How has DU changed your life?

[JCMach1]

I am asking this question because I am doing a serious scholarly paper and presentation about Life in the Democratic Underground. Remember, I'm a Prof. What better way to do research and get to do DU!

Most of the obvious stuff is recorded for my research in the archives.

What I am missing for my research is people's feelings, thoughts, and personal experiences of the Democratic Underground.

How has it changed your life?

Has it changed your perception of politics or events?

What are the realities of being part of such a community?

I would appreciate any comments on these or any other points you want to bring up in discussion...

[La_Serpiente]

1. this thread might help you

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=706713#707209

[prolesunited]

5. Thank you for remembering

that thread. I was just thinking that I recently asked that question.

It would be great if you could share your research paper with us when you're done, that is if it's not too critical of us and DU.

[Forkboy]

2. To be honest

it's made me far more negative to Dems than I ever was before.Seeing supposed progressive/liberals do some of the stuff I've seen here has made me realize just how far both the Party and the country have to go.

[hippiechick]

8. Exactly.

That's just what I was thinking, thanks for saying it so clearly.


:hippie:

[Maddy McCall]

9. Count me in on that one too.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

11. Yup. I have to agree.

A lot of good people here but we have a loooong way to go.

[Rainbowreflect]

3. I live in a conservative state and besides a few friends

and my family, it seemed that I had different views from those I see daily.
When I found DU it helped me realize how many people out there think like I do on many issues.
DU & DUers have helped me learn so much. I have become much more involved and educated in the process.
I have also found some wonderful supportive friends and some people I can fight with.

[Jack_Dawson]

13. Which state?

[Rainbowreflect]

14. Nebraska.

Lived here all my life besides a few years in Milwaukee, WI.

[Jack_Dawson]

19. No kidding. What's NE like?

I've never been there. I've had a morbid curiosity about the place for some time though.

[Rainbowreflect]

22. Over all it's nice. The winters can suck weather wise.

I live in Lincoln and it's a college town so that helps.
Western Nebraska is beautiful, IMHO, I love the sandhills and use to spend summers there.
If it were not for my mother and my mother-in-law, I'm not sure we would still be here. My husband and I are the only ones left here to look after them.

[izzie]

4. It has sent me to some great places to read.

I see both sides better as I always liked to play the devil's advocate and this helps.It has also made me go to the eye doc early as it drives my eyes crazy reading on the screen.

[JCMach1]

6. Good responses so far....

[GOPisEvil]

7. I'm better informed, and make better decisions as a result.

Also, I have formed many friendships as a result of posting here. In purely personal terms, the social aspect of posting here carries more weight. But in terms of what's best for all of society, the information exchange is invaluable.

[HEyHEY]

10. Actually its interesting

Just through talking to a couple DUers I realized the root of some emotional problems I had. I can't say they don't bug me anymore, but at least I now know why I am the way I am.

[TrogL]

12. There was an old man from Stamboul

Who soliliquized thus to his tool;
"You've taken my wealth,
you've ruined my health,
and now you won't even pee, you old fool"

That pretty much sums up my relationship with DU.

Typical example. I'm supposed to be going to a meeting right now. If I were to stop posting right now, there would be time to walk over, grab a coffee, chat for a moment, set up my papers and be ready to go.

As it stands, I'll probably have to run and skip the coffee.

We need a 12th step program.

[never cry wolf]

15. I am with you TrogL

My work efficiency has suffered GREATLY! After checking mail and messages I check DU and damn if it isn't hours later before I can drag myself away. I feel like giving the prof all my full feelings here and may later, but it's 10:27 and I havn't done a damn bit of work yet!

Maybe later.

[Rabbit of Caerbannog]

17. See the "12 steps to DU Recovery" posted at

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=801743&mesg_id=801857

[proud patriot]

16. I found out a lot about myself

I like what I've learned

[CanuckAmok]

18. As a 'foreigner', I find it one of the few places...

...where Americans who aren't fuelled by ignorance and blind hate are given an opportunity to communicate openly.

For those of us who live outside the US, the media sends a very deceiving message that the majority of Americans are pro-Bush, ant-freedom, and blindly out for revenge following 9/11. DU is not only home to 30,000+ Americans who think progressively, but it's an information clearing house for some of the best resources I've been directed to.

I also find that the DU 'family', particularly in the Lounge, is one of the most supportive groups I've ever had the luck to 'meet'. As someone who is going through a particularly bad patch, I find this place a constant source of comfort and sensible advice, particularly from one DUer (who shall remain nameless), who takes the time to PM me often with words of wisdom about my current problem.

I look forward to logging on everyday, and being updated on the continuilg saga of peoples' lives. I will likely never meet anyone from DU, but I feel I know so many of you, and count you as friends.

How has DU changed my life? It's changed my perceptions, challenged some of my ideas, reinforced my ideals, and made me feel part of an enormous community.

[emad]

20. Yes! Just finished the first draft of a movie script: DU the Movie

subject to copyright, ahem....

[ewagner]

21. In a number of ways

First, it's a community where liberal/progressive values can be debated and ideas can be exchanged.

Second, it's a clearinghouse for activism in a number of areas (bbv was one of the most successful I think)

Third, it has confirmed my opinion that Democrats can never be as efficiently organized as Republicans because one of the hallmarks of liberalism is that "there are no absolutes". Therefore each opinion has equal validity and must be given equal weight. Majority rule is heresy.

The key benefit to me is that it is, above all, a community. Like all communities, it has it's cliques and superstars but by-and-large anyone can enter into the discussion. Being a community, there is support for one another in times of personal difficulty or tragedy (how many times have you seen DUers rush to the aid of another DUer undergoing a life tragedy? Many, Many many times!) There's friendship and support here that many cannot find elsewhere.