"Nothing you post on an internet forum is helping to get anything done anywhere." Agree?

This was a response by another DUer to one of my recent posts. I disagree because I have been here long enough to know this is not true. Otherwise we are just venting and spouting feckless opinions here (although that does occur also).

I would like to hear what others say and maybe read some examples. I believe however small, we do help to get things done and changed by our postings and if it helps even one person then it is worth it.

it was we left wing extremist "little people" on the internet who got those stories into the mainstream media!

:headbang:
rocktivity

I think internet postings are far less effective than other ways to accomplish change.

People seach for someone or something, and up pops a post at DU, often filled with facts not easily obtained through normal channels. I suspect a few people have had their eyes opened a bit wider, or at least did some research on their own, after reading a DU post they came upon quite by accident.

The world is a much smaller place now, I've learned a lot over the years from the things people have posted here. I don't always agree with others, but I do try to keep an open mind on most things.

Looking into electronic voting issues, and found DU. Haven't left since, though my star poofed. :(

if the post was to make noise/dilute...then expect manini stuphs

I think it is a bit much to say "nothing you post" is making a difference. It may be tough to measure the impact of internet forums, but the fact of the matter is, lots of movers and shakers do read them. It couldn't hurt.

.

that I remember.

arguments.

And we never know what those exceptions will be unless we say something. It may not work often, but being silent never works.

...but by and large I tend to agree w/that sentiment.

Mainstream, "normal" ways of perceiving and thinking are what holds people back from striving toward greater individuated and collective potential. Many of the things considered good, right and normal are exactly what keeps people from reacting/responding the way they could/should. Hence the reason such uniformity is exalted from cradle to grave: keep the ant colony functioning the way its owners want it to, which requires the ants be laboring under the illusion of freedom/democracy, doing the "right thing" by obeying corporate culture "values" and directives, etc

So, yeah, I can post that online, but aside from a few agreeing, many disagreeing, not much, if anything, comes of it.

Now, if you're asking about what the process of writing can do for an individual...that's a whole other story as writing - even a stream of consciousness type of expression - can be beneficial in many ways for the person doing it. That doesn't mean, however, that it has any substantial impact out and away from the subjective process though.

over the internet.

:)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=3608367

"Nothing you post on an internet forum is helping to get anything done anywhere."

Those 3 words make the statement virtually useless. If even 1 thing posted on an internet forum helps to get something done, there goes "nothing". That same thing also destroys "anything" and "anywhere".

Internet posts are a starting point that motivates people, brings like-minded people together for action, and they educate people and help them to solidify their ideas and arguments. No, internet forum posts are not everything, but they are a tool from which positive and effective things may and do spring forth and that certainly is something. To believe that internet forum posts are not useful and can be valuable is simply short sighted thinking.

amongst the rest of the world via posting on "real" sites such as MSNBC, CNN, even the stupid Fox as well as emailing our various congress persons and other elected officials, there is certainly a great need for us to get our opinions etc known among ourselves. We do have different views - we are not like the RW robots who dare not differ. We actually have THOUGHTS and FEELINGS and are not afraid of empathy and even (gasp) humor.

Some of you guys are real assholes, but you are assholes on my side of the fence and I am better for having access to your ideas.

mark

:applause:

But somewhat true and somewhat false. The thing is whether or not you carry what you learn and discuss here elsewhere. If your participation at DU is whole disconnected from the rest of your life, well, it's probably not accomplishing much.

Bryant

...something out of the 60s and 70s to be "real" activism. The Internet has changed the nature of activism forever.

on his radio show one day, and other media people use barackobama.com all the time. I think posting does help to a certain extent.

But doesn't have the balls.

:think: