Do you think posting on DU is activism?

[Cali_Democrat]

19 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Unlimited
	Yes
	5 (26%)
	No
	14 (74%)
	0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
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[GreenPartyVoter]

1. If you bring attention to an issue and can get other people to act,

then yes. If you only spend time on DU, then you may not accomplish as much as you might.

[Revanchist]

29. I see that as inspiring activism.

This site is a great place to become aware of issues and things that are taking place in the real world, especially for those who do not have the time to do the initial searching themselves. DU may lead to people getting involved in particular causes, but on its own, it is not activism but a tool that allows activism to take place.

[morningfog]

46. I see that as a meaningless distinction.

Discussing issues and raising awareness is an action, and a necessary one, to inform and motivate further action. DU helps, albeit in a very small way, to overcome the information threshold that is a prerequisite to direct action. It is a part if one process.

[Warren Stupidity]

2. obviously you think it is a stupid waste of time, which immediately raises the question

"why are you posting here"?

[Cali_Democrat]

8. ...

[JustAnotherGen]

40. +1

[Kolesar]

3. It is eating a bag of Doritos

I'll stop after just a few more.

[JI7]

23. yes, it helps pass time

so it's good for the job i do.

[Recursion]

4. I was really just making an aside

I had no idea that would piss people off so much, especially since some version of that gets said all the time here.

[randome]

12. Not your fault. So stopping taking all the blame.

[hr][font color="blue"][center]Treat your body like a machine. Your mind like a castle.[/center][/font][hr]

[TreasonousBastard]

15. A couple of the usual cranks yelled at me, too, and...

I didn't make tht much of a deal of it.


Vampires aren't the only ones who hate mirrors in their houses.

[cynatnite]

5. One question Cali...

Are those your toes? You must answer.

[Cali_Democrat]

10. LOL

You like?

[cynatnite]

16. The toe ring and the plaid PJ's are great accessories. :) n/t

[A HERETIC I AM]

6. Not just no....

But FUCK no.

Unless one counts sitting on your ass, reading and moving your fingers back and forth as "Activism". Can't forget the scanty clothing and the alcoholic beverages either. VERY important.


Then yes.

Of course.





No, it isn't.

[broiles]

7. Maybe activism-lite

[UTUSN]

9. Hades YESSS!1

[Uncle Joe]

11. I do, but your pic didn't show the activity of typing or even reading intently if at all.

Not that I'm implying that you're trying to sway your poll, but I am.

Thanks for the thread, Cali_Democrat.

[on point]

13. Yes, one of many activities such as marches, donations, volunteer work etc

[dimbear]

14. Yes, yes I do. And contributing to DU is activism too, whether it's info or the odd few bucks.

OK, it's not a march or a sit in, but hey--some of us are slowing down.

[LadyHawkAZ]

17. Networking, maybe. Activism, no. n/t

[Fumesucker]

18. Only in the BOG n/t

[DevonRex]

33. You have quite the obsession going with the Obama Group. nt

[Fumesucker]

39. I'm sorry, I wasn't aware of your disability in regards to humor, irony and sarcasm

Disabilities are no laughing matter.

[morningfog]

47. Are you disowning the acronym now?

I don't blame you.

[DevonRex]

56. I rarely use it. Because it's used as a deliberate slur.

Well, "bog" is Brit for toilet.
A "bog" can be a dreary wasteland of muck and mud
Maybe it's like the *N* word. Some can use it, and some can't.
That group has no moral core. All they care about is where Obama stands.
BOG is the best name for that group no doubt.
---------

Those are a few quotes from that thread. On any given day on DU you'll see the term BOG used as a slur, meaning all things bad. A certain radio host will be called a "BOG" type. Or a talking head who approves of all-out invasion of Syria (!!!!!) will be called a good fit for the BOG. I mean, WTF? Everything bad on earth is assumed about us and attributed TO us.

So, sadly, it's not just the acronym BOG that's the problem.

No, I don't think everyone should agree with Obama 100%. Or with me 100%. I like discussion and debate. But, it belongs in GD. And it looks like I'm not welcome here.

[Jamaal510]

19. Probably not,

unless some of our elected leaders in the party actually read this stuff. Though, the only person I know of in government who frequents this site is Rep. Grayson. I do sometimes wonder if someone like Obama or Warren were to take a look at some of the threads on here, what would they think?

[Luminous Animal]

20. It can be. There are a few DUers who bring important information to light

and post links to activist events.

I've been in many activist groups and a huge mistake is when the group get activism holier than though.

Every single person's effort no matter how small who is willing to advocate for an issue is important. Whether it be providing childcare at meeting, writing letters to the editor, risking arrest, or being a leader. Everyone.

Activist meeting (especially consensus driven ones) can be long. Unless the issue is clear, they should be. They are long because people discuss things. The bring new and challenging perspectives to the table that enables the community to go forward.

Those that led support for an American revolution didn't just spill tea in a harbor or fashion a constitution or make war... they wrote and wrote and wrote and published pamphlets and handbills and missives posted in the public squares. A few mostly rich men wouldn't have been able to convince the citizenry to take up arms and possibly die if they hadn't propagandized freedom into dream within the citizenries reach.

So yes, I think for some, posting on DU is activism.

[Luminous Animal]

21. This is an example of online activism and it is brilliant

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023718613#post25

[kentuck]

22. Only if you've been here for 10 years or longer...

Old timers tend to believe that more, in my opinion. Why? Because they have seen it.

[quinnox]

24. Yes, in a way

I do. DU is an influential website. I have seen this in action.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

25. not in the least bit. that's not to say its useless, it just doesn't help to change the world/policy

or thought

[MADem]

26. As I said elsewhere, it's an ACTIVITY...not activism.

Handy source for news, sometimes some great discussion, but activism?

This is the choir. Preaching to it isn't activism.

[madamesilverspurs]

27. Speaking strictly for myself,

Last edited Tue Sep 24, 2013, 01:53 AM - Edit history (1)

it is a component of what passes for activisim in my life. It often informs my more energetic exertions. In truth, I could probably do what I do without it, but sometimes my actions are taken sooner; I've lost count of the times something shows up in the news days after I read about it on DU. Along the same lines, I'm often better informed in conversations because of something posted here; in my community, when you're standing on a corner waving a sign you'd better be able to back it up.

There have been times when my perspective on issues have been sharpened, thanks to information - and links - posted here. And the time has been shortened in the process of looking for deeper information about some candidates.

On a strictly personal level, I have been pleased to generate conversations now and then. It's when we stop communicating or start demanding that all hell breaks loose. And I was stunned when one of the little graphics I posted here came back to me in a facebook post sharing an article from a publication I'd never heard of; I googled the thing and found it in more than a dozen places. Six degrees of separation, eh?

[PowerToThePeople]

28. Possibly

Depending on the types of posting you are doing.

[gopiscrap]

30. Most of the time for me it's therapy and connecting with others who have a like mindset

[Cha]

31. It can.. depending on what you're

doing. It can be a great networking from other sites to get the word out on.. wait for it..





h/t sheshe BOG http://www.democraticunderground.com/110216922

[Douglas Carpenter]

32. most of it - probably not - but it can be if you are actually helping stimulate action

if you are actually helping alter the political paradigm even in some small way - it can be a kind of activism . Let's take for example a political opponent of mine - the poster with the user name Prosense - now I don't agree with a great deal of what they say and their political perspective is at times almost diametrically opposed to my political perspective - but they are in fact relentlessly making a case and sometimes quite affectively for their particular perspectkive. That is activism even if it is not the kind of activism that is consistent with my particular point of view.

[LeftishBrit]

34. No. But it can help one in gaining information and perspectives for actual political activities

[Shankapotomus]

44. +1 n/t

[steve2470]

35. if your posts/threads on DU are accurate, factual and focused only on issues, yes

If a post or thread is simply to sling ad hominem attacks, then it's more political theater/digital entertainment.

Let's face it, many many people now go to the internet for their political news and information. DU is one of the most heavily trafficked political sites on the net. If a post or thread has information that changes a mind or minds and contributes to political change in a small way, then yes it's activism.

Note I'm excluding ad hominem attacks and other silliness. DU can never replace boots on the ground activism, but to totally deny its value is not valid.

[Vanje]

36. I suggest a third poll option

"Only when I do it. When you do it, Its just 'wanking'"

[Democracyinkind]

37. Getting out the message was always activism in our quarters

But we never considered it the only part of being an activist. Still, it's more activist than not doing it.

Another front in the war of labels.

[OnionPatch]

38. Sometimes, yes.

It's the spreading of important information and ideas. It's communicating and sharing political and world views. It's not like beating the sidewalks to GOTV but it's counts as something. Do I think it takes the place of traditional activism? No. But it certainly can support it in many ways.

[GreenEyedLefty]

41. Yes, because knowledge is power.

And "mere" words can change history. Exhibit A: "Common Sense" by Thomas Paine.

[kiawah]

42. Is watching online porn the same as having sex?

no to both....

[baldguy]

43. And like online "activism", it's as close as some people get.

[Shankapotomus]

45. We can also ask:

Is monetarily funding the Democratic party and Liberal causes activism? Because many people contribute their money but not their time.

[LWolf]

48. Sometimes.

I notice that what I read on DU often mirrors what I hear in real life. I don't know if DUers are just repeating other conversations ad nauseum, or if some of the points originate here.

I do know that talking about things IS activism, because without an issue or an idea being on the table for debate, it's not on the table for action, either. In that way, DU does serve a purpose at times. We know that some actual Democratic politicians read DU.

I also know that DUers sometimes...not often, but sometimes, bring up points I haven't thought of before, and that's important to me in shaping my perspective. If a DUer has done that, it's activism.

I also know, unfortunately, that DU has made me much more cynical about, less trusting of, and less respectful of, the Democratic Party, and that's BEFORE the election of Barack Obama.

I'm much more likely to be active AGAINST centrist Democrats than I was before I found DU in '02.

[sufrommich]

49. Internet forums are an interesting way to waste time.

That's all.

[MineralMan]

50. In itself, activity on DU isn't activism.

By definition, people who post on DU are interested in politics, more or less well-informed, and want to discuss political ideas. However, DU is not made up of people who are undecided how they feel or what they believe. So, advocating ideas on DU does little to make things happen in the larger political scene.

Activism, I believe, is activity that awakens otherwise inactive political enthusiasm in people. Anyone visiting DU, whether to lurk or post, is already actively interested in politics. In the vast majority of cases, they're already voting and participating in real-life politics.

DU can motivate people to take their interest and beliefs outside of DU. When that happens, the people who do that engage in real activism and have a chance to influence otherwise disinterested or uninformed people to take part in the political process.

But, in my opinion, simply reading and posting on DU, in itself, is not activism. That's my opinion, and the opinions of others might differ.

[CrispyQ]

51. Reading/posting on DU prepares me for activism.

Thanks to DU, I have an arsenal of facts & sources for when I talk to others.

[DrDan]

52. it is not "activism" anymore than talking to family and friends

[RC]

53. Absolutely, posting on DU is a part of Activism.

To be an activist, first one must be informed. Democratic Underground is a great place to get information and be exposed to the real facts concerning the spun news they let us know about.

Going through the list of people that do not think posting on DU is activism, is a rogues gallery of DLC, DINOs propagandists, moles, and other assorted operatives and enablers trying to spin our dysfunctional government as somehow being on the Correct track, when in fact it is the Right track, (read, Tracking to the Right) that they are pushing..

[think]

54. It can be a resource for well researched and vetted information

but that is fading.....

[Laura PourMeADrink]

55. We used to have an activist corps - but really never did much and then dropped? WE

here, years ago, many times, tried at least to mobilize in the form of letter/emails/phone calls to different
media outlets and govt officials. It was very common here. But, not so much anymore at all.

We, in total, have a tremendous untapped power to actually make a difference, but we really do nothing.

[GalaxyHunter]

57. haha, no way.

if you think it is, I have a bridge in the Pacific Ocean for sale!!

[Rex]

58. Obviously you do not think it is.

Other people, could be.

EDIT - was wrong in wording and I apologize.

[Cali_Democrat]

59. Now that's just mean Rex. I thought we was cool.

[Rex]

61. Did not mean it that way at all.

Just going by the picture you posted (feet kicked up on desk)...admit it, you don't think it is activism at all. And that is fine, I do, for certain people like Alan Grayson and steveliner (sorry if I got those names spelled wrong) it is activism.

Sorry, did not mean to be so harsh.

[el_bryanto]

60. I'd give a resounding "Sort of" were that an option. nt