I joined Discussionist but I haven't posted and I won't be doing so.

[carolinayellowdog]

129. 4 or 5 factions, only one of which is worth engaging

My brief foray there was inspired by a short-lived hope that its over-the-top anti-liberal rightwingers would be a less annoying "other side" than the "centrist anti-progressive" faction here, because at least they don't pretend to be what they are not. Alas, not so. Here is my impression of the types found there:

1. Current DUers wanting to get away from the toxic atmosphere and all the bullet proof trolls, and hoping for something better. These are the ones I'd hoped to see there, and many are, and posting worthwhile items.
2. The "centrist" authoritarian Democratic faction that has made DU so sucky for so long is already over there injecting itself into the mix, so Discussionist is no escape from them. Indeed at least here we know who they are from long painful experience, whereas there, with all new usernames, one has to wade through the sewer of their posts to recognize the familiar stench.
3. Then there are the shameless Caver type rightwing trolls, reminding us that although their site is down their spite is undiminished. Nasty, brutish, and short is their posting style.
4. Also a faction of trolls expelled from DU for good reason, over many years, who can now exact retribution on their old adversaries.

The ingredients may change over coming weeks, but it looks like an even worse recipe for "online community" than we have here. One element I'm not qualified to judge is that some people plausibly claim to have been tombstoned here unfairly, but it is impossible to evaluate the truth or falsity of their stories.