General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Two pieces of advice for new DUers starting an OP [View all]Journeyman
(15,038 posts)Last edited Wed Oct 13, 2021, 04:57 PM - Edit history (1)
Most of all, I use it to avoid simple stupidity -- drunken fools, whacked-out conspiracy nuts ("BushCo caused the tsunami" ), one-note wonders who post the same drivel over and over. . . . Other people may choose what they perceive as the "high road" of tolerance and community, but I've no time for blithering foolishness and no interest in useless poppycock. Some will disagree but I figure they must have a surplus of life.
There are some posters whose every other utterance is imbecilic, and those who delight in being boorish with no regard for raising the level of conversation or thought. These too I choose to ignore. And it's not something I do lightly: before I click, I'm convinced these people have nothing to offer -- no insight, no new perspective, nothing to change either my attitude or thought. And though I perceive I have an open mind, that's no reason to let others use it as a sewer.
I also utilize ignore to remove trolls and other unsavory folk from my experience. Oh, I recognize they may be gone by morning, but how much more pleasant the evening is without them. I've never blocked anyone who intelligently debated me, but I'll not suffer fools gladly or madly.
If it makes people feel better about the DU "family" or some other such fantasy, you can occasionally clear your entire Ignore list. I do. Often, I find many of those I've shut off were soon after tombstoned, so I don't feel I missed anything.