Enough of the Reagan Threads.

[necso]

... I am beginning to regret that he died. Last I checked, the Mods had a thread for all the BS in the Lounge. It is more than a suggestion, people, it is a suitable way to behave in the "commons".

I am making an experiment with this post. I am directly attacking another sacred cow here at DU... suggesting that there are any conceivable grounds for limiting posts, either by self limiting or by some other means. As I see it, this is the commons, a somewhat regulated commons to be sure, but a commons nonetheless. So it is perfectly reasonable to suggest that one should treat this commons in a way that respects it and the others using it. It is similarly reasonable to suggest that one should do so in a manner that allows others to do so as well, without having to deal with unnecessary conflicts or more than a minimum of impediments. I might even argue that to some degree (more than it is) that this should be enforced.

Definite flame bait.

(Oh and a couple of days back I made another post that I knew was not going to get a very good reception).

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=1228130&mesg_id=1228130

It was about my feelings on and my use of the ignore feature. When I started on DU I acted like what seems to be norm here, I used the ignore list not at all or only for people who ended up being quickly kicked or leaving. Two entries at once would be the most I ever had and typically I had zero.

I saw a number of posts over time, where people agonized over putting people on ignore. I also saw a great deal of the same old stuff in threads. Then I saw that most of this stuff came from a small group of people.

I realized that DU is essentially a database and that I could "filter" it to construct a "view" not only more to my taste but that also focuses on stuff that I can actually learn from. So I used the ignore feature (and don't show lounge) to start to construct this view.

I also realized that ethically it is no big deal. It is no gigantic principle thing --- It is just my taste. Bad taste perhaps, but you can just ignore me too... and I am not trying to force my taste (or whatever) on you.

So here is my premise:

Expressing an opinion at DU that doesn't go along with the "crowd" (an actual minority, I believe) is received poorly (not rocket science certainly). Many, if not most, of the replies are flames and not a few contain insults, if only implied ones.

The experiment:

This post and my previous one.

... Your replies are my data.

Thanks in advance!

Oh, and I am sick and tired of the Reagan threads.

[diamond14]

1. maybe a separate section for reaguns in a little forum of it's own

just to get the whole mess off the main board, so we can discuss what's important to OUR country....


there are so many IMPORTANT things going on...that it's a shame to bogg down the whole board with reaguns...

[NightTrain]

2. As of tonight, I have two people on my Ignore list.

And no, you're NOT one of them! :hi:

[Leprechan29]

3. Not to create some irony here

But I agree with your point that "Expressing an opinion at DU that doesn't go along with the 'crowd' (an actual minority, I believe) is received poorly" - but that seems to be the nature of divided political forums where a similar group is cordoned off from opposing views; Seriously, think about FR and DU ... Each suited to its own political group, with little dissent in the forums (trolls excluded), or if there is dissent, it is usually over small technicalities which have little importance in the long run.

Homogeny is not a sign of good politics, though it may make us feel good for a while.

[Dagaz]

4. Well it's going to be THE story this week

I see your point but to ignore the nmain news seems like sticking your head in the sand. When a US President dies it's big media news.

[KG]

5. i've had Enough of the Reagan Threads!

so, i'm gonna start another one to rant about it! :)

[BiggJawn]

6. Then you'd better put me on "ignore".

Because there aint NO fucking way in hell I'm gonna "be nice" to Ronaldus Rex.

you're probably too young to have experienced him fully like I did. Let me put this in perspective for you....

You're sitting at home, wondering if you're gonna be able to feed your family and get to and from work till payday. you remember what it was like to be bringing home $450 a week, compared to the $98 a week you were trying to stretch.

Reagan comes on the TV and says "Let me ask you this: Are you better off now than you were 4 years ago?"

You find out that you really can't kick the screen out of a TV set.