Why do you think....

[nancybotwin]

so many of us share similar political viewpoints, social values, whatever you want to call it --

There is a great diversity here, geographically, racially, socioeconomically, religiously...yet we all seem to have very similar view points on government and politics, similar understandings of white privilege, shared values to correct a person who comes in to a post with a racist viewpoint.

I really appreciate it, but it's curious. Do we stay because we share this? I am hyper-aware today of living in a community where my values are not necessarily shared by others and kind of staying around here more than normal because there is some semblance of appropriate outrage.

(Not sure this really makes sense, but I am appreciative!)

[vicky]

Nov 25, 2014 16:29:16 GMT -5 kooshball said:

Because people with other views are piled (on) off gbcn.

I'll start the pile on. STFU

[my4girls]

I think people who don't share the same feelings keep it to themselves or they would be piled on

[iamali]

First of all, I think it has to do with the fact that *most* of us have desk jobs and have the privilege of doing this while we work. People who are working their asses off in fast food, retail, etc don't have that luxury.

Second, I think people who share extremely different views either a) don't post here, or b) stfu about it.

So, while so many of us are alike, there are big differences too.

[Deleted]

We are all very different but we all collectively believe that everyone should have equal rights and in general try not to be assholes to the human race.

[eddy]

I think it is because we all are seeking out information by just being on an online community. You are opening yourself up to difference of opinion. Sure we are mostly liberal BUT we are all different in many ways. I have read so many sides/viewpoints/opinions over the years on here that have opened up my eyes.

If I were only talking to my peers who live geographically where I am and are very similar to me I could see myself being so much more close minded.

I even think more critically than most of my friends who are all smart and I think a lot has to do with being exposed to you incredible bitches.

[eddy]

Basically I think we rub off on each other.

THAT IS WHAT SHE SAID.

[Deleted]

I think it's the same reason most of my friends share my beliefs. People choose to hang out with people who have stuff in common and share similar beliefs/interests. That doesn't mean they have everything in common, but if you are fundamentally similar you are more likely to gravitate toward one another.

I'm guessing that most people who have very dissimilar beliefs figure that out pretty quickly and seek a community more similar to them.

I do also think the points others have made about education and/or staying quiet make sense. GBCN (not just ML) is a tough place to be the minority opinion. I think I share the same politics/beliefs as the vast majority of posters here on most issues but man, the flames when I say something the crowd doesn't go along with! It's tough to push back against the groupthink so I think a lot of people don't. Some may stick around anyway and just keep their mouths shut, the rest probably leave.

[sequins]

I think a group stays a group because they share similar viewpoints, yes?

[TC]

Nov 25, 2014 16:44:26 GMT -5 sequins said:

I think a group stays a group because they share similar viewpoints, yes?

This.

But then I do wonder how GBCN can be so in sync, yet we all seem to have plenty of crazy FB friends and such. Clearly we are a member of some group with those people, and there are huge differences in view points there. 

I don't think it has toooooo much to do with formal education, because there are people here from a wide variety of education backgrounds, but I think folks who gravitate towards online forums tend to be more information-hungry than others and that will lend itself to more substantiated opinions. I also feel that women are generally more compassionate and able to place themselves in the shoes of a marginalized group, especially with encouragement. Many of the women I know who have (what I believe to be) ignorant ideas tend to be very lacking in strong, empowered women within their peer groups. In my experience, racist and misogynistic ideas are rewarded because the men in their life reward them and they are disproportionately surrounded by those men. I think GBCN comes with a lot of support to flesh out more liberal ideologies. 

[lilafowler]

We all like dick jokes.

[lilafowler]

Oh wait-we're on a serious tip here.

[snipsnsnails]

Yep, posting on a Married Life message board caters to women that are financially stable, educated, working white collar desk jobs or staying-at-home. These things tend to develop and attract similar values and ideologies.

[Ohhmm(bligo)]

We're right.

[Deleted]

Nov 25, 2014 16:56:06 GMT -5 snipsnsnails said:

Yep, posting on a Married Life message board caters to women that are financially stable, educated, working white collar desk jobs or staying-at-home. These things tend to develop and attract similar values and ideologies.

I am almost none of these things! Wheeee!

[05heel]

Nov 25, 2014 17:02:12 GMT -5 @fucksticklegit said:

Nov 25, 2014 16:56:06 GMT -5 snipsnsnails said:

Yep, posting on a Married Life message board caters to women that are financially stable, educated, working white collar desk jobs or staying-at-home. These things tend to develop and attract similar values and ideologies.

I am almost none of these things! Wheeee!

I knew you were a man!

[Deleted]

Nov 25, 2014 16:54:40 GMT -5 TC said:

Nov 25, 2014 16:44:26 GMT -5 sequins said:

I think a group stays a group because they share similar viewpoints, yes?

This.

But then I do wonder how GBCN can be so in sync, yet we all seem to have plenty of crazy FB friends and such. Clearly we are a member of some group with those people, and there are huge differences in view points there. 

I think (or at least assume) that the majority of crazy FB posts are from family or old friends. I'd wager most people on GBCN are not currently actively spending time with people whose beliefs are so different from theirs.

Personally, the only questionsable views I've seen on FB today have been from 2 cousins and a couple of vague posts from HS friends that I no longer actually speak with, but who are interesting enough to keep around on FB. The rest of my friends and anyone I currently spend time with have been carefully selected not to be racist or ignorant assholes Or I've already deleted or hidden all those people when past news stories have come out.

[Deleted]

Nov 25, 2014 17:04:12 GMT -5 05heel said:

Nov 25, 2014 17:02:12 GMT -5 @fucksticklegit said:

I am almost none of these things! Wheeee!

I knew you were a man!

I'm actually a cat

[iamali]

Nov 25, 2014 17:02:12 GMT -5 @fucksticklegit said:

Nov 25, 2014 16:56:06 GMT -5 snipsnsnails said:

Yep, posting on a Married Life message board caters to women that are financially stable, educated, working white collar desk jobs or staying-at-home. These things tend to develop and attract similar values and ideologies.

I am almost none of these things! Wheeee!

This is a horrible time to admit you are a dude.

[05heel]

Nov 25, 2014 17:05:04 GMT -5 @fucksticklegit said:

Nov 25, 2014 17:04:12 GMT -5 05heel said:

I knew you were a man!

I'm actually a cat

Well as long as you're not wearing sweatpants, I won't judge. 

[Deleted]

Nov 25, 2014 17:06:18 GMT -5 05heel said:

Nov 25, 2014 17:05:04 GMT -5 @fucksticklegit said:

I'm actually a cat

I'm not wearing ANY pants!

[TC]

Nov 25, 2014 17:05:02 GMT -5 @buckybells said:

Nov 25, 2014 16:54:40 GMT -5 TC said:

This.

But then I do wonder how GBCN can be so in sync, yet we all seem to have plenty of crazy FB friends and such. Clearly we are a member of some group with those people, and there are huge differences in view points there. 

I think (or at least assume) that the majority of crazy FB posts are from family or old friends. I'd wager most people on GBCN are not currently actively spending time with people whose beliefs are so different from theirs.

Personally, the only questionsable views I've seen on FB today have been from 2 cousins and a couple of vague posts from HS friends that I no longer actually speak with, but who are interesting enough to keep around on FB. The rest of my friends and anyone I currently spend time with have been carefully selected not to be racist or ignorant assholes Or I've already deleted or hidden all those people when past news stories have come out.

LHC's post and the associated responses indicate to me that it can happen with somewhat closely held associations as well. It seems like every time something major happens, there are a number of people who express sadness that someone they previously liked/respected/enjoyed shared a shitty belief. I guess it's just had to know everything about everyone until something brings out the crazy, though.

[snipsnsnails]

Ha, there are certainly exceptions.

Also, it is worth noting that there are also certainly exceptions to majority-held viewpoints, but some of us have been around so long, they're already internalized and known by the group and there's greater context to understand them. Kinda? Or we're all just old and don't always chime in because now we're chasing kids and/or partnerships and ain't nobody got time for that.

[malibu]

Because the majority of posters on this board and GBCN as a whole aren't bigoted, ignorant assholes. The ones who have been in the past were run off for being the shitty people they are.

[jigsy]

I'd like to hope that maybe those who are on the outskirts of GBCN opinion can look at the discussions and maybe see the light.

But I also think those with dissenting opinions also keep quiet since people are pounced on pretty heartily here.

[buffyasummers]

I share a very VERY different view on religion, politics, etc than what is the "norm" here. But I tend to not engage in those topics simply because I've seen so few people here who share my views, and generally they are piled on or made to feel less than intelligent when they speak up.

That's not to say I don't think everyone here is wonderful, intelligent, and fun to talk to. You just...scare me. LOL.

[balletofangels]

I do think this is a pretty "smart" board. This comes from education for some, but also general awareness. I agree that people with dissenting views either don't speak up or don't stick around. That said, I had to leave my "home" board from that other place that had since moved to a fb group because the dumb just got too much to handle. It became a lot of white privilege and there was a whole thread about avoiding poor people. It was weird for me because I tend to agree with the views here, but there I was always the minority opinion. I'm thankful I moved away from that. Even though I don't have much time to post here now that I'm back at work and working out, I am glad to have this forum to read.

[Deleted]

Nov 25, 2014 16:31:29 GMT -5 iamali said:

First of all, I think it has to do with the fact that *most* of us have desk jobs and have the privilege of doing this while we work. People who are working their asses off in fast food, retail, etc don't have that luxury.

Second, I think people who share extremely different views either a) don't post here, or b) stfu about it.

So, while so many of us are alike, there are big differences too.

This.

[Deleted]

I actually don't think there's much as much diversity here as you're suggesting. Whenever there's a household income poll, the numbers tend to skew much higher than the national average. You also see it in the travel polls; we travel more than the "average American." We buy more and we tend to be geographically mobile. Most of us fall into the demographic of higher-earning, college-educated, generally urban/suburan, young (Generation X and early Millennial) women. Not everyone, but it seems the majority. That demographic is also more socially aware and, frankly, more liberal.

[Deleted]

Actually it's b/c you are a group of fucking libtards that don't have a fucking clue.....