Ignorance runs rampant.

People I have something to admit I didn't come to DU because I thought of myself as a Liberal, actually I was looking for people open minded to converse with.

Even more specifically, I came here because I ran into a particularly closed minded group of individuals who called themselves right-wingers. Strange ones those people were, however since I have come here I have ran into more than a few close minded leftist.

This has distressed me, I guess my naivety to blame, I never thought that anyone here could be so ignorant (No names will be mentioned).

I have a question do any of you feel the same as me?

Note: Input is encouraged, I will not however acknowledge any replies that are meant to slight me on a personal level. Because you don't know me.

Your post doesn't offer any useful information.

"I never thought that anyone here could be so ignorant (No names will be mentioned)."

Ignorant about what?

sw

I agree...ignorance is rampant. last week, my roommate and my g/f both asked me at different times, "Who is it that is running against president Bush? that 'Kerry' guy?"

Arguing with ideologues is like arguing with Jehovah's Witnesses. There is indeed plenty of scary dogmatic thinking to be found here.

That said, in my experience DU is a remarkable place by Internet standards. Almost civil sometimes. Almost thoughtful sometimes. Few if any promises of penis enlargement. I mean, it's the internet. I've seldom seen 'the tragedy of the commons' better avoided.

a concise analysis of the ebb and flow of this board.

Gung_Fu: I agree. There's quite a diverse mix here at DU. Many's the time people get beneath my skin, rub me wrong, push my buttons, ruffle my feathers -- all those annoying cliches. . . and I've no doubt I do the same to others in my time, too. Learn to ignore those who dismay you. Realize that not every stupid comment has to be answered. Use the "Ignore" button -- liberally, if need be -- but remember to take it off everyone every so often (you never know when a truly gifted person was just having a bad day). And always remember: There are probably others doing the same to you, too.

no pain no gain

.. who think that God selected Bush preside over the US during the end times. What's more, if you seriously suggest such a notion you would probably receive some responses, of varying politeness, disagreeing with you. Is that close minded? Is that ignorant? In some stretch it probably is.

However, I find that spectrum of opinion tolerated here is far wider then that tolerated at, say, the Free Republic.

Ignorance is one thing; a closed mind is another. Of course, they're not mutually exclusive. I once heard an expert on child development say that the heaviest lifting, in terms of actually thinking things through, is done by two and three year olds. After that, we just sort of coast. That seems about right, doesn't it?

As to "ignorance," I've been gently corrected a few times at DU when I had my facts wrong and given links to follow up. I appreciated it; I always prefer to make my mistakes anonymously.

As to "closed minds" -- they usually get forced open when they hit brick walls.

Unlike other sites I visit, I find DUers to be very polite and considerate, with a wonderful emphasis on discussion, links, and resources.

bah ha ha, that create restriction.

teasing, just struck me as funny, and i have no desire to decide who you are on a personal level cause you are right, i dont know you

you know, i am sure, well yes i have,. and so. i mean the bottom line as far as openminded the dems well out do the repugs. and people have their agendas that they need to protect. anytime an agenda is involved we are talking being in a box

but i dont care, everyone is allow to progress and develop their chosen way. i dont have to buy into anything. all is our own discernment. just another view to listen to. i chose to agree or not

i have learned tons though since being here. and continue to learn. adn value so the various views. so i am happy and do not complain. i dont take things personally, wink

that DU isn't a paradise of social open-mindedness and stimulating discussion.

I too came here looking for others to share open minded thinking away from fundy points of view. I have found for the most part DU
has some very broadminded people and everyone has been helpful and kind to me. Not a bad place to be considering it is where people share political views!
Sorry you had a bad experience. I haven't and the info I gather here outweights anything I have found on other sites. It is now becoming my favorite place to be and I even made a donation today!
Cheers! :toast:

I really love DU, because like you said troublemaker it is remarkable, and it is about as close as you can get to a social paradise on the net. I just don’t see many right wingers on the site, I know it is a primarily liberal site, but having people from all sides of the fence here would make it a true social paradise. The discussion however is very stimulating and often humorous.

I know that fundamentalist are close-minded but one thing about being open-minded is considering all people’s views even the fundies. Seabeyond I love how you said what you said, and 99.9 percent of all DUer’s do choose to listen and learn. I didn't understand all you said though.

Now it is time to admit that I am a bit red faced about not having any examples, but if I come across any and I very much hope I don’t, then I’ll post em.

You're right though Journeyman and after this post maybe more than a few people will put me on their ignore list.

I guess if I want to expand my social horizons even farther I'll explore else where, though I'd never stop coming to DU.

Anyway thanks all, I need to sleep now, got to work tommorow. So see you later.