Psience Quest

(2017-08-16, 03:46 PM)E. Flowers Wrote: [ -> ]I just visited Skeptiko... Apparently Alex is deleting the spirituality section as well and when asked if he would explain what the new Skeptiko is going to be about he responded "I just did... [podcast] 357 [the one about Pizzagate]". Without spirituality, it seems like Skeptiko has completed its transition into a place where only CTs, politics and the mandatory religious bashing are allowed. And with it getting fully "stuck on" CTs, I see it as equivalent to the subforum that is being requested... That is exactly what Skeptiko is going to be within a year, just give it enough time for the hardcore conspiracists to arrive and settle in the ruins.

In such a scenario, I would advice Alex to change the name of the podcast / forum to "Infowarrico".

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As for conspiracy theories... We cannot avoid them completely for the two reasons:

1) real conspiracies do happen, and ignoring this fact won't help;

2) some conspiracy theories are notably better than the most, and do deserve some intellectual contemplation (that's why 9/11 Truth and JFK Assasination, as well as Deep Politics analysis in general, have some genuinely rational thinkers like David Ray Griffin in their ranks).

Yet I would also agree that many - not all, but many - conspiracy theories are indeed sheer nonsense ("global depopulation agenda", Pizzagate and many others fit this description neatly).

And, as I once said on Skeptiko, looking into them is like walking on a thin ice - every step should be taken very carefully.

So, I think that providing them a special subsection is good choice - this way, we will allow conspiracy controversies to become a legitimate subject of debate (which they should be) without allowing them to spread across the whole forum and dominate it (which has happened on Skeptiko, and which we should prevent).

Discussions going into conspiracy controversies should be transferred to the relevant special subsection, with exception of the ones which are directly related to the main topic of the forum. Such directly related, and thus allowed beyond the special subsection, conspiracy controversies should be:

1) organised and (temporarily and/or partially) covert misdeeds of the paranormal skeptics, such as sTARBABY scandal, Randi's Alpha Project, Guerilla Skepticism on Wikipedia, etc.;

2) corruption and repression in science and medicine - for example, Big Pharma's buying of medical doctors and scientists, attacks on cold fusion / LENR research, etc.

Such is my opinion.

Has anyone asked Alex to make a Conspiracy Theory subforum on Skeptiko?

He seems dedicated to providing a safe haven to various alt-left/right ideas and may amenable?

BTW, speaking about Skeptiko. On the "Consciousness and Science" subforum - one which is not being closed, apparently, I saw this message on every thread:

Quote:(You have insufficient privileges to reply here.)

Does it mean that "Consciousness and Science" is also on its way to the Memory Hole?

(2017-08-16, 07:17 PM)Vortex Wrote: [ -> ]BTW, speaking about Skeptiko. On the "Consciousness and Science" subforum - one which is not being closed, apparently, I saw this message on every thread:

Quote:(You have insufficient privileges to reply here.)

Does it mean that "Consciousness and Science" is also on its way to the Memory Hole?

Ah yeah C+S is apparently also scheduled for deletion.

Another act, that, in my opinion, should be performed, is separation of the "Other Stuff" subcathegory from the "Related Topics" subsection - it should become a subsection of its own, with its own subcathegories.

And, if we do make a subcathegory related to conspiracy theories there, I think, to name it "Deep Politics" will be more appropriate than "Conspiracy Theories".

In my view, we should also make a "General Politics" subcathegory there. "General Politics" and "Deep Politics" topics can and should overlap and interact, but still be limited to these two specific political subcathegories ("standard" and "conspiracy-related" one).

I guess I just don't see the need for CT or politics section if Skeptiko is already covering that?

I didn't think we were trying to compete with Skeptiko, just provide an alternative forum now that C+S/S&E/CD are being deleted?

(2017-08-16, 07:49 PM)Vortex Wrote: [ -> ]Another act, that, in my opinion, should be performed, is separation of the "Other Stuff" subcathegory from the "Related Topics" subsection - it should become a subsection of its own, with its own subcathegories.

And, if we do make a subcathegory related to conspiracy theories there, I think, to name it "Deep Politics" will be more appropriate than "Conspiracy Theories".

In my view, we should also make a "General Politics" subcathegory there. "General Politics" and "Deep Politics" topics can and should overlap and interact, but still be limited to these two specific political subcathegories ("standard" and "conspiracy-related" one).

I promise I'm not rabble-rousing here, but,,, 

Remind me: what was the reason are we trying to come up with a way to get a place to talk about politics? I guess the best reason I've seen in the last day or so is that we are all people who have been hanging out for a long time, and we sort of got used to talking about politics with our Skeptiko buddies, and now we don't want anyone to take away our binky. Is that it? That's not a terrible reason, but it isn't a great one either IMO. 

Really, I mean it when I say I'm not trying to start a fight,, I really want to know how politics warrants a section on a web site dedicated to psi.  Can someone, anyone answer that particular question in a way other than "because I want it to be so"?

Cause if that's all that's required: I'd like to put in an order for a beer section and what the heck, how about a side order of sailing and BBQ.

(2017-08-16, 08:42 PM)Sciborg_S_Patel Wrote: [ -> ]I guess I just don't see the need for CT or politics section if Skeptiko is already covering that?

I didn't think we were trying to compete with Skeptiko, just provide an alternative forum now that C+S/S&E/CD are being deleted?

Skptiko does not allow members to create threads on politics. I tried to create a new trump thread and it was closed.

(2017-08-16, 09:23 PM)Jim_Smith Wrote: [ -> ]

(2017-08-16, 08:42 PM)Sciborg_S_Patel Wrote: [ -> ]I guess I just don't see the need for CT or politics section if Skeptiko is already covering that?

I didn't think we were trying to compete with Skeptiko, just provide an alternative forum now that C+S/S&E/CD are being deleted?

Skptiko does not allow members to create threads on politics. I tried to create a new trump thread and it was closed.

Perhaps that's because Alex wants to restrict discussion to his podcast subjects exclusively. With that kind of control freakery, I can't see the Sketiko forum lasting much longer.

(2017-08-16, 09:23 PM)Jim_Smith Wrote: [ -> ]

(2017-08-16, 08:42 PM)Sciborg_S_Patel Wrote: [ -> ]I guess I just don't see the need for CT or politics section if Skeptiko is already covering that?

I didn't think we were trying to compete with Skeptiko, just provide an alternative forum now that C+S/S&E/CD are being deleted?

Skptiko does not allow members to create threads on politics. I tried to create a new trump thread and it was closed.

You tried to create a new trump thread - and the entire forum was shut down!
Well, two whole forums: Extended Consciousness & Spirituality + Consciousness & Science. (someone else had posted in the other about Pam Reynolds). Skeptiko does not allow members to create threads on NDEs.