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DU Home » Latest Threads » Forums & Groups » Main » Community Help (Forum) » A plea to new DU'ers

Thu Mar 7, 2013, 05:43 PM

Star Member steve2470 (36,911 posts)

A plea to new DU'ers

Hi, I'm Steve and I've been here almost 9 years now. As you will notice, I don't post as much as some. There's a reason for this. I consider DU to be for three main purposes: 1) dissemination of accurate political and other information; 2) discussion of this information; and 3) the possibility of changing one's mind about this information/topic/issue. Of course, fun is always a possibility too. I like to read the debates and *possibly* change my mind. I have changed my mind on several issues and I'm open to changing my mind again. I like to be wrong in private

My plea: It might be human nature to be closed-minded. It's certainly a common human condition, if it's not "human nature". Open your mind to new opinions and new viewpoints. I have. It's enriching. At the bare minimum, you will understand the "other side" of the argument better. You might even make a "DU friend", who might eventually become a real life friend.

That's it. I'm trying to be open-minded and I've been wrong before. Have a wonderful DU experience.

Steve

42 replies, 18830 views

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Replies to this discussion thread
Arrow 42 replies Author Time Post
Reply A plea to new DU'ers (Original post)
 steve2470 Mar 2013 OP
LineReply Good advice
 IrishAyes Mar 2013 #1
LineReply Radical openmindedness is part of being an intelligent leftist
 Gravitycollapse Mar 2013 #2
LineLineReply good post, thank you
 steve2470 Mar 2013 #3
LineLineReply I totally agree, great post!
 Rhiannon12866 Mar 2013 #4
LineReply totally agree
 olddots Mar 2013 #5
LineReply Great thread!
 CPX7700 Mar 2013 #6
LineLineReply Welcome to DU, CPX7700!
 Rhiannon12866 Mar 2013 #7
LineLineReply Hello ~ CPX7700.
 In_The_Wind Mar 2013 #8
LineReply Understood
 Danthemanleft Mar 2013 #9
LineReply I thought liberals, by our very nature, were open-minded?
 scottbeamer Apr 2013 #10
LineReply Humanity
 LostOne4Ever Apr 2013 #11
LineLineReply Welcome to DU. There is no policy about posting to older threads.
 dballance Apr 2013 #12
LineReply Thanks for the advice.
 The_arts_the_vision Apr 2013 #13
LineLineReply Welcome to Du my friend!
 hrmjustin Apr 2013 #14
LineReply sir yes sir
 wet.hen88 Apr 2013 #15
LineReply We're all critical thinkers, right?
 EarthConscious Apr 2013 #16
LineLineReply Welcome to DU my friend!
 hrmjustin Apr 2013 #17
LineLineReply welcome to DU!
 TeamPooka Apr 2013 #18
LineLineReply Welcome
 LostOne4Ever Apr 2013 #19
LineLineReply thanks, kind of you
 steve2470 Jun 2013 #21
LineLineNew Reply LOL
 Skittles Sep 2015 #40
LineReply Well I try very hard to be open minded...
 Jasana Apr 2013 #20
LineReply ok
 AuroraB Jun 2013 #22
LineReply Good advice
 PsychoBunny Jun 2013 #23
LineLineReply it will be, I promise nt
 steve2470 Jun 2013 #24
LineReply Thanks steve2470
 rgk7 Jun 2013 #25
LineLineReply Welcome to DU my friend!
 hrmjustin Jun 2013 #26
LineLineReply Welcome to DU ! nt
 steve2470 Jun 2013 #27
LineReply Thanks
 Peaceplace80 Jul 2013 #28
LineReply nice post
 marym625 Jul 2013 #29
LineReply Add a libertarian democrat to the ranks!
 drizzit Jul 2013 #30
LineReply Message auto-removed
 Name removed Jul 2013 #31
LineReply kick nt
 steve2470 Sep 2015 #32
LineNew Reply Good advice to take.
 Brock Kentman Sep 2015 #33
LineLineNew Reply Now that's weird, how did I start with 0 posts?
 Brock Kentman Sep 2015 #34
LineLineLineNew Reply Well, you can't seem to get your name right. Why should your post count be any different?
 Make7 Sep 2015 #35
LineLineLineLineNew Reply What? n/t
 ColesCountyDem Sep 2015 #37
LineLineLineLineLineNew Reply Not a Simpsons fan?
 herding cats Sep 2015 #39
LineLineLineLineNew Reply But...but.. that's my real name..
 Brock Kentman Sep 2015 #38
LineLineLineNew Reply Welcome to DU!
 herding cats Sep 2015 #36
LineNew Reply It's easy to be conservative...
 Bernin4U Oct 2015 #41
LineNew Reply Older post > two years ago and...
 l.o.o.s.e.e-2 Dec 2015 #42

Response to steve2470 (Original post)

Fri Mar 8, 2013, 07:47 PM

IrishAyes (6,151 posts)

1. Good advice

Unfortunately, I'm not always the first to listen. But I'm trying.

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Response to steve2470 (Original post)

Mon Mar 11, 2013, 02:37 AM

Gravitycollapse (8,155 posts)

2. Radical openmindedness is part of being an intelligent leftist

Consider all things carefully.
Accept nothing upon faith.
Doubt the established order.

Political or philosophical discussions should never feel "reassuring." That's one of the main symptoms of conservative "discussion." There is no room for debate. They spend the entire time patting themselves on the backs. Usually for doing despicable things.

What makes us different as progressive people is our willingness to respect other intelligent opinion not simply because it has a right to exist but also because you might very well be incorrect.

The concept of being incorrect is not really an acceptable position when it comes to conservatives. The beliefs they were taught as young, ignorant children are what they grasp on to their entire lives. This is why xenophobia and group-think are so common among the "right." It's arrested development.

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Response to Gravitycollapse (Reply #2)

Mon Mar 11, 2013, 02:37 AM

Star Member steve2470 (36,911 posts)

3. good post, thank you

Last edited Mon Mar 11, 2013, 02:25 PM - Edit history (1)

That deserves an OP all of its own.

OP = original post to a thread you make, perhaps in General Discussion (GD) or in Politics 2013 or maybe even in Good Reads.

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Response to Gravitycollapse (Reply #2)

Mon Mar 11, 2013, 03:03 AM

Star Member Rhiannon12866 (128,005 posts)

4. I totally agree, great post!

And welcome to DU! We're glad to have you with us!

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Response to steve2470 (Original post)

Mon Mar 11, 2013, 04:40 PM

olddots (10,237 posts)

5. totally agree

 

I was here a long time ago and the board has grown which means more ideas to absorb and learn from.Things heated up during primaries and I hope we learn from it,come out better friends and stronger as a party .

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Response to steve2470 (Original post)

Wed Mar 13, 2013, 11:39 PM

CPX7700 (18 posts)

6. Great thread!

Thanks for the welcome! It is good advice to keep an open mind.

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Response to CPX7700 (Reply #6)

Thu Mar 14, 2013, 03:24 AM

Star Member Rhiannon12866 (128,005 posts)

7. Welcome to DU, CPX7700!

And some of us are more radical than others, LOL. We have a pretty wide range of center to far left Democrats here. It's great to have you with us!

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Response to CPX7700 (Reply #6)

Thu Mar 14, 2013, 04:48 AM

Star Member In_The_Wind (72,025 posts)

8. Hello ~ CPX7700.

[img][/img]

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Response to steve2470 (Original post)

Fri Mar 15, 2013, 03:33 PM

Danthemanleft (1 post)

9. Understood

This is my 1st post, I can understand what you mean.

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Response to steve2470 (Original post)

Wed Apr 17, 2013, 06:18 PM

scottbeamer (1 post)

10. I thought liberals, by our very nature, were open-minded?

I'd like to be introduced to a close-minded liberal. Do they exist?

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Response to steve2470 (Original post)

Sat Apr 20, 2013, 03:50 AM

Star Member LostOne4Ever (8,652 posts)

11. Humanity

Hi, my first post here as well.

OP (if you are still reading this post as March 7 was a while back >.> ), I wanted to say that I completely agree.

I think the best way to avoid being closed minded is to try and remember that the person you are talking to/chatting with/ debating is a human being too. A human with feelings, pride, hopes, and dreams. A person who is more than likely has the best of intentions and trying explaining what they believe is best. They are neither stupid or evil.

Of course, when discussing issues you feel passionate about, its easy to forget that. I know that in the past I have let my own passions blind me, but its not about how often we fail to live up to our own expectations, but rather how often we get back up and try again, right?


PS: Is there any type of policy here about responding to old threads? IE Necromancy? I know other forums I have been to have had policies against it, but couldn't find anything here talking about that. This thread looked like a good thread to make my first post in but the OP is over a month old...though the post before mine is from a couple of days ago >.>

If so, sorry >.<

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Response to LostOne4Ever (Reply #11)

Sat Apr 20, 2013, 05:02 AM

dballance (5,756 posts)

12. Welcome to DU. There is no policy about posting to older threads.

 

If someone signs up and starts posting nastygrams to older threads they will arise suspicion about them possibly being a troll.

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Response to steve2470 (Original post)

Sun Apr 21, 2013, 09:01 AM

The_arts_the_vision (2 posts)

13. Thanks for the advice.



This is my first post...and I am glad I came across this before I posted anything. Thanks!

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Response to The_arts_the_vision (Reply #13)

Sun Apr 21, 2013, 02:49 PM

hrmjustin (71,265 posts)

14. Welcome to Du my friend!

 

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Response to steve2470 (Original post)

Thu Apr 25, 2013, 07:18 AM

wet.hen88 (64 posts)

15. sir yes sir

Absotively posilutely...wouldn't wannna be here, otherwise!

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Response to steve2470 (Original post)

Thu Apr 25, 2013, 09:55 PM

EarthConscious (1 post)

16. We're all critical thinkers, right?

Holding to beliefs "just because" is one of the worst traits of humanity. Your post should be stuck to the top.

New here, but not new to the realities of the world, I henceforth dub thee Steve the Sage, at least for this post.

Marc

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Response to EarthConscious (Reply #16)

Thu Apr 25, 2013, 11:04 PM

hrmjustin (71,265 posts)

17. Welcome to DU my friend!

 

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Response to EarthConscious (Reply #16)

Fri Apr 26, 2013, 12:02 AM

Star Member TeamPooka (18,850 posts)

18. welcome to DU!

This is the DU member formerly known as TeamPooka.

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Response to EarthConscious (Reply #16)

Fri Apr 26, 2013, 06:33 AM

Star Member LostOne4Ever (8,652 posts)

19. Welcome

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Response to EarthConscious (Reply #16)

Sat Jun 1, 2013, 06:16 PM

Star Member steve2470 (36,911 posts)

21. thanks, kind of you

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Response to EarthConscious (Reply #16)

Fri Sep 18, 2015, 08:20 PM

Star Member Skittles (133,698 posts)

40. LOL

there are plenty of non-critical thinkers here, and they have a penchant for hanging out in GROUPS -oh yes

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Response to steve2470 (Original post)

Sat Apr 27, 2013, 09:14 AM

Jasana (490 posts)

20. Well I try very hard to be open minded...

but sometimes there are just things you get stuck on and you need a little patience. For right now, I am mostly staying away from the debates. I figure once I get to know DU better I may wade into the more rambunctious threads.
Thanks for your advice. Hope to see you on the boards.

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Response to steve2470 (Original post)

Mon Jun 3, 2013, 08:46 AM

AuroraB (7 posts)

22. ok

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Response to steve2470 (Original post)

Fri Jun 7, 2013, 03:45 PM

PsychoBunny (86 posts)

23. Good advice

 

Newbie here. I hope to find this forum enlightening and mind opening.

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Response to PsychoBunny (Reply #23)

Fri Jun 7, 2013, 03:53 PM

Star Member steve2470 (36,911 posts)

24. it will be, I promise nt

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Response to steve2470 (Original post)

Sun Jun 9, 2013, 09:34 AM

rgk7 (4 posts)

25. Thanks steve2470

I am new to DU. In reading many posts here, I believe I have found a place of like minded individuals that will help subside my escalating displeasure with mankind. Thanks for your comments of "open mindedness", I will proceed with caution

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Response to rgk7 (Reply #25)

Mon Jun 10, 2013, 12:28 PM

hrmjustin (71,265 posts)

26. Welcome to DU my friend!

 

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Response to rgk7 (Reply #25)

Thu Jun 20, 2013, 03:01 AM

Star Member steve2470 (36,911 posts)

27. Welcome to DU ! nt

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Response to steve2470 (Original post)

Thu Jul 18, 2013, 01:29 AM

Peaceplace80 (38 posts)

28. Thanks

I am new here as well, thanks for the advice.

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Response to steve2470 (Original post)

Fri Jul 19, 2013, 01:28 AM

marym625 (17,997 posts)

29. nice post

Great advice for anyone. Though, personally, I know everything I think is the best in all situations.
Seriously, Thank you. Too often tend to be defensive. Great reminder.

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Response to steve2470 (Original post)

Fri Jul 19, 2013, 09:36 AM

drizzit (9 posts)

30. Add a libertarian democrat to the ranks!

This is my first post and I've been a Republican my entire voting life. I would even say I swing toward the libertarian extreme. But within the last decade the Republican party has started scaring the hell out of me. I'm not sure if I'm just getting older and wiser, or they are really getting that bad. I voted against Obama his first term, but after seeing how the right began systematically pecking away at his administration, and sabotaging anything that would make genuine improvements, I was disgusted and ashamed. Obama got my vote his second term. I believe in the principals the GOP used to stand for, but they have shifted so much I just can't associate with them anymore. All of the racism and hatred seems to gravitate toward that side, and I can't tell you how much more intelligent and open-minded the posts are here.

I still can't say I can agree with everything the Democrats do, but anyone who agrees with their chosen party 100% is likely a brainwashed minion. I would know.

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Response to steve2470 (Original post)

Name removed Message auto-removed

Response to steve2470 (Original post)

Wed Sep 16, 2015, 08:42 PM

Star Member steve2470 (36,911 posts)

32. kick nt

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Response to steve2470 (Original post)

Thu Sep 17, 2015, 12:30 PM

Brock Kentman (48 posts)

33. Good advice to take.

 

Thank you, kind sir!

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Response to Brock Kentman (Reply #33)

Thu Sep 17, 2015, 12:30 PM

Brock Kentman (48 posts)

34. Now that's weird, how did I start with 0 posts?

 

Now I have 1?

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Response to Brock Kentman (Reply #34)

Thu Sep 17, 2015, 01:34 PM

Make7 (8,144 posts)

35. Well, you can't seem to get your name right. Why should your post count be any different?

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Response to Make7 (Reply #35)

Thu Sep 17, 2015, 01:37 PM

ColesCountyDem (6,935 posts)

37. What? n/t

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Response to ColesCountyDem (Reply #37)

Thu Sep 17, 2015, 01:41 PM

Star Member herding cats (17,006 posts)

39. Not a Simpsons fan?

Look up Kent Brockman.

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Response to Make7 (Reply #35)

Thu Sep 17, 2015, 01:40 PM

Brock Kentman (48 posts)

38. But...but.. that's my real name..

 

I actually read the comics..

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Response to Brock Kentman (Reply #34)

Thu Sep 17, 2015, 01:35 PM

Star Member herding cats (17,006 posts)

36. Welcome to DU!

Looks like you hit a glitch on the post numbers. I'm sorry about that.

Have fun exploring the site!

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Response to steve2470 (Original post)

Fri Oct 16, 2015, 04:29 PM

Bernin4U (812 posts)

41. It's easy to be conservative...

("Conservative" by at least one common definition)

"The glasses around here all used to be half full. Now they've all gone half empty."

Being open minded (progressive) takes work.

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Response to steve2470 (Original post)

Fri Dec 11, 2015, 11:01 PM

l.o.o.s.e.e-2 (53 posts)

42. Older post > two years ago and...

 

... especially appreciated in the "current climate".

"Open your mind to new opinions and new viewpoints. I have. It's enriching. At the bare minimum, you will understand the "other side" of the argument better."

Thank you steve2470.

Regards,
l.o.o.s.e.e-2

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