Real World vs. The Tubes

With all the back and forth over candidates here on DU these days, I am struck by a sharp contrast.

While I am very active in real world politics and see sharp differences between that and internet activism daily, I recently attended an event that really highlighted something (maybe 150-160 ppl or so).

Among discussion of Presidential hopefuls I heard n'ary a nasty word said. When perceived weak points of various candidates were mentioned the point was conceded ((i.e. "yes, that could be a problem"). Strengths were likewise recognized. Those that were heart and soul committed to a candidate had no snark for people leaning in other directions.

Many figured in how well the various candidates would fare in the GE and it was simply strategic thinking. No one started flinging shit if any disadvantage of their choice was mentioned, nor if anyone cited perceived advantages of other candidates.

No one declared their candidate was the only one who could possibly win. No one was caustic or defensive. No one tried to plow anyone over with zealously verbose screeds for or against anyone.

In other words, compared to DU it was like an alternate universe. There were no "winners" or "losers" of these conversations, just pleasant exchanges of views that were enlightening.

Just throwing that out there.

Julie

These people were in a physical space, physically face to face. They were unable to hide behind the anonymity of the net. Of course they were going to be less vocal with true feelings.

to pretty much the entire world. If you were sitting around in a room with a live feed to a limitless audience, with unlimited "repeat" capabilities, and you were all wearing masks, I dare say it would have been a different conversation.

Of course the point was that when we are "human" we used respectful discourse. We see each other in RL, have to live in the same world.

I wonder if there's any chance that perhaps some of our "mightier" keyboard commandoes would consider doing that whole "productive dialogue" thing.

Hope springs eternal. ;-)

Julie

ever since the old Usenet days. No moderators there, and no quarter given or taken.

I remember one froup full of flame wars and warring groups that had parties. Real parties in people's homes. At those parties, the great keyboard warriors full of such hate were the best of friends-- it was almost as though those insults and threats never happened. Of course, some of the worst ones never showed up. Most of us used our real names in that group and that affected the dynamics a lot since the anoymous ones were often the worst offenders and stayed away from the meetups.

I've also noticed that at DU gatherings there is little arguing going on. Everyone is in general agreement and there to have a good time.

So, what's going on here? Part of it is that the true keyboard warrior will never see the light of day, actually see other people in meatspace, or do anything that might be considered productive work-- just spill bile into the discussions. The other part is that even the best of us can all too easily forget that there are real people reading this stuff and just let loose.

Who's who amongst the shitstirrers and grudgeholders around here? Beats me, but I do seem to notice a certain lowering in the quality of posts overall. It could very well be that many of the insiders and hard workers out there in real life who have worthwhile things to say have wandered off when their words have been drowned out by the sound and fury.

I should note that at a certain point that Usenet froup I mentioned earlier pretty much broke up as the trollish behavior got worse and too many of the good people moved on-- last I looked in on it, a small group of the flamers were left, not talking at all about anything the group was formed for, but spending a lot of time congratulating themselves for something. Probably on how they were able to destroy a perfectly good group.

It is sad that happened-- there were good career moves, quite a few long friendships, and even marriages, that came out of the group over the years it was working.

:toast:

if there is any.