Can there be such a thing as a consensus on the internet?

[arcadian]

Anybody?


I edited it from "Do you think" to "Can there be"

[BlooInBloo]

1. I predict there will be consensus answer to this question.

[Robb]

2. I say we vote on it

...and force the losers to accept our opinion. That's kinda like consensus, with a baseball bat. :shrug:

[DJ13]

3. No *

* So much for that theory!

[Solly Mack]

4. At mutualadmiration.com everyone agrees on how great they are...

I got banned :(

[IntravenousDemilo]

5. No, which is a good thing.

The best way to tell if a position is wrong is if everyone agrees with it. Conventional wisdom is certainly conventional, but that's where it ends.

[arcadian]

8. I agree, it seems that the more you are outraged the greater voice you have.

I mean there are issues here that seem to morph over time gaining and losing popularity. Plus there is the issue of lurkers how many people feel one way or another about an issue but simply don't post.

[readmoreoften]

20. So those that are passionate should take a back seat to the wishy-washy?

The idea that emotionally flat people have a better gage on reality is somewhat reactionary. They're also the people who vote "No Opinion" and "Undecided".

There will be a clash of opinions. Some stated better than others. :shrug:

[Speck Tater]

6. I'm always right, and since many others disagree, it follows that they are wrong.

And until I can convince them how wrong they are, there will be no consensus.

To save time, why don't we just all agree that I always know what's best.

[BadgerKid]

7. A pertinent cartoon

[baldguy]

9. TCP/IP, SNMP. HTTP

Not beyond that.

[LWolf]

10. Consensus is rare ANYWHERE. nt

[arcadian]

14. Well let's trim it down to say

One thread. Let's say that 10 posters post in the affirmative and one in the negative. Is that a consensus for the affirmative?

[LWolf]

24. Sure.

Depending on your definition of consensus.

Universal agreement? GWB was bad for the nation.

solidarity in sentiment or belief?

Not on political issues or values at DU.

The only consensus you'll find here is that "republican = bad."

[omega minimo]

11. We can agree to disagree

:grouphug:

[omega minimo]

18. Can't we even agree that was funny!!

:cry: :rofl:

[annabanana]

12. There can be a preponderance of opinion one way or another... at

any single given time. Ten minutes later, that consensus might have evaporated...

[ashling]

13. Everyone should just agree with me

then there would be consensus:shrug:

[omega minimo]

17. You're right.

Carry on

[ashling]

21. You are, indeed, a reasonable person

:hi:

[omega minimo]

22. How very observant you are

:thumbsup:

[ColbertWatcher]

15. Yes. n/t

[ColbertWatcher]

16. No. n/t

[readmoreoften]

19. No. And nowhere else either.

Consensus democracy is silly. It leads to aggressive voices demanding that dissenting voices comply or suffer interminable debate. It's especially stupid when the left is working in a coalition chaired by anarchists who stubbornly refuse to accept that other groups involved don't want consensus democracy.

It goes a little like this:

consensus anarchist: "Are we all for IDEA B?"
leftist outsider: "No. For the record I think it's a terrible idea, but I'm willing to work with you anyway."
consensus anarchist: "But why don't you agree?"
leftist outsider: "Sigh. Our group has successfully done XYZ instead. Idea B has never worked well. But we'll go along because that's what the majority decides."
consensus anarchist: "No, that's tyranny of the majority!"
leftist outsider: "Well, do you want to revote? Let's get on to more important issues."
consensus anarchist: "No! But you're harshing our consensus! We want you to legitimately agree with our tactic!"

[1]

23. i just want my pony. so... do you think can there be?

[HughMoran]

25. No

It's mostly OK, but often people don't trust each other enough to organize for a cause.