General Discussion

herding cats

(19,739 posts)

83. I joined DU when I was 33 years old.

Wed Jan 25, 2023, 02:59 AM

Jan 2023

I've grown wiser for my time spent here and my interactions with the members over time. Which isn't to say I always agreed, but I have matured to learn to be more receptive to others. A lot of those lessons came from here.

Thanks to people here who helped encourage me I've volunteered in campaigns I'm proud to have been a part of, and been active in political ways I may not have been otherwise. I've learnt truly valuable lessons here which subsequently led to real life skills.

People can disparage this site, but I've definitely grown and learned to be a better citizen here by taking the best from here and using it, and learning from the rest.

A lot of the older posters here have been instrumental in my journey. I appreciate them one and all and I always will.

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On DU's population aging, and change to DU... [View all] Hekate Jan 2023 OP

maybe someone will show us how to reverse age ourselves. GreenWave Jan 2023 #1

You have to use the warp reactor, duh. Prairie_Seagull Jan 2023 #32

I thought it was a transporter accident? NullTuples Jan 2023 #80

I joined DU a few days after my thirty-second birthday. Aristus Jan 2023 #2

I was 54 when I joined---almost 18 years ago now. Senior citizen discounts, etc.... panader0 Jan 2023 #5

Same here. I'm fifty two now... but I DO feel old. druidity33 Jan 2023 #11

Well, the repugs/republicans have turned off the younger generation in record numbers. We, SWBTATTReg Jan 2023 #3

I'm 54 here. nt BlueLucy Jan 2023 #4

Wow. I was 47 when I joined. My older daughter is now 41. NewHendoLib Jan 2023 #6

I think one of the issues to address is whether we treat today's youth with the same animosity that progressoid Jan 2023 #7

Excellent post malaise Jan 2023 #8

It isn't happening on DU. There are almost no active posters under 30, and even Celerity Jan 2023 #87

It's a very simple observation Sympthsical Jan 2023 #9

Bernie and AOC are at opposite ends... old as dirt Jan 2023 #15

Well-spotted Hekate Jan 2023 #20

Sanders' and AOC's age isn't the issue. progressoid Jan 2023 #36

I can't even remember the names of the various "generations". old as dirt Jan 2023 #40

I know plenty of younger people who think it did. Maybe this is part of the issue? (n/t) OldBaldy1701E Jan 2023 #70

Bernie wasn't a member of the Silent Generation. intheflow Jan 2023 #102

Can Pink Floyd fans who complain about Rainbows... old as dirt Jan 2023 #134

Valid question. n/t intheflow Jan 2023 #136

My husband and I are a "young" 80, have been daily runners for 40 years - all our friends are Peregrine Took Jan 2023 #60

right. progressoid Jan 2023 #112

+1 Celerity Jan 2023 #91

But why do their supporters think the Democratic Party isn't progressive? betsuni Jan 2023 #143

That's a bit of a strawman question. progressoid Jan 2023 #151

Perhaps too simple MuseRider Jan 2023 #16

A thoughtful read, MuseRider Hekate Jan 2023 #24

The majority of Du'ers are fine with and/or admire AOC and Sanders. emulatorloo Jan 2023 #22

I remember seeing "No more old white men" on a regular basis here on DU in 2016. jalan48 Jan 2023 #26

Hurumph. Well, then I'm going down to the shuffleboard court... rubbersole Jan 2023 #45

great post - thanks Locrian Jan 2023 #54

Funny, I've never noticed a shortage of Bernie Sanders and AOC supporters highplainsdem Jan 2023 #66

Yes. betsuni Jan 2023 #71

Yes, even Kuninich had huge amount of Support on DU . John Edwards and Kucinich had more support JI7 Jan 2023 #85

Young people don't come to DU because they have other things to do JI7 Jan 2023 #84

That's what I think. They're busy living! betsuni Jan 2023 #86

Yes, they have things like Tik Tok and a bunch of other social media things they are into JI7 Jan 2023 #88

The nobody's-listening-to-me thing is rampant. betsuni Jan 2023 #93

This message was self-deleted by its author traitorsgalore Jan 2023 #115

Just curious, but where do you go when you are not here hanging out with "conservative cultists"? Hekate Jan 2023 #130

Probably a nice place where Democrats are ripped to shreds? You know, freedom. betsuni Jan 2023 #133

you nearly owed me a keyboard. niyad Jan 2023 #137

... emulatorloo Jan 2023 #139

This message was self-deleted by its author traitorsgalore Jan 2023 #147

I never saw any posts calling that politician a "commie" or a "traitor." Maybe your confirmation emulatorloo Jan 2023 #138

It's a fantasy. betsuni Jan 2023 #145

What does "progressive" mean? betsuni Jan 2023 #144

+1... myohmy2 Jan 2023 #125

I was 48 when I joined in 2002 MuseRider Jan 2023 #10

Post removed Post removed Jan 2023 #12

So you're saying young people are stupid? johnp3907 Jan 2023 #13

Nah... lonely bird Jan 2023 #19

I was just teasing the troll. johnp3907 Jan 2023 #29

To the left of me? hunter Jan 2023 #14

"Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the right, ..." old as dirt Jan 2023 #135

I was 47 when I joined in 2001. bif Jan 2023 #17

Started late that same year. Gonna hit 70 in a few months. calimary Jan 2023 #25

I Was 45 ProfessorGAC Jan 2023 #57

First, every developed country's population is getting older Farmer-Rick Jan 2023 #18

Good points, all. But about aging Japan-- one of their big problems is their immigration policies... Hekate Jan 2023 #120

Amen wryter2000 Jan 2023 #21

OK, My New Year's resolution is to post some favourite NEW... Tikki Jan 2023 #23

I once made the observation at work ggma Jan 2023 #69

And into the eighties, like Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five's "The Message." betsuni Jan 2023 #72

You're right. I had forgotten the young rappers. ggma Jan 2023 #81

"Music got us through" Hekate Jan 2023 #90

Now that is a great name for a song. "my life has a soundtrack" Prairie_Seagull Jan 2023 #148

Why, thank you Prairie! ggma Jan 2023 #152

DU is simply unknown ismnotwasm Jan 2023 #27

"does DU have a Reddit page?" Dave Bowman Jan 2023 #39

yes DU is on Reddit as well as Twitter IcyPeas Jan 2023 #43

I think there's only a couple newdayneeded Jan 2023 #113

They'll check it out if we invite them. summer_in_TX Jan 2023 #28

There ya go! Hekate Jan 2023 #30

Unfortunately/fortunately, I have a hunch that some folks stop in and lurk- Prairie_Seagull Jan 2023 #38

When I tell people about us Tree Lady Jan 2023 #34

That's a good point. Don't want to create false expectations. summer_in_TX Jan 2023 #44

How about a forum for under 40s? flamingdem Jan 2023 #31

They'll age out of it and wonder who the young interlopers are Hekate Jan 2023 #42

i was thinking an M & Z forum orleans Jan 2023 #107

Float the idea out there and see who responds. Then check in with EarlG, and see about a group... Hekate Jan 2023 #121

thanks for the vote of confidence but i am neither orleans Jan 2023 #122

I was 48 when I joined 18 yrs ago Tree Lady Jan 2023 #33

I was in my late 40s when I joined. I'm 64 now. Kaleva Jan 2023 #62

Wonderful post. Thanks. Nt spooky3 Jan 2023 #35

Those who have been here the longest were the ones who welcomed me. Hermit-The-Prog Jan 2023 #37

LOL Great post FakeNoose Jan 2023 #64

Is there a forum: Millenials working and living out of their cars? leftstreet Jan 2023 #41

That's a thought. Though it's important to note that we do have a fair number of members... Hekate Jan 2023 #47

If my kids did not have their mother and myself, they would be in danger of the same... Moostache Jan 2023 #53

+1 leftstreet Jan 2023 #55

Absolutely right we don't have another 40 years, especially as a democratic nation... Hekate Jan 2023 #67

You've got me by a few years. I hope that I am still plugging away like you when I get more Golden. Prairie_Seagull Jan 2023 #149

What...no large print? Onlyserious Jan 2023 #46

Heh. One of the things I like best about a pad with touch screen is blowing up the font size... Hekate Jan 2023 #51

... orangecrush Jan 2023 #48

I was 36 when I joined IHateRonDesantis1986 Jan 2023 #49

How orangecrush Jan 2023 #50

Welcome to our DU family, from one of the oldies (in both senses!) niyad Jan 2023 #73

Thank you! IHateRonDesantis1986 Jan 2023 #123

you're a pup Skittles Jan 2023 #97

Yes, a wonderful post. Thank you. ancianita Jan 2023 #52

🌺. All you guys are really making my day Hekate Jan 2023 #63

I was 55 when I joined in 2006; now I'm 71 rhiannon55 Jan 2023 #56

Yup. MineralMan Jan 2023 #58

I will look for it Hekate Jan 2023 #106

Here you go: MineralMan Jan 2023 #108

Gee, you guys are making it hard to keep up my denial...LOL hlthe2b Jan 2023 #59

I have found that to have a younger aspect to your tude- Prairie_Seagull Jan 2023 #150

I was sixty one when I joined. Makes sense I was winding down my business and prepping for..... usaf-vet Jan 2023 #61

💜💜💜 K&R n/t OneGrassRoot Jan 2023 #65

Funny. We're having the same kind of discussion in my American Legion post. 70sEraVet Jan 2023 #68

A most tnoughtful, and needed, post. I was 52 when I first was introduced to niyad Jan 2023 #74

🌺 Hekate Jan 2023 #78

And I am so glad to share this space with you! niyad Jan 2023 #79

I'm almost 40. I joined during the Bush years. Hyper_Eye Jan 2023 #75

This. The internet landscape has changed. Withywindle Jan 2023 #142

The DUers/Democrats-are-wealthy-old-centrist/conservative-elites insult is just to make us mad. betsuni Jan 2023 #76

We can start by looking at our congressional leadership question everything Jan 2023 #77

I have seen a lot agist posts here Meowmee Jan 2023 #82

Fight back Hekate Jan 2023 #129

I love the description "robust middle age." betsuni Jan 2023 #132

I joined DU when I was 33 years old. herding cats Jan 2023 #83

Been a member here since 2004 samplegirl Jan 2023 #89

Would think there's one easy way to get younger people to join Hekate KS Toronado Jan 2023 #92

Retaining relevance amid generational changes. Aught to be a book...or at least a smallish war. jaxexpat Jan 2023 #94

I was 41 when I joined... CousinIT Jan 2023 #95

Ciclo de vida y procesos de formación old as dirt Jan 2023 #96

Well there is one proven way to stop aging Botany Jan 2023 #98

Put it that way, I prefer the alternative Blaukraut Jan 2023 #103

Where is the DU Outreach program? designed to pull younger folks in? Layzeebeaver Jan 2023 #99

I appreciate this thread, Hekate, and also... intheflow Jan 2023 #100

Excellent points -- thanks! Hekate Jan 2023 #118

Meant to add: thank you much for the kind words. They mean a lot. Hekate Jan 2023 #126

Time waits for nobody CousinIT Jan 2023 #101

Age is not a factor. Intelligent analysis and readable, interesting, fact-based writing is. Martin68 Jan 2023 #104

That's what I was looking for when I came here 21 years ago, & I found it Hekate Jan 2023 #109

This is revisionist. DU was a hotbed of 9/11 trutherism back in the day mathematic Jan 2023 #105

I came on in the run-up to the invasion of Iraq & got tremendous fact-based, well-sourced info... Hekate Jan 2023 #114

This message was self-deleted by its author Iggo Jan 2023 #110

as much as age, race is a huge issue at DU tishaLA Jan 2023 #111

I hear you, & I keep hearing this from others now that I've raised the age issue... Hekate Jan 2023 #117

+1 betsuni Jan 2023 #124

+1 emulatorloo Jan 2023 #140

+1 betsuni Jan 2023 #141

I was here before the Bush years... different handle, tavernier Jan 2023 #116

I have been reading DU cksmithy Jan 2023 #119

Respond as much as you want to me, cksmithy Hekate Jan 2023 #131

The entire thread has been an enlightening read. crickets Jan 2023 #127

You are so welcome -- and thanks for chiming in, crickets Hekate Jan 2023 #128

+1 Emile Jan 2023 #146