Question about political yahoo answers . . .?

Question

Do you think the respondents to answers on yahoo fairly represent the American demographic - liberal, conservative, or otherwise? I never have these types of conversations in real life . . . Do you?

Answer 1

It's interesting, isn't it? I'm often struck by the questions that include statements like "everyone knows," or "why do they insist on doing this when nobody wants them to?"

Many regions are fairly uniform politically. Most of us tend to spend time with people who we agree with and share a lot in common with. It's very easy in this setting to think that "everybody" thinks one way or another.

I think it's great that there is at least this one forum where people of drastically different beliefs can talk to each other. Granted, sometimes questions are phrased in less than enlightened ways. But given the unique opportunity, I'm disappointed when people respond with flames and name-calling. Occasionally a question bothers me so much that I just skip it. But for the most part, I try to take the opportunity to share a little information or a point of view that maybe people haven't been exposed to before.

Answer 2

Absolutely not...here, you have the cloak of anonymity to hide you, so that you can say just about whatever you want without reprecussions. Some people take the opportunity to berate and belittle anyone who thinks differently than themselves, and some go into tyrades based on presumptions and opinions of others, without ever having met one another.

One of the largest problems though is the generalizations. You would think that it's only far right/left posters on here, and that everything is either one giant conspiracy perpetraited by George Bush, that the Christians are aiming to take over the world, or that all liberals were in it just to steal rich people's money and disassemble the US.

This is a terrible sampling of American political discussion, but it gives you something to do when the day gets slow. Sometimes, you'll even come across a sensible post or answer, and it may make you change your mind for a minute, but for the most part, this place is just a playground for all of the character flaws that we don't exhibit in person.

Answer 3

More than 50% of the American don't even know what exactly Conservative and Liberal mean. They go with the one who knows how to manipulate the wave flow, like any other 3rd world nation voters, blindly follow. That's why you see phenonmenon of voting a Conservative the 2nd time of knowing that something is really wrong with the adminstration's way of conducting affairs. It's like the master of a bunch of monkeys pronounce cut back the banana from full to half at lunch and full for Dinner, monkeys p!ss and gone cookoo. When the master changes stratergy to correct the phrase and pretends give up announce: full banana at lunch half at dinner. The monkeys cheer with tears on their victory.

Over all, Politic is all about what you could do for people, but not what people could do for you. Current trend is the later mentioned.

Answer 4

As far as demographics, No. I suspect that most people who answer in this forum are generally white-collar middle-class? Excuse me..., lower middle-class to poor! I think it is for this reason that people come to Yahoo Answers so that they may express their views or vent their frustrations concerning the political situation today. Whether I agree with them, no matter how extreme their views may be, I applaud them for at least engaging in a dialogue with other fellow Americans. For most Americans, it is inculcated in our culture and psyche not to to talk about politics or religion. How many times have you've been in the company of others and someone spews forth "no politics or religion, please!" It is for this reason that our country is in a mess. Who in the hell came up with this maxim for the subjucation of our unalienable rights to express what, how, where and when we feel or live? I find that most Americans who do not engage in the discussion of politics or religion often get angry and intolerant of another's opinion. They haven't learned to express themselves intelligently or coherently when finally they decide to take up or debate an issue. Usually they get flustered and walk away, or they engage in ad hominem attacks against their opponent.; leaving neither party none the wiser. Granted, many people find it easy to degrade others through the electronic media. A computer cannot punch back, thank God! But, the people who answer here tend to be more civil in face to face confrontations. It's probably why some people engage in acrimonious debates respective to this forum. It is an enabler. Think about it? I'm no different. It's probably why I hit the edit button so often. Keep talking. Keep writing. Everyday we do helps facilitate a common ground for others to follow.

Answer 5

Yes, absolutely. What you read on here are people's thoughts, not conversations. In a conversation we generally have to be a little more diplomatic to try to get a point across, here we don't. I live in central Florida a few miles from the largest self-contained retirement community in the country, The Villages, an extremely strong republican community. I have had the pleasure of golfing with a threesome of retired vets. By about the seventeenth hole they were outright telling me I had no opinion to voice since I hadn't served in the military and who was I to question THEIR President. It's arrogance like that, that truly exists in people's minds and hearts. They at least had the courage to say it to my face.

Answer 6

No. The only reason we spend time in the political section is because we enjoy discussion and reading about political issues. It gives us all an outlet for our obsession regardless of our political views.

I've notices that specific questions about something in the news bring more thoughtful, less emotional response. Anything that starts our Lieberals, Neo-cons, or any other perceived slur usually degenerates from there.

Answering on this site probably keeps me from unloading on friends and family that don't share my passion for this stuff.

Answer 7

It seems pretty well divided here. I live in a very conservative area, so there are more like me to talk to than not. I love political debate (fights) and pick one whenever I can, on the internet or "real life".

Answer 8

I have! I am really interested in politics, and come from a diverse family and diverse area. My family is split down the middle as far as political philosophy, but when we talk politics, we do so with respect. And the people I work with are a very international bunch (22 different countries), so talking politics with them is fantastic - no one agrees on anything, but it is great to learn other people's views.

Answer 9

I think you get a higher percentage of people on here who read and think about politics than you do in "real life", but yes, I have political discussions elsewhere than on yahoo answers (and previously on the message boards).

The problem is that we have to get along with the people we meet and work with every day in the community, and politics and religion can get in the way of simple coexistence and commerce, so many of us tend to debate (and vent) in the safe anonymity of cyberspace.

peace,

oim

Answer 10

No, i would have to say that we are much more involved in politics than the average American.....many Americans are very apathetic...I would rather people get emotional and carried away sometimes than not care.