... I am beginning to regret that he died. Last I checked, the Mods had a thread for all the BS in the Lounge. It is more than a suggestion, people, it is a suitable way to behave in the "commons".
I am making an experiment with this post. I am directly attacking another sacred cow here at DU... suggesting that there are any conceivable grounds for limiting posts, either by self limiting or by some other means. As I see it, this is the commons, a somewhat regulated commons to be sure, but a commons nonetheless. So it is perfectly reasonable to suggest that one should treat this commons in a way that respects it and the others using it. It is similarly reasonable to suggest that one should do so in a manner that allows others to do so as well, without having to deal with unnecessary conflicts or more than a minimum of impediments. I might even argue that to some degree (more than it is) that this should be enforced.
Definite flame bait.
(Oh and a couple of days back I made another post that I knew was not going to get a very good reception).
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=1228130&mesg_id=1228130It was about my feelings on and my use of the ignore feature. When I started on DU I acted like what seems to be norm here, I used the ignore list not at all or only for people who ended up being quickly kicked or leaving. Two entries at once would be the most I ever had and typically I had zero.
I saw a number of posts over time, where people agonized over putting people on ignore. I also saw a great deal of the same old stuff in threads. Then I saw that most of this stuff came from a small group of people.
I realized that DU is essentially a database and that I could "filter" it to construct a "view" not only more to my taste but that also focuses on stuff that I can actually learn from. So I used the ignore feature (and don't show lounge) to start to construct this view.
I also realized that ethically it is no big deal. It is no gigantic principle thing --- It is just my taste. Bad taste perhaps, but you can just ignore me too... and I am not trying to force my taste (or whatever) on you.
So here is my premise:
Expressing an opinion at DU that doesn't go along with the "crowd" (an actual minority, I believe) is received poorly (not rocket science certainly). Many, if not most, of the replies are flames and not a few contain insults, if only implied ones.
The experiment:
This post and my previous one.
... Your replies are my data.
Thanks in advance!
Oh, and I am sick and tired of the Reagan threads.