How much of DU is just about picking fights with people?

[Cant trust em]

Poll question: How much of DU is just about picking fights with people?

Sometimes I get the urge to just argue about something. Not necessarily be divisive, but to stir the pot a little bit and get a reaction.

This whole thing will probably get locked.

[Oregone]

1. I use to learn here

[Cant trust em]

2. The amount I learn fluctuates

A few months ago, I felt like I was learning a lot. Right now, I think we're hitting a low point.

[Uncle Joe]

9. I still do as from post #6 on this thread, re: Jury Nullification.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7883333

[customerserviceguy]

25. I've always said

I learn more from the people I disagree with, than from the people who agree with me.

[Oregone]

33. Neither is necessary

There is less content and just more bitching. It used to be a stellar place for information that wasn't attached to some type of propaganda war.

[customerserviceguy]

38. You have a good point there

I guess after eight years being on the outs, we have the burdens of leadership to deal with.

[gateley]

30. You still can - just have to grind your teeth and plow through snarky auto-replies, but there

are generally kind DUers who come along and help. :hi:

[laconicsax]

3. You wanna have a go at me? n/t

[Cant trust em]

6. I don't just want a piece...I want the whole damn thing!!!!!!!!!!!

[Cid_B]

35. This is the image that comes to mind for most fights on DU

Slap fights in google images was not as productive as I had hoped but this is close enough...

[laconicsax]

36. Bring it then!

You're going down!

[MUAD_DIB]

4. Some times I find it hard but not to make fun of the insanity here.

I haven't kept an official score, nor do I have the time, but there are enough pissing contests to make me wonder if this is the place that I originally joined.

Two of my posts today were locked. I guess to the graphic nature of my making fun of both the Obama and Kucinich haters that there was a fury of alerts and bruised feelings.

:rofl:


Do you think that they'll ever forgive me?

[Codeine]

5. Fighting is fun.

:shrug: An impassioned argument forces you to hone your point of view and manage your facts. It also causes some DUers to lose their fucking minds in seriously entertaining ways. The nastiest threads in DU history are among it's most exciting and fun.

[SidDithers]

22. I like to watch the meltdowns...

I like to watch the self-important sputter and fume.

Most nights, it's better than TV.

I've never claimed to be here for anything more than to be entertained. :)

Sid

[SargeUNN]

7. DU has it's good side but it has a dark side also

Things do get embarrassing here and at times it makes me just want to quit posting. The name calling, the misstating of post, the personal attack if you disagree makes me feel it is a waste, but then the other side, it is a great research tool, and when people stop the hate stuff and have a good discussion it is very helpful. Honestly, right now I am not sure if it is worth to keep posting here. We will see.

[TK421]

8. Picking fights? over an internet message board?

oxymoron, that

you may try to trade wits with someone from time-to-time, but most of the shit said here would not take place if said conversation was face-to-face

I guarantee it...the internet is just dandy for shit like that

[Cant trust em]

10. Is it an oxymoron, or something that naturally goes together?

I'd say the latter.

[TK421]

11. picking a fight.... over the internet

not a real fight, IMHO

[Cant trust em]

12. Define fight.

I'd call it seeking out unnecessary confrontation.

[TK421]

13. there you go....good example

:rofl:

[Cant trust em]

17. I said in the OP that i expected this whole thing to be locked.

I'm honestly surprised it hasn't yet.

The mods like to pretend that people here aren't crazy.

[TK421]

19. of course I was kidding there....but I hear what you're saying...

actually, I don't HEAR what you are saying, but reading what you are typing ;)

[damyank913]

20. Who are you calling a moron!!! You tawkin ta me?

[customerserviceguy]

27. Now, that there

is some New York attitude! How'd you wind up in Virginia??!!

[damyank913]

41. The US Navy. The Navy taught me that the Hudson River was not, in fact, the west coast of the US.

[Loge23]

14. Anonymity helps (or hurts)

The fact that you can be anything or anybody under an online alias fuels this cyberfeuding thing.
In most cases, I bet many feuders would politely counter a position and slide off towards the salad bar in real life.
Subjective arguing - either in cyber or living space - tends to be a futile exercise anyway. Facts always win.

[we can do it]

15. You Must Have Been Reading My Mind

[devilgrrl]

16. Ask the trolls that start most of the fights

:popcorn:

[MUAD_DIB]

21. I tried to have a discussion with an individual on Monday, and this

is what I received from them.


1) Do you believe everything you're told? Because I've got a nice bridge in Brooklyn to sell you.

2) I see no reason why I should bother to explain anything to the willfully ignorant.

3) Clearly you don't have a damn thing to add other than sycophantic fawning over all things Geithner.

4) I'm done with you. Fuck off.

5) Since you have no idea what the hell you're talking...

6) Do you have ANYTHING besides right wing bullshit talking points to add or are you completely ignorant...

7) Listen, asshole, when you mindlessly repeat right winged talking points...

8) PUFFERY: As to what takes up my time, you wouldn't have a clue but then you don't seem to have much of a clue...

9) So kindly fuck off until you can actually make an argument...

10) Fuck you very much.


To top it off I was called a troll.


There's just way too many Prima Donna's at DU now. Everybody is willfully ignorant unless you agree 100% with their position.


Sad.

[pipi_k]

43. What drives me crazy is when

certain individuals apparently don't bother to read through what I've written using a less subjective filter, and then proceed to attack me personally for what they ASSUME I meant, even if I didn't really mean what they think I meant.

And no amount of explaining can convince them otherwise, as they'll just keep on suspecting they "know" what my motives are, and that's that. Someone without basic reading comprehension skills acts like judge, jury, and executioner.

I've never been called names as vile as the ones you've been called, though. It's really too bad people can't discuss things without being vulgar about it. Lack of self-control isn't just a RWnut failure, that's for sure.

[L0oniX]

45. +1 ...and Oh Noes ...don't express an opinion because you're not entitled to one. Facts only.

[Robeson]

18. DU is now about factions.

[MUAD_DIB]

23. Yep. Obama haters. Hillary haters. Kuch haters.

It would be nice if DU could save its members from themselves.

[NRaleighLiberal]

24. It can be a pretty uncomfortable place, that's for sure.

Important, but not always enjoyable if you wish to jump into the fray.

Kind of like life, I guess!

[Shell Beau]

26. There are people here who THRIVE on drama.

[Political Heretic]

28. Other: I try not to start, but absolutely WILL finish fights.

[Cant trust em]

31. I refer you to my sigline.

:)

[Dr.Phool]

29. You wanna step outside, buddy?

:evilgrin:

[QC]

32. Most of the ugliness here is the work of a relatively small group of posters

who do little besides bully, attack, and call out other posters and who have been getting away with it for years.

[Mimosa]

34. In general DU is filled with smart and polite members

There are fightpickers, but they are in the minority, thank goodness.

[bridgit]

37. on balance too much of it

[omega minimo]

39. The orneriness comes from too many not knowing what the fuck PROGRESSIVE means.

As not defined by the owner/operators. It's a boneheaded Dem and phony free for all, without basic guidelines for what Progressive includes -- or doesn't -- as a foundation for discussion ....

[OmahaBlueDog]

40. Do you remember the Hillary versus Obama days during the primaries?

All the callouts and flaming? All those tombstones?

I miss those days......

[HopeHoops]

42. I'm trying to stay non-confrontational, so HEY, FUCK OFF!

:sarcasm:

Sorry, that just seemed like an appropriate juxtaposition. Seriously, don't fuck off. Just kidding.

[LanternWaste]

44. I imagine it depends on the poster....

I imagine it depends on the poster. I think most posters will question the positions and conventions of others out of a sincere desire to (if nothing else) expand their own perspectives and broaden their world-views.

But, yeah... there also appears to be a number of posters who get off on simply arguing for the sake of arguing and getting a negative reaction from other posters, regardless of their own position on a matter; or simply get insulted when asked a question or presented with a contrary view and then respond with either aggression or petulance.

I think the former far outweigh the latter, yet the latter will go on ineffectual fishing expeditions often enough to change the bell curve. People are people-- and I suppose we take the mature ones along with the petulant ones. :shrug: