poll: do we influence the primitives on Skins's island?

[franksolich]

Okay, time for the quarterly poll--run each and every quarter since conservativecave was first founded--to measure the effect of the DUmpster upon the primitives of Skins's island.

The primary purpose of the DUmpster is, of course, to shine a great light upon the dark recesses of Skins's island; to illuminate decent and civilized people as to the secret, ultimate motives and goals of Democrats and liberals.

To stir up the primitives themselves is NOT the purpose of the DUmpster.

However, unintended consequences happen; excresence happens.

Or in this case, what a pleasant surprise.

franksolich is still dubious about our effect upon the primitives; as far as franksolich knows, only Pedro Picasso and the startled messenger primitive (an obscure unterprimitiven, so one may be excused for never having heard of her) come here to read the DUmpster.

But franksolich does not have all-seeing eyes; perhaps he is wrong.

[DefiantSix]

Unfortunately, we do not influence the primitives on Skinner's Island of Misfit ****-ups.  Knowing that we are here, and that their incoherent jibberish is routinely dissected, affects those primitives who can come out of the bong induced haze long enough to notice that they're being watched, but they do not see us as any kind of example to emulate or avoid in their own behavior.

[franksolich]

Unfortunately, we do not influence the primitives on Skinner's Island of Misfit ****-ups.  Knowing that we are here, and that their incoherent jibberish is routinely dissected, affects those primitives who can come out of the bong induced haze long enough to notice that they're being watched, but they do not see us as any kind of example to emulate or avoid in their own behavior.

Well, my attitude about the primitives is this:

(a) some of them--alas only a minuscule number of them--can actually be whipped into shape.

(b) a somewhat larger number of the primitives can be whipped halfway into shape, becoming semi-civilized.

(c) but most primitives need to feel the lash simply because they're primitives.

Of course, as you already know, sir, for years I've looked at the primitives on Skins's island through the anthropological eyes of Margaret Mead; their customs, their castes, their taboos, their rituals.

Excepting for the skin color--Skins's island being 99.2% lily-white--the similarities are remarkable.

[Carl]

Torn a bit on how to vote because I think the answer is yes but I am not sure it is a good or bad thing.

I think sometimes this is the first time in many of their lives they are forced to confront how inane and stupid what they believe is.
At the DUmp nothing is remembered from post to post so they happily go on posting things that contradict what they posted a few moments to a while ago.

That doesn`t happen with the sane and thinking and it throws them for a loop,doesn`t change them but they can`t stand it so they alter their posting habits.

[BlueStateSaint]

I'm undecided, and I said so.

[Vagabond]

I voted no, and I wish we did. 

DUmmies don't like anything that challenges their assumptions.  They can bleat about how that isn't true, but it is observable fact.  If they say Sarah Palin is an idiot, any evidence contrary is ridiculed.  If they say Obama is smart, no evidence is needed for what they view as an obvious truth.  With this caveat, the Dummies will believe whatever their liberal icons tell them to believe.

DUmmies think they are smart, nice, considerate and inclusive.  We provide evidence that they are not at all what they claim.  Hence, we are to be ridiculed or ignored.  Orwell's Big Brother wouldn't be unable to find a more pliable bunch of subjects.

[franksolich]

We provide evidence that they are not at all what they claim.

Of course.

That's the second purpose of the DUmpster (the primary purpose is stated in the original post, of course).

We're "quality control" here.

We take the primitives, and check to see if they are what they allege themselves to be.

Sort of the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) of the internet.

I'm sure the primitives like the idea of the government checking into things so as to determine their qualities are what they're advertised to be, and so surely the primitives have no problems with being "quality checked" themselves.

Maybe that's why we seem to have no effect on the primitives; they like what we're doing, and so leave us alone.

[thundley4]

I voted yes, and it's a good thing.  We may not influence them in any worthwhile way, but I think we influence some of them to write bouncies, and that provides us with some slight bit of amusement.  That's a good thing.

[Duke Nukum]

We've had some influence as the primitives have mentioned us from time to time and one or two of the number have defected to here.

Obviously the primitives who stay have no sense of shame or even the ability of self-examination so the result of our influence may be only to push them to be more inane so for our entertainment purposes, that is a good thing.

[soleil]

Maybe some, but probably not much. I think some may read here and think a little, but most are pretty hard set in their own ways that no matter what is said, their beliefs are their beliefs. However, I think many talk a lot more on DU than they do in their real life. I am sure many aren't nearly as outspoken as they are on DU. Sometimes it becomes who is the best democrat. OR most times actually. And by doing that, they are actually becoming bad democrats IMO.

[Alpha Mare]

No, I don't think we influence them at all.  hey would have to think for themselves and that's not going to happen.

"You see, Dr. Stadler, people don't want to think. And the deeper they get into trouble, the less they want to think. But by some sort of instinct, they feel that they ought to and it makes them feel guilty. So they'll bless and follow anyone who gives them justification for not thinking. Anyone who makes a virtue - out of what they know to be sin, their weakness and their guilt."
     - Dr. Ferris

[Revolution]

After much deliberation, and though, I chose "no, and I wish we did."

I ALMOST chose "undecided" because part of me thinks some of the discussion over on the Island is fueled by hatred for the decent, thoughtful, hard working people over here. There has been evidence, so there's an argument to be made on that aspect. However, I don't believe we have a strong influence over there3e, and it shows with every thread they make. Still as mooonbatty. Still as hate filled, vengeful against anything that roams outside their realm of though. Which is almost funny, because while they have a core of messed up beliefs/principles, their thought processes wander every which way.

I also chose "it's a bad thing, because well...their heads aren't on straight. They are truly the fringe. While I realize it's impossible to pull the majority back from the brink, part of me would like to. Part of me wants to slap them in the face a few times, sit them down like a child, and explain to them how life actually works, you know what I mean? Their perspective on it seems to be skewed at best, and the severity varies by primitive.

Disappoint seems to creep into me when I lurk over there, or in The DUmp, but I guess there's no point dwelling on it. For all intensive purposes. they are for my entertainment, and to shake my head at with a "Holy crap." look on my face.

So there's my choice. I hope my explanation is satisfactory.

[Attero Dominatus]

I voted 'No and I wish we did.'

If we did, they would start believing in individual rights and the sanctity of human life we do, but they will always be cold, vile beings.

[moko]

The number of shrieking moonbats in the gungeon is at a record low due in part to the fact that they get their asses handed back to them almost instantly . So understandably they HATE it " down there" . 

The new rules have been quite the little profit center  . I never alerted before , but I do now . And the deletees get kinda pissed off over the ham handed censorship .  It doesn't hurt to PM them your condolences either . Well , actually it does , just not me .

[Chris_]

I voted for option #3.  Until I can toss live grenades at them from my computer, I'm going to have to vote 'no'.

[miskie]

I originally voted " 'no' but I wish we did " when this posted, however I am reconsidering this decision.

I'm starting to think that either CalPeg has ran out of inspiration, or she got sick of every poem she writes getting 'featured' here.

soleil mentioned in another thread that she had gotten chastised by calpeg because of this, so she is aware that her poems have become playthings. It could be why they have vanished.

[Revolution]

Oh rats! My life may never be the same again...