Criteria For Interviewees

Sorry, but I really don't understand that. I can see that the first two could fit jkmac's definition, but (3) and (4) are just unorthodox theories about physics, aren't they?

1) critical psychiatry and antipsychiatry,


2) Intelligent Design vs. Neo-Darwinism,

3) cold fusion / LENR,

4) Electric Universe and plasma cosmology.

(Pasted Vortex's list above for reference)
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FYI- on closer reading I would agree with Chris that 2 fits my loose definition. 

OTOH- I have to admit,, I don't know what the heck 1 even is, and really not interested in spending the time to figure it out. 

Just in case anyone jumps to the conclusion that I'm objecting to unorthodox science in general being discussed here, I'm not - though personally I should prefer it to be in a different part of the site from psi. HIV/AIDS denialism is a special case for me, because of the pernicious effect it has had.

Just in case anyone jumps to the conclusion that I'm objecting to unorthodox science in general being discussed here, I'm not - though personally I should prefer it to be in a different part of the site from psi. HIV/AIDS denialism is a special case for me, because of the pernicious effect it has had.

I don't mind that idea, being able to discuss things outside 'psi' but keeping these topics separate from the core subjects. So those that don't want to be infected by 'non psi' can stay in that part if they so wish. 

People will all have the topics that they feel most emotional about Chris, yours being HIV/AIDS. It's like pilots having their own individual things that they worry about, usually caused by personal experience. For years mine was looking out for other aircraft after we nearly had a 737 come through the windscreen. It's funny how things often become important when we as individuals feel the pain, either to ourselves or our loved ones, like Cancer or Parkinson's or whatever.

Rather than show our fear by running away, surely it would be better to make your case and try to show people's weak case, one to one by questioning them in the open. People will generally have a feel for nonsense, or maybe reveal their bias's in one direction or the other. 

I really can't be bothered falling out with anyone, but I don't want this forum totally becoming a 'safe space', where people are afraid to express what they really feel, for fear of some others getting offended.

I don't mind that idea, being able to discuss things outside 'psi' but keeping these topics separate from the core subjects. So those that don't want to be infected by 'non psi' can stay in that part if they so wish. 

People will all have the topics that they feel most emotional about Chris, yours being HIV/AIDS. It's like pilots having their own individual things that they worry about, usually caused by personal experience. For years mine was looking out for other aircraft after we nearly had a 737 come through the windscreen. It's funny how things often become important when we as individuals feel the pain, either to ourselves or our loved ones, like Cancer or Parkinson's or whatever.

Rather than show our fear by running away, surely it would be better to make your case and try to show people's weak case, one to one by questioning them in the open. People will generally have a feel for nonsense, or maybe reveal their bias's in one direction or the other. 

I really can't be bothered falling out with anyone, but I don't want this forum totally becoming a 'safe space', where people are afraid to express what they really feel, for fear of some others getting offended.

It seems that these days some people can't read anything I write without jumping to false conclusions.

I do not feel "emotional" about HIV/AIDS. I do not "fear" it, and I have no desire to "run away" from it. It has not affected me or my loved ones - in fact as far as I'm aware, I've never even met an HIV/AIDS sufferer. (Frankly, it disturbs me that you seem to assume people wouldn't be concerned by propaganda that leads to needless HIV/AIDS deaths unless they had some personal reason.)

What I have said is that I would not be able to continue participating in a website which provided a platform for HIV/AIDS denialism, because it is so pernicious. It is estimated to have cost more than 330,000 lives in South Africa alone. [Edit: And the moderators have decided not to do that, by assigning discussion of this subject to the conspiracy theory forum, which is visible only to those who choose to look at it.]

I too dislike the modern idea of the "right not to be offended", particularly when what offends is simply an opinion you don't agree with. But that doesn't mean anything goes. Every civilised society places some limits on free speech to protect people from harm. And everyone has the right to dissociate him/herself from a group that is propagating harmful views.

I hope that's clear enough, because if I have to repeat the explanation many more times, I may as well put it into my signature!

It seems that these days some people can't read anything I write without jumping to false conclusions.

I do not feel "emotional" about HIV/AIDS. I do not "fear" it, and I have no desire to "run away" from it. It has not affected me or my loved ones - in fact as far as I'm aware, I've never even met an HIV/AIDS sufferer. (Frankly, it disturbs me that you seem to assume people wouldn't be concerned by propaganda that leads to needless HIV/AIDS deaths unless they had some personal reason.)

What I have said is that I would not be able to continue participating in a website which provided a platform for HIV/AIDS denialism, because it is so pernicious. It is estimated to have cost more than 330,000 lives in South Africa alone. [Edit: And the moderators have decided not to do that, by assigning discussion of this subject to the conspiracy theory forum, which is visible only to those who choose to look at it.]

I too dislike the modern idea of the "right not to be offended", particularly when what offends is simply an opinion you don't agree with. But that doesn't mean anything goes. Every civilised society places some limits on free speech to protect people from harm. And everyone has the right to dissociate him/herself from a group that is propagating harmful views.

I hope that's clear enough, because if I have to repeat the explanation many more times, I may as well put it into my signature!

I don't know enough about the subject to have a view either way. They say that it takes 10000 hrs of doing something before you become an 'expert' in it. You have showed disdain at Dr Baur's qualifications on an earlier post. Would Dean Radin be ignorant about a subject that he spent time looking into that was outside his PhD expertise? Do you consider yourself so informed about HIV/AIDS to have such strong 'something' about it? I hesitate to state what that 'something' might be, but I guess it must be relatively important to you as you seem to want your feelings to be well known before any interview ever takes place.

To me it's doesn't follow that the forum provides a platform for anything, if you trust the other members! Are you so sure of your own ground? 

I'm feel sure Dr Baur would try to defend his position on this as well as other topics, sadly we'll never know what that position currently is, mainly because of your opinion. I'm certain that there are many topics that are equally serious, where life or death hangs on decisions made, global warming is one, vaccines another, there are many. I hope that this forum becomes a place that non-mainstream views are, if not welcomed, at least not banned.

It's such an irony that a forum that has the strong views that it does on subjects ridiculed by so many, appears to fail to look at some other esoteric subjects with an open mind.

I haven't stopped you finding out what Bauer's views are, if you want to know. You can find them on Skeptiko and dozens of HIV/AIDS denialist websites. 

I haven't even stopped him being interviewed on this site about HIV/AIDS. I don't have the power to prevent an interview, any more than you have the power to ensure one takes place. The moderators decided that. If you're not happy about it, take it up with the moderators, on the appropriate thread.

I haven't stopped you finding out what Bauer's views are, if you want to know. You can find them on Skeptiko and dozens of HIV/AIDS denialist websites. 

I haven't even stopped him being interviewed on this site about HIV/AIDS. I don't have the power to prevent an interview, any more than you have the power to ensure one takes place. The moderators decided that. If you're not happy about it, take it up with the moderators, on the appropriate thread.

Frankly, I couldn't care less about his views. This really isn't about him, as you well know.

It's about the slippery slope, having to check with everyone before every interview, having them say 'it's ok, I won't leave' before we speak to people. It's not as if they're convicted pedophiles or mass murderers for goodness sake.

Frankly, I couldn't care less about his views. This really isn't about him, as you well know.

It's about the slippery slope, having to check with everyone before every interview, having them say 'it's ok, I won't leave' before we speak to people. It's not as if they're convicted pedophiles or mass murderers for goodness sake.

I guess I'm not sure what you are suggesting... 

Is it that anyone, in the name of PQ, interview whoever they want, on whatever topic that interests them? Is that what you are suggesting should be fine?

It's not as if they're convicted pedophiles or mass murderers for goodness sake.

This is what I just don't understand. I've explained over and over again that the reason for my concern is the huge number of lives that were lost in Africa because of HIV/AIDS denialism, and then you say that. What is it that you're having trouble understanding?

This is what I just don't understand. I've explained over and over again that the reason for my concern is the huge number of lives that were lost in Africa because of HIV/AIDS denialism, and then you say that. What is it that you're having trouble understanding?

Do you really think that this interview is going to cause any more deaths ? 

Let us decide for ourselves if he's as big a fool as you think he is.