My 2 days off with DU: What I learned.

[Pale Blue Dot]

It's safe to say that, despite over 2200 posts, most of you have no idea who I am. There are several reasons for this. One has to do with my skills as a writer; Will Pitt has nothing to fear from me. Another has to do with the contents of my posts. Most of the time I'm pretty innocuous; I'm post a LBN article with no comment, or I'll do a one or two sentence response to an LBN or GD post, or I'll get drunk and post something silly and wierd in the Lounge, only to wake up the next morning hoping that no one has actually responded and kicked it. Finally, I work in retail. My days off vary each week, as do my scheduled times; sometimes I do day shifts, sometimes night shifts. And I have no internet access at work, so I can't post there.

Every once in awhile, however, I manage to schedule myself off 2 days in a row during the week. Then, with my son at school and my wife at work, I can post to my heart's content. The past two days have been such a time.

It was an exciting time to be off. All of the news has been good, with traitorgate, the downfall of Rush, and the possible downfall of Arnold. DU was like a book I couldn't put down.

But by the end of the 2 days, something disturbing began to happen to me. I was spending so much time on DU that I began to go into the threads I usually avoid. You know the ones I mean: the candidate bashing threads, the Green vs. Dem threads, the soapbox threads. Not only that, I found myself posting in them, and getting increasingly angry and belligerent. I would get into arguments with people over several posts, and doing things in my posts that I have always hated when others do. I also doubled the number of people that I have on ignore.

The lesson I learned is that DU is like anything else we enjoy; it's best taken in moderation. My suggestion to everyone is that when you start feeling like I described above, when you just HAVE to get that last point in, when you're getting hotter and hotter, when you find yourself reaching for the ignore button: step away from the computer. Give yourself a time out.

And now, time to go to work. Have a great, happy and peaceful day everyone. :hi:

[GOPisEvil]

1. Wise words!!

:hi:

[papau]

2. Wisdom yield wise advice! - thanks for the reminder!

:-)

[bigendian]

3. I agree with you.

The anger just needs to be directed in constructive ways. I find protests to be a great release.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

4. Why put anyone on ignore?

I have never understood this motivation. I am of the opinion that you should be open to all opinions always.
The only rationale I can see is that someone is so repetitive and predictable that it would be a waste of time to listen to them. But even then, people can still "break out of the rut".

[freeforall]

5. I know what you mean!

Happened to me too Finnfan. It's good to get away for awhile.

How crazy is this? I get worked up about the US shenanigans, and I can do even less than you folks about it - being Canadian!

Thant's when I know it's time to take a break.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

6. sage advice

[bamademo]

7. I rarely get mad on DU, BUT...

The Southern bashing threads really piss me off. I do get a little annoyed when people start candidate bashing because they lose sight of the main goal which is to DEFEAT BUSH and TAKE BACK OUR COUNTRY.

Peace Out...:hippie:

[JanMichael]

8. Scary isn't it?

The shift from casual contact to blistering belligerance is awfully easy at times.

When's that new Finn Brothers cd coming out anyway?

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

9. Good advice.

I didn't have anyone on ignore 'til a couple of weeks ago. Time away puts everyone on ignore and has equally pleasant results.



btw, love your work in the Lounge!:evilgrin:

[deutsey]

10. I was in a car crash and have been off of DU for about two days

Checking in here more frequently as I recover, I have had the same basic insight as you:

Moderation is the key, and, consequently, I've decided not to participate in the flame wars as much as I did prior to my accident.

I was going in that direction anyway, but the head-on collision sort of solidified my growing inclination. Instead, I plan to get info from DU when I visit, participate occassionally in threads I feel are worth my time and effort, and get back to the "real world."

:hi:

PS: I refuse to put anyone on "ignore", sometimes against my better judgment. :evilgrin:

[G_j]

16. sorry to hear about

your accident. Hope you are feeling better. Glad your still with us!

:-) :hi: :-)

[hlthe2b]

11. Insightful post....

I don't put anyone on ignore, but I mentally note whose posts to read carefully or pass by on most occasions. DU IS ADDICTIVE! Especially when events are happening fast and furious.

Maybe we'll have to start a moderation program for he addicted!

[in_cog_ni_to]

12. I have put myself in time out

but, still don't have anyone on my ignore list. I rarely get angry on DU. I find this place to have a very calming affect on my Psyche. :D Thanks for the post. :hi:

[Karmadillo]

13. OK, OK, I'm logging off and getting back to work. And, by the way,

excellent post. Maybe Will Pitt better start worrying.

[DemLikr]

14. Great and wise post, Finnfan. Thanks for the reminder.

Often, especially after finding myself in that hot and heavy, self-righteous mode that comes so easily when I feel insulted and attacked here, and I find myself lashing back at posters by whom I feel slandered, I tell myself that I need to stay away for awhile.

Then I give in to my addiction to politics, debate (and high drama) and come right back.

Your post is a reminder that I need to listen to my better angels a bit more closely; and for my own emotional health, take DU in moderation.

Thanks. :hi:

[LynneSin]

15. I'd almost respect what you're saying.....

except for that dang Giants avatar

:pals:

[Catherine Vincent]

17. I guess I must read things a little different.

I don't know where the ignore button is. I have no desire to hit it. The only posts that would kind of upset me (not really) are the freepers that try and sneak in bashing Democrats. If I'm goanna ignore a poster, I'll do it the regular way...not respond to a post and move on.