Why are there so many liberals on these forums?

[Welgard]

I don't post often on MMO-Champion but I do read through a fair number of threads, usually just ones that catch my attention in that recent forum posts box. I consider myself to be an independent, but I have been somewhat alarmed at the sheer number of left-wing threads, particularly ones about right-wing politicians or policies that are taken completely out of context.

Why is it that the majority of the posters here are liberals? I'm not trolling here, or flaming or anything, I'm just looking for people's honest opinions.

I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that MMO-Champion and World of Warcraft have attracted a younger audience. While people of all ages play the game, it seems that the majority of the playerbase are teens or young adults. Democrats have moral beliefs and a party platform that really align better with the beliefs of younger individuals.

[Deleted]

I can be pretty conservative guys.

Fo realz.

*Rabble rabble immigration*

*Rabble rabble no abortions 'cuz god*

*Rabble rabble fuck healthcare*

/s

But if anything I identify more "Right" than left, but in the U.K our right would probably be seen as communist in the U.S

[THE Bigzoman]

European demographics.

Young people.

[Deleted]

because it's mostly young adults who play WoW (20-30) and young people tend to be liberal

[obdigore]

Because 'conservatives' in the US, are generally poor and old, two demographics that aren't heavily into video games, which can be a very expensive hobby.

[Elegiac]

I'm a socialist, not a liberal.

[Vanyali]

Because one, it's wildly misused to label people someone doesn't like (as is conservative)

Two, the "left" for America is still right for Europeans, so "all europeans are liberals" comes out to play, despite the fact that if anyone can be placed on one side it's us Americans. Having two right-leaning parties helps nothing for "anyone left of US-Democrat is insanely fanatically liberal".

And yes, younger demographics help, though you can also say that younger people don't seem to identify so hard core with either side. I ping-pong between the two "sides" socially and financially, though i'd probably never vote for a republican conservative (a third party much more likely) because they seem to be slowly going insane.

Also, we ban all conservatives and hunt them down irl to make sure they don't come back.

[zealo]

Large European user base and a lot of people in their 20s or 30s.

Entirely anecdotal as a said European but I also think there are generally a lot of crazies on the republican side of things in American politics.

[Niroshi]

There really aren't that many liberals here.

[GennGreymane]

Because internet

[Ealyssa]

On internet you have : people with internet access (WTF?) -> access to information -> more open to the world.

That's also why you usually have more liberal people in big cities, where you have higher cultural diversity, higher education, more interaction. Than a little town in the countryside.

And because mmo-c = not only american people. To every "conservative american" someone outside US is a liberal.

[Masark]

I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that MMO-Champion and World of Warcraft have attracted a younger audience. While people of all ages play the game, it seems that the majority of the playerbase are teens or young adults. Democrats have moral beliefs and a party platform that really align better with the beliefs of younger individuals.

And the fact that the world is a lot bigger than just the USA and most other nations have political parties that span the political spectrum rather than being compressed into right-authoritarian.

[Celista]

It's been my understanding that Americans have been moving further to the left for some time, particularly among youth voters. So it would make sense that more people would self-identify as liberal on a gaming forum where a lot of young people tend to post (although I assume not everyone here is under the age of 30). Europeans are slightly leftist in terms of American political standards, even if they self-identify as conservative in regards to their own countries' politics.

In regards to US political orientation:

http://www.gallup.com/poll/166787/li...high-2013.aspx
http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-dru...mocratic-presi

But then you have articles like this:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/08/up...servative.html

So who knows.

[Mormolyce]

Conservatives only hang out with conservatives and therefore tend to overestimate how many people agree with them. Liberals do the same.

[Calfredd]

I'm still trying to figure out why liberal is used as a dirty swear word.

[Belize]

because it's mostly young adults who play WoW (20-30) and young people tend to be liberal

Get off my lawn!!! *shakes cane*

[Zelk]

What does liberal have to do with left wing?

[Fencers]

Forums likely tolerate conversations on social issues more so than moral, legal, financial or sensational. A lot of people are quite liberal socially where they might be more conservative in other discussion topics.

It's not only more palpable to forum etiquette but also people are more willing to share opinion on "tight jeans!"/"news story!"/"d-bags, amirite?" than serious discussion of like religion in secular spaces, the national debt, social services, etc. And moderators are only going to allow so much political discussion where appropriate (proper topics/threads, civil discourse, etc).

So it may seem there are more liberals on generally regulated discussion forums. Though I suspect there might be as many conservatives and moderates as befits the same cross section of users/voters in general population.

There are also A LOT of European users of MMO-C. Which tend to be somewhat socially liberal by comparison to American attitudes on social issues.

[Deleted]

Why are all people either liberal or conservative? I don't identify as either.
Does this have something to do with 'Murrican 2-party political system?

[Mormolyce]

Left wing originally meant supported republicanism and right wing meant supported the King.

They've changed constantly over the centuries but in general left wing = wants change / right wing = doesn't.