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And this is why (I think) the Politics forum is no longer on GAF...
- Thread starter GeekyDad
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NickFire
Member
It’s all about money and power like every other conflict ever basically. And it’s a darn shame.
Raven117
Member
Quoted for truth.
NickFire
Member
Great post.I used to follow politics day in and day out every day. I wake up I watched CNN/MSNBC/CBS/CSPAN etc etc. And every fucking day it was the end of the world. Trump did this or Pelosi did that and by fucking god it was the end of democracy as we knew it. It was trending. It was important. i stressed the fuck out about it all day and argued about it on here with the other people who fell into this trap. Then the section was banned and I made a concerted effort to move past the section andEviLore very graciously offered me that chance despite me shitting on him and directly attacking him on more than one occasion. I was a belligerent spiteful shit. It was more than I deserved.
And after I had taken the steps away from it all I realized that I had fallen into a hole and it had basically made me the left wing version of the right wing shills that I had originally lampooned at every chance. I took several dozen steps back and realized it was mostly all shit. The stuff I was following was relatively important, but the world was not gonna end. Democracy is not gonna die because of Trump and Pelosi is not the liberal devil. There are levels to this shit, but the modern media tries to make you feel like it is do or die every single day of your life. And that is just not a way to live your life. Some days you just gotta not give a fuck what the government is doing today. Some days it doesn't matter what the governor of your state did. It doesn't matter what they tweeted or what their assistants mother's best friend said.
Some days you just gotta worry about what you are doing and what is going on in your life. The rest of the world can wait. These things while important on some level or another is not worth driving yourself nuts over. You can fall into a perpetual spiral of misery and stress if you let yourself.
TL;DR: Just step back. It's not worth it. Flip the world the bird if you have stuff going on and handle your own shit. The world is not going to end just because you didn't check Twitter or watch the news today. The U.S. government is not gonna do a Nazi Germany if you just take a break from everything and bury yourself in your games or your books for a few days.
Do you. The world will be fine.
BadBurger
Many “Whelps”! Handle It!
Removal of the politics forum had a massive positive effect on all discussion here. I personally think it's undeniable. It also provoked many needlessly aggressive posters to either outright leave or slowly fade away.
Myself, earlier this year I disconnected from politics for a while. I excised any kinds of heavily opinionated news podcasts I had in my feeds/lists. I stopped following the people on Twitter who seem to can't ever stop mentioning politics. I left the politically charged subreddits. Ignored the politics section of my news aggregators. Etc. A few months without all of the static was very peaceful. It didn't change my life or anything, but it reminded me that the internet was a lot more enjoyable when all of that specific kind of negativity wasn't around.
However, as a citizen one doesn't want to remain ignorant of politics completely, especially local politics that can and likely will affect them directly. I want to remain engaged in making society better. So I slowly began adding back only fact-based news podcasts and sources. Forever gone was Rachel Maddow, but, welcome back "NPR News Now". That sort of thing. I focused on the straight to the point sources of journalism for deeper elaborations of political news. The only kind of editorializing I tolerate now are now from experts in specific fields that provide greater context to raw information, not random talking heads. Or satirists, so long as they're genuinely funny and not aiming to be divisive.
Myself, earlier this year I disconnected from politics for a while. I excised any kinds of heavily opinionated news podcasts I had in my feeds/lists. I stopped following the people on Twitter who seem to can't ever stop mentioning politics. I left the politically charged subreddits. Ignored the politics section of my news aggregators. Etc. A few months without all of the static was very peaceful. It didn't change my life or anything, but it reminded me that the internet was a lot more enjoyable when all of that specific kind of negativity wasn't around.
However, as a citizen one doesn't want to remain ignorant of politics completely, especially local politics that can and likely will affect them directly. I want to remain engaged in making society better. So I slowly began adding back only fact-based news podcasts and sources. Forever gone was Rachel Maddow, but, welcome back "NPR News Now". That sort of thing. I focused on the straight to the point sources of journalism for deeper elaborations of political news. The only kind of editorializing I tolerate now are now from experts in specific fields that provide greater context to raw information, not random talking heads. Or satirists, so long as they're genuinely funny and not aiming to be divisive.
SlimySnake
Flashless at the Golden Globes
That was probably the best decision made on this site. It got too ugly and turned people into cunts. This place is supposed to be a fun hungout kind of place where we come together for laughs and maybe some passionate discussion, but it was no longer fun. People who were cool in Gaming turned into utter cunts in OT. I dont care if you are liberal or a conservative, just be fun and interesting. No one likes belligerent assholes. No better than religious fanatics imo.
And yes, I am done following the news. Even on covid. I am no anti-vaxxer or anti-masker but its time to move on. We will never get rid of it. I will wear a mask, get shots, but Im no longer going to stress over it. Went on vacation over thanskgiving and then again in Christmas. Large family and friend gatherings. Things finally felt normal. Luckily, no one got covid, but tbh, even if someone did I think it wouldve been worth it for our sanity. We are social creatures. We cannot keep ourselves locked away for two years. And the media makes every new strain sound like its the end of the world.
My best friend lost his dad to covid early on in 2020. Even he is ready to move on and has checked out of the news cycle. Wear your mask, get shots, vote, dont litter, and just be a decent human on twitter and the world will be fine. Burning down mom and pop shops, disowning family members over politics, and yelling at people online over their decision not to vaccinate or support trump or biden is not going to bring you happiness.
And yes, I am done following the news. Even on covid. I am no anti-vaxxer or anti-masker but its time to move on. We will never get rid of it. I will wear a mask, get shots, but Im no longer going to stress over it. Went on vacation over thanskgiving and then again in Christmas. Large family and friend gatherings. Things finally felt normal. Luckily, no one got covid, but tbh, even if someone did I think it wouldve been worth it for our sanity. We are social creatures. We cannot keep ourselves locked away for two years. And the media makes every new strain sound like its the end of the world.
My best friend lost his dad to covid early on in 2020. Even he is ready to move on and has checked out of the news cycle. Wear your mask, get shots, vote, dont litter, and just be a decent human on twitter and the world will be fine. Burning down mom and pop shops, disowning family members over politics, and yelling at people online over their decision not to vaccinate or support trump or biden is not going to bring you happiness.
Rentahamster
Rodent Whores
godhandiscen
There are millions of whiny 5-year olds on Earth, and I AM THEIR KING.
I have funny memories of the politics forum. During the months leading up to the election I was high all day and very vulnerable to conspiracy theories.
Every time I look back at this image, I remember how far I fell
Every time I look back at this image, I remember how far I fell
Stop Motion Pornography
Member
no u
ThatStupidLion
Member
news from yahoo? only time yahoo has ever been good at something was Yahoo! Towers
The Pleasure
Member
OmegaSupreme
advanced basic bitch
Not to sound like an ass kiss but this is it. Nothing more needs to be said.
The Pleasure
Member
Why do you have a picture of my mother in law talking about fox news?I have funny memories of the politics forum. During the months leading up to the election I was high all day and very vulnerable to conspiracy theories.
Every time I look back at this image, I remember how far I fell
CrankyJay™
Member
Finally unplugged from FB, still working on Twitter.
FB is the most click baity shit now, trash-ass articles for everything with misleading headlines. Videos that promise to show something and end up wasting 10 minutes of your time, and FB allows and even promotes it.
As a society were pretty much at the “Oww! My Balls!” phase of entertainment as predicted by Idiocracy.
FB is the most click baity shit now, trash-ass articles for everything with misleading headlines. Videos that promise to show something and end up wasting 10 minutes of your time, and FB allows and even promotes it.
As a society were pretty much at the “Oww! My Balls!” phase of entertainment as predicted by Idiocracy.
mcjmetroid
Member
To be fair this site does discuss news stories and does engage into slight politics sometimes. It's not THAT strict.
I was unsure of the decision at first but it has become a much easier forum mentally to visit since.
Like other people are saying as well, people especially since COVID have really suffered mentally. I think these wacky articles are part of it. It's making people miserable. Back in the day you could read a newspaper and close when you're done or turn off the TV. With the internet being on Smartphones and PCs and even other devices this shit is everywhere. Some people can handle it, some people can't.
I was unsure of the decision at first but it has become a much easier forum mentally to visit since.
Like other people are saying as well, people especially since COVID have really suffered mentally. I think these wacky articles are part of it. It's making people miserable. Back in the day you could read a newspaper and close when you're done or turn off the TV. With the internet being on Smartphones and PCs and even other devices this shit is everywhere. Some people can handle it, some people can't.
Maiden Voyage
Gold™ Member
Quasicat
Member
I used to be more social at work, mainly lunch since it’s the only time I get to socialize with adults, but it just turns into a political shitstorm. We all have the same ideology, but some of them are so extreme and use Facebook as their news platform. When they talk about vaccinations, they quote all of these Facebook posts. When I ask where they get the facts to back it up, they get offended and tell me that it’s all on Facebook. How frustrating.
GeeseGoose
Member
Between cutting off certain social medias and moving from the UK to Australia I’m so much happier. The UK became an echo chamber of USA news and opinion in the mainstream news. In Australia it appears a lot less prevalent, less uptight and media and TV shows seem actually written well.
Now my only issue is the heat, which is great as being British complaining about the weather is my greatest skill (alongside queuing)
Now my only issue is the heat, which is great as being British complaining about the weather is my greatest skill (alongside queuing)
TheInfamousKira
Reseterror Resettler
I thought the politics forum was gone because we kept having Stormfront members register.
Maiden Voyage
Gold™ Member
The Pleasure
Member
My avatar is listening with EXTREME interest as long as there is no REPORTING.
teezzy
Banned
Don't ask me for ****, bub
Guess the redhead, Asian, Latina, tights, and ass threads don't count
nush
Gold Member
Simple rules for people too simple to know what a conspiracy theory is. Once one of them fell there was a great disturbance of how “unfair” their friend got banned while crying about US freedom of speech laws when they were not even American. Then they “bravely” account suicided once they had pooled in a Discord probably.
The Pleasure
Member
That's what you call giving them the NUSH.
And I hate your avatar. It looks like a hair on my screen and if I don't see you post for a while, I try to move that hair. Change your avatar.
MightySquirrel
Banned
Agreed, stop watching the 'news' networks it will save your sanity!
Even president agrees fuck the politics, Happy New Year!
Even president agrees fuck the politics, Happy New Year!
GeekyDad
Gold Member
I only even notice it because I have an old Yahoo email account I check each day, so I check their headlines. It's obviously a smattering of mostly sensational stories, and I ignore most of it. I'll maybe check AP or Reuters once a week to see what's happening. But if it's politics, I mostly ignore it. To me, it's all advertising. As someone else mentioned previously, local news is of more interest to me, since it (generally speaking) affects me more directly.
DeafTourette
Perpetually Offended
I'm glad the Pol forum is gone. Discourse here is MUCH more civil and no more StormFront transplants
DeafTourette
Perpetually Offended
Them too. So many came here because they thought it was a far right freedom forum with the way some posters on here acted. Like comparing black people to Chihuahuas.
nush
Gold Member
It was worse than that if you remember, literally "Science" master race crap. The "Like Chihuahuas." was the comparison summary.
Tschumi
Member
And the moment you said "come on, it's common sense that this is bullshit" they would label you smart and pillory your laughable integrity lol
"Ermagerd you're basing your opinions off observation rather than fox news host tweets, what an NPC!"
I remember cryptoadam in particular... Just endless, relentless, committed, determinedly toxic bullshit slinging.. with the only possible objective of intensifying social divisions as much as his soap box allowed... (Not much at all of course)... anything but anything posted on Twitter by any of the hundreds of right wing figures he must have been following got turned into a thread and a blizzard of likes.. that guy was nailed on to post total toilet water as reliable as the sunrise lol
I just wish all of the people who gobble up everything the algorithms spew at them would just suddenly have the knowledge downloaded to their brain, matrix style, that seeing something online doesn't make it true... So many first, and probably second & third, world problems, instantly resolved..
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clem84
Gold Member
Bernd Lauert
Banned
The only political content I consume is Babylon Bee.
Oh, seeing political memes on these boards almost brings a tear to my eyes.
I was thinking lately that my watching the news or opinion pieces was just making someone money. Good news or everything is same old same old doesn't get clicks but the nation is going downhill or world war 3 is going to happen(tim pool) does.
clem84
Gold Member
I remember seeing posts that were very clearly 100% racists and when looking at the profile, they had a few posts, like 30-50, and only had been on the forum for a few days IIRC. They seemed to me to be troll accounts from people out there who wanted to make this community look bad.
Tschumi
Member
All the commentators know is the view counter on their YouTube page management thing, and the articles they read on what gets the most algorithm hits (negativity and outrage)... Everyone on the old political forum was a statistic to someone counting dollars.. props to evilore for trading what must have been insane user throughout for community sanity
The Pleasure
Member
The weirdest thing is how hard they fought when the politics board closed. Texas pride got really crazy.
AV
We ain't outta here in ten minutes, we won't need no rocket to fly through space
Delete Twitter.
I've never been a regular Twitter user and every time I wander into that cesspool I'm staggered by how easy it is to get lost scrolling through pages of people saying outlandish things you strongly disagree with.
Delete Twitter and feel instantly happier.
I've never been a regular Twitter user and every time I wander into that cesspool I'm staggered by how easy it is to get lost scrolling through pages of people saying outlandish things you strongly disagree with.
Delete Twitter and feel instantly happier.
D
Deleted member 1159
Unconfirmed Member
Sure, there were some of those, but there were far more active users that really shit the bed when moderation choices were made that they disagreed with.
What baffled me was when I got into a debate about honesty and integrity in business and they all seemed to agree that having a sense of integrity about work made me a chump. In short at least one or two admitted they thought lying to customers or other business associates was just a part of their job…what the hell? That’s when I really realized how much cynical projection some of them were doing.
Maiden Voyage
Gold™ Member
This thread alone is triggering them like crazy. They won't even talk shit publicly, they have to hide the thread behind their member status.
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BadBurger
Many “Whelps”! Handle It!
I admit a lot of those Stormfront type guys had me fooled for months, even Cryptoadam. I noticed they were really conservative but they weren't overtly flying white nationalist flags yet. I would call some out on their occasionally questionable linkages at times (alt-right figures) but they stuck to the most tame of their tweets and videos.
It was during the lead up to the elections when things began to become suspect. They started ganging up on anyone who wasn't in their clique - like, even dragging conversations into completely unrelated threads. If you posted any kind of political thread that wasn't ra-ra-MAGA they would swarm in and fill the thread with nonsense replies (right away too - around ten of them would be circle-jerking in the thread within minutes). From late 2019 until about September 2020, their demeanor gradually went from a kind of "we can agree to disagree, asshole" to simply "since we disagree you're an asshole, period, so don't even speak to me". I even reached out with an olive branch to a few as they were melting down but that only made them more furious and racist.
Anyways, once the election was over they went full on fucking berserk. Just embarrassed themselves. Then we found out the most ardent patriots of the bunch weren't even fucking American! L-O-L
I look back and I took a lot more shit from them than I should have. I guess I am just too nice really, too eager to see the good in people and give them the benefit of the doubt. Anyway glad they're all gone now. It's just a shame there were some casualties they took down with them, like Tesseract. He never struck me as crazily far-right, in fact I really enjoyed shooting the shit with him, but damn if he didn't defend them for some bizarre reason. And he wasn't the only one, I just forgot most of their names at this point.
If one manages Twitter right, it becomes a self-controlled echo chamber. It's kind of the point of it, really. It took a long time but I have it now to where my feed is about 90% human interactions and genuine news, and 10% of the shit the algorithm still manages to force in. But man, it took years of following and unfollowing the right people, blocking like 1000 accounts, filtering fifty or so words and phrases, etc.
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Tschumi
Member
I had Twitter for 3 days in like 2010 and just instinctively sensed it was a worse waste of time than the most oblivious of forum communities, or the driest Facebook weeks... When i moved to Japan i quit Facebook.. this forum is the closest thing to a window on general western opinion today which i still look at, besides sport website and stuff lol... There're lots of dick jokes...
It's just..
Growing up you saw a few kids in school who seemed to just miss the day wherein the rest of us were taught that fantasy is fantasy.. all that all the outrage on the politics forum taught me was that there are way more of these kids whose parents just failed to teach them a few basic things about reality than i thought, and they're angry at me and anyone else who has easy answers to things they consider to be mysteries
There are a few people around who really minced my meat on that forum who are great buds now, not saying you're one of them i don't remember any of their names really, but yeah it's always good to hear people say "i realised for myself that it was all bs"
Aite lol I've given enough opinions on this stuff
Tams
Member
Mate, Australian media is worse. At least in the UK some sources at least pretend to have maturity.
nush
Gold Member
Like personal responsibility/accountability.
DeafTourette
Perpetually Offended
Things took a turn for the worse just before, during and after Jan 6th last year. That signaled the end of pol forum. It was like Election Day 2020 on steroids! It was cognitive dissonance x 10 as folks acted like nothing was actually happening.
Agree with
BadBurger
... Some of the most ardent defenders of America (what THEY saw as America, anyway) weren't even from here and would argue you down and claim you weren't a real patriot! LMBO!
Agree with
BadBurger
... Some of the most ardent defenders of America (what THEY saw as America, anyway) weren't even from here and would argue you down and claim you weren't a real patriot! LMBO!
Werewolf Jones
Member
Glad EviLore finally spoke on it tbh. Was curious about it but didn't wanna ask and get my ass banned.
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