Goodbye DU

[RainCaster]

After many years of posting here and enjoying the witty and inciteful posts of the long timers, it's time for me to go.

The trolls have taken over here and so, like Facebook, my time here has ended.

As Tigger said, TTFN.

[Blue_Adept]

1. Once we went to self-moderation, it was all over

[question everything]

23. No. Some moderators were biased and not consistent

Letting some comments go while demanding "repentance" for similar comments from others.

One would think that we are mature enough not to run for mommy: he did, he did not..

This is why we have the ignore options - which I have never used.

Good riddance. Good riddance for the unrecommend, too.

[Quemado]

2. I may leave, too.

Still thinking about it. You're right - the trolls have taken over with their smear campaigns.

[Tipperary]

3. If it is because you have had posts hidden,

just lay low awhile. They’ll go away soon enough.

And make good use of your jury blacklist!

[LakeArenal]

27. Good reminder. BL for me

[Tipperary]

63. I find it to be a valuable function.

Only learned of it fairly recently lol.

[hlthe2b]

4. Come back after a few months. These cycles don't last-- at least beyond the primaries.

A break helps. I know.

[H2O Man]

5. As others have said,

"Avoid the brown acid." Oh ....wait! ....That was at Woodstock.

DU:GD is a relatively calm, usually interesting place to converse with like-minded people. Even differences of opinion can be discussed without hostility. That is distinct from the primary forum.

[PCIntern]

6. Ex-actly...

I do not believe I have ever posted over there nor do I read the posts. I’ve been here for fifteen years now and view the primary group as an anomaly here.

[H2O Man]

9. I think that

I've posted there twice ....both times saying that I will support whoever the nominee is, as every one of the candidates is superior to Trump -- or, if he isn't on the ticket, Pence. I don't see any advantage accrued by attacking any of the primary candidates, since in November we will need the supporters of each candidate to vote for our ticket in November.

I also think back to something Rubin asked me decades ago: What do you have when a wise person argues with a fool? Two fools.

[PCIntern]

16. Pre-cisely Corregidor.

One of the few things with which I agreed with Reagan is that you don't publicly attack members of your own party.

[panader0]

34. I believe that was Wavy Gravy. n/t

[cwydro]

7. I've been here many years, but often take long breaks.

Lately, the proliferation of fake news reported gleefully (and with full awareness) has me considering another such break.

[moniss]

20. Amen

to that. It's all over the place. Part of the plan to disseminate propaganda and amplify it.

[Skittles]

58. yes, I took a year long break

and then respectfully requested my way back in

[yardwork]

8. Take a break and return when you're ready.

Avoid the GD-Primaries forum. There are lots of interesting groups on DU.

[smirkymonkey]

44. I avoid GD-Primaries like the plague.

I have dipped my toe in a few times, and found it to be a very ugly place.

[Rhiannon12866]

65. +100!

[matt819]

10. I've been here almost since the beginning

There have always been pain in the neck posters, and there have always been people who are leaving and never coming back. And I'm sure there are people who drop off but don't announce it. I took a break for about 9 months some years ago. Anyone notice? Nope. And that's fine.

Ignore people you don't want to see. Problem solved. I have dozens on ignore, and for all I know they are no longer here anyway, but for my purposes they no longer exist.

The admins are in the best position to identify trolls. I have no idea what actions they may take, and it doesn't really matter because, Ignore.

Sure, I like the fact that I can count on some posters for intelligent comments and some I can count on for other kinds of posts. I don't know why they do it, but there are posters who apparently trawl the internet for intelligent info on all sorts of non-political issues, and I appreciate their efforts. The posts to music videos? Don't care for them. And, of course, things always get a little weird in election years.

But, it's a discussion forum. It's not life or death (except for those who discuss life and death issues), and it's highly unlikely you will ever meet or become friends with others.

Put it all in context.

If you want to leave, leave. No need to announce it. But consider that there are options. When in doubt, Ignore is your friend.

[Hortensis]

11. Don't go. It's always this way in primary season,

as you must know. And if it's worse during a dangerously worse election, don't you think for that reason alone the occasional sane reply, inserting actual information into the discussion as you often do, could be a little good deed for the day?

Personally, I find just putting a handful of the most active inflammatory recidivists on "ignore" works wonders. It's still "the real DU" with them gone, and if I'm one of them for you you can just click on "my account" now and get rid of me.

Btw, in 2016 I got so fed up with the rabblerousing that I "sculpted" the forum into am amazingly mannered and rational place by putting nearly 300 on ignore, which allowed some good contributors to stand out from what was still a crowd. Not the real DU experience any more, of course, more like...a special quiet-discussion forum for people like, well, you at this moment.

[maxsolomon]

12. See ya.

I have no idea what you're talking about "the trolls have taken over here".

[UniteFightBack]

13. Great job at letting the trolls win then. nt

[LakeArenal]

30. Exactly. I find the same characters using the same bait.

Stay out of primaries if it bugs you.

Stick to the subjects you like and the Lounge. Use ignore.

If you leave, trolls win. Trolls been winning far too long.

[okieinpain]

55. +1 -nt

[Silent3]

14. That's odd. This place seems much LESS trolling than I once remember.

I mostly read General Discussion, and some of the science posts. Given that experience, DU is pretty tame by internet standards to me.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

39. True

Four years ago it was a lot worse.

[GoCubsGo]

45. Yeah, I thought it was just me who is wondering where all these trolls are.

Granted, I don't spend much time in the GD . But, I haven't seen many trolls here in the GD, and the ones I do see have usually been dealt with by MIRT by the time I get to the thread they're trolling.

[DFW]

15. I, too have not joined the primaries board

It is painfully obvious that along with sincere posters, there full-time staffers of at least one campaign (possibly others with much smaller sledgehammers) flooding that board with garbage that ranges from irrelevant to fake. They are wise enough to avoid GD, which is the only reason I'm still here--and, presumably, the only reason they are still there.

Just avoid posts by single-issue (ANY single issue) posters, and you will find yourself among the "witty and insightful" posters you enjoy (and a few lame-brains like me, but we're mostly tolerable in small doses).

[moniss]

17. It is

clear that it has happened. I noticed it got so bad in 2016 that I couldn't even stand to look at the comments to any post/article. I followed DU from the beginning. I posted in the past long ago and then stopped more because of changes in life than anything. But the more recent situation has gotten much worse. The more recent followers of DU would be amazed (perhaps not even care) about some of the marvelous discussions/interchange of information that used to take place here on various topics. Awhile back I began to comment again here or there. It would amaze people to read some of the threads from the past. Maybe some of those others who are "long-timers" here have saved some of those threads someplace. I don't save I just ride the wave of electrons and try to take part and give back all in the moment. From the days when the DU and Bartcop used to come "flying" into my Packard-Bell computer on my 56k modem while I hoped Windows 95 would not act up. Patience, manners, taking the time to listen to what others were saying seem to be almost as far away as my 56k modem.

[Kaleva]

18. It takes two to fight.

DU is a big place with many different groups talking about many different subjects.

[titaniumsalute]

19. If you are mainly referring to the Primary page...ugg yes it is nuts

Last few elections I haven't even bothered to go there. Too much vitriol. I mainly use DU for the Latest page and the Gen Discussion page.

[question everything]

21. One does not have to read every single post

One does not have to reply to every response. Once one has made a point, just move away. No need to participate in a "pissing contest."

And, yes, taking some time off is always a good idea.

And the Lounge is always a nice respite especially if one goes gaga over cute pets.

[greymattermom]

22. My peeve is all the South bashing.

I live in a gigantic blue blob in a red state, where my representative is Lucy McBath. But folks on DU can't get it. Just think about it. This was Newt Gingrich's district.

[Tipperary]

31. Yes, I have learned that there are a specific few

who do that. I have lived all around the south my entire life, never ever hear people talk about the Civil War at all. But that specific few here seem to still be taking it personally. It is actually pretty amusing.

[Blue_true]

59. I am a southerner also.

I mostly let the South and Florida Man stuff slide off my back, when someone is really witty or misinformed, then I reply.

Some people are determined to see us all as hayseed chewing hicks in overalls. The modern South is way, way more complex than that.

[DFW]

71. I just treat that like whining from my 18 month old granddaughter when she wants her bottle

I'm from the south, and people who feel they're superior just for having been born north of the Mason-Dixon line (or we are inferior for having been born south of it) are about as credible as new mothers who constantly puff cigarette smoke into their babies' faces and at the same time claim to be concerned about how the environment affects their children's future.

[Maru Kitteh]

24. Lawd have mercy. Been a while since I witnessed a GCW post.

Come back mid/late 2021. It'll be far less troll-y. Have a nice break.

[lpbk2713]

25. Most of the jury calls I get are from the Dem Primaries forum by far.

Don't use that forum as a reference point. I hardly ever
go there by choice and consider myself better off for it.

[spooky3]

26. ditto nt

[stillcool]

28. I come and go...

there are times when it's too damn depressing, and I lose faith in basic human decency.

[MuseRider]

33. Exactly!

I choose when to put myself through the Primaries forum, only rarely do I look in there. It used to be fun many years ago but I am now too old to want to rumble like that all the time and too concerned about what is happening currently.

A person can pick and choose so much here that the only reason one needs to leave is if they cannot control themselves. I went away for a couple of years and what that meant was I read but very very rarely posted.

My advice to anyone, and this is only because this is what worked for me, is if you get mad enough you want to tangle with someone put them on ignore for 24 hours or more if you need. Rather than blow my membership here by being a huge dick I ignore the person making me upset until I can control myself. There are a few I will never take off because I do think they are trolls but other than that my list comes and goes. I can stay, I can play and I can read and learn as long as I control myself. JMO it has served me well. Been here since almost the beginning and I think I have had only 2 or 3 posts removed. It can be done.

[stillcool]

38. yeah...I have to remind myself....

Often, that when my buttons are getting pushed... I'm being played. If I choose to continue to play in the gutter, I have to expect to come away dirty. I've learned a lot here, and much has been about myself, but I do miss my naivete.

[dalton99a]

29. Bullshit doesn't last forever.

Sometimes you have to ignore the bullshit

[LakeArenal]

32. At least recognize the bull shit as just that.

[Joe941]

36. Alerts and reported "abuses" have been weaponized sadly...

If people disagree with your opinions you will get your post hidden and possibly banned. It is a real problem.

[Baclava]

40. I walked on the eggshells too heavily and have been blotted out and warned several times

Consider it a badge of honor, lol

[Disaffected]

41. Happened to someone I know;

he/she was banned from DU, with no warning, and worse still, was able to get from the Administrators absolutely No information on why the ban was imposed. As well, his/her comments were IMO far less contentious than many others I have often seen here.

[11 Bravo]

48. Bat-signal went up, did it?

I was banned, maybe 15 years ago. I received a detailed explanation of why. I appealed, was re-instated, and have been on my (mostly) best behavior ever since.
I'll just say it. Your post sounds sketchy. It sucks that that's where we are ... but that's where we are.

[Disaffected]

50. Please translate.

Bat-signal?

Sketchy post?

[11 Bravo]

54. Aww, I'd like to help, tovarisch ..,

but I have neither the time, nor the inclination, to engage in troll-swatting.

FOAD.

[TwilightZone]

51. An e-mail is sent in reference to every hide.

Your friend isn't giving you the full story.

[Disaffected]

53. Whatever the initial sequence of events was,

he/she subsequently went to Ask the Administrators three times requesting an explanation and received nothing in reply.

I dunno what happened, maybe the forum software glitched and he/she was removed inadvertently. Maybe the questions to the administrators disappeared into cyber-space. It is certain though that he/she was locked out from logging in and posting.

BTW, what's a "hide", a hidden post? IIRC no posts by he/she were hidden.

[Hortensis]

68. :) Well, new trolls, subversive agents, and previously banned people

arrive every day, practically in battalions it often seems. Many are automatically identified by computer and blocked before we ever see them, but others slip through and are identified and kicked after some behavior triggers further investigation.

It's far more likely your friend was kicked for cause than accidentally, especially considering no response was received from admin. I assume he/she used the public "contact" function at the bottom of the screen.

[Disaffected]

69. "I assume he/she used the public "contact" function at the bottom of the screen."

Yes, that was possibly the case as I recall three different administrators were contracted directly by name.

Whatever happened, I seem to have attracted a large load of nastiness upthread a bit so I think it best to offer no further comments on the matter.

[hunter]

42. I never self-censor myself here on DU.

I do stay out of GD/P however...

[Sugarcoated]

37. Huh?

What did I miss?

[RussBLib]

43. blocking trolls makes for a nicer experience

it doesn't take too long to find some

[SidDithers]

46. DU needs a GBCW forum...nt

Sid

[11 Bravo]

47. Hey, you made it for three years.

Godspeed, and bon voyage.

[Paladin]

49. The wretched excesses of the 2016 campaign couldn't chase me away.

I'm sticking around, and I advise others to do the same.

My advice: Stay away from the "Primaries" section, except for looking in every once in a while.

[Hortensis]

66. Same here.

[sl8]

52. +1 if the use of "inciteful" was deliberate.

+2 if it was a happy accident.

[Tipperary]

64. I thought the same!

Perfect!

[Skittles]

57. zzzzzzzzzzzz

if you cannot learn to use the IGNORE function, it is your loss

[OnDoutside]

60. One addition I'd like to see is when someone has a post

alerted/hidden, both posters should go on each others ignore lists automatically.

[USALiberal]

61. Why? nt

[OnDoutside]

62. I just think if someone goes to the trouble of alerting on someone's post,

they'll probably keep on doing it.

[brooklynite]

67. Goodbye Cruel World!

[Demonaut]

70. lol, trolls aren't new..bubye

[lame54]

72. See you next week