Will someone fill me in on the various cliques in the lounge?

[RagingInMiami]

I imagine the lounge has some cliques because doesn't it always have cliques?

I haven't been keeping up with the cliques lately, so I figure the cliques have changed somewhat as people have left DU and new people have joined.

And do you think there are more cliques in the lounge than in GD? Does GD even have cliques? Or does GD have something else? Death squads, maybe?

[Aristus]

1. Well, the smallest clique here at DU is definitely the

William Shakespeare's Thought For The Day clique. 4-5 regular members, and another 4-5 occasional visitors.

We have fun; but we need more members. :(

[RagingInMiami]

3. Well, I have to be honest with you

That sounds like a pretty boring clique.

[Aristus]

8. Ouch!

Check out my journal, and see what WSTFTD is all about:

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Aristus

[RagingInMiami]

14. Now don't get me wrong

I respect WS as one of the greatest storytellers of all time. His plots are constantly being redone in modern books and movies.

I just don't have the patience to translate Old English into American English.

[Aristus]

15. Shakespeare didn't write in Old English.

He wrote in Modern English.

Old English is more like German, and unintelligible to the speaker of English.

[RagingInMiami]

17. Well, you know what I mean

All that "thou" and "Thy" and "ye".

[Aristus]

18. "Sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have an ungrateful child!"

"Pray you, undo this button."

Two examples taken from just one play. You trying to tell me you can't understand what is being said?

[RagingInMiami]

19. I understand it

But I would rewrite the first sentence like this: "An ungrateful child strikes harder and deeper than a serpent's tooth."

Or something to that effect. His sentence is written in the passive tense while I turned it into the active tense. Not that I'm trying to give WS writing lessons, but the language has evolved since then.

And who the hell ever says, "Pray you"?

[bertha katzenengel]

100. "I would rewrite the first sentence . . ." to do so would be to rewrite

the most compelling prose ever written. I don't know how to explain what I'm thinking; even when he wrote prose, Shakespeare is poetry.

:hi:

[RagingInMiami]

106. You described it well

"Shakespeare is poetry"

Poetry doesn't have to use the most straight-forward sentences. But poetry also forces the reader to dechiper the message.

[Kajsa]

35. Oh, it's not, Raging.

You should visit, sometime.

It's amazing how Aristus pairs the perfect
photo ( often of GW) with one of Will's quotes.

He's got an great talent for it.

Raging, you would like it, especially since you're such
a good poet, yourself.

:hi:

[redwitch]

57. My favorite Will Shakespeare insult:

"Thou smellest of mountain goat".

[Kajsa]

63. LOL !

That's great!

Thanks for sharing it.
:rofl: :hi:

[kiraboo]

47. RIM!

It's not at all boring, though it might be elitist ;) Perhaps that is what disturbs you.

[RagingInMiami]

53. I think you nailed it

There is a certain elitism that comes with appreciating Shakespeare. That unspoken belief that they are superior to the rest of us ignoramuses.

[PassingFair]

97. Like that $@#$%ing CHESS CLUB clique.

HATE them.

[RagingInMiami]

104. I was never in the Chess Club

But I love chess and I am very good at it. And you're right, there is a certain elitism about understanding the game of chess.

[PassingFair]

112. A NERDY elitism...

I was never that good at chess....

[bertha katzenengel]

102. Eh? "There is a certain elitism that comes with appreciating Shakespeare"

:rofl: Before I ever read anything but his sonnets, I had to rewind every scen in "Hamlet" at least twice, then pause the damned thing, so I could figure out what was being said. Even after that, it took a long time before I could read more than a page of the play and understand it without stopping after every phrase. I still have trouble with his plays - and always had trouble with his poetry. But it's worth it to me.

That it's not worth it to you is understandable. It's a bitch. I get your point about "plain English," but so much would be lost to the reader of "Shakespeare for Dummies." Out of that you'd just get the gist of the stories he wrote. There is so much more - and like I said, I don't know how to explain what I mean. I wish to hell I did.

Elitism -- no, I don't think so. It's a bummer that you see it that way.

Just my friendly two cents. :hi:

[RagingInMiami]

105. The elites never see their themselves as elites

Not that you're an elite because I know otherwise.

I didn't realize that Shakespeare thing would create such turmoil. Thank goodness I did not say that in GD or else the flames would be flying.

But it's true. I can't get into his writing style. And I don't have the patience to try.

When I read, I like to forget that I'm reading. I like to just let the story carry me along. When I read an interesting book, I become a speed reader. I can finish a 100,000 word novel in a day, if it's good.

I don't like writing styles that require me to dechiper every other sentence.

Although I haven't read him in ages, Stephen King was the man who really got me to appreciate the written word. He wrote it simple, yet descriptive. Used basic words and sentences, but revealed so much about his characters. He made you believe in monsters and ghosts and evil spirits. He is one of the greatest storytellers of all time, in my opinion.

Not that I'm saying he is better than WS because WS is the granddaddy of storytelling. That guy had more plots than the republicans do for stealing elections.

[bertha katzenengel]

108. LOL "thank goodness I did not say that in GD"

"more plots . . ." good one

I am full of self-doubt, and when I see "elitist" my self-doubt skyrockets, and my knee jerks violently. :blush:

:hi:

[jobycom]

44. Well, there's a CaliforniaPeggy appreciation clique, but

that's pretty much the whole Lounge. After that there's the Jobycom Appreciation Clique. Which is just me. Then everone else has their own self-appreciation clique. Then there's the cute flirty people clique--they won't talk to me, of course. All other cliques are ad hoc, and consist of anyone who responds to any given thread, and they dissolve as soon as that thread runs its course--meaning, for me, after the OP.

Then there is the art/music/movie snob clique. We all belong to it, too, we just have different art/music/movies we snub, and of course we always feel like only those who oppose us are snobs.

There was a moonpie clique, but it's vanished.

[miss_american_pie]

46. Hey there

If I want to join the Jobycom Appreciation Clique will I have to engage in secret intiation rites? ;)

[jobycom]

48. Maybe.

But that's a secret, too.

[texanwitch]

2. I think the lounge is a giant clique,

GD is another question.

[RagingInMiami]

5. So maybe there are sub-cliques

[texanwitch]

10. I agree, I am a member of the kudzu clique.

:hi:

[Blue_In_AK]

4. Isn't there the Photo Group clique?

:hi:

[RagingInMiami]

9. Yes, there is

You have to admit, that blows the top of the William Shakespeare clique. With all due respect to Aristus.

[intheflow]

22. Oh, is this where the Photo Group clique checks in?

:hi:

[RagingInMiami]

27. Yes, but whatever you do

Don't tell F. Gordon.

[Broken_Hero]

6. I'm part of the

Superman clique...I think, i'm a one man clique so far...:) Everyone hates on, the man of steel...:)

[swimboy]

70. then you need to make the acquaintance of

swimboy
Cannikin
and Clintmax, for starters.

:hi:

[tjwmason]

86. Very true

you're all supermen. :hi:

[Nicole]

7. Don't ask me

I've yet to crack the clique code around here. :shrug:

[RagingInMiami]

12. We can start our own clique

And call ourselves "The Outsiders".

[Nicole]

16. Perfect!

Glad to be a founding member of "The Outsiders" with you. :toast:

[Kajsa]

37. Yes! Raging, you read my mind!

Seems I've always been "outside" the mainstream social cliques.

I've alway grouped together with like minded souls on the outside.

In the mid to late 60's we outsiders found our niche- Hippies.

Please consider me a member of the Outsiders.

It's an honor and a privilege to belong.

:7 :toast:

[RagingInMiami]

115. You're inside with the Outsiders

[NMMNG]

11. Every so often somebody complains about the cliques

But if there are any I have no idea who is in them. :shrug:

[hfojvt]

20. well the biggest one is

the RaginginMiami groupies. That has scores or hundred of members.

[NMMNG]

21. Well then,

I suppose I'd have to say I'm part of a clique then. :shrug:

[RagingInMiami]

24. It's just me and you, baby

The loneliest -- or coziest -- clique on DU. Depending on how you look at it.

[NMMNG]

114. I have no problem with that if you don't.

:pals:

[RagingInMiami]

116. No problem at all

[RagingInMiami]

23. No, they've since been deported

[sakabatou]

13. The otaku/mania cliques

Comprises of a few members, even though we're not an official clique.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

50. Yay! I'm in a clique!!

:bounce:

[sakabatou]

76. So is Timechaser

and some other people...

[deucemagnet]

25. I think I'm the only member of the DU poker geek clique...

*cricket chirp* :tumbleweed:

[anarch]

26. I don't think we should have "cliques"

I think we should do something more along the lines of "gangs", or maybe "crews". That way, when fighting breaks out among the different groups, we can all take ourselves more seriously.

[Phillycat]

28. Or at least break into complicated dance routines

:thumbsup:

[progmom]

31. now that's the best idea I have heard in years

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

29. Clique of those who complain about feminine products

Ok, it's a clique of one!

:hi:

[xmas74]

67. If it's complaining of feminine hygiene products

I'd think you'd have 50% of the Lounge joining that clique!

[cobalt1999]

30. member of the under 250 posts clique.

and we're not going to take any shit from you 1000+'ers either. :)

[nosillies]

32. I think I've been invited to your clique.

But unless we manage to communicate telepathically (or via PM only) we'll all get kicked out eventually.

[Kajsa]

41. Welcome to DU !

:hi: :dem:

[Kajsa]

40. Welcome to DU !

:hi: :dem:

[Bill McBlueState]

69. I remember a brief period in '04

when you had to have over 250 posts to start a thread... Those were the days!

(Well, not really. It was the admins' attempt to cut down on all the primary-related flamewars, if I remember right.)

[madinmaryland]

33. Dallas Cowboy Clique checking in here!

:evilgrin:

[Fox Mulder]

34. I'm a one-man clique.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

55. Nah, we have the small clique of those obsessed with the X-Files.

[Fox Mulder]

58. I finally bought that poster on top...

last year at an art club poster sale.

I was so happy when I found it I was practically giggling.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

60. But you controlled yourself because Fox Mulder doesn't giggle.

[Fox Mulder]

61. Giggling would've betrayed my cool exterior.

:)

Edit: the final episode of "The X-Files" is on right now on the Sci Fi channel. I should be sleeping right now because I have to work tonight, but fuck that.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

64. Thanks for the heads-up.

Got it on now.

I want to buy the Conspiracy DVDs

[xmas74]

68. I watched that one last night too.

[Flaxbee]

36. maybe an 80s video/music clique?

dunno.

every once in a while it seems that there are several very popular/prolific posters, then non-DU life overtakes them and someone else emerges. Each person creates his/her own following "clique" but contrary to typical playground activity, no one who wants to join gets shunned. If it's not your thing, no biggie, if you want in, feel free.

At least that's how I see it.

[progmom]

42. i like your perspective

:thumbsup:

[Flaxbee]

45. thank you

;-)

[Kajsa]

38. Do we have an official cat clique, here?

Because if we do,

that's one of the biggest cliques on the Lounge.

Actually, I think it's teamed with the Pets/Animal companion clique.

That is one of the biggest, here.

[jpgray]

39. The Gungeon

Every once in a while one of the people wade out to declare the daily spectre of violent criminality or government police states and posit owning twenty-thirty assault weapons as the only way to truly be free and safe. But most of the time they never wander out.

[RagingInMiami]

51. I'm a gun owner

I should hang out there more often

[bridgit]

43. you're part of my clique, RagingInMiami, so that's pretty much that...

:thumbsup:

[Burma Jones]

49. I'm a member of the "nobody responds to my posts" clique

Don't bother answering.......

[Cannikin]

52. I'm right there with you on that

[swimboy]

72. I'm the nobody who responds!

:hi:

[tjwmason]

87. I'm part of the

"chases down Cannikin's posts to respond" clique. :hi: :loveya:

[Stardust]

54. No wonder - you're a Seminole fan!

Actually I belong to the same clique...kinda like my life, actually.

[RagingInMiami]

62. I think he's a Redskins fan

[Burma Jones]

75. 'Skins

a Politically Incorrect name, but, well, uh, they're my team....

[Stardust]

82. Oops, sorry -- I'm a Skins fan, too.

[AlCzervik]

56. i'm in that clique as well!

[Fox Mulder]

59. I had ~15-20 posts of mine go unanswered in the last two days.

:(

Today, though, people are responding like crazy. :)

[progmom]

65. don't forget the Clique of Sundog!

[Magrittes Pipe]

66. Don't open that window unless you're prepared to look through it.

[xmas74]

71. I forgot that clique!

I was ready to respond to the OP about not being in any cliques. You've proven me a liar now.

[Sanity Claws]

73. Cat clique -- always purring for new members

Start a cat thread and you will find yourself included in the cat clique. Warning -- don't get involved in the arguments whether cats should be allowed outside where they could indulge in their instinct to catch songbirds. You'll thank me someday for this suggestion.

[Kajsa]

74. Count me in.

Thanks for the advice.

:hi:

[bluethruandthru]

78. I'm in that one...

but I'm looking for another..just to broaden my horizons.

[arwalden]

77. I'm Part Of The Atheisthomolesboskepticmeateater Clique.

[RetroLounge]

79. Daily Poetry Thread Clique!

:hi:

:elitist:

RL

[RagingInMiami]

89. I can be part of that clique

I write some poetry which I perform at spoken word venues down here.

[RetroLounge]

117. Check out my journal

I post a poem every day.

RL

[Xipe Totec]

80. Sorry. If you don't know, you don't belong.

I'm clueless too; what can I say...

:shrug:

[Courtesy Flush]

81. There's a clique of people who deny there are cliques n/t

[progmom]

83. and a clique of people who insist there are

:rofl:

[LSK]

84. who remembers the 1 day clique of March 11, 2005?

That was something!

:popcorn:

[ScreamingMeemie]

85. I am an island unto myself.

:hi:

[PassingFair]

99. No woMAN is an island.

We've got you down for the Island clique.

We sail on Tuesday.

[ScreamingMeemie]

107. I'll remember not to bring my retractable scissors.

:hi:

[PassingFair]

113. Hahahaha!

My husband, the post 9/11 nightmare traveling companion!
At least he leaves his shoe bombs at home now!

[YellowRubberDuckie]

88. Some of us aren't a part of a clique...

I just love everyone...well, except for a few people, but that's going to happen with this many people around. Every group has their annoying people.
Duckie

[Spirochete]

90. Well, there's the

"Tom Cruise Must Die" clique, the "Threadkiller" clique (I'm in that one) and the clique for people with noisy keyboards, called the "Click" clique. And many others, I'm sure.

[GirlinContempt]

91. There's the

"How the hell do Americans figure that clique is pronounced CLICK" clique.

We're small but vocal.

[NNadir]

92. Hypnotoad controls all of them.

All paths lead through him.

We have cliques over at E&E, but we're no where near as gracious as those in the lounge.

[KamaAina]

93. It's simple. First you clique on the link that says "The DU Lounge",

then you look through the threads and clique on any one that doesn't say "kudzu".

[Ramsey]

94. The GOPIsEvil Breakfast Club

Very exclusive though! Lots of hazing involved to be admitted.

[GOPisEvil]

98. Hehehe!

Secret handshakes, too! :hug:

[Iniquitous Bunny]

95. I'm in the anonymous freak clique.

:silly:

[texanwitch]

96. I want to start the after cutting the grass on a really hot day drinking

a nice cold bottle of beer clique. How about just drinking a bottle of cold beer clique.

[TK421]

101. This thread isn't quite clicking with me...I'll have to get back to you

on this one....

[swag]

103. Don't forget the Bogleheads.

[RagingInMiami]

109. And the phone sex clique

[swag]

110. Are you making your living off that yet?

I did my pro bono work, didn't I?

The phone sex clique, and the horse they wouldn't allow
diverted me in my green time

I admit, I always aspired to be a postmodern modernist poet
and I used you, unsuccessfully, for my own ends.

To what address do I send the cheque?

[RagingInMiami]

111. I just couldn't get into it with the male callers

But I am flattered that you used me, so you owe me nothing.

[swag]

118. I had wondered why I had failed to maintain an erection.

Anyway, you were sweet to let me off with a faked orgasm.