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trotsky

(49,533 posts)
Wed Jan 4, 2012, 09:10 PM Jan 2012

DU3, as expected, isn't just hostile toward atheists.

It's hostile toward anyone who doesn't please the tut-tutters. I honestly have never seen so much blatant hostility, incivility, and passive-aggressive nonsense on this board as I have with this latest incarnation. The complaints are growing louder and more frequent, yet you have the same DUers cooing that all is just fine, the kinks are being worked out of the system, and maybe if you are having problems, it's not DU, but your jerky self.

I've made a decision, fellow heathens, and I'll be dropping out. There are a few threads going on that I'd like to conclude, but then, after 10 years, I think I'm done. DU was always frustrating at times, but it was mostly fair and consistent. No longer with the jury system and admins who evidently are quite happy with the inmates running the asylum. I wish them luck, and hope that donations from the folks who remain are enough to sustain them.

If anyone has any other board recommendations, feel free to post them. And it's been great hanging out with all you infidels.

38 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
DU3, as expected, isn't just hostile toward atheists. (Original Post) trotsky Jan 2012 OP
Sorry to see you go. laconicsax Jan 2012 #1
Fuck that. I won't allow it Heddi Jan 2012 #2
I know. I hate to surrender to the holier-than-thou bullies. trotsky Jan 2012 #8
"unlike self-proclaimed liberal members of the largest Christian set in the world" iris27 Jan 2012 #16
Well... darkstar3 Jan 2012 #3
I'll miss you most of all, scarecrow. trotsky Jan 2012 #9
Don't leave!!!! n-t Logical Jan 2012 #4
I hear you NMMNG Jan 2012 #5
"mob mentality" - well put. trotsky Jan 2012 #10
I have to agree that I am seeing too much bias Curmudgeoness Jan 2012 #6
As I said upthread to Heddi, trotsky Jan 2012 #11
That sucks. amyrose2712 Jan 2012 #7
You know, I have half a mind to make you a host here. laconicsax Jan 2012 #12
"like" Heddi Jan 2012 #19
Ha ha trotsky Jan 2012 #20
Do it. nt ZombieHorde Jan 2012 #24
Find me on facebook under "Brutus, Marcus Junius." nt Deep13 Jan 2012 #13
There are quite a few of those, amyrose2712 Jan 2012 #14
Cool. My FB avatar says "Deep13" on it. nt Deep13 Jan 2012 #30
Yes, that is how I found you. TY amyrose2712 Jan 2012 #31
Sad to see you go, but I definitely understand. iris27 Jan 2012 #15
There is certainly a different vibe in the air. progressoid Jan 2012 #17
Cool out for a while, man. A lot of that is just growing pains. greyl Jan 2012 #18
Yeah I took a break most of last week. trotsky Jan 2012 #21
I protest! I don't want to lose you! MarkCharles Jan 2012 #22
If you find a new place, please let us know where it is so we can join you there. cleanhippie Jan 2012 #23
Sad news. nt ZombieHorde Jan 2012 #25
I understand your frustration... rexcat Jan 2012 #26
That sucks, but I completely understand. Goblinmonger Jan 2012 #27
"I welcome their hatred". When minorities are loud they get that, but it's necessary dmallind Jan 2012 #28
: ( Soylent Brice Jan 2012 #29
I have to agree with you. It's sad. mr blur Jan 2012 #32
Oh, quit your bitching. Evoman Jan 2012 #33
That's right. I called all of us useless. But I fucking love you guys anyways lol. Evoman Jan 2012 #34
is that none of the stuff here really fucking matters. AlbertCat Jan 2012 #36
You should make your complaints specific and public Warren Stupidity Jan 2012 #35
I do hope you change your mind and decide to stay LeftishBrit Jan 2012 #37
Damn, Trotsky. BiggJawn Jan 2012 #38

Heddi

(18,312 posts)
2. Fuck that. I won't allow it
Wed Jan 4, 2012, 09:43 PM
Jan 2012

you are not allowed to leave. I had to deal with a rash of control-freak bullies when I was a moderator, and standing up to them and their shenanigans meant that my mod privileges got revoked. Don't let the same group of bullies and malcontents drive you away, too (I know they're reading this and clucking like hens in the DU2 mod forum, btw...)

Progressive voices are hard to come by these days at DU. Sane voices of reason are becoming fewer and fewer. I understand your frustration and I HEAR YOU. I'm sorry that the powers that be have allowed DU to become quasi-anarchist...make your own rules, make your own standards, and we'll not answer your questions or address your concerns...remember, it all will come out in the wash. Maybe one day YOU can be on a jury and make a nonsensical decision...or maybe YOU can allow a bigoted post to stand in order to make your own passive aggressive point

I'm sorry you're leaving. I have thoroughly enjoyed your contributions to DU and I feel that you have done a tremendous job of raising the degree of conversation to something beyond 2nd grade logic and reasoning. You have tirelessly interjected reason, thought, logic, science, skepticism into nearly every post you've made, and your voice and perspective will be sorely missed.

I hope you reconsider, but fully understand if you have to leave. That's what they want, you know. Then it will be the echo chamber that the bullies and the bigots and control freaks want. No discussion, no dissent, no counterpoints. Just a big echo chamber full of +1 and ((((hugs)))) and fluffy feel good nothingness.

trotsky

(49,533 posts)
8. I know. I hate to surrender to the holier-than-thou bullies.
Wed Jan 4, 2012, 10:53 PM
Jan 2012

But if that's the DU they want, they can have it. I'm not going to support something with my time and money that is actively working against progressivism and tolerance. Unlike self-proclaimed liberal members of the largest Christian set in the world. The only way we will see favorable change is to leave and take our money with us.

iris27

(1,951 posts)
16. "unlike self-proclaimed liberal members of the largest Christian set in the world"
Thu Jan 5, 2012, 12:12 AM
Jan 2012

You know, that is an excellent point.

NMMNG

(28,405 posts)
5. I hear you
Wed Jan 4, 2012, 09:48 PM
Jan 2012

There's a reason I stopped posting so soon after the transition. I saw immediately the way things were going to be and I knew it wasn't for me. I already have to deal with the mob mentality IRL. I have no desire to participate in a message board where bigots get to run the show.

I'm over on Atheist Nexus. It's not the best in the world and I don't participate frequently but at least it's not monopolized by anti-atheist, anti-gay, anti-woman, bigots who are concerned with silencing minority opinion.

http://www.atheistnexus.org/

Best wishes.

trotsky

(49,533 posts)
10. "mob mentality" - well put.
Wed Jan 4, 2012, 10:57 PM
Jan 2012

That's what we're seeing. Thanks for the link, I have been there before but didn't dig in much. Will have to check it out again.

Curmudgeoness

(18,219 posts)
6. I have to agree that I am seeing too much bias
Wed Jan 4, 2012, 09:56 PM
Jan 2012

in the jury decisions. I have been on several juries, and I am amazed at some of the decisions and comments I see. (I am sure that people say the same about my decisions and comments, but???)

I does seem arbitrary as to the decisions, and many are extremely biased. I don't think this is working for a few reasons, and one reason is that I am ready to start declining to serve on juries because I get called too often, and I just get frustrated with the way the jury goes. I have only been on one jury that hid a thread, even though there were several nasty ones----and I don't often think that threads should be hidden.

I would hope that you will reconsider, since we can't let them get to us.

trotsky

(49,533 posts)
11. As I said upthread to Heddi,
Wed Jan 4, 2012, 10:59 PM
Jan 2012

based on what I've seen the admins post, in particular Skinner, I don't think it will get their attention until it costs them members and money. Maybe the new, bullying, intolerant DU will make them more money. But it won't be my money.

amyrose2712

(3,391 posts)
7. That sucks.
Wed Jan 4, 2012, 10:21 PM
Jan 2012

I hate to see them push you out. I feel that we may be losing more and more like you. I'd be curious to know where people are going.

 

laconicsax

(14,860 posts)
12. You know, I have half a mind to make you a host here.
Wed Jan 4, 2012, 11:08 PM
Jan 2012

You won't walk out on your hosting responsibilities, will you?

amyrose2712

(3,391 posts)
14. There are quite a few of those,
Wed Jan 4, 2012, 11:53 PM
Jan 2012

I would hate to lose "contact" with the people I have "met' in this group.

Edit: I found you and requested you.

iris27

(1,951 posts)
15. Sad to see you go, but I definitely understand.
Thu Jan 5, 2012, 12:07 AM
Jan 2012

The strange atmosphere of DU is why I tend to drop in for a few weeks, then out for a month or more. (ETA: And why I haven't purchased a star in over a year.) And it's only gotten worse with DU3.

I was gone and traveling over the holidays, but have been back for a couple days now...and despite being thrilled to have internet again, DU hadn't even crossed my mind until the spouse happened to mention a thread he was following.

I hope others have some board recommendations for you - the others I post at are related to specific interests and they keep all discussion of politics and religion verboten for the sake of civility.

progressoid

(49,999 posts)
17. There is certainly a different vibe in the air.
Thu Jan 5, 2012, 01:20 AM
Jan 2012

I not sure what to make of it really. I think the loss of a bunch of people that didn't make the transition has made things a little lopsided. I hoping things will get back to "normal" soon.

Maybe just take a break and come back. We need more like you around here!


trotsky

(49,533 posts)
21. Yeah I took a break most of last week.
Thu Jan 5, 2012, 08:15 AM
Jan 2012

Came back to find it not only the same, but worse. Been about a month now on DU3, I'm pretty sure this is the way it's going to be. Petty, incivil, no place for honest discussion.

 

MarkCharles

(2,261 posts)
22. I protest! I don't want to lose you!
Thu Jan 5, 2012, 11:07 AM
Jan 2012

Your posts often amuse and entertain me. We need you around.

Just come by once a week or so and give us your "blessings"!

 

Goblinmonger

(22,340 posts)
27. That sucks, but I completely understand.
Thu Jan 5, 2012, 02:46 PM
Jan 2012

I rarely post in R/T anymore. I pretty much just read GD for news and hang around the Fiction group. And here of course.

I may be trailing along behind you if things don't change. Let us know where you land.

dmallind

(10,437 posts)
28. "I welcome their hatred". When minorities are loud they get that, but it's necessary
Thu Jan 5, 2012, 03:00 PM
Jan 2012

Gays, blacks, women, Catholics, whatever. No minority group ever made any progress in equality without standing up first, being hated all the more second, and seeing gains last. We're in between the second and third steps that's all...

 

mr blur

(7,753 posts)
32. I have to agree with you. It's sad.
Fri Jan 6, 2012, 09:22 PM
Jan 2012

You say it all here:

but it was mostly fair and consistent. No longer with the jury system and admins who evidently are quite happy with the inmates running the asylum.


I'm finding myself feeling increasingly marginalised around here.

Evoman

(8,040 posts)
33. Oh, quit your bitching.
Fri Jan 6, 2012, 09:28 PM
Jan 2012

If there is anything my recent ordeals have taught me, is that none of the stuff here really fucking matters. Discussion forums are just a bunch of useless people, writing useless things, about stupid subjects.

Trotsky, my man....just have fun with this shit. Come in, shoot the shit with us fellow immoral atheists, and have a big laugh when someone in the forum starts crying over spilt awesome atheist milk.

 

AlbertCat

(17,505 posts)
36. is that none of the stuff here really fucking matters.
Sat Jan 7, 2012, 11:12 AM
Jan 2012

Egg-zactly

What, are we living our lives here? I hope not.

It's an e-community! Like a big cocktail party.... sadly without the cocktails... (unless you make them at home) I'm always accused of not taking anything seriously here. It's a forum on the internets fer christ sake! "IT'S A SERIES OF TUBES...." I come here for fun (and some info), not to change the world!


And the Jury flurry is hardly a big concern. So they hide a post. You can STILL read it! Plus the jury system is illuminating in itself. (I personally think just 5 jurors does not a consensus make... how about 12?)

Everyone's so thin skinned!

Even to the point of LEAVING!

But I might leave if THE SPELL CHECK DOES NOT RETURN! (I'd rather have that... and the emoticons more convenient.... than a history of my friggin' edits!)

 

Warren Stupidity

(48,181 posts)
35. You should make your complaints specific and public
Sat Jan 7, 2012, 10:47 AM
Jan 2012

In the help and meta-discussion forum, with links. The community standards here a work in progress and will evolve over time. If you want them to change in ways you would find more acceptable you need to have that discussion with a wider audience.

LeftishBrit

(41,212 posts)
37. I do hope you change your mind and decide to stay
Sat Jan 7, 2012, 11:46 AM
Jan 2012

I think DU3 is better in some ways than DU2. I think it's perhaps not as good at dealing with nasty *posts*, but it's better at dealing with nasty *people*. For instance, in DU2, there were several people who blatantly preferred Ron Paul to certain Democrats, and argued for libertarian principles. Now, I think such people are generally shown the door quite quickly. And there are two people who stayed on DU forever despite being really right-wing in various ways. One (the only person over whom I ever had an individual post deleted), who specialized in screaming that he had NO SYMPATHY for various people caught up in misfortune, from the Japanese who were bombed in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, to ordinary pensioners who might suffer losses because of BP's failures (I entirely agree that such pensioners can't be used as human shields in order to avoid paying compensation to its victims; what upset me was the argument that it was the pensioners' fault for not choosing their jobs on the basis of studying how and where the occupational pension funds were being invested). And another who was very nationalistic and at times blatantly antisemitic and even defended Oswald Moseley to some degree! Both have now been MIRTEed, and I think it would have taken forever before they were TS'd under the old system.

At any rate, I think there was at least as much incivility in the past. And the worst anti-atheist post I've seen here - one that said that atheists would go to hell and were a greater danger to America than any of its enemies - was some time ago in DU2.

Anyway, I wish you would stay.

BiggJawn

(23,051 posts)
38. Damn, Trotsky.
Sun Jan 8, 2012, 09:56 PM
Jan 2012

I know what you're saying. I dropped out of DU back in '06 because of all the sniping and ambushing of some of these so-called Xians who lurked *OUR* forum to find stuff to tattle to TPTB about. Some good people got tombstoned, others just quit, and after coming back here for a few months and weathering the "transition" to DU3, where this fucked-up jury system allows more closet fundies to take cracks at us ain't cutting it for me, either.

A few "features" of DU3 I find particularly disturbing:
A less-than 10% minority (us Atheists) can supposedly "persecute" an 80%+ majority (the Xians)
All Male-Female sex is rape, all men are rapists, they just don't know it yet.
Woo is to be accorded the same respect as REAL Science.
We should primary Obama, or even vote for Ron Paul.
The inability to eradicate the infestation of Libertarians and Ayn Rand Objectivists. Oh, yes, they're here, bet they're big donors.

That's enough for now.

Gonna miss you, Trots.

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