then one.
I don't think the sting of not getting a star would out weigh the extra money it might bring in for DU or the fun people might have with it.

:hi:

[REDKING]

46. If its a popularity thingie.......

Not going well for me..enough said.

[KitchenWitch]

48. If this was not a lean time for me

I would give you one!

[REDKING]

50. Touched by the thought...

Lean here too.Very lean,new computer which has already been giving me problems....more money.
March the first needed.

[KitchenWitch]

51. Too much month at the end of the money?

:hi:

[CornField]

52. LOL -- better for you than for me

Ah well, I prefer yellow roses anyway. ;)

[jobycom]

47. It's also a sign of how well you beg and whine!

I had no hearts, I whined about it, I got two. See how it works?

Ahem... Two isn't enough... (probably won't work this time...)

[NNadir]

49. I got a heart, which I found surprising, without begging at all.

Thanks to whoever gave it.

[jobycom]

53. Great, make me feel like a bum...

:rofl:

[NNadir]

61. There goes my chance of getting one from you.

It's one of those things that I didn't mean to say, but said. It came out all wrong.

:blush:

[jobycom]

91. Ah, reverse psychology, eh? Make me feel guilty for making you feel guilty

It worked. :-) Enjoy your heart!

[fortyfeetunder]

54. I'm hunting for those that don't

Having experienced receiving no valentines one year as a kid, I figured to give to those who don't have one.

[Heidi]

58. Thank you.

That's what we're doing, too. We believe that too much of good thing can be, well, too much of a good thing. :hi:

[Kid OfThe Black Hole]

55. I gave my hearts

to the people who took the time to PM and say "hi", because I thought they might appreciate it. I don't see whats so wrong with that.

[Misunderestimator]

57. Welcome to DU!

People said Hi before you even posted! Wow, gotta love DU! And there's definitely nothing wrong with that. :thumbsup:

[Kid OfThe Black Hole]

60. Actually someone gave me a heart before I posted as well

A misclick, perhaps? I know I gave my first heart out by accident due to a misclick. I won't say to who though so as not to embarass him/her :)

[mdmc]

104. welcome to DU , kid...

peace and low stress, mdmc

[Lilith Velkor]

56. Yup.

As if it weren't enough to taunt the single...sheesh

[gollygee]

59. I probably won't get a heart and I'm fine with that

it isn't about me! It's a great fundraiser and that's the important thing.

Plus I'll have a few hearts to give away soon and that'll be fun.

(This is not a request for hearts. Please don't feel any obligation to give me a heart. LOL)

[MissMillie]

62. I gave 3 away to people I didn't know...

but who had none.

Maybe if we all did that....

[SharonRB]

63. That's what I had to do, too.

I automatically have DU donations made every month on my credit card, so I don't even know how to give anyone a heart, since I'm not making a new donation. I've also asked Skinner to use part of my donation to help out anyone who can't afford to donate to get a star.

[LynneSin]

64. THIS WEEKEND IS NYC

I might have to switch hotels. It's just Joan and I and the hotel is all booked up. I really don't want the more expensive larger suite if it's just two of us

And that hotel was so pretty

:cry:

[SharonRB]

65. Oh, no!

You have a room, but it's too big? I was out on the site the other day and saw that at least one night was booked up -- I think it was Friday. I'm glad Joan is still coming, though. I was afraid no one else was coming with you. I hope you can still get something nearby.

I'm not sure if I have your cell number -- I don't remember if you already sent it to me. PM me. I think I sent you mine, but I'll do it again, just to be sure.

I hope more people wind up coming Saturday night than it looks like so far on the NY thread.

How happy are you that we didn't plan it for this past weekend? My folks got stuck at Newark on their way home from Israel. At least they were able to get a hotel room at the airport and should be home today.

[LynneSin]

73. We're a block from you guys

so it's not that bad.

They would have had less expensive rooms at your hotel but they're booked solid for the weekend.

[SharonRB]

74. Got your PM.

I'm glad you're close. Too bad you didn't know sooner you'd need a smaller room. I'm glad we booked early!

[LynneSin]

75. It's ok

It's a good price of $139 but I have a feeling we'll probably end up with one queen bed and not 2 smaller beds.

But it's still alot better than the Milf Plaza we stayed at one time - that place was horrible but the only thing we could find during the weekend of Belmont and the Puerto Rican Day parade

[GalleryGod]

78. You guys dodged a major Bullet !?!

Weather-wise! And a Buck-39 a night ain't bad for The City.

[tjwash]

66. It's a lot like the issue I have with the "greatest page" thing.

I have seen some people open a topic that say's "I took a dump. It was brown. I flushed it."
Then you will see it get 50 responses and 8 nominations.:wtf:

And then I see people that do some of the best, most cerebral writing I have ever seen, and it sinks like a rock.:shrug:

I'm telling you, I just don't get DU sometimes.

[GalleryGod]

81. You are not alone, TJW.

Not by a Lonnnng shot!

[Idylle Moon Dancer]

67. Mixed feelings

It's a genius fundraising maneuver, but not without backfire potential.

I just gave someone a star instead.

[trotsky]

68. Yeah, while I think this was a really cool idea...

I also worry about the folks who might not get any. We're all certainly worthy of hearts - we're DEMOCRATS!

[Patiod]

69. Only on DU

would you see so many folks hunting for people without hearts to make sure they get them.

Good folks!

[grace0418]

70. Aww you're sweet.

I survived grade school with no valentines (well, at least none given willingly), I'll survive not getting any from DUers. I have an awesome husband who tells me he loves me every day, so I am a very lucky person. But thank you for worrying about us!

:hug:

[grace0418]

71. I wasn't fishing for hearts, really! But thank you anyway to

the sweet person who gave me one!

:hi:

[WeRQ4U]

85. We'll be ........................ alright.

But only if we strictly adhear to the principals outlined in Stuart Smalley's "Daily Affirmations."

"I'm good enough. I'm smart enough. And, dog gone it.......people like me."

[Ariana Celeste]

88. ....

:rofl:

Yanno, I had a counselor once that was a lot like 'Stuart Smalley'. I rofl everytime I see those skits and think of that man- he was the best.

[GOPFighter]

76. Ah, but we're not in school anymore, Lynne

We're adults now and old enough to hold our heads high and march through life oblivious to, and even proud of, our non-heart status. We are the tough, the grizzled, the clear-eyed, keeping our eyes fixed firmly on our goal of kicking the Republicans ass. We eschew the frivolous hearts as a mere distraction from saving the Republic!





Uh, how much are those hearts?

[SoCalDem]

77. Says someone with a brazillion hearts

:hi:

( I agree with you )

[LynneSin]

79. I think people are giving me hearts just to piss me off

:grr:

[Maddy McCall]

102. LOL!

No, I don't think so. Maybe people have given you hearts because they like you! If I had more to donate, I'd give you another heart. Now it's getting funny, if it's pissing you off. :evilgrin:

[RevolutionaryActs]

80. Yes, and look who's little miss popular.

:P


:evilgrin:

[LynneSin]

83. Sweetie - I'd give you all of mine if I could

I'm either not donating until the fundraiser is done or I'm finding a bunch of total strangers who have no hearts and give them one

But here's a bunch of hearts from me to you

:loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya:

[RevolutionaryActs]

84. Lynne?

:yourock:



And right back at ya!
:loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya:

[Individualist]

87. Your mom was a nice lady

[LynneSin]

89. Yeah, until she made me invite everyone to my birthday party

including the kid that openly picked his nose and ate boogers.

Like that made me popular in 3rd grade

[Individualist]

90. My mom was the same way

She didn't want any of the children to feel left out.

[TheProphetess]

92. I have no hearts and I'm ok with that

I've been getting a great deal of love, warmth, and good vibes all around from DU lately. Nothing could top that.

(Although I will say that I think it's very cute that my husband has gotten a few hearts - and trust me, if anyone deserves a heart, it's him after what he has done for me in my time of pure agony. The man is a saint!) :loveya:

[Call Me Wesley]

93. Har har!

Two already!

You take good care! :hug:

[TheProphetess]

94. Ok, now I look like an idiot

I swear that I did NOT have any hearts when I posted. And, truly, I was fine with that. Thank you to whomever has given them to me. That's darn funny! :)

[LynneSin]

96. You've been through alot lately - you need some good karma

:D

[Maddy McCall]

97. Hi, darlin'.

It's good to see you posting! I hope that you are on the road to recovery and that we hear soon that you are playing tennis, or horseback riding, or doing any number of other unmentionalble stuff that usually makes the ol' back go "ouch!"

:hug:

[TheProphetess]

99. Thanks a ton!

I can't tell you how much relief I'm getting from the new meds. I'm not 100% pain free but I am close to it. It feels so good to sleep without being woken up from pain! My fingers remain crossed that the meds can get me thru physical therapy and keep me from having another flare-up.

Thanks for your advice. :hug:

[Maddy McCall]

100. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for ya, too.

[Maddy McCall]

95. When my son was in public school (now homeschooled) we handmade...

a valentine for each child in his class every year. MMjr. would tell me something personal about each person, like "Drew loves to skateboard," and we would use foam sheets and cut out a skateboard, for instance, and paste it on a foam heart, and MMjr would personalize it with Drew's name and some catchy skateboarding term. I do this because when I was a kid, I was one of the girls that the "popular girls" ignored on Valentine's Day.

Now, about the DU hearts, let me say that I know a lot of people know that I was traumatized by Katrina and that have had a difficult time emotionally recovering, and I appreciate every single heart, because it shows me that people cared for me when I didn't even realize it. I don't see it as a popularity contest--I'm far from popular on DU; indeed, as you know, I can be quite bitchy and cutting to people who have hurt friends of mine (and I mean REAL friends, people on DU who I have met or talk to on the phone each week). But when I have logged onto DU since last night, and I see those hearts, I realize that people are thinking about me--and wishing me well, and that they care about me. Of course, it doesn't take $5 hearts for me to know that people wish me recovery, but it certainly is nice to see that reminder.

I donated $65 to DU and I've given away those hearts. I can't afford to donate any more, but if I could, I would give a heart to every single person who has been kind to me.

Now, I'm sitting here trying to decide whether or not to hit the "post" button, because I don't want to give the ones who pick my posts to pieces (even to the extent of searching archives to find something that counters what I said in this post :eyes: ). I'm going to post this, though, because, above all else, I want the kind people who gave me hearts to know that they have touched a soft part of my soul that I try to wall off, so that hurt doesn't penetrate me. :hug:

[ScreamingMeemie]

112. Wow Mama Maddy! I bet those were beautiful cards.

This is a beautiful post and my only hope is that many people saw it.

You are loved. :hug:

[donheld]

105. It could be but if it helps DU

Then I'm ok with it.

[underpants]

106. 8?

you SLUT!

:evilgrin:

:hi:

[LynneSin]

110. That's 9

you asshole!

:loveya:

[wildeyed]

107. I woke up this morning and felt like the least popular kid

in Junior High. Again. Seriously. I know I am a peripheral member here at DU. I post a lot in a few of the Groups, keep up with my state forum and mostly read LBN and GD. I post there, but only if it is something I feel passionate about. So I know I am not the most popular DU'er on the planet. And I can live with that. But I *am* a member of this community. I donate regularly and mostly behave myself. This whole heart thing made me feel just awful. All the cool kids had hearts and me, nothing. Finally someone took pity on me, I guess. Gawd, it was just like Junior High all over again. I HATED Junior High. I never want to go back there.

Anyway, this goes down, for me anyway, as Worst. Fundraiser. Ever.

[Chovexani]

115. Ditto.

:hug:

On the bright side, at least no one's throwing peas at me.

[wildeyed]

122. I would give you a heart,

except I am boycotting this fundraiser. :hug:

[alarcojon]

124. Sorry to hear it

and I know exactly where you're coming from. It's going to make a lot of people feel bad, worse than they will probably let on.

[kitkatrose]

125. I know. Thankfully, I remember nothing of middle school

except for being irritated a lot. :grouphug:

Edit: Well, damn, between edits, I got a heart. Thanks mystery heart person. :hug:

[WritingIsMyReligion]

108. My mom nearly literally tied me to a chair until I did all

my valentines for EVERY person in the class when I was in elementary school.... I thought it was a royal pain in the ass. Turns out she knows more than she lets on....

:D :D

:hi:

[tjdee]

111. Aww yeah, my kid stayed up until 10:30 doing that tonight!

Sure, she's only 6, LOL.

(Actually, I really, really wanted her to be done and asleep, but she insisted on handwriting everything herself. Sigh. Tomorrow morning is going to be great fun. :( )

[helderheid]

113. Yea, I know what you're saying. By the looks of it, you win! :) If I had a

million dollars - I'd buy you a house (but not a real one, cuz that's cruel).

Seriously, too many here I wanna heart. Not enough $$$. BRILLIANT move by the powers that be though. They must be raking it in!

[LynneSin]

117. You wanna heart people - find those who need one

because for those of us who have more than they deserve (most notably - myself) - if I could give them all away I would.

[helderheid]

126. I made that point up further in the thread. I think you may be taking this

all a little too much to heart (excuse the pun).

[astonamous]

116. Should I feel bad?

I have been watching the hearts adding up as the day has gone on. It's kinda cute and it's all for a good cause. Whatever works to get donations is all good. I just sent out 5000 emails to members of another site in hopes to get a couple of dollars out of a few of them for another cause. I wish I would have thought of the heart thingys.

Trudy

[Ramsey]

118. You are...

...the most egalitarian person ever!! I always gave a Valentine to all my classmates too, I like that system.

[LynneSin]

123. I'm guessing you didn't have the nose-picking boy in your class

I did and he got one valentine - from me!

[gardenista]

119. Your momma raised you right.

And I agree with you.

I think the heart thingie is a creative fundraising tool, but it also promotes popularity contests. I thought we had enough of those in the last couple of months, and I'm kinda tired of them.

Oh well.

I send a virtual "virtual heart" to everyone, and then another, and another, until we all have no more room for our posts and DU is covered with little tiny hearts, all hearting and hearting to their little heart's content.

And I'll be donating on Wednesday, too.

[REP]

120. I Thought So Too Until I Got One

I don't post much plus I'm not especially cuddly, and I got one. Unless I just got one from my own donation. Then I'm back to feeling like one of the outcasts who cuts class and smokes.

[NMMNG]

121. Pretty much

I made a donation so I have a few hearts to give. I'd like to be able to give them to all of the good people I know, but I don't have that much money to spare. Therefore I'm giving my hearts to those who need them, as opposed to those who already have a bunch. I'm sure those in the latter group will understand.