Used to be that high numbers of recs

[Sheepshank]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by Autumn (a host of the General Discussion forum).

were for well thought out, well documented thoughts and ideas that included some amazing back and forth discussion to further clarify or refute the ideas posted in the OP.

I used to be able to use high rec count as the reasons "go to" a post trying to make best use of my limited available time.

[davidpdx]

1. I agree, but could you head over to this thread and take a look at what I said

It's about what has been going on and the need to fix it

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023190789

Please Bump and Rec

[tridim]

2. I used to be proud of DU too, now I don't even post links to DU any more.

It has become an embarrassment.

Fuck you Old Elm Tree.

[Sheepshank]

3. That does seems to describe one group...

When the purpose of a post is no longer the dissemination of information....when the purpose of orchstrated posts is the deconstruction of a site, it would appear that wallowing in bitterness has become the motivating factor. For those that have chosen to divorce themselves from any site...maybe it would be 'healthier' to move on.

[annabanana]

8. "deconstruction of a site"

DU is such a large and far ranging place. It would not surprise me in the least that it's deconstruction would be the prime directive for many .. including those with deep pockets.

[dawg]

4. Maybe you are the one that has changed.

Maybe your opinions are just out of touch with the majority of people who rec threads on DU.

[Sheepshank]

5. very likely I haven't kept up with the *changing* face of DU

but a personal agreement with a genuine discussion wasn't the issue before. It certainly isn't the issue now.

[itsrobert]

6. That's because the checks and balances have been removed

UnRecs kept the rec count down. Now a militant group is recommending post for their narrow political agenda. Or they are recommending cute cat threads.

[scarletwoman]

7. You're kidding, right?

Can you have forgotten all the "K&R if you ______" threads that got hundreds of recs over the years? No evidence of "well thought out, well documented thoughts and ideas" in any of those.

For the most part, people rec OPs that they agree with and/or appreciate, it's as simple as that. If a thread has a high number of recs, it reflects the number of DUers who are supportive of what was posted.

[Sheepshank]

11. The unrec button was interesting too.

Personally I'm finding the jury systems to be flawed. My opinion is that frquently, the same space invaders that I find add nothing to discussions except name calling, put downs, negative one liners are now those who also serve on juries...voting to keep the posts visible. Fox ruling the hen house has become the norm.

You are right in that the rec butting is used as a uniform support for the statements made....its interesting the nature of the statements that seems to garner all the recs imho. "K&R if you ______" in the headings are and have always been a disclosure of the intent of the OP. I have no issue with those, and am clearly talking in personal generalities. Rarely is anything in my life built on aboslutes...hence the desire to read actual discussions.

[quinnox]

9. maybe suggest to admins to change how recs are done

sounds like you don't like how certain threads get a lot of recs

[Sheepshank]

12. not my site...I don't contact admin for policy changes. I'm a guest and can leave..right?

[quinnox]

14. yea, just making suggestions

I'm getting a little tired of reading all these complaints about Du, and then they hardly ever say what they want done to fix it. Maybe all those complaining can offer solutions and be specific in what they want to happen. That is my two cents anyway.

[Sheepshank]

15. I understand..as a matter of fact.

but changing DU in this case doesn't seem to be something I can do anything about since in part the annoyance is regarding the nature of posts almost as much as the process.

[itsrobert]

10. Also, they adopted the Facebook "Like" way for Recs

A real bad decision from the admins. Without unrec keeping checks and balances, DU quality recommended posts are few and we now have the low quality facebook-like postings.

[Sheepshank]

13. +1...agreed

I think on paper it probably seemed like a better idea.

[City Lights]

16. Totally agree.

Rec without Unrec sucks.

[BumRushDaShow]

17. Posts witih the most bashing

of other posters, flame-bait, call-outs, and instigation and containing mostly content-free and/or fact-free regurgitation of extreme views, while labeling those seeking debate of those views, "authoritarians" or "totalitarians" and other nonsensical terms, without even conceding to agree to disagree, seem to get the biggest recs. And thus the front page of DU looks like FreeRepublic or RedState.

[Sheepshank]

19. ha!!! you understood what I was trying to say

+1

[Autumn]

18. It is the consensus of the hosts that this does not meet the SOP for GD

Discuss politics, issues, and current events. No posts about Israel/Palestine, religion, guns, showbiz, or sports unless there is really big news. No conspiracy theories. No whining about DU.