When I first came to know DU

[4 t 4]

in 2005 (and I know many have been here for many more years than that and I respect you greatly) 2001? I would not ever dare to post something I didn't know to be fact and was ready to back up with many, many links. That time has come and gone and I for one want it back-NOW. It has become more of a chat house than a fact finding site. What gives? If anyone ever asked me for a link,I was all over it to prove it was not just my opinion. I ask for links all the time because I want to know the facts as best as they exist in the lying media and i never get replies anymore.( early on that was unheard of) I want those days back for Du. What do you guys think?


I Want Links to all claims -Thats fair isn't it?

[EmeraldCityGrl]

1. A post making a bold statement and no link lacks the credibility.

one with one has. It should be the posters choice whether to be taken seriously or not.

[Strong Atheist]

5. Oops! Sorry! Drunk/buzzed. Responded to the wrong post! nt.

[EmeraldCityGrl]

9. No problem. I'm a passive atheist so don't care.n/t

[4 t 4]

10. What ? To No 1 . not you guys

[RoyGBiv]

2. Some of us use books ...

When making an argument, especially one that is controversial, I attempt to provide citations, but these are mostly scholarly books and articles. Most of these are not available via a link.

Also, there's the reality that a lot of discussions tend to devolve quickly into logical or rhetorical battles in which the interpretation of the information available via links, books, articles, etc. is the center of focus. Providing a link to an opinion that is the same as mine is generally little more than an appeal to authority, which is a logical fallacy. One can generally pretty easily find an opinion by someone that would serve as an authority on multiple sides of an argument, but these tend to cancel each other out. The argument over the logic itself then becomes paramount.

But I get and sympathize with your point. The throwing out of bald assertions with no obvious basis can be quite tiresome.

[kentuck]

3. That's a tough demand, on the Edge...

In the very early days of the board, it was assumed by the early DUers, myself included, that the Latest News and Editorials had to be factual, with links, and we were not permitted to change the title of the news story or the editorial.

However, the General Discussion and the Lounge and other Groups were a place for discussion and opinion. If someone disagreed with you, they would let you know. It was more or less self-policing. But it was not a place where facts were necessarily required. It was just their opinion, right or wrong?

[BlooInBloo]

4. Cites for factual claims, certainly...

EDIT: Although I do admit to at times omitting the link, just to let someone challenge me, then shut him or her up. But that's just me being a dick.

[4 t 4]

11. omitting links is fine

just so you have them if asked. If it is your opinion that's fine too just don't present it as fact I doubt you do that

[Grey]

6. You are right, and I,

also, miss those days. I also miss the long,intelligent replies with well thought out reasoning.
But, I gotta say i really miss Nance Rants, Has she been on holiday since november?
Another one I have come to admire is Underpants, we don't hear enough from some of the old favourites.
You are right, I miss the links to some of the more interesting stuff.

[NYC_SKP]

8. Nance posted tonight, here ya go:

I'm assuming you mean NanceGreggs.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=8111480&mesg_id=8111480

:toast:

[Grey]

19. Thanks for the link... nt

[4 t 4]

13. I Love underpants

a perfect example of what I tout always having facts and articles

[Strong Atheist]

7. What if the post is your own original thoughts? nt.

[Grey]

12. Then you just say,

"just me talking or thinking or whatever. People do that here all the time.

Of course, if it's me, I do the talkin' with out the thinkin'.

[4 t 4]

15. All I'm saying is when I

first came to DU. I would want to repeat the things I believed in and learned from here to anyone that wanted to discuss it knowing I was 100% right because I knew it was true. I no longer do that. Just tonight I have been on two threads where I asked for links I was never answered. Well I would never bring these things up to others because I don't know that they are true. There is a big difference of just saying things and having fun or touting facts. You can usually tell by the words and the way the person writes it. I'm just saying don't STATE things if you don't know them to be 100% true and have links to back them up.

[kentuck]

16. Do you believe everything you hear and see?

So long as there is a link??

[4 t 4]

20. Huh?

[Grey]

17. I agree with you, mostly.

On the other hand, some of the people here just want to be THICK.

In another thread I misspelled a word and three people played tag over who could say the most Stupid &/or thoughtless things about me, never once addressing my point.
Some times you just have to shrug and say Fu*# Y8@. I can understand where you are coming from and wish it were different but hey, That's life.
I will watch for your posts.... Tomorrows a new day!

[4 t 4]

22. Thanks

[kentuck]

14. Why should anyone wish to have original thoughts ??

Why not let someone else tell us what the "facts" are? It's so much easier. No one should ever dispute the "experts".

[4 t 4]

18. You 3 know that is not what I'm talking about

Thick people, misspelling, original thoughts I'm talking about facts, thats all facts





kentuck (1000+ posts) Tue Jan-20-09 01:25 AM
Response to Reply #15
16. Do you believe everything you hear and see?
So long as there is a link??
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/kentuck
Alert Printer Friendly | Permalink | Reply | Top
Thick people, misspelling,


Grey (338 posts) Tue Jan-20-09 01:44 AM

Response to Reply #15
17. I agree with you, mostly.
On the other hand, some of the people here just want to be THICK.

In another thread I misspelled a word and three people played tag over who could say the most Stupid &/or thoughtless things about me, never once addressing my point.
Some times you just have to shrug and say Fu*# Y8@. I can understand where you are coming from and wish it were different but hey, That's life.
I will watch for your posts.... Tomorrows a new day!



Alert Printer Friendly | Permalink | Reply | Top
kentuck (1000+ posts) Tue Jan-20-09 01:05 AM
Response to Reply #7
14. Why should anyone wish to have original thoughts ??
Why not let someone else tell us what the "facts" are? It's so much easier. No one should ever dispute the "experts".
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/kentuck
Alert

[Grey]

21. Sorry, I was agreeing with you.

Life is just hard in print.

[4 t 4]

23. Original thoughts

versus fact that is all I'm saying. I have many original thoughts but I would never present them as facts I would present them as my thoughts. Thanks for making my point. Have a good night.

[Greyhound]

24. It gets tiresome posting the same evidence thousands of time and they are not followed

or read. Typically the request for a link is simply a dodge to end discussion, most often when you take the time to find the sources and post it, the person ignores the information and responds with a different argument or not at all.

When someone makes an assertion I find unlikely or makes a statement I've not heard and would like to agree with, I go in search of evidence for myself.

BTW, there also exists a huge volume of knowledge that predates the internet and much that is only available on a subscription basis.

One recent example was on the studies that show the decline in restaurant revenues after smoking bans are put into place. Of course there are tons of studies "proving" each sides claim from the anti and pro smoking sites, when I dug out he studies conducted by the restaurant assn., an entity with no motive to promote either side of the issue, the poster just stopped responding.

[struggle4progress]

25. "People here like links" used to be a mantra. And it was a good mantra.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=4864639&mesg_id=4864639