DU doesn't need fewer regular posters in GD.

[MineralMan]

Last edited Wed Nov 28, 2018, 03:13 PM - Edit history (1)

It needs more. Every time we lose a regular, long-time contributor, it diminishes the value of the site to its readers. Content is everything! The more engaging content there is, the more people come and stay.

That is the essential formula that keeps sites alive and growing. Content is my business. Its value, particularly in attracting and retaining visitors, cannot be over-stated. We should not be driving away people who contribute excellent, non-offensive content here.

I'm just saying...

[TexasTowelie]

1. K&R.

[MineralMan]

2. Thanks for the kick!

[TexasTowelie]

10. You're welcome.

I hope that your OP and the replies in this thread aren't alerted for interfering with forum moderation.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

255. K&R for 186 recs.

[saidsimplesimon]

3. I was reading DU for a couple of years

before signing up. I compliment the management and members for being alert to the voices of chaos, foreign intervention and alt-right trolls.

I enjoy writing long essays but understand this is not the forum.

[frogmarch]

4. K&R

What the hell is going on?

[Andy823]

5. On the other hand

We are getting a lot of new "trolls",and even some old trolls are coming back!

[tavernier]

73. But we know the old ones

and it’s fun to listen to their wingnut posts, camaflouged in wide eyed innocence. Seriously, most think that we are not on to them, lol. They really do give us a good laugh, these Boris and Natasha spies.

[Andy823]

76. I agree

I see some of the old "doom and gloom" posters and "hair on fire" posters from the old days when they were basing Obama almost everyday, who have returned from that "other site" where they fled to escape the "PURGE" from DU. I agree they still give me a good laugh also.

[efhmc]

197. Yep.

nt

[George II]

198. +1

[R B Garr]

203. +1000 nt

[Andy823]

235. I remember that also

I also recall a lot of "stalking" being done by the same group here trying to get hides on anyone who dared to disagree with their fearless leader Manny. The only two hides I ever received where for questioning Manny on things he had said.

Just to make it clear Manny is an ex poster not current, and was banned.

[redstatebluegirl]

6. K&R

[malaise]

7. K&R

+1,000

[lunatica]

8. I'm one warning from being barred

So I may not be here much longer, and I’m far from being a long time or popular contributor. But I’m also not all that offensive as far as I know.

Maybe this will be the post that does me in. I’m sure somebody can find it offensive.

[MineralMan]

9. You're a valuable poster, whether I agree with you or not.

Just take care and you'll be OK.

[lunatica]

11. Thanks! I didn't expect a response.

I almost always agree with you, and when I don’t it’s just in minor details. You are quite valuable!

[WhiteTara]

153. You're quite valuable.

I look for your posts. Stay safe; the internet is a dirty world!

[lunatica]

220. You too!

[Squinch]

30. How can that be? You have no hides. Also, you are generally delightful.

[Mike Rows His Boat]

206. It happened to dozens of solid long-term DUers during primaries.

There were certain factions ganging up on supporters of bernie’s primary opponent and alerting then jurying them out. Was like a shooting gallery here. Every day several good Dem DUers were gone. This place has never recovered imo. We used to have strong spirited debates w/o the overzealous aggrievment.

I come here to read news now. Not to interact in debate.

Sad.

[Squinch]

216. That has nothing to do with why someone with no hides could

be one warning away from being banned.

[Mosby]

243. the guy you replied to was a troll.

He's gone now.

[lunatica]

221. I don't know

Maybe they lifted the sword of Damocles threat! Is that possible? I have tried to behave!

[Squinch]

237. I think you're safe.

[Mosby]

244. the hides drop off over time (90 days)

[Cha]

70. Good News!

That's not what your record says.

[lunatica]

222. I never checked my record

But in the second warning I was informed that one more time and I would be banned. There was the chance to plead my case which I took but my post was ignored. I never received any information on whether it was even read.

[Cha]

250. Wow.. that's so weird!

'cause I checked your profile and you're at 100% Good.

[lunatica]

252. Someone upthread said the locks are dropped after

90 days or so if no more infractions are accrued. I didn’t think that much time had elapsed but maybe it did.

[Codeine]

75. I'm on the edge too.

Almost all my hides were for calling someone out for blog-pimping. The horror!!

[Mike Rows His Boat]

207. It is awfully destructive to honest debate.

If one can’t express oneself thoughtfully and in fear of being banned by some’s peculiar butthurt, then there’s no point to coming to DU to flesh out a topic with debate and evidence if you’re going to get juried out of here.

That’s why I only come here to read news - I don’t come here to debate or discuss any more.

[Mosby]

245. you only have one hide left

I have gotten more than my share of hides, and I stand by every one, lol.

[Codeine]

251. Oh good. I got a lot at once

so I guess they’re finally falling off.

I stand by all of mine as well. I hate blogpimps.

Actually I take that back. I was a dick to MineralMan once — I think I misread his tone or something. That was a fair hide.

[MuseRider]

226. You are?

Ya know, I have known you around here for a very long time and I do not remember you ever being any kind of a problem. Unless someone is relentless to kill others thoughts I rarely notice if I agree or disagree. That would not be a good thing to lose you too.

Those posters who make it impossible to talk, discuss agreements and/or differences without being pigs about it could go and I would be OK with that. I cannot say who they are anymore since I hid most of them. I do not recognize you among them. Really? Hmmmm.

[TheBlackAdder]

21. When I get juried for this type of OP, I click that it was a malicious flagging.

[USALiberal]

23. Yep, I did also on this one. nt

[MineralMan]

24. Many of my posts get alerts.

I just keep posting.

[question everything]

133. I recently commented that we had too many alerts

it was well received until... was alerted and hidden.

(who knows this may be, too)

[MuseRider]

227. Do they tell you?

Sometimes I think I am being a horrible stinker (the reason I have hidden those I simply cannot deal with) but I have never been warned about being alerted on. I guess my version of stinker is not anyone elses version of stinker.

[MineralMan]

228. Occasionally someone lets me know.

Over time, I have begun to realize how often it occurs. It's of no real concern to me, though. I almost never write anything that gets a post removed. I'm careful about that.

[MuseRider]

229. Thanks.

If we really were allowed to discuss here many of us would be gone. I tried JPR. I did not hate it but I did not like the way the forums worked. I just never went back to post. I have read there and really do not understand the things people here say they are those who hated those people and still cannot leave it alone and let them be. They have the right but I am off the point now.

Thanks!

[TexasTowelie]

26. I predicted it.

Will the thread be locked?

[redstatebluegirl]

13. A lot of good people are gone.

I started reading DU over 10 years ago, almost half of the people I read regularly have left. It does leave a void.

[earthside]

128. 2003

I started at DU in 2003.

Posted often for thirteen years.

But this is the first thing I've written here since mid-2016.

Since one cannot really offer incisive or even constructive critiques of the Democratic Party or establishment candidates here anymore without being Alerted or threatened with being barred ... what is the point?

I look occasionally and saw this thread and this post: I'm one of those that has basically left.
Too bad. DU used to be wild and woolly and civil up until 2016 and the Hillary candidacy -- a pity.

[defacto7]

205. Yeah, I used to speak freely here. Now I don't.

I guess that's the desired effect and I guess that makes me a wimp of sorts. But challenging and being challenged with some measure of dignity is what makes us better. What does that say about present conditions?

[winstars]

14. As a 2001 DU'er, I completely agree...

[SoCalDem]

138. March 2001 for me..and,,

I rarely post these days.. I used to spend/waste?? hours every day conversing with peers.. but it's not a comfy fit lately..

[Blue_Adept]

168. Same

I got on here from almost the start as I was doing coding on the same forum software for my own site and interacted with the folks on that a lot for customization.

Been here all these years. This past year has had me just skimming it a couple of times a week at best.

Something is very... off.

[realmirage]

15. Who wants an echo chamber for a small number of authoritarian people?

Would be very sad if it went that way. Would definitely be its demise.

[Andy823]

61. Kind of like

JPR, right?

[Lisa0825]

132. +1

[Hekate]

149. +2

[realmirage]

154. You sound like you know more about

it than I do. I’m not a member there. But people seem to bring that place up to a strangely obsessive degree. I don’t even think about it.

[Jim Lane]

156. Both JPR and DU are, to an unfortunate extent, echo chambers.

As for "authoritarian", it's not clear-cut, but I'd say that DU is somewhat more so. For me to present my reasoning in defense of that conclusion would arguably violate the ToS and thus (rather ironically) get the post removed. Therefore, I'll have to state my conclusion but, with apologies, decline to defend it.

[fescuerescue]

158. All forums gated by ideology are

Left or right, we tend to like to hear our ideas echoed back to us.

[Jim Lane]

159. True, but it's a matter of degree.

DU in 2015-16 was more diverse than either DU or JPR is today.

[R B Garr]

187. Not remotely accurate. JPR is all conspiracy theories. They had to agree to not discuss

regular news so they could continue with the conspiracies. Russia is only one aspect of that pact they make -- not discussing Russia so they can continue their fake news. There is no defending it, just observing.

It's certainly not "authoritarian" to reject conspiracy theories and all the BS that comes along with them.

[Mike Rows His Boat]

210. During primary season it was those folks who juried peeps from DU...

... any appeal to no avail.

Ridiculous place then. Near useless for debate now.

Sad

[R B Garr]

212. Exactly. Now it's insufferable rewriting of history and some JPR returnees

trying to start up the engines on perceived Democratic competition. And the name calling...I was called a corporatist the other day -- and the third way mumbo jumbo again, yikes.

[LanternWaste]

232. Do you consider providing objective evidence supporting a premise a "defense'?

[R B Garr]

217. Who wants an echo chamber for conspiracies and progaganda.

Like threads declaring that only one man has Democratic values and everyone else is a corporatist third way blah blah blah

[realmirage]

230. I wouldn't want that either.

[denbot]

16. In the last 17 years we have lost so many great DU'ers.

Too many have been goaded into flameouts, the ones who don’t self immolate leave.
I feel the hit or miss jury system is the biggest factor.

We need to bring back the granite cookies, and combine the current MIRT system to weed out the edge walking trolls.

And yes, it is up to all of us to try and contribute quality content to GD, and the other forums to keep this place open to those who follow.

[JonLP24]

19. For all the reasons you listed

I hold back here.

Either way there are a lot of posters that were the reason I visited the site are no longer here.

[dalton99a]

43. Heck, even RandomThoughts was interesting

His demise was also interesting

[denbot]

74. After a while I learned to love that nutbag.

I don’t recall his flame out. For some reason I was surprised to learn he got the cookie.

[brush]

83. Bravenak and OneStrongBlackMan are sorely missed.

The elicited lively debates both pro and against, which is what this site is about.

Both were forced out by alerters...and others. I can't say anymore.

[demmiblue]

84. They were both forced out for being assholes.

They were given numerous chances by the admins.

[brush]

86. That's your opinion. Not mine. FYI: Diversity is a good thing.

[betsuni]

88. No, replace the "for being" with "by."

[demmiblue]

89. Well, the admins feel otherwise. n/t

[brush]

107. BINGO! That's nailing it.

[ismnotwasm]

145. That's for sure

ISBM was one of the most intelligent posters I have come across, and I adore Bravenek. So happy she’s writing for Wonkette. She’s really a multitalented person, and a marvelous artist and activist

[sheshe2]

165. +10000

[progressoid]

174. Indeed. n/t

[R B Garr]

204. No. They didn't worship someone in particular. nt

[betsuni]

85. I learned a lot from them and others, they are missed.

Very upsetting. I miss BainesBane and Number23, but they left by choice.

[greatauntoftriplets]

95. I miss them, too.

[sheshe2]

164. ++++++

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

191. Bravenak is on Twitter if you're interested

She's still stirring it up. Though she did get a suspension once because some thought she was too hard on Susan Sarandon.

[brush]

194. I don't get how you get too hard on Surandon, who has seemly finally got some sense...

in her head, enough at least to keep her mouth shut during the mid-term campaigns.

Bravenak just tells the truth.

[cwydro]

104. And who could forget Diabeticman?

I loved his posts!

[Mosby]

201. and trumad, steve, cali

Lots of good people gone.

[salin]

223. Didn't realize that he was gone, too.

Didn't realize a number of the folks mentioned on this thread were gone.

[Chemisse]

219. I liked him.

I liked that we could accommodate someone who was so very 'different.'

And then we couldn't.

[efhmc]

196. That's how long I have been here.

The place has changed, added content that I love but made me fearful of expressing my true feeling which was never the case before. This is why I use twitter more and more.

[cwydro]

17. Yes indeed.

I still miss skittles. There’s a bunch of others, but the names escape me right now.

K and r.

[Squinch]

32. Yes. That is the name that springs to mind for me. I miss the ass kickings.

[madinmaryland]

47. EGADS!! I miss them, also. YES INDEED!!

[yuiyoshida]

35. wait??

What happened to Skittles?

[cwydro]

36. FFR.

I’ve no idea what happened.

[yuiyoshida]

38. Did she stop posting?

Was she banned? Just curious..She has always been here! She is some of my favorite people!

----------------------------
updated:
omg, her last post was :
Sun Apr 15, 2018, 05:02 PM
Account status: Flagged for review

awesssss man!

[jberryhill]

55. Skittles was critical of Avenatti

That’s what happened in a nutshell.

[demmiblue]

62. No, she was nastily critical of Stormy Daniels. n/t

[Autumn]

91. Yes, Stormy seemed to be the one she had a problem with.

I didn't know she was gone.

[cwydro]

97. I must have missed all that.

Sorry she’s gone.

[jberryhill]

261. And so what?

I’m fairly critical of anyone who decides having sex with Donald Trump is a good idea. So what?

[EllieBC]

59. I miss Skittles too.

I think FFR means banned. 😞

[salin]

101. I think I should know - but don't recall what FFR stands for.

But, I think your summary captures the meaning.

Skittles. Loved her feisty spirit.

[salin]

105. Follow up... got the definition below:

Flagged for Review - which in some cases appear to be gamed status - as in, the "review" has no designated time frame in which it should happen. Seems like a virtual purgatory that essentially works like a banning, without actually "officially" banning.

[Crunchy Frog]

129. I've never, ever seen someone come back from it.

It seems like kind of a deceptive designation.

[Maru Kitteh]

143. Oh sure you have. Will Fucking Pitt.

He was like a God-Damned carnival whack-a-mole with his FFR status going up and down.

[Crunchy Frog]

144. I think I recall him getting tombstoned a few times, but

I'm pretty sure that he left before the FFR system was in place.

I could be wrong.

[Maru Kitteh]

150. I see your point. Perhaps a distinction with little difference?

I know in 2016 there were FFR's that were resurrected, might take me a bit to remember which ones.

[sheshe2]

166. wrong

[EllieBC]

157. Why bother if they aren't going to actually do the review???

What’s the point?

[efhmc]

195. No idea she was gone either.

Are we still allowed to ask why?

[salin]

39. Skittles is gone?

Oh No?!!

[smirkymonkey]

56. Where did Skittles go?

I just realized I haven't seen her around in a while.

[Iggo]

115. Flagged For Review. (n/t)

[Crunchy Frog]

130. I can't believe skittles got the boot.

[SoCalDem]

140. skittles is gone??????

you can see how scarce I have been

[Mike Rows His Boat]

213. DU's self immolation.

Much like a parallel of the gop... toe the line or bye bye.
Not really a place for honest political discussions.

Sad

[ismnotwasm]

18. I agree, diversity is also a requirement IMO

LOTs of it. We are not getting this though.

[crazycatlady]

68. the biggest lack of diversity here is age

Particularly people younger than boomers.

I'm the daughter of boomers. There are many times I feel like I don't belong here. Like it's a 55+ community or something.

[cwydro]

94. Lol.

Some of whom have a middle school mentality - usually at least a couple threads of week fit that description.

But there’s a good group here in general.

[melman]

109. This is true

and I'm not young..although I'm not a boomer either. I'm a gen-x'er


But there are two big reasons for that I think. One, message boards are kind of old-fashioned. Most younger people would be on reddit or twitter or something. And the other thing is that anyone with a different point of view than the majority here is instantly attacked.

[ismnotwasm]

141. Yeah well

Sometimes I do feel surrounded by middle aged to old white people here. Always a little surprised at the ages of active posters when they’re revealed.

And I am a middle aged white person. I have waaay more diversity in my RL and any social media platforms than I do here, as far as I can tell.

However, I was speaking in particular to a lack or racial and ethnic diversity. It shows much more than the age thing. It shoes in topics, responses to topics, what’s considered important. It’s sad. It’s lessens the experience.

There are number of conspiracy minded folks as well. I guess it’s hard to pin that down on age—it’s just an internet thing

I am particularly bad at guessing age OR gender I’ve found. I would have guessed you to be older just because of your user name, even though my youngest daughter is a crazy cat lady

[crazycatlady]

172. I don't remember Ronald Reagan at all

I was alive for all of his presidency, but I don't have any memories of his administration. I was 7 month old when he was elected, and would turn 1 the day after he was shot.

I've often felt like this forum has a 'get off my lawn' vibe to it. If they want more people to come here, they need to embrace younger generations. There's now 3 generations younger than boomers who are eligible (or partially eligible) to vote. Gen Z seems active and ready to go.

[ismnotwasm]

184. I feel like younger generations are very active but not in great numbers

I am a nurse—my job contains every age group out of college, volunteers and PCTs even younger.

Our union for example, is run by gen X to boomers, not many younger people particularly interested.

I’m in Seattle though—-something is ALWAYS happening here, and depending on the goal, lots of younger people. They tend to use social media platforms, not sure how attractive a message board would be. There’s so much more out there on-line.

I don’t partipate here as much either, I used to like to discuss feminism topics. Young women are feminisms life blood, but DU wasn’t particulary feminist friendly for a while there, just as it wasn’t particularly welcoming to activists who were people of color. A number of people just left.

[crazycatlady]

186. I work on political campaigns

On the dozen plus campaigns I've been on, I've noticed the volunteers are either students (high school or college-- some get community service hours or academic credit for volunteering) or seniors and there's really no in between (until this year). Both students and seniors tend to have more time for activism and are not as likely to be juggling things like work and family.

The feminist movement in NYC is very welcoming to people of color. (I don't live in the city, but I go to all the marches there).

[ismnotwasm]

209. So do you tell people about DU?

I don’t—oh, once in a while I find someone I think can ride out the crap until, they find the good conversations that really can be had here.

Even my husband has had an account for years, but has no interest in posting here. To make DU feel more welcoming to everyone else besides middle-aged White people, what steps do you think we could take?

The whole “millennials don’t vote” crap has to go, because the reality is a lot of people of all kinds back away from politics. I wish people were better educated on societal power structures.

I sent a thread from here to my union leaders, it was very anti-union, but echoed a sentiment I had been seeing in various places on social media, but they didn’t take it too seriously because of the source.

[crazycatlady]

240. there are people here who blame millennials for Trump

When it is far from the truth. When you look at millennial voting patterns next to previous generations at the same age, they're pretty on par. And politicians don't exactly help themselves when they send younger voters mailers about protecting seniors. Politicians need to realize that millennials will not have it better off than their parents (one of the first generations) and that they have problems of their own to deal with such as student debt and housing unaffordability.

The people here could start by doing research before generalizing posts shitting on the younger generations. There is a group targeted at recruiting young candidates to run for local/state office in order to build a farm system. One of the posts about that group on this forum was accusing them of discrimination against the hallowed boomers. To me, that is the same as accusing EMILY's List of discriminating against men. This group (Run For Something) is filling a niche and getting younger people involved in politics because the older politicians don't pay attention to the issues that younger people face. EMILY did the same thing for women. For the most part, older generations didn't fear a gunman at their school, climate change, student debt, and housing unaffordability the way that younger people currently do. But it's cool for Boomers to shit on someone knee deep in debt for staying with their parents in order to pay down some of that debt. Yes the iPhone is the problem, not the rising cost of college.

I do consider the source when I see something online. I would consider this site to have a partisan lean to it and would take an objective news article with a grain of salt.

[Wintryjade]

246. I feel this is really short sighted and part of the whole conversation.

they send younger voters mailers about protecting seniors. Politicians need to realize that millennial will not have it better off

You get that if our seniors do not have any sort of foundation for aging, it will fall on you thru the personal care you will have to give to the aging population of your personal sphere of fiscal responsibility? You have to think this thru. That is what lack of experience brings to the table, along with the youthful vigor.

[crazycatlady]

247. I work on political campaigns

Mailers can be targeted by age (hell you can even target voters by zodiac sign). If you want to reach a 25 yo, send them mailers on issues that matter to them, not their grandparents. You're better off sending a 25 yo a mailer about climate change, student loan debt, or guns-- not Medicare.

[Wintryjade]

249. I am asking the younger generation to do their homework, educate themselves instead of targeting

with shallow and self only. I am smack in the middle of liberal University. I see the smarts. I think we can embrace the thinking youth, too. I think it makes for a stronger, smarter base. The whole picture matters, too.

[ismnotwasm]

257. Yeah

The people who voted for Trump or constantly ripped Hillary apart are to blame for Trump. Not to mention people who apparently don’t give a shit—non-voters.

I don’t believe you can put an age group on that as much as you can the White demographic. 94% of Black women who voted, voted for Hillary Clinton. An amazing stat.

[Wintryjade]

242. I think we are being given a great advantage watching first HRC and now Pelosi bringing our young

freshman women into our positions with wonderful opportunities for these women along with the opportunity for the party as a whole. HRC stepped up for nine women and worked with them in running their race. Now they have won, we have Pelosi welcoming them. I feel good.

[ismnotwasm]

254. I agree

Because there’s is power, but there is also mentorship. It’s happening as I speak, and lots of young women are have found their voices, and have their mentors

[Wintryjade]

256. Right. Way more of us.

[m-lekktor]

248. I remember thinking that after looking at a "Where were you when JFK was assassinated?" thread'!

So many DUers were around and remember that event and that was 55 years ago!!

[TheBlackAdder]

20. That's why I don't post much. Every post opens you up for a flag by someone with a ax to grind.

[dembotoz]

112. Bingo

[smirkymonkey]

146. You said it!

I can't believe how touchy some people are. All my flagged posts have been criticisms of republicans!

[MineralMan]

22. Some DUers write wordy messages.

I'm one of those. Sometimes too many words. Others tell stories with images. Two approaches - one goal. Both are important. People learn from both. Some learn from one and some from the other. Some understand visually and some understand textually. Both methods are important.

I can write thousands of words about environmental issues, but sometimes a photograph conveys the message better. Both approaches are equally important. If I don't understand the message in an image, that's on me. Others will.

We need to let everyone speak with their own voices, and not insist on having everything our way.

[Wintryjade]

64. I use picture to back or enhance my words. You are correct. We have our style.

Thank you. What a wonderful conversation, about conversation. See, talking about talking is fun for me. Considering.

[bigtree]

25. ibtl

...

[MineralMan]

27. Hope not.

This is important. DU is always on the edge.

[Mike Rows His Boat]

218. And that part of it sucks.

Opportunities for learning via evidence based debate are lost. Instead of learning why one might be off base on a topic, now ... boom ... disappeared like Jammal Khashoggi.

Sad

[Marrah_Goodman]

28. I first joined in 2004

A couple of you might remember the name Marrah_g. Things changed so much after the hillary/barak primary battle. Couple years later I left because people insisted on keeping the fight going (called a puma more times then I can count, even after voting for Pres. Obama). I came back again because I thought maybe with a common enemy (Trump) things might have gone back to normal.

This is still the best place for latest breaking news and some really fantastic posters. However, I am saddened at the venom I see towards people who might support someone they don't or not like someone they do. It's us and them out there with the Rs, I wish people would focus on that fight instead of constantly finding something to infight about.

Just my two cents. I don't post much, mostly just read. And if you hate what I have to say, that's okay.

[MineralMan]

31. We need all voices on the left side of things.

We sometimes disagree, but that's OK.

[ProfessorGAC]

44. I Remember You

Glad you're back!

[Marrah_Goodman]

45. Hi Professor!

Thank you

[yardwork]

127. Hi Marrah! Good to see you!

[Marrah_Goodman]

152. You are a sight for sore eyes

I was wondering if you were still around old friend.

[yardwork]

163. Same here!

[PatSeg]

162. Oh yes, I remember you

I came here in 2004 as well, though I've gone long periods without visiting. With Trump in the White House now, I come here regularly.

[Marrah_Goodman]

185. Hi Pat

I remember you too

[PatSeg]

214. That's nice to hear

I often keep a low profile. I've been through too many election seasons on DU! A lot of my DU friends quit coming to DU after the last primary. It just got too ugly. I learned what to avoid during primaries however.

[JudyM]

190. Right there with you.

I also joined in 2004, and venom is a good description of what’s here now. The too predictable rat-a-tat-tat invective has been poisoning DU. They don’t seem to care that it’s destructive to DU, just tittilate and egg each other on.

[murielm99]

265. I remember all that puma crap.

We are supposed to be able to support whomever we want in the primary. We then get behind the nominee, regardless of our previous choices. Some of us were alert stalked and called names for not supporting Obama from the beginning. That is not how it works in the real world.

I do learn a lot here, in spite of some of the silliness.

[Marrah_Goodman]

266. Yup

Latest news is my go to place for news and so glad to see some of the oldies still here. I learn something new or something absurd everyday here

[JaneQPublic]

29. I get accused of being a troll...

...once or twice a year, even though I've been a member since 2001, joining just months after DU was founded.

If I point out that fact to an accuser, often he/she then accuses me of being a "sleeper cell." Bwahahahaha!

What do I do to raise suspicions? I present an opposing view -- sometimes to the left, sometimes to the right.

Recently, I've begun using the Ignore button "liberally" when friction recurs with any individual. I highly recommend it.

[MineralMan]

33. Write on. You're doing fine.

[True Dough]

40. JohnQPublic told me

you're a gem. It's a matter of public record now.

[Caliman73]

46. Just playing the LOOOONG game

Funny how some think that you would wait 17 years to finally "spring the trap".

I have never been accused of trolling, though I have been called out, which is fine. People have different opinions and sometimes hold on to their opinions very strongly.

I often think that I am too milquetoast as my original posts seem to sink down into the forum without many responses.

[JaneQPublic]

173. 10 more years and I'll make my move.

[byronius]

34. Nicely put, carefully worded, and an appropriate reaction.

It seems the newest method is hyper-moderation.

And what a major loss it's been. Catastrophic.

[MineralMan]

37. Not really. It's personal, which is a shame.

I'm on the edge with this so that's all I can say.

[JudyM]

69. This is simply inaccurate. The hosts were in unanimous agreement.

Last edited Tue Nov 27, 2018, 08:42 PM - Edit history (1)

[MineralMan]

87. I have been a host multiple times.

Nothing is ever unanimous. I don't remember any time that all hosts were available. But I'm not talking about any specific thing. This is a general statement. It's about DU in general. I don't think I have ever seen you in a thread, so I'm at a loss here.

[cwydro]

102. I've never seen hosts in unanimous agreement either.

As said on another thread, if any host uses his/her position to settle personal scores - that would be just wrong.

[JudyM]

117. Been here since 2004.

[MineralMan]

119. Yes, I saw that.

Still, I don't recall ever interacting with you. It's a big site.

[pecosbob]

41. I don't think you can express any opinion these days without pissing off someone

and in fact if some of my posts didn't garner negative reactions I would be a bit disappointed. I'm just another a**hole with an opinion, but I would vote for inclusion versus exclusion in a forum...more is better. I wish I could feel that way about the Party itself, but that's another issue altogether and any comment I might make on that subject would definitely garner negative responses.

[Caliman73]

42. The devil is always in the details.

I have been around at DU for a little while, although I do not post as prolifically as some and I left for a stretch of a few years and came back around the time of the Primaries. DU had changed a good deal from when I left to when I came back. I know that there were a number of problems during the primaries that left a lot of people upset and traumatized.

What I see here now that I didn't see, at least in GD back before the primaries is that people react very quickly and strongly to anything they perceive as non-orthodox, which could be anything.

I agree that there should be more posters on GD and on DU in general. We want discussion, dialogue, and debate. There are always going to be people who just want to disrupt. The anonymity of the internet can bring out the worst in people, but those people will always out themselves and typically sooner rather than later. It is difficult when long time posters feel like they are driven away by application of the rules which may or may not have been a provocation. We all need to watch how we say things but there is value in giving long time posters a bit of slack with regards to corrective actions. Ultimately sites change as people come and go, but long time users add a history that is needed for sites to remain attached to their roots as they grow.

[infullview]

48. Flame on!

I am a relatively new member. I don't post very much anymore, and here's why: replies to my posts were frequently met with derision of the "I'm the final word-you don't know what your talking about" kind, political one-upmanship, I was made fun of for misspellings, or the accidental use of a homonym. In short, a percentage of the DU posters aren't very nice and they make it miserable for you to add value to the conversation. Also, some of you take life so seriously you seem to have no sense of humor EVEN WHEN CLEARLY MARKED. I'm not sure why DemoTex left - this is just my limited view of the DU universe. I'm on other forums and I don't seem to have any problems contributing on them, so it leads me to believe the problem isn't with me.

Flame off!

[violetpastille]

67. Why do people correct people's spelling online?

I honestly do not know.

(Anytime I've ever tried to get cute like that it always bites me right in the ass. It's some online law I've forgotten the name of that any time you correct someone's spelling or grammar you are going to fuck it up in that very same post.)


If someone pronounces a word incorrectly it's good manners to say, "Oh yes. I was thinking of ordering the Ah-sah-ee
bowl too."

But then they tell you, no they were going to order the Ah-Cay bowl and then look at you like you're stupid and don't know how to pronounce acai.

*I try to keep out of epic battles of grammar, spelling and punctuation.

We have bigger problems, amirite?

*Okay if someone is teasing someone's spelling and they are messing up whilst doing it? Yes, I will tell them their metaphoical fly is down. But that's probably allowable. Maybe. Who knows?

[Hermit-The-Prog]

231. you misspelldet amiright

[violetpastille]

236. Eh hem. It's amirite.

May I direct you to the venerable Urban Dictionary?

[phylny]

72. I've been here since 2004 and I find your experience(s) to be pretty spot on.

Welcome and I hope you continue to contribute.

[Mosby]

49. K and R.

[bluestarone]

50. Totally agree!!!!!!!!!!!

NAIL hit right on the head!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Very Good Post!!

[Cary]

51. I was considering giving up posting....

... because a member here misrepresented me and got all sanctimonious, condescending and bossy.

Well, actually it just made me laugh. Some people sure do take themselves too seriously.

[MineralMan]

53. I see you.

[Cary]

54. Read slowly...

You don't say?

[JHan]

52. huge rec for this and I agree.

I don't know much about DU pre my date of joining (late 2016) but I do miss a lot of posters who are now sadly FFR. Some made DU so attractive to me, I joined and even decided to get a star.

[msongs]

57. personally I vote up everything except personal attacks. its a discussion board right? nt

[Raine]

58. I agree

it's a loss to all of us when a poster feels they must leave.

[Gothmog]

60. K&R

[pwb]

63. I have been ganged up on here.

It makes one feel poorly from the treatment. Anger takes over resulting in posts being hidden. I think if only star members are allowed to be judge and jury good posters will fell better and stay around after they make a mistake and post something offensive.

[A HERETIC I AM]

65. The inmates run the asylum

Ever since the decision was made to allow the members to police themselves, it has been possible for a member to run afoul of either another member or a group host and be the subject of constant alerts.

If a host or another poster decides they don’t like you and decide to make your experience here unpleasant, there’s bugger all you can do about it

The owners/admins don’t seem to be paying nearly as much attention to this site as they used to and so when things like the recent drama spiral out of control, no one puts a stop to it.

Posts get alerted on for the stupidest reasons imaginable because too many posters either have ZERO sense of humor or are so easily offended it makes one wonder if they ever venture outdoors

[LAS14]

78. I thought you could name DUers that you didn't want on your jury. Was...

... I dreaming? Was this something that used to be true and no longer is? I must admit that I don't know how I would do it if I wanted to.

[billh58]

82. You can use the Jury Blacklist

which is located under "My Account," and name up to 15 members that you don't want on your juries.

[A HERETIC I AM]

99. Which is all fine and good, unless the person is a group host.

I also should have added to my post above that not only a single member, but a number of others, whether they work together or not, who simply don't like your point of view can also make this experience not worth having.

But yeah, if you and another clash, you can add them to a jury blacklist. But if you hold positions that a whole bunch of people are offended by, watch the fuck out! Better bite your tongue.

And FWIW, if a persons profile says "Flagged For Review" it means it takes either Mr. Allen, Mr. Allsopp or Mr. Leitner to reinstate them, and as I said, they seem to be mostly absent, or at least rarely post on regular threads. Earlier this year I sent couple of the Admins emails I expected warranted a response but got nothing, so I have come to the conclusion that they really don't give too much of a damn anymore.

I can't say I blame them, however. After 17 plus years, the last place I would want to spend my days is refereeing a bunch of old fart Democrats who can't get along!

[Crunchy Frog]

137. Exactly what I would have said

If I felt comfortable enough to say it.

[realmirage]

155. Spot on.

[progressoid]

188. Yup. n/t

[Tribalceltic]

66. I"ve been here a while

I lurked during the Bush years , Paranoid that I would lose my job or worse. Since then I have been quiet but I am reaching the age where it can't get any worse.

One of the Main reasons I have liked DU and lurked for years is the diverse opinions and incredible talent. I think this latest event warrants at least some open discussion, without threats of consequences.

MM your posts are almost always interesting to me, and so are your replies!

>> puts his give a damn in the rubbish.. because it's busted

[riversedge]

71. I certainly agree MM.

[Kali]

77. I really, really HATE seeing longtimers get booted with no recourse.

Yes sometimes somebody has a melt down, but when they aren't normally disruptive it is just such a shame to lose them. Admins need to update the ToS and explain that reviews never happen and 5 is the end, not a 90 day wait. (or better would be to return functionality to what the explanation says)

[cwydro]

106. This.

Exactly.

[salin]

224. Absolutely agree.

[Mrs. Overall]

79. Insightful post as always, Mineral Man.

K & R

[MineralMan]

92. Thank you.

It has survived. For that I'm glad.

[FarPoint]

80. Let's be honest with ourselves....

That ship has already sailed...We lost many, many great DU'ers during Primaries and General elections cycles...then we can't forget the russian trolls....they, strong DU posters were targeted, successfully removed by the rules and less personal type of monitoring system....So, we are diminished....

That said...I support keeping our remaining flock intact as much as possible.

[davsand]

81. What I see here makes me feel really sad.

The last few years have been too painful to deal with regularly so I quit coming. I miss the LBN pages when I'm not here and I miss seeing all the old names here. So many vibrant and passionate people have gone for any number of reasons and we have been diminished by those departures.

Seems to me there's a mean attitude here that just wasn't present in 2001, even if the political climate was so terrible. This was a haven where it was OK to be a progressive. It was safe. Now it feels like no matter the subject somebody is just spoiling to rip you up. Lots of anger. 24/7 it's feeling about like a cage match. I'm no shrinking violet, never have been, but it just seems almost masturbatory to even try to talk here sometimes. At the risk of sounding like a kindergarden teacher, I want to tell people sometimes to play nice or else sit in time out.

I'll keep coming for a while but I have little doubt that sooner or later I'll go missing too.

Peace to you all.

Laura

[infullview]

93. Yes, agree wholeheartedly

Cage match is exactly the right metphor. These people that keep at you and at you to defend your opinion and always just have to have the last word. When the me too movement was becoming a hot topic I mentioned something like we should discuss this, but we need to also focus on what's happening with Trump as he uses issues like this to mask activities he's trying to bury in the news cycle. That set off a firestorm of angy posters accusing me of not caring!? WTF?

[Generic Other]

90. Sadly, this is what censorship looks like folks

I always feel like I have to keep a bug-out bag and emergency supplies handy for the day I wear out my welcome.

[spanone]

96. Yessir!

[greatauntoftriplets]

98. K&R.

[MineralMan]

100. Thank you.

That means a lot to me!

[greatauntoftriplets]

103. You're very welcome!

[Docreed2003]

108. K&R

Excellent post...agree with you 100% MM

[MineralMan]

111. Thanks.

[Ron Obvious]

110. I'm in complete agreement with you

Many good people have been FFR'ed the last few years. They weren't trolls.

How about we lobby for a general amnesty for any FFR with, say, over 1,000 posts? I know that's not a panacea, but I think this site badly needs it.

[dembotoz]

118. A solution is needed

Yours might be a start

[Iggo]

113. I can't comment on what you're talking about.

But I CAN give you an enthusiastic rec.

[lapucelle]

116. Thank you for posting this.

[MineralMan]

120. You're welcome.

[cynatnite]

121. I joined DU during the bush administration...

Never had a problem up until a few days ago when my post was removed for supposedly peddling RW talking points. It really stunned me. I've been accused of being a troll for not rolling with the masses, but having a post removed blew me away. I doubt I'll be posting my opinions when they go against the grain again.

[MineralMan]

122. I have a post removed a couple of times a year.

If that never happened, I'd think I was being too timid or something. Not to worry. It sometimes happens. People don't always understand what someone meant. You're doing fine. Really.

[cynatnite]

131. I've had trouble shrugging it off, but I eventually will. Thanks :)

[sammythecat]

167. I'd have trouble shrugging it off too.

This place has developed a mean streak of intolerance the past couple years that I really don't like. I'm the same flaming liberal Democrat I've been my entire life. Haven't changed a bit, but I no longer feel as comfortable here as I used to and don't spend near as much time here as I used to either. It's a shame.

[jcgoldie]

170. I've think sometimes jurists don't always go back and read the context of the thread

I've had 3 posts removed recently... one was warranted in retrospect, the other 2 I thought weren't. When I looked at them in a vacuum without the debate and the other persons comments that prompted them, then maybe I could understand it. I think too often jurists don't have or take the time to look at the context before voting to remove... I may have been guilty of it myself previously, so I always try to do that now.

[cynatnite]

202. If I'm not sure about how to vote, I read the reasons it was reported...

Then I read the post again before deciding. If I'm still unsure, I excuse myself from it. I do that somewhat often.

[NotASurfer]

139. If I remember the post

Was in the middle of responding no apology was necessary for something coming out of your personal experience when the removal was imposed. No good reason for that jury decision IMO

[McCamy Taylor]

123. I am guessing some got removed. Do we know why?

[Crunchy Frog]

148. .

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211476546

[McCamy Taylor]

124. Remember, "offense" is in the eye of the beholder. A post about GMO offends Monsanto

and Monsanto has people on message boards and they will use dirty tricks to shut down certain discussions.

Anonymous Internet posting is a bit like the "New Criticism" in that it sucks a rat's ass. Context always counts, the Marxist approach (i.e "How does it sell dog food?&quot is always the correct approach and there are ways that you can uncover the hidden motives of trolls if you have patience and you pay attention.

[dalton99a]

126. +1. It is not your father's BBS anymore

[DFW]

160. You are quite right about Monsanto, and they have their own DU troll

I forget the name, but post ANYTHING against Roundup or GMO, and that name will pop up to defend Monsanto as if summoned by occult incantation. "Seeds of Reprisal" should make clear how they operate, in case there is any doubt.

[womanofthehills]

259. It's not one, it's many

and some have been here for years

[DFW]

262. Since they all sing exactly the same tune

I wonder if it isn't one designated agent of theirs who trolls the blogs under several different names. It sounds a little over the top to speculate about that kind of thing, but after reading Seeds of Reprisal, this is EXACTLY the kind of thing Monsanto does. His/her/their job is to do nothing but remain dormant until until something negative about Monsanto shows up on any of their flagged blogs, and then attack it from all possible angles under a few different names. Then radio silence until the next Monsanto issue shows up. It wouldn't surprise me to hear that someone there developed a program to alert their troll(s) the second the words "Monsanto," "Roundup," "Glyphosphate" or "GMO" show up, just like the NSA picks up the words "Allah" or Jihad" out of all telephone conversations.

[highplainsdem]

125. K&R!

[aikoaiko]

135. And the irony is that people like me are still here.

more seriously, I'm sad to see DemoTex. His posts, especially his pictures, mattered.

[Awsi Dooger]

136. Based on sports forums I knew the jury system was a bad idea

I am ganged up on all the time on a few sports forums, for two basic reasons: I don't adhere to conventional wisdom regarding sports, and I'm the only vocal liberal on sites flooded with simplistic angry conservative white males.

Consequently it doesn't really matter what I post. There is one guy so scared of my content he follows me around and negatively rates literally every post I make, while telling his buddies to do the same. I have one friend on that site who got hold of a private message and sent it to me. It was basically a gang warfare strategy to try to drive me away from the site.

The same thing happened here in prior years. Long time posters will remember that for a brief period -- circa 2006 -- we were able to see Ignore lists from other users. Some posters took great delight in passing around those ignore lists and comparing names. It was particularly prevalent in Election Reform.

Then during 2008 there likewise were Ignore list recommendations passed around, trying to get rid of Hillary supporters. Those were the darkest days I have witnessed on this site. Hillary was treated like evil incarnate. I don't blame the Hillary supporters who left and never returned. Then in 2016 it was quite something to see supportive Hillary posts from names I recognized from 2008 as desperate to drive Hillary supporters away.

I did not agree to jury participation. The original system was fine. I trust the administrators far beyond random members who might hold a bias.

In my early years here there was no problem comparing one Democrat to another, even if that meant criticism of one of them. I remember the 2004 primary battles and participated in them. We had a Wesley Clark group and John Edwards group, and so forth. Those two groups really disliked each other, BTW. That's why I mention them. It seemed like each one viewed the other as the person they had to get rid of in order to go one-on-one against Howard Dean or John Kerry. But overall the discourse was fine. I knew who didn't like me but it didn't amount to anything. I had frequent disagreements with a poster named FrenchieCat but I never had to worry about her (?) trying to get me banned, or passing around Ignore list recommendations.

Recently I have received several warnings and been surprised every time. Rachel Maddow is merely a broadcaster but apparently it is against policy to criticize her. In another thread I merely agreed with someone else regarding Elizabeth Warren's poor instincts but that prompted the right wing talking point warning. I was told my account was under review. Then I challenged the original warning, and won. My post was restored. Was I supposed to cheer? I didn't know if it meant my account was no longer under review.

Mostly I do political math anyway. There doesn't seem to be much interest in that around here anymore. I miss the early years on this site, when Jiacinto always had some related feedback and questions. Likewise with TruthIsAll, even if we seldom agreed. But anything math related he would respond to.

I also think it was a huge mistake to get rid of the GD Politics forum, to differentiate General Discussion from General Discussion related directly to politics. Nowadays and especially after Trump was elected, General Discussion is virtually nothing but politics. That is a shame, IMO. The original General Discussion forum had tons of content that was too heavy for the Lounge but wasn't related to politics. I would estimate those threads are now less than 25% the prior amount. The same ideas are possibly being posted elsewhere in specialized forums but I am not seeing them and I doubt many posters are.

[The Polack MSgt]

189. I believe that this is one of the root causes

I also think it was a huge mistake to get rid of the GD Politics forum, to differentiate General Discussion from General Discussion related directly to politics. Nowadays and especially after Trump was elected, General Discussion is virtually nothing but politics. That is a shame, IMO. The original General Discussion forum had tons of content that was too heavy for the Lounge but wasn't related to politics. I would estimate those threads are now less than 25% the prior amount. The same ideas are possibly being posted elsewhere in specialized forums but I am not seeing them and I doubt many posters are.

When the title is General Discussion -Who's opinion matters as to what is not "General" enough?

It seems that was the issue that pushed him into flame out rage

[salin]

225. I agree 100%

But I no longer have the confidence that folks/tptb are paying that much attention to what makes for smoother group dynamics, anymore.

[JonLP24]

264. I wouldn't worry about the sports forum

It is just about the only forum I feel completely comfortable.

Edit: you mean sports forums outside of DU. Still we could use your perspective there.

[flotsam]

142. I kicked hoping the admins at least scan the top stories on the site

Here's my plea-C'mon, don't be faceless Gods,cruel and relentless. You are people I know oppose three strikes yet you allow even stricter standards here. Far too many of our best posters are gone, and while losing them to death is sad, losing them over petty squabbles is more painful than I can describe. I think a lot of people here would like it if you declared a Jubilee where old debts and grievances are forgiven and old posters could be could be welcomed back. It ain't for me even though I was chopped and became reborn under a new name-I figure you know that. My original name was neither well known nor worth resurrecting. But to many holes surround us caused by the Bernie wars and internecine sniping and single melt-down nights. Well thats it-your the governor and I spoke for my fellow posters and the condemned begging mercy....I'll take any response as caused by myself.

[Hekate]

147. Amen, MinMan

[uppityperson]

151. Sometimes taking a DU break can be a good thing though, help get some perspective

I've taken breaks when news was too much.

I've taken breaks when I've gotten into an argument with another duer and decided to let myself cool down rather than get bannec.

I come back feeling better, more in control and less mad.

It can help.

[akbacchus_BC]

161. Mr. Mineral Man, DU has been great since 2004 (when I started lurking and

eventually joined, DU started long before) and it still is popular for democrats. People come and go but DU is still successful. Just saying.... This place is growing and there are so many new members, it is unbelievable!

[infullview]

169. So how do we fix it? How do we make it better?

What tools/ideas do we have to bring civility, openness, and friendship back to this forum?

[Just a Weirdo]

180. Dump the jury system

Go back to moderating. Think DU2 before the juries. Tombstone.

Rotate the moderators every 60 days instead of 3 months

[betsuni]

171. All I want for Christmas is that liars/propagandists go away.

They ruin everything.

[R B Garr]

199. Exactly, betsuni! And we have election results now that refute the lies

and propaganda, but they continue. It does ruin everything.

[bluestarone]

175. KICK

KICK KICK KICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MineralMan]

177. Thanks!

[bluestarone]

179. Man you are sooo welcome!!!

GREAT posts need to continue!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Paladin]

176. K&R.

[MineralMan]

178. I appreciate the kick.

[brer cat]

181. K&R

[MineralMan]

182. I really didn't expect so much support for this thread.

Thanks!

[efhmc]

200. I think there is a lot of angst out there.

And you poked it with a big stick.

[N_E_1 for Tennis]

183. Kick...

I love to see all opinions whether I agree or not. There is much to be learned even when someone has an opinion that differs from yours, matter of fact that’s probably when you learn the most.

I’m well into my senior years as are many here. We need to attract a young crowd to get a better perspective on the pulse of the Democratic Party.

Lurked for a couple years and joined in 09. I may be wrong but I feel we had younger ones here before 45 but the last presidential election chased some away. It was rather contentious between Clinton and Sanders.

[davsand]

208. Every primary gets contentious here.

Trust me, the primary fights at DU have always been epic in scope. The big difference has been that, for the most part, people got over it after a bit and got behind the ticket. This last election, however, has felt different because the residual anger has remained a lot longer with what feels like a lot more intensity. I'm no mental health pro, but I have wondered if a lot of that anger is part of the general horror of the entire tRump experience. We are eating each other alive to stall off the futility of watching current events.

Green Wars were a really ugly scene here for a while in the vey early days. Those were brutal and wide ranging. There was a time when Cuba was a real hot button issue. I remember being directly in the line of fire at one point from another poster who thought I was too "kind" in my attitudes about opening up communication with Cuba. Had I not come from an online group called Bare Knuckles Politics, and prior to that Salon's political boards, I'm pretty sure I'd have run screaming from the onslaught. Guns have provoked some pretty ugly scenes, right along with Bill Clinton's penis, various sex scandals that Dems were embroiled in, and Joe Lieberman have all created gigantic flame wars here. People got over it. Posts were removed sometimes, but it was usually ok in the long run. Occasionally, a DUer would flame out or lash out at Earl and Skinner (sometimes in breathtakingly stupid ways, I might add) but most of the time people felt OK with things.

In recent years, however, the healing has been slower and the blood letting more protracted. I hate seeing some of the stuff that goes on here, and some days I just navigate away from here. I have found that if I hide threads with certain names or comments in the title I am overall much happier. I agree with the folks upthread saying that the current moderation system has not been successful, but I'm dammed if I can think of any way to police this circus without pissing somebody off.

Peace to you.


Laura

[R B Garr]

192. Well said! Thank you, MM.

[MineralMan]

211. And thank you!

[Squinch]

215. Ok. I loved the guy's posts, but as far as I can tell, this all began

with his being asked to move a joke photo from GD to the lounge. Which is simply not a big deal.

If its something more than that, we have no way to know because it's all being kept very mysterious by the aggrieved person.

Its all seeming a little silly to me.

[LanternWaste]

233. I tend to agree. And as no one at all is arguing we need fewer voices...

it seems a rather vainglorious method of arguing against a point no one is making.

[Mike Nelson]

234. Hmm...

… I'm not real good at picking the place to post, so I don't...



… someday, I hope to understand how to post correctly!

[infullview]

238. Who picks which thread is in the "Trending Now" box?

Because, honestly, some of the stuff that winds up here is, well... "Political Correctness is Personal Considerateness" ? What are we preaching to the converted here? Everyone on this forum should already abide by this. With 22 Rec's why is it even here? I just don't understand and you wonder why people are leaving this forum?

[MineralMan]

239. Basically, the Trending list is made up of the five most recommended

posts in a three-hour period. It's an automated thing, I believe. After three hours, posts disappear from the Trending list. It's not uncommon for posts with as few as 15 recommendations to appear on the list, but it's usually more than that.

So, it's not a person who picks them. It's an algorithm.

Beyond that basic selection method, I don't know if there is any human input into it. I believe that two posts by the same DUer won't appear on the list at the same time. I base that on a couple of my posts in several instances that had enough recommendations, but only one appeared on the list during the same 3-hour period.

I believe this is correct, but I don't actually have any access to any of the site's algorithms, so I could be incorrect. I'm basing this on my own experience with that list.

The Greatest Threads list works much the same way, but more posts are included and there's a 24-hour window.

[infullview]

241. Thank you this explains a lot.

[spicysista]

253. 100% agreement!

I've always enjoyed your posts, MM. They are always thoughtful (or thought provoking in the instances where we disagree) and always add an interesting "element"....or dare I say, "mineral" to the conversation! Lol!
It's no fun if we can't have a robust debate on the topics that matter most. If we don't push each other and test our views, how can we grow?
Great post!

[erronis]

258. I'll admit I haven't researched much, but wouldn't some transparency on FFR/etc. be reasonable

Could we have an updated list (dynamically generated) on each poster that has been put on a "do-not-fly" list along with the date of the banning, for which post(s), the hosts/moderators that ok'd it, and the date when the ban would be lifted?

I recognize many of the names that are listed as no longer welcome at DU and I've only been here for about 5 years. But it would be helpful to have the handles of all that have been banned rather than just relying on my faulty memories of past voices.

I realize that this could be considered sensitive but since some of us feel like we are being arbitrarily disconnected, the benefit might be better.

[MineralMan]

260. There's no such public list.

So, no is the answer. The admins could see one, I'm sure, but not members like us.

[G_j]

263. Definitely agree

Also, people need to support the content by interacting and discussing. A lot of valuable content just sinks, while repetitive argument posts climb to the top. This is not new, but so much more the case now than it ever was.
DU’s collective IQ seems to be declining.