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Been Thinkin This For A While. You Know What DU Needs Just Once; Just For A DAY?

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OPERATIONMINDCRIME Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Feb-10-07 11:47 PM
Original message
Been Thinkin This For A While. You Know What DU Needs Just Once; Just For A DAY?
In my opinion we so badly need a day where every poster is anonymous. No post counts, no avatars, no siglines, just all anonymous.

It is so obvious here that there are cliques and factions that work with each other and against each other. It is so blatantly apparent that some respond to others in one way but could respond to someone else saying the exact same thing a different way, just based on relationship.

I think it would be an AMAZING learning adventure to just for one day, or half a day even, turn all our screennames, avatars, post counts and siglines off. Then none of us would know who's posting what or who they're responding to. It would just totally change the dynamic of discussion around here for that day and could yield some quite pleasantly surprising results. We could find posters who never had the capability to discuss things in a civil manner all of a sudden getting along. We could have locksteppers all of a sudden be on other sides of the fence.

And to make it most valuable and educational of all, after the time period of a day, or half day, all of the screennames are once again visible so that we can see who responded to us and how.

I just think this could be an amazingly valuable learning experience and fascinating to boot! And I'd do my part throwin y'all off by not postin caps in my headers too! :P

Only caveat would have to be that the mods/admins would still have to have the ability to know who each anonymous poster is, in case some decide to get, well, naughty.

Just for one day. Don't you think this could be an awesome concept for just one day? Think about it. Think of all the possibilities it has. I'd love to fuckin see this happen.
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Lost-in-FL Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Feb-10-07 11:49 PM
Response to Original message
1. I can describe what would happen that day with one word...
Edited on Sat Feb-10-07 11:49 PM by Lost-in-FL
carnage :evilgrin:
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More Than A Feeling Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-12-07 04:16 PM
Response to Reply #1
101. I love it, but then I also think that Wheel of Fortune should be played with the dollar values
covered, so what do I know? :silly:
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sce56 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Feb-10-07 11:49 PM
Response to Original message
2. I think the admin will be busy censoring posts all day long if that was to happen
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halobeam Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Feb-10-07 11:50 PM
Response to Reply #2
3. but the mods would know who it was that was posting...
pm them a warning and then if they had to, they'd suspend them for the day. hmmm

lol

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Poiuyt Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Feb-10-07 11:57 PM
Response to Reply #3
10. The mods would probably be doing most of the posts that needed censoring
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OPERATIONMINDCRIME Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:01 AM
Response to Reply #10
18. ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!! Now THERE'SSSS Somethin I Didn't Think Of! How Funny Is That!
and they'd fuckin deserve it too!
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varkam Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:06 AM
Response to Reply #10
24. We have to get the pent up frustration out somehow!
Edited on Sun Feb-11-07 12:06 AM by varkam
:evilgrin:
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Katherine Brengle Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Feb-10-07 11:51 PM
Response to Original message
4. That would be a really interesting experiment. And a nice way to unload lol. nt
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varkam Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Feb-10-07 11:53 PM
Response to Original message
5. Anonymity...
Edited on Sat Feb-10-07 11:53 PM by varkam
usually doesn't lend itself well to being advantageous in discussion. I know it would make my day tougher here :D
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OPERATIONMINDCRIME Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Feb-10-07 11:57 PM
Response to Reply #5
12. My Hope Was That If Posters Realized That The Mods Still Know Who They Are, And That
after the time would expired so would everyone else, that it would make them think twice from acting like an ass to begin with.

The positive aspect of it I was thinking is that you'd never know if the person you are replying to is friend or foe. So many of those knee jerk reaction based on screenname recognition issues would be gone, and the poster might well post something civil with intent to discuss rather than baiting and attacking.

I dunno, I just thought it would be a really cool thing to try. :)
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varkam Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:05 AM
Response to Reply #12
23. I get that feeling from some posts...
It is almost impossible to have a discussion some places because of bad blood, but it might end up being a zero-sum game in the end because I still think some people would be tempted to be inflammatory just because their screen was out of the public eye - regardless of if they knew the mods were still watching.
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OPERATIONMINDCRIME Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:07 AM
Response to Reply #23
25. But It Would Only Be Out Of The Public Eye For So Long. At The End Of The Day, The Curtains Come Up
then you are found exposed either nicely dressed or completely nekkid hidin your crotch with your mouse lol.
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spacelady Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:20 AM
Response to Reply #25
38. It makes me wonder if we could maybe TELL who was posting
even without our handles. Of course that may be the point, eh?
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halobeam Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Feb-10-07 11:53 PM
Response to Original message
6. You certainly DO have an operational mind LOL
I personally love the idea, especially the reveal at the end. That's quite an interesting twist.

Anonymous DU day LOL
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flvegan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Feb-10-07 11:54 PM
Response to Original message
7. So what you want is an a day of "anonymous posts"
"And to make it most valuable and educational of all, after the time period of a day, or half day, all of the screennames are once again visible so that we can see who responded to us and how."

Let me know if you don't get my point.
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OPERATIONMINDCRIME Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Feb-10-07 11:59 PM
Response to Reply #7
15. My Apologies, But I Didn't Get It.
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flvegan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:10 AM
Response to Reply #15
27. So, then
you didn't get the point.

Pardon my shock. My awe.
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OPERATIONMINDCRIME Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:14 AM
Response to Reply #27
30. Well Please, Sir, Indulge Me If You Will. Im Awaiting Your Point LOL
Just spill it out already. :)
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otherlander Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:17 AM
Response to Reply #30
33. I guess the point would be that it's not really anonymous.
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OPERATIONMINDCRIME Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:21 AM
Response to Reply #33
39. That's Not How I Mean Anonymous. I Meant Anonymous During The Posting Period.
That way, while you're posting you don't know who you are posting to. You may take a completely different tone or method of argument because of that. You may find yourself arguing with someone you normally wouldn't have argued with based on closeness, or find yourself agreeing with someone you would've never swallowed pride enough in the past to agree with. Then, after the day is over, we get to see who the people were, how we conversed with them, and how we are all in fact just good people trying to achieve the same things.

Just a cool online social experiment, and this community is just big enough and fast paced enough to pull it off too. :)
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Clark2008 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 09:23 AM
Response to Reply #33
70. Or that we're already anonymous, really.
Unless we've physically met - and most of us haven't - then we're pretty much anonymous now.
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flvegan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:18 AM
Response to Reply #30
35. Honestly...
you don't see the problems here?
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OPERATIONMINDCRIME Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:18 AM
Response to Reply #35
37. No, I See The Benefit.
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flvegan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:22 AM
Response to Reply #37
41. See, you had me at the blanket anonymity
but then you went to the "expose" folks for what they say.

Enlighten me to the "benefit" please.
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OPERATIONMINDCRIME Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:30 AM
Response to Reply #41
46. It's Just A Social Experiment.
See how we respond to each other when we don't know who each other are. See if it makes us act, argue and debate in a more informative and civil manner that so many of us are longing to see. See if friends can be made from were once no friends had existed. See if conversations could be productive that may have spun out of control previously. Then when the names are put back, we could all learn some valuable insight as to how we normally would've replied to that person had we had known, but that we were in fact capable of carrying on legitimate conversation with them after all, and vice versa.

You don't see what I mean by that? It wouldn't be to make anyone look bad by any means. It would hopefully show that anyone can talk in a civil manner and be productive in tacts without resorting to ad hominem attacks or group think etc.. It would be fun to see afterwards who we had been responding with and if there were any surprises such as 'oh shit! that was you? That was a great conversation! I like you now!'... And then a hatchet is buried. Could happen, could very well happen. :)
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otherlander Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:35 AM
Response to Reply #46
49. I imagine it would be a bit like Lord of the Flies.
The limitations of society have been stripped away, and people are free to do as they will. Then the ship comes, or anonymity is taken away. We see ourselves through the eyes of civilization, and cry at the darkness of the human heart. But first we forever lose a few of our best and brightest to the anarchy...
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siligut Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 03:30 PM
Response to Reply #49
98. This reads like poetry.
The limitations of society have been stripped away, and people are free to do as they will. Then the ship comes, or anonymity is taken away. We see ourselves through the eyes of civilization, and cry at the darkness of the human heart. But first we forever lose a few of our best and brightest to the anarchy...


I am not agreeing, as I have a greater hope and belief in humanity, but the tragedy it communicates still pulls at me.

My twist on OMC's idea would be to replace monikers, avatars and sig lines with real names, license or passport photos and the last 3 actions that person has taken to promote freedom and equality.
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omega minimo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:25 AM
Response to Reply #27
44. Got It
"So many of those knee jerk reaction based on screenname recognition issues would be gone, and the poster might well post something civil with intent to discuss rather than baiting and attacking."

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Viva_La_Revolution Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Feb-10-07 11:55 PM
Response to Original message
8. I like this!
Edited on Sat Feb-10-07 11:59 PM by Viva_La_Revolution
I don't always agree with you... but this time I think you may be on to something. :)

;)

on edit: what a great premise for a thesis! Societal study of on-line discussion forums - Anonymous vs. Named, and the resulting carnage. :rofl:

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OPERATIONMINDCRIME Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Feb-10-07 11:59 PM
Response to Reply #8
16. Exactly! LOL
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bettyellen Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Feb-10-07 11:55 PM
Response to Original message
9. u mean like Plato's Retreat?
okay, with that, I'm out the door.
*bigsmile*
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OPERATIONMINDCRIME Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:25 AM
Response to Reply #9
43. Not Sure How This Discussion Has An IOTA To Do With Plato's Retreat, But Ok.
:shrug:
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graywarrior Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Feb-10-07 11:57 PM
Response to Original message
11. There are cliques here?
Clusters of crazies, yes.

But I'd go along with that experiment.
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Speck Tater Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Feb-10-07 11:57 PM
Response to Original message
13. You are all anonymous to me. I don't read sigs. I don't know your names.
I consider each post on its own merits. I'm so damn virtuous it just amazes me!
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Seabiscuit Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:02 AM
Response to Reply #13
19. I do the same thing - not out of virtue, just laziness.
Edited on Sun Feb-11-07 12:04 AM by Seabiscuit
See, I just did it again - I just posted to you, and didn't even bother to look at your screen name or sig line. In fact I still haven't looked and don't know if you even have a sig line. I haven't the foggiest idea who the fuck you are, or what you call yourself, nor do I care. It's what you said that got my attention.
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treestar Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-12-07 04:31 PM
Response to Reply #13
104. I'm pretty much like that
After years of debating with RWs, I got over the idea it matter who said a thing and just try to stick with the issue itself.

I must be right brained because I can only remember posters by unique pics in their sig lines. The only ones I remember are from that and without remember the user name.
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notadmblnd Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Feb-10-07 11:58 PM
Response to Original message
14. I just love social experiments
Last one I took part in had to do with limousines and legs/feet. It was pretty enlightening. I'd love to see the results of your suggestion.
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BlooInBloo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:00 AM
Response to Original message
17. If there are such cliques as you say, their members would never be up for that...
... because they're the ones that stand to lose out, in such a system.
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OPERATIONMINDCRIME Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:03 AM
Response to Reply #17
22. Actually, They May Learn Much From It Too.
Ever have a team you were on and care about growin up, but then all of a sudden you and a few from your team played on the other team for a game? Made it a little uncomfortable initially but ended up being a lot of fun right?
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BlooInBloo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:07 AM
Response to Reply #22
26. Maybe they would, but they wouldn't go for it in the first place....
... It's an if-wishes-were-ponies-situation to want people to act against their immediate perceived interests - that's just not what people, on the average, do.
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OPERATIONMINDCRIME Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:12 AM
Response to Reply #26
29. I Hear Ya. It's Just That I Keep Gettin This Idea In My Head All The Time, And Each Time I Do
I think "man, it would be so cool to see what could come of that". But tonight, I finally decided to take it out of my head and throw it out there just to see what others think of the concept. If you think about it, there are so many different nuances this could have an impact here. I think it would be totally fascinating.
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BlooInBloo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:22 AM
Response to Reply #29
42. It's a fine end-goal - totally in line with Rawls' innovative idea...
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rubberducky Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:02 AM
Response to Original message
20. Fantastic idea!!
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Robbien Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:03 AM
Response to Original message
21. Humpf
You say there are cliques and factions that work with each other and against each other. I don't see it.


I see when people work against an obvious troll, and there are certain posters who are more activist when responding to calls to action, but that is all I can see.

All that other stuff you talk about must just go over my head.
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AlCzervik Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:12 AM
Response to Original message
28. instead of screen names can we be assigned prime numbers?
i'd like 4451, i'm requesting early and by the time this happens no one will remember which one i chose.
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OPERATIONMINDCRIME Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:15 AM
Response to Reply #28
32. I Originally Put That But Erased It. I Put Anonymous12345, Randomly Calculated.
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Wiley50 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:15 AM
Response to Original message
31. The Problem With Your Blindfolded Group Grope Idea Is
Edited on Sun Feb-11-07 12:16 AM by Wiley50
The Admins would still know who we are

As would the mods

Bad Idea


PS- IMHO You were a jerk on heiderheld's thread last night
I hope you apologised
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OPERATIONMINDCRIME Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:18 AM
Response to Reply #31
36. Why's That The Bad Idea? That's An Integral Part Of It Being A GOOD Idea.
The whole point of this exercise is to show how much more civil and open minded we can be when we no longer have the screenname to reference that in turn influences our reactions. I'd expect discussion to be far more productive and civil, and the mod/admin awareness would just be bonus to make sure some serial abusers don't go apeshits. But a poster above did give a funny thought though: That the mods themselves would be venting out their frustration on us and we wouldn't even know! LOL
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Erika Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:28 AM
Response to Reply #36
45. Some who promote this are those who fought
any remarks against them with a vengeance and were the first to run to the mods yelling foul. No thanks.
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OPERATIONMINDCRIME Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:33 AM
Response to Reply #45
47. But For This Day, Couldn't That Change?
For example, if a poster always responds to you a certain way because you're Erika, well when you are just anonymous maybe they'd end up actually having a real conversation with you instead! That's my vision of this...Nothin but positive outcome.
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Erika Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:38 AM
Response to Reply #47
52. Sure. Does this mean you wouldn't run to the mods
since you didn't know it was me? LMAO. No thanks.
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OPERATIONMINDCRIME Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:40 AM
Response to Reply #52
54. Hey, I Don't Run To THe Mods For Ya Now, So No Biggie There. :o)
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nebenaube Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:17 AM
Response to Original message
34. just got an incredible urge to check my pm.... n/t
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vireo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:21 AM
Response to Original message
40. Reminds me of bagism
Bagism is a term which was created by John Lennon and Yoko Ono as part of their extensive peace campaign in the late 1960s. The intent of bagism was to satirize prejudice and stereotyping. Bagism literally involved wearing a bag over one's entire body. According to John and Yoko, by living in a bag, others could not judge you by the color of your skin, the length of your hair, the clothes you wore, your age, or any other such attributes. It was presented as a form of total communication. Instead of focusing on outward appearance, the listener would hear only the bagist's message.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bagism
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OPERATIONMINDCRIME Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:34 AM
Response to Reply #40
48. ExxxxxxFukcingZactly. That Totally Puts It In Proper Perspective. Thanks!
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Rex Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:35 AM
Response to Original message
50. I can see it now.
:rofl:
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sandnsea Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:37 AM
Response to Original message
51. Some surprising responses
I think your point was that people might not base their response on the perceived politics of the poster, and there might be some constructive conversations in surprising places.

Instead, people assume it would be a free-for-all and an opportunity to dump on others without getting caught. I think that's kind of sad.
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OPERATIONMINDCRIME Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:40 AM
Response to Reply #51
53. Me Too. And Your Former Premise Is Exactly What I'm Talking About.
That's why the alert buttons would be as available as ever to hopefully keep some at bay from just spouting off thinking they have free reign to do so. It wouldn't be like that at all. In fact, it is my hope that it would mostly be exactly as you set in your initial premise above.

I don't know why. I've run this through my head many times, and each time I see nothing but really positive potential with it.
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bullwinkle428 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:41 AM
Response to Original message
55. I have to paraphrase Nelson Muntz from "The Simpsons" -
"On 'Anonymous Day', all personal attacks would become become victimless crimes, kind of like punching someone in a dark room!" :evilgrin:
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lumberjack_jeff Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 01:19 AM
Response to Reply #55
68. Would personal attacks be made more difficult...
... by having no idea which person you are attacking?
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bullwinkle428 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-12-07 04:37 PM
Response to Reply #68
107. Oh, I think there could be plenty of instances where someone
thinks, "I know EXACTLY who made that post, and now is my chance to attack!", when in fact, it's most likely not the poster they believe it to be!
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stellanoir Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:45 AM
Response to Original message
56. I'D JUST POST
"Ooga, Booga, Smooga, Wooga" all day long and deny to the death that OMC wasn't fully responsible for the plethora of redundant and possibly non sensical posts. :rofl:

funny concept though.
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OPERATIONMINDCRIME Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:46 AM
Response to Reply #56
58. Too Funny! LOL
I'm off to bed though in a minute, so pleasant dreams stella!
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Erika Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:46 AM
Response to Original message
57. Enjoy.
We know who are welcome. Saw you do this once before.
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OPERATIONMINDCRIME Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:48 AM
Response to Reply #57
59. Ummm, What On Earth Are You Talking About? Seriosly, Does That Mean Anything?
Sorry sister, but ya totally lost me on that reply.

No biggie. Goodnight! :hi:
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saltpoint Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:48 AM
Response to Original message
60. Better yet, let's keep our screen names and avatars but wear masks at
Edited on Sun Feb-11-07 12:48 AM by Old Crusoe
home.
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blondeatlast Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:51 AM
Response to Reply #60
63. Since we can't get everyone to agree to wear underwear...
Actually, considering that, it has some REEEEEEEAAALLLY interesting possibilities!

I, for one, am in! :hi:
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saltpoint Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:54 AM
Response to Reply #63
66. LOL! Sounds good. No underwear night on DU -- masks required.
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Clark2008 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 09:53 AM
Response to Reply #66
78. Ah well, some of us are too pregnant to FIT into our underwear.
:hi:
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saltpoint Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 10:14 AM
Response to Reply #78
79. Then congratulations are in order. All good wishes, Clark2008.
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blondeatlast Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-12-07 04:12 PM
Response to Reply #78
99. Just be certain you don the mask as well!
:hi::rofl:
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blondeatlast Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:49 AM
Response to Original message
61. To hell with spirited discussion. Let's all just beat the intellectual crap out of each other.
:eyes:

Allies are formed of those who sometimes strongly oppose each other on certain issues. I vehemently disagree with one poster on a few issues, yet stand strongly with the same one on one particular issue and always welcome said well-informed, intelligent, and witty poster on this particular issue. Other times, the same poster can anger me beyond reason.

Ya know what? I LIKE THAT. It means my eyes are forced into a different POV--all the better when that POV comes from a poster I have much respect for..


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GoneOffShore Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:51 AM
Response to Original message
62. I'd like to see it happen
And I notice that those who have problems with your idea seem to be those who usually go after you.

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blondeatlast Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:53 AM
Response to Reply #62
64. Good thing there's no tag-teaming in THIS particular thread...
:rofl:






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OPERATIONMINDCRIME Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 01:06 AM
Response to Reply #62
67. Perfect Example! If I Were Anonymous, Their Reactions Would Probably Be Totally Different!
Weird thing is, this really isn't a topic that I'd thought would bring out any negativity from anyone. It's kinda a benign topic, no? But I guess that's the knee jerk reaction at play, right in front of us LOL

I just thought it was a fascinating concept I've been thinkin about for a while, and see many times in threads I'm not even part of how this could be useful.

And besides, social experiments can be fun and have unforeseen consequences. :)
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jonnyblitz Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 09:25 AM
Response to Reply #67
71. you capitalize the first letter in every word in your subject line.
everybody who reads your posts and is familiar with you would know it was you right off that bat just by your subject line! :D
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trumad Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 09:31 AM
Response to Reply #67
74. Oh this is hilarious....
Like we wouldn't know if it was you posting within the first two sentences.

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helderheid Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 12:53 AM
Response to Original message
65. Thank you OMC!
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The Backlash Cometh Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 09:19 AM
Response to Original message
69. My social autism strikes again.
I wasn't picking up on this pack mentality.
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zanne Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 09:26 AM
Response to Reply #69
73. Well, I've noticed the cliques...
But what really burns my ass is when a group of 'friends' defend the first 'friends' comments out of friendship only, not for the content. That's really stupid for a bunch of relatively intelligent people like the members of DU.
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The Backlash Cometh Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 10:23 AM
Response to Reply #73
80. You're absolutely right.
If DU was meant to be a think-tank, then the effectiveness of the deductive process gets circumvented if people are allowing relationships to interfere with the synergistic momentum.

Did I just say that? Just don't ask me to repeat it.
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zanne Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 10:24 AM
Response to Reply #80
81. Well, it sounded good. nt
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The Backlash Cometh Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 10:45 AM
Response to Reply #81
82. Well, in that case, let me make it more eloquent:
Edited on Sun Feb-11-07 11:14 AM by The Backlash Cometh
I should have said, If DU was meant to be a think-tank, then the effectiveness of the deductive process gets circumvented if people are allowing relationships to interfere with the synergetic and serendipitus moments.

I think the Bush Administration has amply illustrated the kind of stagnant environment that gets created when people shut their brains off in favor of cronyistic relationships which might result in individual promotions, but at the expense of the greater good.

Choo-choo. I love run-on sentences. Chugga, chugga, CHOO-CHOO!

(Edited to translate "Chuga" from Spanish, to English.)

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zanne Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 11:09 AM
Response to Reply #82
86. Are you one o' them intellectual elites? nt
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The Backlash Cometh Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 11:12 AM
Response to Reply #86
88. Chugga-chugga, WHAT?!
Just sipping my morning coffee and letting the grey cells free associate.

Don't worry. I'll get them back in their cages soon enough.
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JNelson6563 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 09:25 AM
Response to Original message
72. Several would be recognizable no matter what
There are certain aspects of assholishness that can't be obscured or disguised. ;-)

Julie
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itsmesgd Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 09:33 AM
Response to Original message
75. How about an anonymous forum seperate from the rest of them?
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Neshanic Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 09:37 AM
Response to Original message
76. Another episode of "The Controllers". The group of people obsessed
Edited on Sun Feb-11-07 09:39 AM by Neshanic
with who posts what, when, how, why, and then want blocking, unblocking, call refusal, double call refusal, double secret probation.

It's the same group of ususal suspects. I have had threads deleted. Yes I was pissed, because it was satire, but was breaking the "rules". I don't care who posts and what they say.

Others on the other hand have this compulsive need to have a myriad of things that "control" things.
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conscious evolution Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 09:53 AM
Response to Original message
77. Part of me likes this idea
part of me doesn't.
Will have to think about it.

One thing is certain.The freepers wopuld really love the idea.They woud be swarming this place from freeperville to try and get their licks in.
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TheBaldyMan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 10:46 AM
Response to Original message
83. why not post on another forum?
Edited on Sun Feb-11-07 10:49 AM by TheBaldyMan
then you could have a new username, some fora allow anonymous entries.

I have to admit that I can't see the sense in what you suggest. I try to judge posts on merit rather than who the poster is.

on edit: there is also IRC and voice chat as well, the internet is a big place with many outlets for discussion. There are already many sites and tools that allow what you suggest.
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OPERATIONMINDCRIME Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 11:22 AM
Response to Reply #83
91. Someone Obviously Completely Doesn't Get The Point Of The OP LOL
You missed the point... Big time LOL
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TheBaldyMan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 02:47 PM
Response to Reply #91
95. what was the point to the OP?
please explain it so even someone of my obviously limited understanding 'gets it'.
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havocmom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 10:51 AM
Response to Original message
84. DU would have to disable PMs to thwart the wolf packs
and then the harpies would just resort to regular mail, phone calls to alert to posts to flock to, or just tell the other voices in their heads.

It'd be fun to try though ;)
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salin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 11:01 AM
Response to Original message
85. So find a discussion website that would allow this
let folks know about the experiment - all sign up with the a similar nick (anon21, anon59, etc.) play the game for 24 hours then at a given time, those who participated can all disclose their DU identities.

Doesn't require forcing all DUers to play the game by changing DU for a day or two - allows folks to participate voluntarily.

Were the 'game' on Du - I would think that disruptors would LOVE it - come pretend to be a DUer (esp those who had registered prior to 'the game') and stir up all kinds of havoc.
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mmonk Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 11:12 AM
Response to Original message
87. That would be fun.
I wonder if some that get a pass on certain things would continue to do so.
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OPERATIONMINDCRIME Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 11:22 AM
Response to Reply #87
92. Exactly.
:)
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SmokingJacket Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 11:17 AM
Response to Original message
89. You know, I've posted almost every day for a couple of years...
but I still don't know who the cliques are. I believe that there are cliques, but, whatever, I don't see them. I guess I stay out of flame wars.

But honestly, I think the problem you speak of applies to only a small segment of DU. There are a ton of people -- I think the majority? -- who just come, speak our mind, look at what other people say, then move on.
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OPERATIONMINDCRIME Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 11:26 AM
Response to Reply #89
93. To Be Clear, Wasn't Really Just About The Cliques At All. They're Just A Small Part Of It.
I just meant more in general, how some have posters they know they've disagreed with passionately in the past so they are more readily willing to be snarky, or posters who are popular so they always get rec's and praise by some even if the content wasn't great, or all sorts of other reasons why the tone and substance of what is posted might change based on who the person is. Sure, not everyone does it, but it is human nature to alter one's perception based on who they are speaking with. I just thought this would be a fun and interesting way to see how things would go if that were taken out of the equation.

No biggie really, more just a curiosity then anything. :)
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woo me with science Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 11:21 AM
Response to Original message
90. We could keep all the same names, but assign them randomly!
It might be fun to be OPERATIONMINDCRIME for a day.
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OPERATIONMINDCRIME Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 11:27 AM
Response to Reply #90
94. LMFAO! Not THAT Would Be One Hell Of A Social Experiment!
...but careful what ya wish for. :)
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Nikki Stone1 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 02:52 PM
Response to Reply #90
96. That would really be interesting
...
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More Than A Feeling Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-12-07 04:26 PM
Response to Reply #90
103. Even better!
I need more controlled randomness in my life! MORE, I tell's ya!
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GirlinContempt Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-11-07 03:03 PM
Response to Original message
97. And when I still think people I already don't like are wrong?
Or when friends still agree with each other and back each other up in arguments?

This whole clique thing is such a pile of crap. People naturally gravitate toward others. Notice how you aren't friends with everyone you know? That's because we form relationships based on individual compatibility. Often, this compatibility is characterized by agreement on subjects of mutual interest. People who're attacking for the sake of being assholes won't "learn" anything, and drawing attention toward some perceived clique isn't particularly beneficial to discussion in the first place.
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Quixote1818 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-12-07 04:14 PM
Response to Original message
100. We already are anonymous
I don't know who you are and you don't know who I am. The only person I know on DU is Will Pitt.
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Quixote1818 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-12-07 04:22 PM
Response to Original message
102. How do you all keep track of who posts what?
I post on here frequently and there are only four or five screen names I recognize and actually remember what kind of posts they make.

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Stephanie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-12-07 04:31 PM
Response to Original message
105. We'll call it "Amnesty for OMC Day"
Edited on Mon Feb-12-07 04:38 PM by Stephanie
It's certainly understandable why you'd want this.
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OPERATIONMINDCRIME Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-12-07 05:13 PM
Response to Reply #105
109. Aww, That's So Cute Stephanie, Tryin To Turn It Around On Me And All. You Just Bein Silly Again.
Edited on Mon Feb-12-07 05:14 PM by OPERATIONMINDCRIME
This was proposed solely as an overall social experiment across the board at DU for a multitude of reasons.

As far as the harassment I receive at times from bitterly ignorant and intellectually challenged children; I don't sweat it to begin with. Anyone who spends more than 5 minutes here a day knows that I have no problem confronting those who act that moronic.

So nice try there dear, but I don't seek any 'Amnesty'. I can handle the morons just fine and don't require any reprieve from their empty provocations. This was more just in general as a fascinating experiment to see how people might respond differently if they didn't know who they were responding to (hey, could be Skinner for all you know). Obviously you interpreted the OP in wayyyyyyyyy too narrow minded of a fashion. I was the last person I was thinking of when considering this idea. Nice try though! :hi:
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Stephanie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-12-07 05:15 PM
Response to Reply #109
110. Nice sexist language there too.
I hope you get your anonymous day so you can go to town and not have to restrain yourself to suit the PC rules at DU.
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OPERATIONMINDCRIME Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-12-07 05:22 PM
Response to Reply #110
111. Ooga Booga Smooga Wooga Stephanie.
Are you tense or something?

Buy one of Helderheid's Ooga Booga Smooga Wooga coffee mugs and drink your coffee from it. It'll be sure to lighten you up! (smiling as I in fact take a sip from my very OWN ooga booga smooga wooga coffee mug lol )
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happydreams Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-12-07 05:28 PM
Response to Reply #111
113. oOGA BOOGA IS A SKULL&BONES CHANT!!
ARE YOU A MEMBER, OR AN ALUMNI??????????????????

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OPERATIONMINDCRIME Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-12-07 05:29 PM
Response to Reply #113
114. It's Not Ooga Booga. It's OOGA BOOGA SMOOGA WOOGA Dammit! LOL
Biggggggg difference. Huuuuuuuuuge difference.

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FlaGranny Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-12-07 04:34 PM
Response to Original message
106. Not too bad an idea
but it sure could get confusing. It would get hard to figure out who was replying to whom? :D Maybe they could assign us each a number.
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ecstatic Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-12-07 04:49 PM
Response to Original message
108. Suddenly, caution would be needed before accusing someone of being a troll/racist/homophobic
Edited on Mon Feb-12-07 04:50 PM by Truth Hurts A Lot
anti-semitic... etc.

Lest you accuse a member of your own clique...

But I'm like some other posters who say they don't look at user names (as far as matching the name to the idea expressed). I know less than a handful of names, it takes A LOT to capture my attention. Two of the posters on my radar screen are either constantly excusing bigotry, or constantly being nasty beyond necessity. The rest are like two or three people who are kind of on the same page when it comes to racial issues.
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happydreams Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-12-07 05:25 PM
Response to Original message
112. WHAT ARE YOOOO AFRAID OF?????
WHAT ARE YOOOOOOOO TRYING TO HIDE????

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OPERATIONMINDCRIME Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-12-07 05:30 PM
Response to Reply #112
115. Nah, Not About Me At All. It's About Our Community In General. It Would Be Fun. :o)
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Bake Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Feb-12-07 05:55 PM
Response to Original message
116. Great idea, OMC!! Let's start with a smoking thread ...
Besides, you could be anonymous as hell and we'd still know it was you.

:rofl:

Bake

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