Is DU becoming the “National Enquirer?”

[Cyrano]

I’ve seen many intelligent (and highly important) threads here on DU die a quick death.

And I’ve seen a couple of Charlie Sheen-like threads “live long and prosper.”

I’m beginning to wonder about the judgment of those who moderate this site which has come to mean so much, to so many, during an insane decade.

Then again, perhaps I’m just a snob who would personally prefer to see DUers contribute more to the meaningful and intelligent issues that are posted here.

[bobbolink]

1. it is indeed frustrating

[monmouth]

23. I posted about a 12% turnout yesterday in Muny electons, which was

very poor. Nada, nothing..LOL. And this is in Florida no less....sigh.

[bobbolink]

24. If it isn't set up for easy smart-ass replies, it tends to sink.

Although, our recent thread asking for letters on the budget cuts got a decent response. NOt nearly what is needed or what DU COULD do, but at least it was respectable.

I have said before that I quit looking for other subjects, because there is such a low interest in poverty. If more people were working on poverty, I would have a broader range.

:shrug:

[Akoto]

2. I'm not sure. Let me consult with Batboy and UFO Elvis. n/t

[blm]

3. then I'm a snob, too

appreciate your post

[MrModerate]

4. Not necessarily a snob . . . but maybe your expectations are unrealistic.

I don't know about you, but my life is full of the trivial and the profound; pop culture and deep culture; fart jokes and transcendent moments.

I appreciate DU because it is equally broad-ranging.

[Warpy]

5. Theads die fast because people post in GD instead of the appropriate forum

I've seen too many really fascinating and illuminating economic threads die fast because the poster didn't post them to Economy.

GD is more for the hot button subject du jour or for stuff that doesn't have a more appropriate forum. All threads will sink like stones.

You can help things along if you click "hide thread" on all the rubbish you really don't want to be plagued by. That will keep the good stuff visible longer.

[ZombieHorde]

6. How do you judge the meaningfulness of an issue? nt

[Cyrano]

10. There's a difference between Lady GaGa and nuclear war

[ZombieHorde]

18. I feel fairly confident I could tell the difference between the two, but how much meaning does each

have. Does Lady GaGa have more or less meaning than nuclear war? I prefer Lady GaGa over nuclear war*, but does my preference have any meaning?

Unless nuclear war is an awesome speed metal band; Lady GaGa's music is not my taste.

[GreenPartyVoter]

7. Yeah, it can be frustrating. :^(

[Webster Green]

8. I've been thinking it's becoming "TV Guide".

Boring as hell, just like the TV I got rid of years ago. :boring:

[HuckleB]

9. It's not about the moderators. It's about the majority of those who respond.

All over the Internet, responses seem to be getting less thoughtful, shorter, and more cliched. DU is no different. When I started here, I would often engage in lengthy discussion with other posters, each post several paragraphs or more long. Now, that never happens, and I don't waste my time trying, because putting one's energy into a thoughtful post just doesn't seem worth it, when the time and energy is seldom returned.

[Warren Stupidity]

11. always has been and admit it: everyone loves a train wreck, nt.

[Swede]

12. I wonder?

[aquart]

13. Wow. Can't find an intelligent thread in all of DU.

And people who don't do exactly what YOU want to do are wrong.

And, let's state what is implied, possibly inferior.

I am impressed.

[GeorgiaPeach]

14. I think it's becoming the NRA web site.

[ZombieHorde]

22. Welcome to DU!

Or welcome back, whatever the case may be.

[gratuitous]

15. Yes

Because a thread you liked submerged quickly, all of DU is becoming the National Enquirer.

And I thought I'd been so careful, too. If it wasn't for those meddling kids . . .

[Doremus]

16. Have there been any important threads lately that sunk quickly?

I'd like to have the opportunity to read them if you wouldn't mind pointing them out. Thanks.

[Snoutport]

17. I'm new to DU and for a new guy it is like coming out of the desert

and finding a cool running stream. i'm drinking up everything and even the whacky stuff makes me at least take heart that we have some democratic whackos balancing out the republican whackjobs.

i've written a couple of posts, factual and i think important but this morning i blew off some steam posting a newsarticle from the wasilla paper posting that Sarah Palin had a B average (same as me). I went to junior high with Palin and my mom had put the article "Wasilla Junior High announces honor roll" in a scapbook.

it just seemed like a fun thing to share and it felt kind of evil and petty which, in this case, I kind of enjoyed. (if I was REALLY evil I would have scanned in her 8th grade yearbook picture...those were some huge glasses)

I blabber on, but my point it, people let off some steam in here sometimes and, if nothing else, it shows me that the Republicans are making people really angry. It doesn't seem to be hurting anything to let people rant a bit.

[ZombieHorde]

21. Welcome to DU! nt

[Fuzz]

19. If we have a choice, can we be the weekly world news? I like bat boy.

[cali]

20. no. it's always been a mix

and fortunately no one can dictate what people discuss here.

[bobbolink]

25. Its not because many don't try.

[blondeatlast]

26. Aha! My fiendish plan is working! nt

[Rex]

27. I think some of the posts you are referring to belong in the Lounge.

But hey, that is just me.

[MrMickeysMom]

28. You must be here more often than I...

.... I just can't monitor the threads enough to say whether it's true or not true.

When it comes to what people talk about, it's truly democratic. If the OPs are great, then I've seen them get great content.

Lately, I'm so tired of what the GOP does, I'm likely not to do much posting and more civilian input. There's only so much you can say about oppressive Republican behavior, so maybe Charlie Sheen is an outlet for disgust.

Personally, many times I'm a thread killer. Anytime I've tried to use my deep thought process to get more feedback, it's on page 3 by the end of the day.