Do we pick fights in DU too easily?

[Perky]

Poll question: Do we pick fights in DU too easily?

It seems to me that we have a tendency here to find fault in reasoning or motivations a tad too easily and when we think we have an opportunity to bait someone in to a virtual slugfest we are all for it. I suspect it is partly just the nature of the forum but sometime it seems we enjoy it too much... Why is that?

[TahitiNut]

1. What's this "we" shit? Who you calling intolerant?

:dunce:

[Perky]

3. You mother was a hampster and father smells of Eldeberry.

oh sorry wrong forum.

[TahitiNut]

6. "You warthog-faced buffoon!"

Every decent thread needs a Princess Bride allusion. :silly:

[Perky]

11. I'll turn you into a newt

or a Monty Python reference.

[poverlay]

9. You filthy English K...nigit! Now go away or I shall taunt you a second

time!

Couldn't resist

[TahitiNut]

13. Let's both fart in his general direction.

:rofl:

[NNN0LHI]

2. I haven't noticed this phenomena of which you speak

I have seen some posters attempting to rewrite history on occasion and some other posters have taken some offense to that.

But thats about it.

Don

[hlthe2b]

49. Really, NNN0LH?

edited for those darned typos...

Wow, Don.. You and I have been on DU similarly long and I am amazed you haven't seen this phenomenon. Maybe I better hang out in the forums that you frequent...:shrug:

I think it is a result of both growing pains and the near-election "tension," (along with more frequent "visitations" from those desiring to disrupt), but I have definitely both seen and experienced the phenomenon.

[NNN0LHI]

53. Really

I haven't noticed any increased "tension" around here at all. I swear I haven't. If I did I would say so.

I don't give these frequent "visitations" you mentioned any thought. DUs moderators handle that stuff real well without any input from me. They are the best on the internets.

Don

[hlthe2b]

55. I'm with you there...

Kudos to the DU moderators :toast:

[NNN0LHI]

56. One of the reasons we have the best moderators is because I never applied

I would like to do my part and pitch in around here (and I feel guilty that I can't) and offer my services but I know better. I am not cut out for that kind of position. I am not all that smart but I am smart enough to know my limitations. I am more the kind of DUer who needs a moderator than the kind that can actually be one. Shit, I would ban everyone the first day.

}(

Don

[hlthe2b]

57. Gee, but what fun you'd have on that first day!

:evilgrin:

I feel guilty too for not having been a moderator. For similar reasons, I'm not cut out for it either...

[PCIntern]

4. I voted 'none of the above'

I don't know what the hell is going on here. Everytime I post something which I feel is interesting or an observation as a sidelight of what is happening at what seems to be light-speed, someone takes me to task in the most absurd fashion. the other day I made a comment about a word which Keith used, mostly tongue-in-cheek and people went completely bullshit on me, half of whom had absolutely no idea that the word I was remarking upon, actually had the meaning to which I was alluding. I really don't want to get into the details here, but it was just ridiculous and that the point was entirely missed. This has happened on multiple occasions with numerous other folks as well, who are just trying to make a point or be amusing, and they get harpooned for no real reason.

[Perky]

7. I know what you mean

I wonder if some of these folks are more civil in the real world.

[bobbolink]

51. Probably not-- probably the ones tailgating you

:hi:

[hlthe2b]

8. I have observed that as well, PCIntern....

Sometimes it feels like a volcano on the brink of eruption--and very little "incitement" is required.

[TahitiNut]

12. Well, it's not easy for some to get a life.

:evilgrin: I know. I've been looking around to see where I misplaced mine for nearly four years, now.

[Perky]

17. check the poilitcs room it's where good ideas go to die.

[Perky]

31. Dang Tahitinut....

I just did the math on your postings......you have to be doing something like 25 a day. for the last four years.

You may need to go to DU Detox....lol

[TahitiNut]

44. Well, to be fair (and balanced?) ...

... it's been over 4.5 years. I joined very early in 2002 - about 10,000 user registrations before you. More signficantly, I was a DU moderator for 6 months. You just wouldn't believe how fast one's post count soars as a moderator. The Moderator Forum (invisible to the hoi polloi) is the busiest forum on DU.

Besides ... since I have very little to say, I have to say it a lot. :silly: :dunce:

[pecwae]

38. Seems some don't bother to read an entire post

before responding. Others just like to argue, have the last word or feel 'right'. Sometimes I see an attack and as soon as that door is opened there's a pile on by other posters especially if it's a newbie or someone with less than 1000 posts.

I can't figure out the logic behind what drives DU much of the time. I've made several posts regarding supporting soldiers who have refused to go back to Iraq and they have sunk like stones. I really thought DU'ers were behind these resisters. I even prevailed upon a 1000+ poster to repost one of them and at least she got on Greatest so that the story was read. Then you get threads like "OMG" that get 20 K+R.:shrug:

[hlthe2b]

45. "Pile-on" is right, pecwae...

This is a phenomenon I find most disturbing, because it is so "freeper-like." Someone will go on the attack against one poster and regardless of whether there was an argument to be made or not, 40 more posters will weigh in-- nearly in lock-step-- with nearly identical postings. It looks--or all the world--like a pack of hyenas rushing in on the kill and similarly ridiculous as when the "kill" is a mere solitary rabbit.

I am seeing it more and more lately and not about substative issues. People will do it with a spelling mistake, for God's sake! I find it very, very, very disturbing.

Are some here so desperately in need of "acceptance" by the crowd, that they feel it necessary to become as "authoritarian" as our opposition counterparts? Again, I find it REALLY disturbing.


edited, my dear grammarian colleagues, for an obvious typographical error and I surely missed one or two more! :eyes:

[bobbolink]

52. I've often wondered about the wisdom that isn't posted here because

there's so much attacking, and also ignoring unless the poster belongs to the right clique.

I suspect we are missing a lot by our behavior.

:(

[treestar]

5. Disagreement is fine - when the ideas clash you can work it

out until you can see the truth and the logical argument. People who want to post without opposition are in the wrong place.

[Perky]

15. yes but we tend to want to find reasons to split hars

or assume the worst possible motivation a bit to easy. There is little effort to try and coonvince people that they are wrong.

[treestar]

33. There's always the paranoia about trolling freepers

Which is not always paranoid. I haven't seen these threads though, where people assume the worst motivation, but that is some people's argument style, face it, in our culture today, "in your face" is in style in general.

[hlthe2b]

46. That is certainly part of the problem...

It is hard to give all the benefit of the doubt, given the amount of "intentional disruptors" that appear on this site.

When DU was first "born," it was easy for some to develop into what appeared to be "cliches" and for some, that felt like all who came later were automatically "suspect." Well, with the enormous growth of DU, that problem is no longer an issue (sadly, we've also lost some of those original members, as well), but the growth means much more anonymity. People who feel totally anonymous and divorced from others, likewise feel free to make premature conclusions about the motives of others and less inclined to give "benefit of the doubt." :shrug:

[melody]

30. It's not the disagreements that bother me, it's the personal attacks

There are people on every message board who simply don't know how to attack ideas without becoming
personal and punitive. DU is no exception. I've even had my avatar and siglines brought into the
discussion when they had no connection to the topic at hand.

[treestar]

34. That's true, some people have those bad habits in their

argument style, though it seems more common amongst the freepers. ;-)

[Quantess]

47. "Personal attacks"

include calling someone a freeper or a troll.

[melody]

62. yes, but it should be less acceptable here imo

We're educated/informed people. I've been accused of being a freeper probably ten
times on this board, often by people with no star beside their names, simply because
I don't follow an ideology to which they subscribe.

We have to get back to issues and individuals and away from pack psychology that groups us
into carefully circumscribed oppositive groups.

[genie_weenie]

10. Ah, is this right room for an argument?

I told you once.

http://www.mindspring.com/~mfpatton/sclinic.htm

[TahitiNut]

14. No, it's not.

:dunce: Mere gainsaying, you say?

[Perky]

16. IS SO!!!

[TahitiNut]

18. Sorry. Your time is up.

:rofl: They's just pinin' for the fjords.

[Perky]

19. You are the "weakest link"

[genie_weenie]

21. This was just getting interesting.

[Perky]

25. Yeah I am board now too

Hey want to fo to another room and beat up someone for the fun of it?

[genie_weenie]

27. You want to complain!

Look at these posts.

[ScreamingMeemie]

20. It's a message board... Most people are only moved to post

when they are in radical opposition to whatever is posted. I don't find myself posting too many "right on" " you said it" kinds of things because that is post whoring in my opinion. And I, myself, am above post whoring. ;)

[Perky]

22. As opposed to being a post John?

[ScreamingMeemie]

24. Define post John and I'll let you know.

[TahitiNut]

26. Yeah. Me too.

:yoiks:

[ScreamingMeemie]

28. Hey! How are ya?

:hi: :hug:

[TahitiNut]

37. Doin' fine ... thinkin' about Nickle enthralled while she watches Magglio

... tonight. I get a kick out of "mini-Grumpy" - there's just something special about 16-year-olds.

:hug: :loveya:

[Name removed]

23. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[lonestarnot]

29. I can't get any more pissed off, but

I can certainly get pissed on if I allow it, and I have no intention of allowing any further pissing without a fight. :grr:

[Justice Is Comin]

32. I'm still just trying to figure out how to make my lettuce last longer

in the refrigerator.

[Buck Laser]

35. I am deeply and personally offended by the whole idea

that any DU member is unduly touchy or argumentative. I shall report you to all the proper authorities, improper authorities, and my friend Luigi "Knuckles" Brazzini.

[DireStrike]

36. Civility is overrated

There is a myth that some golden age of civil disagreement existed, where everybody got along perfectly when arguing no matter how little they agreed. This is bull. It's no different today than it ever was.

Plus, it's the internet.

Still it would do everyone good to try to remember - be civil whenever you can, don't push or assume or try to score points with a clever takedown. It's better arguing technique. Unfortunately it's hard to keep to.

[FlaGranny]

39. It would be a BIG help

if, when reading a post, the reader would read it once, and if the post pissed them off, read it again. But an even BIGGER help would be if a reader reads the entire post and checks about any links before mouthing off. THEN maybe they can try to force their brains into a tiny amount of objectivity. :-)

Edit: I can't type.

[DaveJ]

40. I picked 'nature of the site' (or any site)

The most popular threads are the ones that involve debate. If someone says something that's true and brilliant, there's not much to comment on. If someone makes some kind of dumb comment then that thread gets more attention.

[Chomp]

41. The opposite...

Too much cosy concensus and too much rallying around a perceived common ideological bond.

[CJCRANE]

42. Are you talking to me?

:shrug:

[Quantess]

43. Some people

post their first, uninformed, reaction, without thinking it through. Sooner or later that's bound to backfire, and make one look boorish, naive, or trollish. If there is a topic you may not know a lot about, chances are, some other DUers do have an informed opinion, and you would be advised to read and consider, before blurting out.
This is particularly true if your race, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, etc., is less involved in a particular topic than someone else's. Take for example, the subject of reproductive choice, a topic that has far greater significance for females than males. It would be well advised to see what women have to say in the matter, before posting.
Considering viewpoints other than our own, staying informed, and reading what other DUers say, is what distinguishes us from bonehead, boorish freepers.

You don't want to get caught loking like this white guy, who thinks he can appeal to black voters: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2430197

[Cleita]

48. There are thoughtful and informative posts here at DU, but

there is also the flamebait. Sometimes it's accidental, but often it's deliberate. If you pick on someone's pet goose you will get bitten.

[Perky]

59. Well flamebait gets the pirhanas out for sure but....

Even pretty vanilla posts can get the most virtiolic replies.

[Swamp Rat]

50. All of the above and then some

:D

[Bluebear]

54. Just guessing, is this with regards to "tolerance" of Christians? nt

[Perky]

58. Actually No not at all

I posted yesterday about how I thought that with so many Senators runnung for President in '08 that very little would get done in terms of governance.


And I got slammed as a Freeper and accused of not wanting the DEMS to win. ????? It got hijacked in about three different ways.

[Wonk]

64. Here's the link to your "noit much is going to be accomoished" thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2441106&mesg_id=2441106

[ecstatic]

60. It's called DU-rage

6 years of Bush and lying, scheming Republicans. Rigged machines. Wondering if we'll be robbed again. I think with all that going on the site is doing great! Just be grateful that the incidences of intolerance/rudeness are still very low.

[TahitiNut]

63. I call it fratricide.

:shrug: Gotta be careful who you share a foxhole with.

[eppur_se_muova]

61. Where's the option for "Who asked you"? nt

:evilgrin:

[bridgit]

65. it is standard operating procedure to poke a little some at they...

that do themselves poke too easily, or feel as though they can do so with silicon impunity; when first i stated posting i was dragged around by my hair in broad daylight & i've been ladled on thick by some of the very most vaunted DU mods who will take no poking themselves even by extension so what is your real issue here

some people have a thin-ass skin and i do feel sorry for them in a rock hard world; though perhaps only when someone accuses you wrongly of calling them ignorant to then put you on 'ignore' proving then a point that was never made to begin with; may you perhaps recognize just how silly some of this shit really can be...imo of course

:shrug: