How many people on this forum have changed something they do as a result of this forum?

[sibelian]

... leaving aside things like voting or writing to your representatives and focussing more on altering your actual day to day life...

Do any of the posts about social issues, things not directly affected (as yet) by legislation, change the way you behave?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Reading this forum has made me a lot more aware and thoughtful.

I know that's not exactly what you meant, though.

[sibelian]

2. Well, perhaps it is, Peggy...

I'm not trying to suggest that the forum itelf is valueless, I'm more trying to get an anecdotal picture of how it affects people generally.

It's always going to be very difficult to demonstrate what level of effectiveness it has in the individual political decisions that people make in terms of things like voting, but it's my feeling that in the end it's everyday choices that sculpt the human landscape, not legislation and I wondered how profoundly a tool like this forum might be able to affect that landscape.

Being more aware and thoughtful is doing something, I would say.

[Orrex]

3. GD has helped me solidify my opposition to capital punishment

Also, I had a spectacular epiphany on DU2's GD forum about reproductive choice.

Those are the two big changes in my thinking that GD has helped to bring about.

[sibelian]

32. Sounds interesting.

If you don't mind my asking, what kind of epiphany was it? If you'd rather not elaborate, please don't, but you do signify it strongly and you've made my nose itch....

[Orrex]

36. Happy to share--it's an oldie:

Way back in Nov 2005
I re-read the thread, and I'm not proud of a lot of what I wrote in it prior to reply #165, but I'll ask leniency on the grounds that I kind of "got it" during the course of the thread.

Probably my biggest single "eureka!" moment during all my time on DU!

[tularetom]

4. I no longer watch news or political opinion programs on the teevee

If I can't find it here it ain't worth knowing.

[Fumesucker]

11. Indeed, DU has taught me to be extremely skeptical of anything I hear through the M$M

Time after time after time I have seen things that were said on the M$M deconstructed here and shown to be false.

I was already fairly skeptical of much that I heard, now I immediately start looking for the propaganda angle in any news item I may stumble upon.

[sibelian]

12. I was in the habit of that before DU...

But DU definitely solidified the process.

[KittyWampus]

5. I spend less time here as a result of spending time here. This forum is mainly for showing how smart

you are compared to everyone else.

Or how liberal.

[sibelian]

6. I'm afraid you have a point.

But, hopefully there are some who are immune to this...

[Earth_First]

9. Oh, the irony...

There's the door ----- >

[dballance]

10. For a Long-Term Member w/ So Many Posts You Must be Really Smart or Really Liberal

Need I say more? Other than, no one makes you come read this site, so feel free to spend less time here if it offends you.

[hfojvt]

24. the FORUM is not the same thing as the SITE

back in the old days, I used to hang out in the Lounge. For a while there is was kind of a GD-lite. You could have serious political discussions without so much of the flame wars. That is perhaps true as well in the sub-forums - issues, locations, etc.

Of course, I am only posting this to show how smart I am in understanding what she meant

[dballance]

27. Okay, no one makes you come read this FORUM, so feel free to spend less time here if it offends you.

Feel better now? There is a "Trash this Forum" button you can use to stop seeing the GD forum if you don't like it.

On Edit: Ignoring the GD FORUM is probably more productive than insulting the people who post in it as you did in your first post on this thread. "This forum is mainly for showing how smart you are compared to everyone else. Or how liberal."

[sibelian]

31. I don't see why you think it was insulting.

I think there's a lot of truth in Kitty's observation.

It was definitely not my intention to propose, by way of the original question, that this was a universally applicable observation, but clearly there are many who fit Kitty's stereotype, uncomfortable to suppose as that might be.

[marions ghost]

14. huh?

smart and liberal = a bad thing?

[Dash87]

23. Pretentious smartness = bad.

It's not just DU, though. Bunch of Sheldon Coopers all over the Internet.

[marions ghost]

49. They can't help it

certainly Sheldon can't

Pretentious people don't bother me--I think they're kinda funny.

[ZombieHorde]

51. Crap! I've been doing it wrong. nt

[renie408]

53. I guess it's a good thing you are too smart for that, huh?

[FSogol]

55. Correct. Often it is a big game of "I'm more liberal than you."

[byeya]

7. I don't own a tv or listen to the radio., I get my news from places like this site; other moderate

to left leaning sites and the progressive/socialist periodicals.
I've learned a lot here and find much of the information dependable. I appreciate those who scour the M$M and post
news from those sources.
Posters who provide anecdotal information on health and nutrition issues and various advances, or disasters, in science I also like to read.

[Nye Bevan]

8. Stopped going to the Olive Garden in Times Square (nt)

[Ikonoklast]

61. Started going to the Olive Garden in Times Square.

[Iggo]

13. The way I talk to my girls.

[sibelian]

18. Hm. I think that's pretty effective, then.

Not sure it's changed the way *I* talk to anyone, but, good going.

[rrneck]

15. Nope. nt

[etherealtruth]

16. Though i have always been in favor of equality for all

... this forum has made me much more aware of issues facing the GLBT community. It has made me step up and speak out far more.

[sibelian]

19. Proper win!

[pinto]

29. Thanks.

[MineralMan]

17. Well, I waste a lot more time typing posts and

not doing my work writing than I used to. That's something I do as a result of this forum.

[Generic Brad]

20. I have stopped commenting on the most controversial topics of all

You know. Things like fried chicken with a cornflake coating and kudzu.

[sibelian]

22. You are clearly numbed with mindless propaganda.

do you see THIS?



It's IMPORTANT.

[The Straight Story]

21. I drink more than I used to

[veganlush]

26. excellent question.

No.

[marions ghost]

28. When bad things happen, or political setbacks,

I go here for support first. Because talking about it helps. And these days we have to put together our own views from many different sources. We don't have trustworthy independent media anymore.

If you try to talk about things like, for ex, the setback of the gun control bill, coinciding with the bombing of the Boston Marathon--with friends or relatives you often get the "uh oh, Debbie Downer" look--because everybody is so depressed and busy they really don't want to discuss. Most of the people I know take the ostrich approach and don't contemplate the big picture--so you have to "move on" without support or validation. DU attracts people who don't want to do that. So I like the solidarity and the sense of having a collective voice. Before online networking we "liberals" were so isolated. I feel a lot more informed on many subjects now. More involved. More motivated to do what I can in the areas I pay attention to.

[sibelian]

30. I'm getting the impression

that there are folk, like yourself and some notable others upthread, who use the forum sensibly, put in a lot and get a lot out.

[KoKo]

33. +1

[Lifelong Protester]

34. I have learned that I can get MANY views

on an issue here. If something is going on, I know I can come here and see a myriad of sources and views expressed-not just the propaganda from the tee-vee (which I still watch, but my skeptic's eye and ear are more attuned as a result of being here.)

I note that a lot of things are reported here, first, so I am ahead of the curve on information.

On election night, I heard results here, faster.

When it was all happening in Madison, I could find news here from folks faster than any other place.

I think I'm more aware. I write (email) my senators and congressman more often as a result of being on this site. I am one who reads "Latest" and "Greatest" page listings more often than any one forum.

[uppityperson]

35. I have. Got more involved with politics, helping out after Katrina, am more outspoken in real life

due to what I have read here.

Of all that, I guess for social issues, being involved with Katrina aftermath and getting my kid and friends involved is the largest. Learning more about other things in life also, like tomatoes are self fertilizing so I can put my little paintbrush away.

[hootinholler]

37. I stopped breast feeding my pit bull in Olive Garden

Seriously, I haven't been in a Wall Mart in years now and that's just the instance that comes to mind without thinking too hard. I'm sure there are other behaviors I have changed. I'm more likely to engage people who are different from me.

[arely staircase]

40. i am training my pit bull to open the door for the ladies eom

[s-cubed]

38. Changed my bank and volunteered for Obama and others. nt

[arely staircase]

39. shit someone beat me to it

breastfeeding my pitbull at olive garden

[ecstatic]

41. I think I've become more sensitive to other people's feelings

over the years as a result of being a member here. Also... not sure if it's linked or not, but I have very little tolerance for RW shows/boards, even for the sake of a good laugh. What about you?

[sibelian]

43. I now have almost no tolerance for ANYTHING right wing.

to the extent that I switch things off even if there's so much as a RW subtext. I simply can't put up with it any more. It's grotesque.

[Zoeisright]

42. I stopped buying Eden Organics.

[LWolf]

45. Something I do?

No.

I have less respect for Democrats than I did before DU.

[sibelian]

46. Why? nt

[LWolf]

47. Because:

1. The mirroring of the other side.

2. The obsession with partisanship and personality before issues, with elections more than what the elected actually do.

3. The willingness to "compromise" issues away to support someone with a "D" next to their name, when that position wouldn't be accepted from an "R."

4. The enabling of a broken system that doesn't allow the best candidates to be nominated, let alone elected.

5. The willingness by way too many to throw too many of us under the bus in the rush to the center-right.

6. And most of all, the electing and supporting of politicians that are destroying public education and my profession, with the permission of their voters.

[Laelth]

52. Well said. n/t

-Laelth

[Matariki]

56. yes. what you said.

you're not alone with those sentiments, although it probably often feels that way here.

[PeaceNikki]

48. I've met some of my best IRL friends here.

Dozens of people. Many local, some from across the country and even a couple ferriners.

Again, maybe not what you were looking for but they have changed my life.

[justhanginon]

50. I've changed in small ways, hopefully for the better.

I have found that since being on this site, I am no longer so passive when politics arise in conversation. Instead of letting things slide for the sake of "peace and harmony" I now rise up and cry "BULLSHIT"! Okay maybe a slight exaggeration but I no longer quietly listen to any of the right wing crap being spewed forth. And I feel much better for it.
It has also exposed me to a lot of things that I may have thought about peripherally but now, seeing the direct effects on real people, brings so many thoughts and feelings to the forefront. At times it is almost over whelming.

[TheKentuckian]

57. I stopped trying to tell folks that civil unions are "good enough"

I have also ceased believing the trite nonsense that Democrats share common goals and that we just disagree on how to get to them.

[lunatica]

60. I agree on the civil unions, and I changed my mind too

I became quite active in fighting for the gay communities rights. And that was because a gay DUer was kind enough to explain to me why civil unions aren't good enough.

[Broken_Hero]

58. hmm,

not sure if this applies fully, but DU changed my mind greatly on capital punishment. When I arrived at DU I was for capital punishment, but after reading/debating the subject I agreed with the anti-death penalty side, and am now against the death penalty. I was also very luke warm on Unions, but DU(and my dad) have changed my views on them, and I'm pro-Union.

In terms of behavior, I have toned down a lot(in terms of anger), I listen to the RW folks, and debate them without trying to lose my mind, although I do lose it with RW Entitlement reform folks.

[lunatica]

59. I've gotten a lot of help from reading DU

From paying attention to DUers talking about the coming housing bubble (way before it happened) to realizing I qualify as a divorced spouse to get my ex-husband's social security, to getting plenty of background information to help me make voting choices. All of these instances made me change my behavior so I could cope better. I got help when I went through bankruptcy and through the process of foreclosure which saved my mortgage and condo.

DUers are awesome! Knowledgeable, kind and just awesome!