General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: I just cracked the DU analysis code [View all]ElboRuum
(4,717 posts)1) That was already explained. "Maybe I'm inertial. Maybe I lack self-respect. Despite myself, I keep thinking that the people on DU are good people who are worth the time and trouble to converse with."
2) Those who in the name of their own moral certitude over the past years reduced it to shit levels. That's who. DU didn't get like this overnight, it took several years of "concern trolling" and hand-wringing and being "decidedly pessimistic" about the current administration all in the name of being a Good Liberal (TM) to get it there. They can pull out the shovel and start digging, I'll be along when I can see the floor again.
I don't mind heated disagreements, it's when that is ALL YOU HAVE LEFT you have jumped the shark. When supposedly intelligent people can't tell the difference between "holding feet to the fire" and "being a pessimistic dick" you aren't talking politics anymore, and it certainly isn't "interesting", at least not to this old salt. You are talking about egoism and narcissism, pure and simple. And don't hold me responsible for that level of discourse, I've tried my damnedest to have conversations which didn't devolve into some level of flamefest from which nothing could be extracted of value. Every single time, some narcissistic jackass that couldn't see past his/her own sense of righteousness and entitlement went 100% feral.
Gandhi lived when "nanny nanny boo boo, stick your head in doo doo" was relegated to the whimsy of children, having no place in the reasoned adult world. I am the change I wish to see in the world. An adult who acts like one. Oh, I'm not perfect. I lapse, but I do pretty well on balance. The rest need to do some catching up to stop being "colicky baby", "angry disaffected teenager", or some other childish persona as their first reaction to someone saying "you're wrong".
Until then, I'll hold myself only to the standard others do. They deserve no more than that.