"Do you have a link?"

Do you prefer reading posts that are linked from other sources or original posts of thoughtful DUers?

Yes, there are interesting finds from searching the numerous sources out there, but personally, I prefer to read original thoughts and posts from intelligent DUers.

I have seen some brilliant writing from folks on DU over the years. Some are authors. Some are professors. Some are scientists. They are professionals from every almost every area of our lives.

Yet, there are some that seem to prefer the writings of "named" sources from known newspapers and magazines, even though their ideas are inferior to many of the writers on DU, in my opinion.

I am only an observer. I try to ask thought-provoking questions and sometimes it may create controversy. But my intent is to get people to think from a different perspective. I am not a professional. Sometimes I fail.

But, we should be grateful for the many intelligent and good writers we have here that do not require a "link". Without naming names, they are the cream of the crop, in my opinion. We should continue to link to good ideas from other progressive sources but we should not overlook the brilliant and enlightened thoughts of many of our own.

I notice that Plaid Adder had started a short thread today? :-)

The originality here is what distinguishes us from other message boards..like FR to name one.

Most of the things discussed here are pretty much know to most anyway, so a link is not always essential, and even when a link is provided, there will always be some who will attack based on the source of the link :rofl:..

Sometimes I post links but I try to give at least some sort of comment regarding what I think about it. I also sometimes post my own thoughts on current events... They don't always go over so big... Not that that stops me :D

Instead of just claiming some factoid without showing.

However, if it's more of an opinion based on life experience or own personal ideals, then I don't necessarily believe you need to source your argument.


I think if people want to have certain arguments taken seriously though providing links instead of telling people to google something adds to the veracity of your point.

"I hate to say I am just a liberal democrat.. I feel like classifying myself in such a way diminishes my chance of having my own opinion. I have alot of opinions, some good, some probably not so good, but they're mine, and these days that’s saying alot. Speak truth, even if it doesn’t support your point of view, at least you can hold your head up high and look others in the eyes."

The final sentence is something my grandpa taught me when I was young, almost a direct quote from him..'cept for a part about horseshit haha.

Speak truth, even if it doesn’t support your point of view, at least you can hold your head up high and look others in the eyes."

I am fine with DUers who launch a thread with an essay of their own and those who quote a passage from another and provide the source. The only time I ask for a link is when the OP or another is obviously quoting someone else but hasn't furnished a citation.

What I really despise are the threads that are little more than "OMG! Look at this" and a link, or even (thread title) plus NT. In fact it appears to me that more and more participants rely on (subject line) plus NT. Have tweeting and texting cut our attention spans further?

:-)

For factual claims, I usually want to know how the poster knows it. That may be a link to a reliable source, or it may be a reference to some other source.

if you are presenting opinion, it should be worded in a way that clearly distinguishes itself from fact

For example when I say that the population of Delafield, WI is about 6500 and you ask for a link - that's just silly, IMHO.

If it doesn't make a difference to what you're saying, why say it at all?

population would be a mere 281 - (all rural) ;)

or an opinion piece, then no link would be required.

If I say I think poverty would be reduced if X and Y were done, that's opinion.

If I say that X percent of the population are below the poverty line, that's a fact and it's perfectly rational to ask for a link.

between a fact and an opinion anymore.

If someone is stating opinion, they should say so... too many post an opinion and try to pass it off as fact. That's when the link requests happen.

DU is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get.

Don't want to change the eclectic mix we've got.

There have been times in the past where I have written an opinion piece on some matter based on my knowledge of the subject, only to have someone demand "links."

In response to this, I usually give them a link to a broad google search of the topic so they can research the area themselves.

If I want to be nasty, I refer them to the brilliant "let me google that for you" site.

See http://lmgtfy.com/

If the query is on a specific fact, however, then a demand for a substantiating link seems fair.

I tend to write things about something i saw or experienced. I wouldn't necessarily have a link for this unless there was something someone should read or see associated with my post. but if you are going to post something with information from other places, a link to where you found that info is very useful

On the other hand, how about when someone posts a link with no information about what is at the link. I would prefer a description or summary or something because i just don't blindly go to a link. So there is that also.

if it sounds too "off" to be a fact and maybe posted for shock value, then I think it's fair to ask for a link.

Thought-provoking is good. Attention seeking is annoying.

Everyone is able to post their opinion on anything. Nobody should have a problem with discussing another person's opinion.

Here comes the problem: When someone states their opinion as fact, they should be able to provide proof that facts are indeed involved. That is not an unreasonable request by any stretch of the imagination. (and linking to an Op-Ed doesn't count)

into the message block.

I have learned a lot by reading, having an "aha!" or "I didn't know that!" and then start searching. The information gathered that way seems to stick in my tired brain cells better.

I agree with what you said in the OP.

Rec

You will always see link? link? link? for anything other than saying something like I don't like broccoli.

WHY IS THERE NO "OTHER" OPTION? It could *literally* be a poll about what color the sky is, and they'll still complain that there's no "other" option. Even if you phrase it carefully by saying "which of the following MOST represents your views", they still complain. I've started to make a habit of never adding an "other" option to my polls, just to irritate people like that.

IMO, it's weird how the majority of posts are just copy/pasted from a news sites, and often the OP doesn't even comment!

Also, I don't understand Facebook style communication. In my day, a looong long time ago, people spoke directly to one another. That was what a conversation was.

Today there is no such thing as a personal conversation, everything is a 'post' which is critiqued by the masses, so everything must be P.C. and sanitized.

I wonder, do kids enjoy conversation anymore? It seems more like a 'process' now.

No conversation with them, it's all go for the throat-win, win, win. Doesn't do much to build community, imo.

I tend to leave link-only posts alone once I discover that they are link-only.

My OPs frequently do not have links. I put references from time to time. But the fact that I post something is good enough for me.

on what the link is talking about.

If the OP is claiming something as fact that is controversial, I'd like a link. If it's an essay on a conclusion based on current events, I see no reason for a link.