I posted a diary yesterday and didn't get a single outside comment. Ten people took my poll. All-in-all, it was a very disheartening result given the effort I put into the diary. For some reason, I've yet to have a recommended diary -- at least I'm not aware of any of my diaries being recommended. But, I usually was able to start some dialogue. Yesterday's diary post was a total failure.
It is true that several days earlier, I was told I was being troll-rated, because I had some unkind words for some posters who had launched some really ugly, personal atacks of J. Carville, in a thread on Carville giving his blessing to the 50-state strategy. I don't understand how the whole troll rating works, who can see it, etc. -- I'm not even sure whether I still carry this rating. If that rating drove away readers, then there's little point in my trying to participate in the community.
I have had a variety of interactions with DKers. I've received many positive ratings and comments, but have had pointed dialogues over the focus on the Lamont race, and maybe one or two other issues. I certainly like the idea of the open community, and I have been critical of those who are much too dismissive of viewpoints that differ from the general DK line. I don't trust groupthink of any kind, because the more people that line up behind an idea, the worse I'm convinced it is. 50,000,000 Elvis fans CAN be wrong. I'm especially critical of those that dispense polemics in place of reasoned argument.
Still, I'm a deeply-committed progressive, and I'd like to participate actively in the DKos community. If I am denied the ability to contribute meaningfully, I'm afraid that I will have to withdraw from community entirely. There are many places to get news -- to become more informed. However, there are few outlets to really contribute to the dialogue within the progressive community. I thought DKos was one -- one for me. It seems that was a brief Spring (actually, for me, it was mostly the Summer, but Spring is a more compelling metaphor).
I'll miss some of you -- especially BarbinMD -- whoever she maybe.
On the other hand, if my diary yesterday just didn't interest anybody, and I'm overreacting, please let me know.
As Joe Strummer asked: Should I Stay, or Should I Go?