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cali

(114,904 posts)
Tue May 27, 2014, 02:22 AM May 2014

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

It's pretty vile. I'm not quite sure why Skinner et al would construct such a thing. It's filled with hate and bigotry and ignorance and my guess is that those elements will burgeon and crowd out any sort of real discussion of.... anything.

It's a frame that lends itself to being used by bigots.

137 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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I joined Discussionist but I haven't posted and I won't be doing so. (Original Post) cali May 2014 OP
It's a troll nature preserve eridani May 2014 #1
Or....maybe it just seems like a troll preserve. Zorra May 2014 #118
bigotry is on full display there.... Cali_Democrat May 2014 #2
What the hell? ellie May 2014 #14
They tapped another marketing segment! n/t RKP5637 May 2014 #43
^this^ Tuesday Afternoon May 2014 #101
This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague May 2014 #16
Looks like a rat trap. Uggh. JDPriestly May 2014 #23
Intersting. Nuclear Unicorn May 2014 #47
Apparently it's "misandry" for women to do anything other than stay at home and have babies... nomorenomore08 May 2014 #52
Or stay home and abort when daddy doesn't want to be a daddy. Because mommy would have to take off Manifestor_of_Light May 2014 #136
You mean like this thread? Ms. Toad May 2014 #120
Agreed. defacto7 May 2014 #3
Yep, like CB radio used to be! n/t RKP5637 May 2014 #44
Only 20? Jamastiene May 2014 #76
Feminism is to blame for Elliot Rodger Cali_Democrat May 2014 #4
MIRT banned that troll last night from here. greatauntoftriplets May 2014 #65
He was banned over there, as well pintobean May 2014 #66
Good. He was nasty. greatauntoftriplets May 2014 #67
Exactly. Blocking and banning is working as far as I can see. 7962 May 2014 #106
A difference in opinion pintobean May 2014 #115
Good news Cali_Democrat May 2014 #87
It's a honey pot for trolls and people who like to gossip and bicker. bemildred May 2014 #5
now that's a good perspective. cali May 2014 #8
Get them to leave DU alone. YEAH! JDPriestly May 2014 #24
So, people who post crap there Helen Borg May 2014 #36
Not by the Admins. DUers can say whatever they want on Discussionist seaglass May 2014 #50
This message was self-deleted by its author TBF May 2014 #53
Sorry - had to delete first response TBF May 2014 #54
Yes, it sounds like they have to state that they are trolling. I'm not sure what the definition of seaglass May 2014 #56
Not necessarily. jeff47 May 2014 #79
Thanks for the clarification - TBF May 2014 #82
Yeah, we can send moles over there to see what they are saying. bemildred May 2014 #62
What? You want SURVEILLANCE here? Good lord. 7962 May 2014 #108
I don't post much here. House of Roberts May 2014 #6
funny you bring up honor. cali May 2014 #10
Ka-Plaa! DeSwiss May 2014 #21
Funny you should mention... SoapBox May 2014 #29
Twitter is my line in the sand tavalon May 2014 #94
Yeah, I like the idea of the place tavalon May 2014 #93
I won't join... yuiyoshida May 2014 #7
Yep Cali_Democrat May 2014 #15
Oh my gosh Art_from_Ark May 2014 #25
I tried to explain it to this guy once... yuiyoshida May 2014 #27
No, you sure can't reason with stupid Art_from_Ark May 2014 #28
Art they have no interest in that... yuiyoshida May 2014 #30
It sucks having to put up with that Art_from_Ark May 2014 #32
dun forget to ask for their twitter acccount.. yuiyoshida May 2014 #33
wooowww! heaven05 May 2014 #83
When they are free with yuiyoshida May 2014 #100
Any post calling you that should be banned on ANY page, IMO. I imagine it would be there if alerted 7962 May 2014 #109
Mostly if there are mods, they don't care... yuiyoshida May 2014 #112
but would they say the same if it were the "N word"?? 7962 May 2014 #121
Wow, I cannot believe Helen Borg May 2014 #110
You're kidding right? yuiyoshida May 2014 #111
Hard to understand Helen Borg May 2014 #113
Helen... yuiyoshida May 2014 #114
This message was self-deleted by its author Anansi1171 May 2014 #9
It's a nice alternative to DU LittleBlue May 2014 #11
"It's a frame that lends itself to being used by bigots." pablo_marmol May 2014 #12
No, I don't mean like that. cali May 2014 #39
You Have An interesting Defintion of Bigotry ProfessorGAC May 2014 #51
Yeah......right. pablo_marmol May 2014 #122
Yeah.......Right ProfessorGAC May 2014 #124
Brilliant rebuttal! pablo_marmol May 2014 #125
broad brush DonCoquixote May 2014 #127
Something in your link set off my antivirus program Oilwellian May 2014 #61
Malware from thebigslice.org Shampoobra May 2014 #81
Thanks for the heads-up! NT pablo_marmol May 2014 #123
If you like feeding the trolls 4now May 2014 #13
In network security we call this strategy a "honeypot" Recursion May 2014 #17
Ewww...that word has another meaning as well! MADem May 2014 #34
I'm sure the term has misogynistic baggage Recursion May 2014 #38
No, no, NO!!!! MADem May 2014 #40
Honey pot has many meanings, like most words. bemildred May 2014 #64
Yes I realize that, I wasn't using the one the poster was implying! nt MADem May 2014 #103
Well, I've heard of septic pump trucks being called the "Honey Dipper" too. bemildred May 2014 #119
yeah, used those in base camp heaven05 May 2014 #85
They're called honey buckets, aren't they tavalon May 2014 #95
Those are the singular ones! It's all disgusting work; I salute those who do it, though. MADem May 2014 #102
I've posted a bit there LeftishBrit May 2014 #18
I believe it without even seeing it davidpdx May 2014 #19
It was cool for the first couple of days before it got overrun with RWNJ's. PoliticalPothead May 2014 #20
I get a kick out of it. Blue_In_AK May 2014 #22
I'll try anything once, or twice ... polly7 May 2014 #35
I like it too, and I've posted there a bit... Violet_Crumble May 2014 #42
Me, too. And I love it when they're proven wrong. (n/t) WorseBeforeBetter May 2014 #60
A social experiment? DeSwiss May 2014 #26
Page clicks. MADem May 2014 #31
Exactly! It's tapping another revenue market. I certainly have no problem with that, it's a clever RKP5637 May 2014 #45
I think DonCoquixote May 2014 #37
I love it and practice it there heaven05 May 2014 #89
Seems any forum that allows right wingers ends up "filled with hate and bigotry." Scuba May 2014 #41
I agree with your assessment of the site. avebury May 2014 #46
It's educational in that some of those repulsive geek tragedy May 2014 #48
Starting to get much less interesting as time goes on. nt stevenleser May 2014 #49
Bigger audience. More page views. Iggo May 2014 #55
How do outsiders even know it exists ? dipsydoodle May 2014 #84
Sorry. I meant a wider range of political views, and so therefore a potentially bigger audience. Iggo May 2014 #86
I wasn't having a go at you. dipsydoodle May 2014 #88
Oh, I know. I just looked at what I said and realized that wasn't really what I meant. Iggo May 2014 #90
Sounds about right. dipsydoodle May 2014 #92
That's funny - sounds like a great crowd to hang out with :-) n/t seaglass May 2014 #98
It's Angry White Guy Underground.nt sufrommich May 2014 #57
this. and like that wont skew jury. nt seabeyond May 2014 #58
I would not make it that simple DonCoquixote May 2014 #128
I was there for a bit Maeve May 2014 #59
This thread is going to go viral over at Discussionist. Paladin May 2014 #63
This post, on this thread Capt. Obvious May 2014 #70
Yeah it is, to a certain degree. Paladin May 2014 #78
I just greatly enjoy Capt. Obvious May 2014 #80
Chasing tails tavalon May 2014 #97
Too many Dunning-Krugertarians, and they ALL love Suckonomics. HughBeaumont May 2014 #68
Why? truebrit71 May 2014 #69
K & R Liberal_Dog May 2014 #71
yep, pretty vile heaven05 May 2014 #72
I don't go there because it's vile. And, it's stinking up DU with people posting about it here. nt ChisolmTrailDem May 2014 #73
I agree, I have been there every day since the first ThomThom May 2014 #74
I am having fun playing with the conservatives Gothmog May 2014 #75
It is a bit of fun. kentuck May 2014 #77
I looked at Discussionist for about 2 minutes, said "Meh" and came right back here. Tommy_Carcetti May 2014 #91
I think it's lowering the discourse here, too. kcr May 2014 #96
This message was self-deleted by its author seaglass May 2014 #99
I agree DonCoquixote May 2014 #126
DU has spoiled you. DIS is not "vile"; at least not what Ive read. And they block posts too 7962 May 2014 #104
I think the admins are brilliant. Rex May 2014 #105
Yeah, calling certain people "BOGscum" kind of did it for me when it was let to stand. Hekate May 2014 #107
I think it's a great idea. Calista241 May 2014 #116
It's more about the software. joshcryer May 2014 #117
4 or 5 factions, only one of which is worth engaging carolinayellowdog May 2014 #129
You missed one faction seaglass May 2014 #131
Have yet to visit bigwillq May 2014 #130
I live in a red state Gothmog May 2014 #132
before I was on D.U. warrprayer May 2014 #133
I've mostly switched to Discussionist. Lizzie Poppet May 2014 #134
not even close. the level of bigotry there is much higher. cali May 2014 #135
Imagine what DU would be like without MIRT. KamaAina May 2014 #137

eridani

(51,907 posts)
1. It's a troll nature preserve
Tue May 27, 2014, 02:27 AM
May 2014

We can tease the wildlife if we want, and maybe all the trolls will go over there so we won't be bothered with them.

Zorra

(27,670 posts)
118. Or....maybe it just seems like a troll preserve.
Tue May 27, 2014, 06:44 PM
May 2014
"The book...To Serve Troll...it's...it's a cookbook!"

Response to Cali_Democrat (Reply #2)

Nuclear Unicorn

(19,497 posts)
47. Intersting.
Tue May 27, 2014, 07:12 AM
May 2014

The OP of the first link -- the one that made the comment you claim is racist -- says in a later post that Republican friends tell him such and such. So, in other words he's relaying a statement made by others. That's really no different from the parade of "My RWNJ {insert family member} said {insert disagreeable statement}!" posts we see here.

The third link isn't endorsing Sterling but opposing the fine from the NBA, which -- legally and ethically -- could be argued. Even the ACLU defends the speech rights of the KKK despite the latter's violent past. Sterling may be an ass but nothing he has done rises to the level of the KKK.

The second link? Yeah, I could probably get in one helluva fight with that guy.

 

Manifestor_of_Light

(21,046 posts)
136. Or stay home and abort when daddy doesn't want to be a daddy. Because mommy would have to take off
Fri May 30, 2014, 06:56 PM
May 2014

work for pregnancy and childbirth. There are male gold diggers too, that want to live on wife's salary and put his salary in the bank for savings or buying his toys.

That happens too, men controlling women's reproduction by forcing them to abort, but that doesn't get talked about.

Control is wrong either way.

Ms. Toad

(33,992 posts)
120. You mean like this thread?
Tue May 27, 2014, 07:06 PM
May 2014
thread

or many of the posts in this one?


The difference is not really the presence of bigotry - it is whether it is expressly stated, or stated with an air of innocence that no one could possibly object to. Frankly, I'm no fonder of the latter (DU's style) than the former. And - when it is express, it is a lot easier to get hidden.

defacto7

(13,485 posts)
3. Agreed.
Tue May 27, 2014, 02:42 AM
May 2014

It's either a diversion or... hell if I know. It's as if you need to drop 20 points in IQ to properly participate.

 

7962

(11,841 posts)
106. Exactly. Blocking and banning is working as far as I can see.
Tue May 27, 2014, 05:54 PM
May 2014

I dont understand how so many here get their tights in a wad about any slight difference of opinion

 

pintobean

(18,101 posts)
115. A difference in opinion
Tue May 27, 2014, 06:31 PM
May 2014

can be worse than personal attacks for some. I don't get it either. It's always been like that here, though.

seaglass

(8,171 posts)
50. Not by the Admins. DUers can say whatever they want on Discussionist
Tue May 27, 2014, 07:30 AM
May 2014

without fear of PPR from DU unless they admit they are trolling DU and there is no doubt about who they are:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10133832#post20

Skinner (59,433 posts)
20. DU members will not get banned from DU because of something they post on Discussionist.

I can only imagine one exception: If someone on Discussionist admits that they are trolling Democratic Underground -- and if we have rock-solid proof that they are in fact same person -- then we will ban that person from Democratic Underground as an admitted troll.

Response to seaglass (Reply #50)

TBF

(32,004 posts)
54. Sorry - had to delete first response
Tue May 27, 2014, 08:25 AM
May 2014

because I misread. The admin will have IP addresses on both sites so they definitely could see if someone were posting from the same computer. It would probably take a pretty egregious case for them to act on it like that.

seaglass

(8,171 posts)
56. Yes, it sounds like they have to state that they are trolling. I'm not sure what the definition of
Tue May 27, 2014, 08:47 AM
May 2014

trolling is but I would be surprised if a current DUer admitted it.

jeff47

(26,549 posts)
79. Not necessarily.
Tue May 27, 2014, 11:20 AM
May 2014

DU sees one IP from the 6 devices in my house - the one external IP the cable company gives my router.

Problem is even worse if the post comes from some large-scale network.

bemildred

(90,061 posts)
62. Yeah, we can send moles over there to see what they are saying.
Tue May 27, 2014, 09:48 AM
May 2014

Then we'll know who to harass when they come here, we'll know all about them.
Exciting, isn't it?



But seriously, I was hoping it would become popular so all the trolls and astroturf and flocks of issue vultures would head that way instead of here. I come here mostly for news and intelligent & diverse discussion about news.

It's always been noisy, but now, since our opinions became important enough to need shaping, it's gotten very annoying. Whereas before you could have good conversations with people all over the planet, now it's all ego duels and flame wars and groups arguing over which sources are acceptable, like we are children who need to be told what we can read. People have become circumspect and guarded. They censor themselves. I know I do, and it's mostly because I don't want to listen to all that disingenuous, vehement, and yet empty "argument".

House of Roberts

(5,162 posts)
6. I don't post much here.
Tue May 27, 2014, 02:49 AM
May 2014

But I respond when I see a clear purpose to right a wrong. I used to spend time at Think Progress, until they adopted Facebook, and it turned into a technical cluster-you-know-what. Before that I was at Huffingtonpost, until pre-moderation after the 2006 elections killed conversational posting.

Lurk awhile at Discussionist. Flag the RWNJs. Study their rhetoric. Delve into their weaknesses. It will strengthen your resolve. Know the enemy. Then attack where they are weak.

I've read you here. You have good logic and honor. Honor is important to me. I can't show it here, but I use the symbol of the Klingon Empire for an avatar at most places. Though fictitional, Klingons learned to live in peace and honor with the Federation, in the Star Trek genre.

 

cali

(114,904 posts)
10. funny you bring up honor.
Tue May 27, 2014, 03:08 AM
May 2014

honor is important to me too. It's a funny dated kind of concept- or at least the word is- but it plays a big role in my thinking and my life. Thanks.

SoapBox

(18,791 posts)
29. Funny you should mention...
Tue May 27, 2014, 04:36 AM
May 2014

I got banned from Huffington for asking why it was all Palin, all the time (x years ago) and they did not like that. Gave up on Think Progress, likewise when they did the Facebook thing. Never have done Facebook, never will.

I'll just stay here.

tavalon

(27,985 posts)
94. Twitter is my line in the sand
Tue May 27, 2014, 12:27 PM
May 2014

I say that because I went to Facebook from Livejournal when my friends did. If they move to Twitter, I shan't follow.

tavalon

(27,985 posts)
93. Yeah, I like the idea of the place
Tue May 27, 2014, 12:26 PM
May 2014

A place to truly hone my skills but I just don't really have the time.

yuiyoshida

(41,818 posts)
7. I won't join...
Tue May 27, 2014, 03:02 AM
May 2014

I get enough racial bigotry on other websites. You can only take being called a "Chink" so much before you have to give up and go.

yuiyoshida

(41,818 posts)
27. I tried to explain it to this guy once...
Tue May 27, 2014, 04:21 AM
May 2014

I told him "Chink" refers to Chinese and I am not Chinese. He blatantly told me "All y'all look alike to me". YOU can't reason with STUPID.

Art_from_Ark

(27,247 posts)
28. No, you sure can't reason with stupid
Tue May 27, 2014, 04:28 AM
May 2014

Nonetheless, it would be nice if people like that could travel overseas and find out what it's like to be a minority. Maybe that would make them change their tune.

yuiyoshida

(41,818 posts)
30. Art they have no interest in that...
Tue May 27, 2014, 04:38 AM
May 2014

They have to stay home and defend America's boarders from all these foreigners who are coming here!!!

Art_from_Ark

(27,247 posts)
32. It sucks having to put up with that
Tue May 27, 2014, 04:44 AM
May 2014

Anyway, I'm about to leave for another event. I wonder how many "Yu's" I'll meet tonight?

 

heaven05

(18,124 posts)
83. wooowww!
Tue May 27, 2014, 11:39 AM
May 2014

figures for that site. Disgusting vile place to try to be civil. It's all out ideological warfare there. I have met the enemy....and they are everything I knew they were and worse. geez I have fun picking at them. I guess that makes me kind of sadistic huh?

yuiyoshida

(41,818 posts)
100. When they are free with
Tue May 27, 2014, 02:17 PM
May 2014

offensive words? No, keep picking at them, maybe they will get it. But...I kinda doubt it.

 

7962

(11,841 posts)
109. Any post calling you that should be banned on ANY page, IMO. I imagine it would be there if alerted
Tue May 27, 2014, 05:58 PM
May 2014

yuiyoshida

(41,818 posts)
112. Mostly if there are mods, they don't care...
Tue May 27, 2014, 06:14 PM
May 2014

Its not being directed at them,...so what if someone gets insulted, they will just say "Grow a thicker skin or don't post here!"

 

7962

(11,841 posts)
121. but would they say the same if it were the "N word"??
Tue May 27, 2014, 09:11 PM
May 2014

If not, then the same level should be applied to the rest of us!
Its a shame.

yuiyoshida

(41,818 posts)
111. You're kidding right?
Tue May 27, 2014, 06:11 PM
May 2014

I have heard it dozens of times. Fortunately not to my face... but on the internet, absolutely.

Helen Borg

(3,963 posts)
113. Hard to understand
Tue May 27, 2014, 06:16 PM
May 2014

Especially because I have a soft spot for people of Asian origin and tend to get along with them. No idea why. I'm Caucasian myself.

yuiyoshida

(41,818 posts)
114. Helen...
Tue May 27, 2014, 06:27 PM
May 2014

there are just a lot of ignorant people in the world, and some who like to push people's buttons just for their enjoyment.

Response to cali (Original post)

 

LittleBlue

(10,362 posts)
11. It's a nice alternative to DU
Tue May 27, 2014, 03:12 AM
May 2014

You can actually get in the trenches and spar with the enemy. Some of the older DU members who were kicked off have come over (Taverner).

And the jury system isn't as stifling.

pablo_marmol

(2,375 posts)
122. Yeah......right.
Wed May 28, 2014, 03:48 PM
May 2014

The broad-brush smearing of gun owners is the very definition of bigotry - regardless of your denial.

Many gun owners are Democrats - some even liberal. Many of those that aren't are perfectly reasonable. Yet the "redneck yahoo" gun owner is the only one you see depicted in anti-gun cartoons.

EDITED TO ADD: For the most part, even these yahoos aren't the ones killing innocent folks. So why are they being demonized? Obvious culture war.

DonCoquixote

(13,616 posts)
127. broad brush
Fri May 30, 2014, 05:38 AM
May 2014

And it is not like many gun owners did not leap for the cameras and say stuff like "your dead kid does not trump my rights?" right. There may be some fine, law abindign gun owners, but the NRA has gone ahead and embraced the "I am gonna do whut I want and F you" element that those cratoons do indeed, illustrate.

Shampoobra

(423 posts)
81. Malware from thebigslice.org
Tue May 27, 2014, 11:33 AM
May 2014

"Infekce zablokována," Serbian for "infection blocked" appeared over the following warning:

URL
hxxp://thebigslice.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Lapierre-616x462.jpg

Infection
URL:Mal


Avast alerted on it at the DU link, and again at my attempt to visit thebigslice.org's home page.

4now

(1,596 posts)
13. If you like feeding the trolls
Tue May 27, 2014, 03:39 AM
May 2014

and have absolutely nothing better to do with your time....
Nevermind I still wouldn't waste my time there.

Recursion

(56,582 posts)
17. In network security we call this strategy a "honeypot"
Tue May 27, 2014, 03:57 AM
May 2014

That's just my guess, at least. OTOH I've had some good tech and sports discussions there; DU has groups for both (particularly tech) but I always like to see those expanded.

MADem

(135,425 posts)
34. Ewww...that word has another meaning as well!
Tue May 27, 2014, 04:53 AM
May 2014

It does the same thing, though--serves to collect a bit o'crap at times.

MADem

(135,425 posts)
40. No, no, NO!!!!
Tue May 27, 2014, 06:09 AM
May 2014

A "honey pot" is a large scale latrine, 55 gallon oil drums cut in half with a board with crapper holes on it. Sometimes enclosed, sometimes not. You remove the boards and shelter when the things get full, and (quite literally) light the shit on fire.

It's also a term for a smaller "facility"--a literal "pot" or a bucket that one uses to do one's business in.

Nothing to do with any particular gender--everybody poops, after all! And pees, too!


In the spy game, there's something called a honey TRAP--but that's a bit different. My cite also uses the "pot" reference as an alternative, but most people who have seen one of those pooping "pots" would never use the term to talk about a Mata Hari or a Gorgeous George type situation...

bemildred

(90,061 posts)
119. Well, I've heard of septic pump trucks being called the "Honey Dipper" too.
Tue May 27, 2014, 06:47 PM
May 2014

We love our slang but it is easy to misundrestand.

And then there is the old "Permanent Latrine Orderly" designation from Sgt. Bilko.

 

heaven05

(18,124 posts)
85. yeah, used those in base camp
Tue May 27, 2014, 11:49 AM
May 2014

been burning the contents since I returned here in 69, lot more 'content' these days.

MADem

(135,425 posts)
102. Those are the singular ones! It's all disgusting work; I salute those who do it, though.
Tue May 27, 2014, 04:47 PM
May 2014

It's sure as hell necessary.

Where would we be without the Ed Norton's of the world?

LeftishBrit

(41,203 posts)
18. I've posted a bit there
Tue May 27, 2014, 04:03 AM
May 2014

There are some right-wingers there, mostly of the right-libertarian variety, who really do want a discussion; and I tend to be more patient with them on a site like that, then when people try to push such views on DU: perhaps because in the former case I feel less as though they're actually trying to convert me to their views.

And I've met some good left-wing people; some who are definitely current DU-ers; some I'm not sure.

But there are certainly some people who are using it to express bigotry: perhaps the same people who contribute to the Hate-Mail-Bag here. I mostly avoid those threads. I alerted on a particularly bad post, and was told that someone had alerted before me, and it came back 3:4 to leave.

PoliticalPothead

(220 posts)
20. It was cool for the first couple of days before it got overrun with RWNJ's.
Tue May 27, 2014, 04:06 AM
May 2014

Now it just seems like every other thread is bigoted nonsense. And alerting on it does no good because apparently a lot of people think thinly veiled racism counts as civil discussion.

polly7

(20,582 posts)
35. I'll try anything once, or twice ...
Tue May 27, 2014, 04:53 AM
May 2014

I like the song threads and 'fun' forum. There are some nice people, I don't take the trolls seriously, I know they're going all out to see how far they can get .... and most are getting shot down pretty easily. I do hope the site is a success for the owners.

Violet_Crumble

(35,955 posts)
42. I like it too, and I've posted there a bit...
Tue May 27, 2014, 06:16 AM
May 2014

If you like the song threads, you've probably seen me without realising it's me! I'm one of the nice people! But before DU I used to post at a site called 'Rock For Life', which was full of RW anti-choice twits, and I used to enjoy making fun of them and meeting the occasional nice LWer who'd turn up to stir them up as well, so I'm pretty comfortable in that sort of environment...

 

DeSwiss

(27,137 posts)
26. A social experiment?
Tue May 27, 2014, 04:16 AM
May 2014
- You know, looking for a cure? Maybe they think we can inoculate enough of them with logic and reason, so that the virus would freeze-up and go dormant.

Please give to help stop the spread of the Asparagus Disease:

[center]
''Atty. Gen. Holder cast this Asparagus on me in front of witnesses!''[/center]

K&R

MADem

(135,425 posts)
31. Page clicks.
Tue May 27, 2014, 04:38 AM
May 2014

They translate into revenue. This website thing is a business, not a charity. If it gives Skinner et. al. a nice living so they can keep the doors open here, I'm all for it.

It is perfect for those who like it. Some people like confronting their opposite numbers on occasion. That provides the place.

It keeps the people who like fighting over there. Leave the ones who are feeling those other views of which you speak there too, better there than here.

RKP5637

(67,086 posts)
45. Exactly! It's tapping another revenue market. I certainly have no problem with that, it's a clever
Tue May 27, 2014, 06:37 AM
May 2014

move, just using essentially the same methodology to tap another revenue market. And there may be more. The sw developed is a good social engine for revenue.

DonCoquixote

(13,616 posts)
37. I think
Tue May 27, 2014, 05:28 AM
May 2014

The idea was that since these people were there, he could bleed them off here, make THEM pay for it, and keep DU clear of the nastiness that had infected it.

Problem is, that strategy does not work. The bigots and thugs do not want co existence, they want EMPIRE. You cannot appease them, you cannot harness them, nor help them to see reason, until you make it clear that you have established a firm boundary that they will NOT be able to run over! They need to learn neither trick nor threat will help them get past that boundary. They can try a deceptive Trojan horse (we can really be friends, we hate the drug war too), or a horde of angry, gun-toting barbarians (do what we want or we will kick your ass!) but the result must be the same; they must be lying in wreckage and carnage at the foot of our wall, period.

If I was Skinner, I woudl have made the second site a haven for the left. Let's be honest, if the MRA want to light candles to St. Roger Eliot, matryr in the war against women, they will have plenty of forums to do it, not including the ones they have taken over, the way vermin spoil nests and eat eggs. If they want to espouse the Center-right they pretty much have the lions share of media. I would have given a discussionist like panel, picked some mods from here, and say "OK, this is your park." Now, many people would have stayed in DU, and yes, they probably would have paid for that site. Yes, there would be people not happy, but the point is, a market that is not served would be. If he wanted to harbor/exploit the center-right, aka those pined after, worshipped,"REAGAN DEMOCRATS", he could have also done that, but only after the idea was set that yes, the left have their park too.

Now..what we have is discussionist, a place that the cranks who are unhappy with DU are supposed to go, but since those folks are little Imperialists, they will manitain the war. They will still stop here, post their flamebait, get 300+ hits, and worse, get away with exploting the jury system to make sure that they do not get hidden, but that the feminists and other leftists do. What is sad is, for all the faults of the old mod system, the Jury system has been so demonstrably proven to be worthless in protecting the rights of the leftists DU was supposed to welcome.

The post I will not post a blue link to, the one which might as well have been "It was tragic what Roger did, but you wicked feminists made him suffer so much you deserved it." did NOT get hidden, even though it had a lot of vile, sexist statements, but lo and behold, some of the ones that opposed it did. Off to the greast page it went.

The point is, yes, some ideas may sound good, but until the left is given a place of respect, a boundary that says they are not to be mowed down like grass, any attempts to do "bipartisanship" or "coexist" will be a joke. This is sad because, outside of polticis, Discussionost could be a place where ideas are tried out that could be imported to DU; from web fonts to gadgets. However, as long as the right wing gets to poop on everything and salt the fields, it will be nothing more than pearls before swine.

 

heaven05

(18,124 posts)
89. I love it and practice it there
Tue May 27, 2014, 11:55 AM
May 2014

"they must be lying in wreckage and carnage at the foot of our wall", period. Yepper!!!!!

 

Scuba

(53,475 posts)
41. Seems any forum that allows right wingers ends up "filled with hate and bigotry."
Tue May 27, 2014, 06:13 AM
May 2014

I used to post on the Milwaukee Urinal site, but it was overrun with bile. It was apparent that many of the right-wing posters didn't live in Wisconsin, had no grasp of the issues here and were just there to disrupt any meaningful conversation.

Paid shills? No doubt some were.

avebury

(10,951 posts)
46. I agree with your assessment of the site.
Tue May 27, 2014, 06:55 AM
May 2014

I joined, have posted a little and pretty much don't spend much time there. Perhaps it was designed to give a place for trolls to go wild and thus not spend so much time on DU? I don't know. Or maybe it is another site to bring in money from advertisements. I pay money to DU to not see ads, I would never consider doing it for Discussionist.

It can be pretty vile:

Feminism birthed Elliot Rodger
Why do some progressives claim this shooter is a white man?
So, it's official, DU is anti-science, anti-GMO to the core.
Why are most mass shooters left leaning?

 

geek tragedy

(68,868 posts)
48. It's educational in that some of those repulsive
Tue May 27, 2014, 07:25 AM
May 2014

right wingers are probably banned DUers. The misogynists in particular.

I wouldn't engage except to see how fast I could get suspended by flaming those bigots.

Iggo

(47,534 posts)
86. Sorry. I meant a wider range of political views, and so therefore a potentially bigger audience.
Tue May 27, 2014, 11:51 AM
May 2014

I have no idea where people are hearing about it other than DU.

Iggo

(47,534 posts)
90. Oh, I know. I just looked at what I said and realized that wasn't really what I meant.
Tue May 27, 2014, 11:57 AM
May 2014

And to tell you the truth, I hadn't really thought about where the discussionist members were coming from before I read your reply. I guess right now it's just DUers and the fuckheads that monitor DU. But that's just a guess.

dipsydoodle

(42,239 posts)
92. Sounds about right.
Tue May 27, 2014, 12:04 PM
May 2014

DUers , fuckheads that monitor DU and those who were here but disrupted poorly in the past.

DonCoquixote

(13,616 posts)
128. I would not make it that simple
Fri May 30, 2014, 05:41 AM
May 2014

yes, there are plenty of Abgry white males, but there are also Angry homophobes, angry conservdumbs, angry gun worshippers. It is not like there is only one type of pest crawling about in the curds and turds.

Maeve

(42,271 posts)
59. I was there for a bit
Tue May 27, 2014, 08:58 AM
May 2014

Few posts, more jury duty...tried to full ignore obvious trolls and trash stupid threads, but wasted too much time doing so. It's just not worth the little time I have for political discussion, so I deleted it from my bookmarks.

Paladin

(28,243 posts)
63. This thread is going to go viral over at Discussionist.
Tue May 27, 2014, 10:02 AM
May 2014

Keeping feverish track of DU commentary about their site is one of their primary activities.

Full disclosure: Yeah, I'm over there. And I'm spending more time there than I intended---there are a lot more easy targets than I ever imagined. I don't intend on sticking around there much longer, the novelty's wearing off fast. My advice to DU'ers: Avoid the place, it's ugly.

Paladin

(28,243 posts)
78. Yeah it is, to a certain degree.
Tue May 27, 2014, 11:19 AM
May 2014

But there are a considerable number of folks at Discussionist who have been kicked out of DU (there's a rather large thread devoted to their experiences), and those people are out for blood. Entertaining, but only in small doses.....

Capt. Obvious

(9,002 posts)
80. I just greatly enjoy
Tue May 27, 2014, 11:25 AM
May 2014

posts over here posting about what is being posted over there and complaining about them posting about what is being posted over here.

 

truebrit71

(20,805 posts)
69. Why?
Tue May 27, 2014, 10:23 AM
May 2014

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

That's why....

Or do you think he's doing it out of the goodness of his heart?

 

heaven05

(18,124 posts)
72. yep, pretty vile
Tue May 27, 2014, 10:37 AM
May 2014

and disgusting as a so called discussion site. Lots of bigotry, racism and good old american dog whistlers. You are 100 per cent on the mark.

ThomThom

(1,486 posts)
74. I agree, I have been there every day since the first
Tue May 27, 2014, 11:02 AM
May 2014

and have not joined and don't think I will. What is the point no one is learning, it is mostly about taking shots at the other side. Both sides are doing it.

kentuck

(111,052 posts)
77. It is a bit of fun.
Tue May 27, 2014, 11:15 AM
May 2014

The Challenge of the Facts.

Liberals have their facts and conservatives have their talking points.

Tommy_Carcetti

(43,153 posts)
91. I looked at Discussionist for about 2 minutes, said "Meh" and came right back here.
Tue May 27, 2014, 12:00 PM
May 2014

No interest in creating a profile there whatsoever.

Different strokes for different folks, I suppose.

kcr

(15,314 posts)
96. I think it's lowering the discourse here, too.
Tue May 27, 2014, 12:33 PM
May 2014

The two sites are too interconnected and associated with each other. They come back here and start posting the same way they do there.

Response to kcr (Reply #96)

DonCoquixote

(13,616 posts)
126. I agree
Fri May 30, 2014, 05:30 AM
May 2014

Again, the idea of the idiots going over there and playing in their sandbox SOUNDS good, but the fact is, they do not want to play in their sandbox. They want to kick sand in our faces, and USE their new sadbox as a beachhead. It is one thing to make a site to test out things, but when you willingly accept people that are PROUD of making DU suck, you cannot expect a good outcome.

 

7962

(11,841 posts)
104. DU has spoiled you. DIS is not "vile"; at least not what Ive read. And they block posts too
Tue May 27, 2014, 05:49 PM
May 2014

Just like here. Now obviously I havent read ALL the threads over there, but its been set up to allow comments and topics that would never be allowed here.
I think the bad stuff HAS been getting blocked.

 

Rex

(65,616 posts)
105. I think the admins are brilliant.
Tue May 27, 2014, 05:52 PM
May 2014

I'm glad the admins made that place, it attracts exactly the right people it was made for.

Hekate

(90,556 posts)
107. Yeah, calling certain people "BOGscum" kind of did it for me when it was let to stand.
Tue May 27, 2014, 05:55 PM
May 2014

My desktop computer still remembers my password so I'll check in from time to time until I get accidentally logged out in the next power outage, after which I doubt I'll bother.

It may shake out okay if the Admins get a good grip on the situation, or maybe not.

Calista241

(5,586 posts)
116. I think it's a great idea.
Tue May 27, 2014, 06:34 PM
May 2014

We argue about some pretty petty and insignificant things here. At least there they can and do discuss real issues.

joshcryer

(62,266 posts)
117. It's more about the software.
Tue May 27, 2014, 06:37 PM
May 2014

Which is a really novel way to moderate a form system. The problem is that free flowing info tends toward the lowest common denominator.

carolinayellowdog

(3,247 posts)
129. 4 or 5 factions, only one of which is worth engaging
Fri May 30, 2014, 08:15 AM
May 2014

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.

seaglass

(8,171 posts)
131. You missed one faction
Fri May 30, 2014, 08:21 AM
May 2014

5. Current DUers, who either using their DU username or a new username and are joining with factions 4 and 3

Also CC is no longer down

 

bigwillq

(72,790 posts)
130. Have yet to visit
Fri May 30, 2014, 08:19 AM
May 2014

Don't think I will. I waste enough time on other sites. LOL I don't need another one.

Gothmog

(144,919 posts)
132. I live in a red state
Fri May 30, 2014, 08:42 AM
May 2014

I have to deal with idiots similar to the RWNJs on the Discussionist board all of the time in real life. I enjoy mixing it up with these idiots on the Discussionist board and calling them on their bullshit. Some of these idiots are shocked when their Fox News inspired talking points are debunked. The RWNJs make some disgusting comments which they hope will prove their points. I do not mind confronting these idiots and pushing back against their talking points

Most of the objectionable threads mentioned are being challenged by good liberals and progressives who are doing their best to debunk the talking points on these threads. I like confronting these idiots and I think that it is helpful to get the other side out.

I understand that the Discussionist board has some unpleasant threads but the best way to deal with stupidity of the RWNJs is to confront them. I may have a higher tolerance for their hatred and stupidity due to my prolong exposure to similar idiots in real life. Due to my higher tolerance, I am having fun confronting these idiots.

warrprayer

(4,734 posts)
133. before I was on D.U.
Fri May 30, 2014, 09:25 AM
May 2014

Last edited Fri May 30, 2014, 10:13 AM - Edit history (1)

I spent a bit of time on the local "topix" board. ( I have nearly 5,000 posts there under my registered handle, probably triple that unregistered). You had 3 or 4 progressives/democrats, and about 10 - 15 wingnuts of the most vile sort and their socks. I am quite used to holding my own in such an environment, therefore I feel right at home on Discussionist. The more thin skinned might not enjoy their time there.

We even had the notable militia nutcase ex police chief from Gilberton, Pa. post there a few times, along with his local chapter buddies. It was a perfect opportunity to expose to anyone lurking just how unintelligent and warped these folks are.

And they are on the far end of the spectrum. There are people out there who don't buy into everything the progressive/democratic line advocates. They are not necessarily stupid and often have insights that someone with a rigid viewpoint might miss.

Furthermore, someone who is an average, non hyper political type who wanders onto D.U. and scrolls down the o.p. titles in G.D. might well say to themselves "what the hell am I doing here"?

I like Discussionist. I hate censorship.

 

Lizzie Poppet

(10,164 posts)
134. I've mostly switched to Discussionist.
Fri May 30, 2014, 10:35 AM
May 2014

About 80/20, and slipping fast....

No shortage of bigotry here, either...it's just that some of it is accepted.

 

cali

(114,904 posts)
135. not even close. the level of bigotry there is much higher.
Fri May 30, 2014, 01:14 PM
May 2014

some comparisons are just not justified. Yours isn't.

 

KamaAina

(78,249 posts)
137. Imagine what DU would be like without MIRT.
Fri May 30, 2014, 07:06 PM
May 2014

Oh, right, you don't have to. Just go over there. If you dare.

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