Is the Internet more liberal than conservative?

[Keirador]

The ratio is similar in real life too.

In my opinion, the only one that really hit the nail on the head.
There are simply more liberals than there are conservatives.
The reason things seem a lot more balanced than they really are is that a higher percentage of conservative-minded people vote than liberal-minded people. If every single liberal and every single conservative consistently turned out on election day, liberals would win everything every single time. On the internet, it's not much trouble to spout ideas, so even if a person won't really make the effort to go out and vote, they'll still identify themselves online with their chosen political view.

 

[GenMarshall]

I beleve the reason behind it is that we are interacting with people from different cultures and ideas. That is what my theory is behind why the internet has more liberals than conservatives. Also, I should not neglect the age factor in it too since young adults and teens tend to be more liberal.

 

[SeleucusNicator]

I beleve the reason behind it is that we are interacting with people from different cultures and ideas.

Again, I question whether exposition to foreign cultures is actually a liberalizing force. And, even if it is, one could also argue that the internet is also liable to expose you to conservative ideas. If that were the case, then the liberalizing nature of the internet would in fact be dependent on its inherent tendency to attract liberal individuals in the first case.

That said, internet discussions have changed my views in many ways, but have also reenforced my views in several areas. I really, really wish I could cite Marla Singer on some of my papers for school when I'm writing about European nationalism.

 

[Elrohir]

I think that is for two reasons: First, because much of the rest of the world is liberal when compared to America, and second, because most of the people on the internet are young. People get more conservative as they grow older. As I once heard it said, "If you're a Republican before your thirty, then you're boring. If you're a Democrat over thirty, then you're naive." I'm not sure I'm boring, but I thought it was funny.

 

[h4ppy]

thats right! damn the foreigners! They never turn out right

It is a fact that the average nonAmerican on the internet is more liberal than the average American. (mostly becuase the U.S. is conservative for a rich country)

 

[ComradeDavo]

In my opinion, the only one that really hit the nail on the head.
There are simply more liberals than there are conservatives.
The reason things seem a lot more balanced than they really are is that a higher percentage of conservative-minded people vote than liberal-minded people. If every single liberal and every single conservative consistently turned out on election day, liberals would win everything every single time. On the internet, it's not much trouble to spout ideas, so even if a person won't really make the effort to go out and vote, they'll still identify themselves online with their chosen political view.

I agree

The world is alot more Liberal than right-wing America realises, I feel.

 

[Hitro]

I agree

The world is alot more Liberal than right-wing America realises, I feel.

But if that's true or not doesn't matter as long as right-wing America is messing up the world.

 

[ComradeDavo]

But if that's true or not doesn't matter as long as right-wing America is messing up the world.

Indeed

 

[downtown]

It is a fact that the average nonAmerican on the internet is more liberal than the average American. (mostly becuase the U.S. is conservative for a rich country)

I dont doubt that, and in fact, basically said the same thing in my post. I was challenging the conclusion you made that foriegners = never do wells, or that foriegners somehow equated to commies and whatnot

 

[BasketCase]

Theory that crossed my mind:

Young people tend to be more liberal. Computers, a fairly new innovation in the world, haven't yet made their way into the mainstream and haven't completely been accepted by everybody. So a majority of online people are in fact liberal. There are still a surprising number of hilarious tales about computer-inept people, people who put the old "thinks the CD tray is a cup holder" gag to shame. However, everybody, young and old, knows how to use a telephone. When the computer becomes as normal as the phone, the online community will accurately reflect reality.

 

[SeleucusNicator]

I dont doubt that, and in fact, basically said the same thing in my post. I was challenging the conclusion you made that foriegners = never do wells, or that foriegners somehow equated to commies and whatnot

Ah, let me guess, because Americans are always wrong, eh?

I in re your , sir.

 

[Keirador]

I agree

The world is alot more Liberal than right-wing America realises, I feel.

No, it's not just a liberal world vs. a conservative America. There are far, far more American liberals than American conservatives. The only reason there's a balance in the polls is that many, many liberals don't bother voting.

 

[zulu9812]

Judging from the reaction that I get, I would say that this OT forum at least is predominantly conservative.

 

[IglooDame]

Judging from the reaction that I get, I would say that this OT forum at least is predominantly conservative.

...or at least predominantly ill-disposed to silently suffer blatant bias and preaching under the auspices of informing.

Seriously, I wouldn't judge this forum's overall political persuasion on the basis of its reaction to any one individual.

 

[downtown]

Ah, let me guess, because Americans are always wrong, eh?

I in re your , sir.

of course not. As you know, I am in fact, an American. I think that Americans do a lot of good things, but it isnt helpful to catagorize either group as being right or wrong all of the time

 

[Keirador]

Judging from the reaction that I get, I would say that this OT forum at least is predominantly conservative.

No, you're just radically, radically liberal. Since no one has ever been more to the left than you are, from where you're standing everyone is on your right.

 

[Babbler]

Judging from the reaction that I get, I would say that this OT forum at least is predominantly conservative.

Really? Judging from the other polls and threads, this forum is quite liberal, or to a FOX-type, a veriable America-hating terrorist-commie fest .

I agree that generally, conservatives are underepresented on the internet, since it is a new technology; generally speaking, conseveatives tend to avoid new technology because ... well, their conservative. Remeber, the first civili an adopter of the internet were college and univeristy students, who are more open to changes.

 

[ComradeDavo]

No, it's not just a liberal world vs. a conservative America. There are far, far more American liberals than American conservatives. The only reason there's a balance in the polls is that many, many liberals don't bother voting.

I know, I didn't mean it in that way.

I meant it's shame because right-wing America is 'in charge'.....and their policies have a global effect.

 

[Zardnaar]

It's also completely possible that you're only going to forums that are ideologically similar to your own.

Good post here. CFC is usually interesting even(espicially?) with the people who disagree with you.

 

[Zardnaar]

Judging from the reaction that I get, I would say that this OT forum at least is predominantly conservative.

I think CFC is more liberal myself. No offense but you're ultra liberal/left wing.