Discussion Board or Public Relations Apparatus?

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

Many DU disputes come down to a difference in the basic concept of DU.

Is it a discussion forum for people to say what they happen to think or is it an public relations mechanism where people are supposed to say what they want other people (most of whom aren't reading DU in the first place) to think?

Either argument can be made.


Myself, when I post negatively on issues x, y, z it is not done to demoralize people. I post whatever I believe to be true. It is an expressive act with a political componant, not primarily a political act.

[stray cat]

1. or it is simply the mirror image to free republic with the same diversity

[Catshrink]

2. You've bested yourself this time.

:rofl:

[blondeatlast]

4. +1. nt

[demmiblue]

6. +2 n/t

[Edweird]

3. I'm here to discuss and chew bubble gum.

And I'm all out of bubble gum....

The interactions here are fascinating. I always wonder who the other posters really are. Are they just regular people or part of the political machinery? Are they really on the 'left' or are they simply seeking refuge from the bat shit crazy tea baggers?

[nashville_brook]

5. this question/observation isn't about DU, so much as it is about the people who use DU

what might have started out as a campfire (a place to chat/vent) has grown into a high-traffic site with a large/diverse audience that is recognized by larger interests as a valuable PR node. DU is a form of social media that's perfectly tuned for this sort of manipulation...or, shall we say utilization for message control.

but, in that way it's no different than high school -- there's always those people who want you to wear "the right clothes" and hang "with the right people." here, the peer pressure is to get in step with the messaging of the day. although, it's not been quite as bad in recent days has it has been in the past. maybe bullying is falling out of fashion.