I hope that 2014 was a wake up call for us all.
DK, founded 12 years ago, was a harbor in a Bush storm, however the methodology it uses today is outmoded, and in my opinion, clearly did not help in 2014? If anything that 2014 showed us, it is that we cannot continue to play by the same old worn playbook. Time for DK 2.0.
Another diary by Assaf calls on Kos to expand the site's mission. I think that Kos needs to make some significant changes on the approach and moderation of thie site. Kos is so enamored about clicks, likes and people READING DK, but so what? So what? How is that translating to really moving the progressive agenda?
I do not deny that there have been some accomplishments of this site, however, beyond petitions and phone calling and givng money, what else is there? Instead, strengthening the site to allow a more robust, adult and seasoned discussion would be invaluable. Seasoned discussion that would then more easily translate into progressive action.
There are two major changes I think have to happen:
1) to create an atomosphere for seasoned, educated and informed discussion by a requirement that HR's be fully and rationally explained (or a time out will be given) to control herd mentality,
2) to move into an adult understanding of politics with a focus away from Personality Politics to Issue Politics, which understands that many on our side are minions of the corporations, and demand to see their progressive credentials upfront in the election not just rely on their carefully polished 'personalities.'
These are two of the major problems with this site that in my opinion hamper what effectiveness it has.
It is a major problem that seasoned, educated and informed discussion is routinely shut down by 'know nothings'. There are several reasosn for this, the major one being Kos' inveterate denial about the desperate need to better moderate discussion here at DK. This has resulted in some excellent thinkers and doers leaving the site because they were continually harrassed by a 'herd mentality.' When that herd reads something that they did not immediately understand or know about, they argue that it is not true, rather than being open to learn more. The 'arrogance of ignorance' makes those in the herd assume that if they don't know or understand something, well then it must be wrong. These are the people who now control most DK discussions.
Even one small change, demanding that people be REQUIRED TO EXPLAIN CALMLY AND RATIONALLY THEIR HR'S (or get a timeout themselves,) could greatly control the mob mentality here and inject a reasoned discourse. Kos' failure to do so and instead allow a libertarian 'free for all' to exist with the clearest guideline being 'don't be a dick' is ripe for mob abuse. So the mob does abuse and rule the discussions.
As a result, some very seasoned and thoughtful DK writers and thinkers have understandably left and Kos dismisses it as 'old ones go and new ones come.' But what he fails to see is that the leavings based on lack of proper moderation and rational discourse, dooms this site to have the majority being young and inexperienced (for the most part,) and simplistic thinkers who end up being cheer leaders for this or that issue, rather than leaders in thinking.
When these HR Wars were going on, it seemed to me that the site would suffer a fatal blow that would result in having diarists on the Rec List who were not as perceptive and experienced and who would not be able to understand the political process as well as those who had been around for awhile and earned their creds. And it was clear to me that the 2014 election would suffer. Do you know there were many comments up on election day talking about a win? You had to be deaf,dumb and blind to think that we were going to get anything but a drubbing.
And then there is that little matter about Personality Vs. Issue Politics. Need I mention that if Kos and Co. try to push HRC down the throats of progressives with the mantra "she is a better choice than the R's" without pushing for her being vetted and really primaried, I for one will check out. Because then the site will have become an arm of the Corporate Dem Party and not a guiding light of the progressive movement.
Furthermore, when is this site and when are we going to become political grownups and give up the childish need to have political heroes? We need to understand the flawed political system in this country, and primary and elect people on ISSUES NOT PERSONALITY. We need our candidates to make issue commitments and then we need to hold them accountable to those commitments. This site could go a long way to make this demand. (Ahem, demanding issue commitments from one HRC would be a start, rather than participating in a coronation process.)
Watch the voter turnout in 2016 if candidates really put their careers on the line with progressive commitments? Just watch. Rather than these insipid 'Mr/Ms Nice' who will say and do anything to be elected. They won't change upon election! That is the lie we have been fed. "Just get them in and they will support us," we are told. Oh Yeah, tell me just when that has happened?
And this site won't be able to contribute anything substantially positive to 2016 unless it creates an atmosphere where the herd mentality is kept in check and the site does not have to be governed by the most reactive, less informed and least perceptive among us. And unless it demands that this election is about ISSUES.
This site has the potential for great good. But Kos must update.
Okie Dokie. That is what I really think. Have at me!
UPDATE:
Thank you for reading this diary and commenting.
One teeny tiny point. All I am saying is that there be a requirement that HR's be explained. I am not saying that anyone be set up to judge the explanation. That is all.
Thanks for reading.