Has Skeptiko gone completely wacko?

Hi Hurm

I disagree.

Surely it’s quite normal to critique other forums, especially one that many of us have been so heavily involved with in the past? I mourn the old Skeptiko and think it very useful to comment on the possible reasons why things moved on, and the direction in which things seem to be moving.

You may say that it’s a bit ‘tacky’ to write about certain individuals in a negative manner, but under the circumstances, I think pointing out ‘unusual’ posts is fair game. David’s mediation was a big part in the ‘downfall’ of Skeptiko and the formation of this forum. I think his position ought to allow some criticism. After all, I don’t think the spirit of it is nasty. Malf was adding some light hearted teasing, I think most would recognise the overreaction by David.

I do think that we ought to remember that when we point the finger at others, three more point back at us. 

I can’t ever remember a situation that you have been critical of others, it may be fair to say. But I do think Malf’s contribution added something positive to the thread despite his posts slightly ‘edgy’ nature. I think that it was worth pointing out David’s reaction.

Oh I don't know. You're probably right. I've always enjoyed Malf's comments. And I'm glad Psiencequest split off from Skeptiko although the whole process felt like a church split with a little bit of unnecessary drama. IMO, the purpose of a "critique" should be to change something for the better... not sure how this thread is doing that. So it seemed to me the purpose was to label a set of ideas, a group of people, and the personal journey of Alex as "wacko"... you know... putting others down and getting others to join in so as to feel superior and validated. I probably wouldn't have bothered to voice my opinion, but I'd had an adult beverage for the first time in a while so my tolerance was down. So anyway, carry on!

Oh I don't know. You're probably right. I've always enjoyed Malf's comments. And I'm glad Psiencequest split off from Skeptiko although the whole process felt like a church split with a little bit of unnecessary drama. IMO, the purpose of a "critique" should be to change something for the better... not sure how this thread is doing that. So it seemed to me the purpose was to label a set of ideas, a group of people, and the personal journey of Alex as "wacko"... you know... putting others down and getting others to join in so as to feel superior and validated. I probably wouldn't have bothered to voice my opinion, but I'd had an adult beverage for the first time in a while so my tolerance was down. So anyway, carry on!

I often post defending free speech, so I am very slow to censor anything. I’m definitely against putting others down, labelling anyone, if I felt this thread was doing that I wouldn’t have added to it. But highlighting things is fair game I think. 

I think the intent is important, and from my side the intent wasn’t negative. I think highlighting David’s moderation style again might improve or remind us of what we have. 

Having said that, I have a feeling that this could be in my life review! 

I often post defending free speech, so I am very slow to censor anything. I’m definitely against putting others down, labelling anyone, if I felt this thread was doing that I wouldn’t have added to it. But highlighting things is fair game I think. 

I think the intent is important, and from my side the intent wasn’t negative. I think highlighting David’s moderation style again might improve or remind us of what we have. 

Having said that, I have a feeling that this could be in my life review! 

Interesting. I don’t think you need to fear your life review on that basis.
personally I thought it was an amusing example of  school-marmishness. It was clearly meant to be a jocular comment from Malf.

marmishness

I have now learned a new word.

[Laird]

I didn't get an alert for this, despite you very clearly having quoted me, which is odd.

Jim_Smith complained about something similar some time back: https://psiencequest.net/forums/thread-m...ous-alerts

I think I've identified the problem, at least in this case: the Woolley Stannoth posted using the Tapatalk plugin, which - as best as I can tell - does not support the MyAlerts plugin, and thus does not create an alert for having quoted you. Not good, but not entirely under our control - even if we were to add in support, there's no guarantee that Tapatalk upstream would incorporate it for the next release. It's something I might raise with them though - they do support the Thank You/Like plugin.

Was this the same problem for Jim_Smith? It's at least plausible: we installed the Tapatalk plugin a bit over a month before Jim's complaint. For now I'm going to go with: problem identified, though not (yet) solved.

I think I've identified the problem, at least in this case: the Woolley Stannoth posted using the Tapatalk plugin, which - as best as I can tell - does not support the MyAlerts plugin, and thus does not create an alert for having quoted you.

For longish posts I am forced to use Tapatalk I’m afraid, using the PQ site direct becomes impossible after more that a few lines.

[Laird]

For longish posts I am forced to use Tapatalk I’m afraid, using the PQ site direct becomes impossible after more that a few lines.

Hopefully an upcoming release of MyBB solves that problem - I understand that the team is switching to a new WYSIWYG editor. I haven't checked in to see how far along that release is for a while now though.

I guess more than a few of us here are from the old mind-energy.net where Skeptiko was born. Skeptiko came into my life at a time of rebirth for me personally and spiritually. The three incarnations are the only place I've ever felt a true sense on community online. During that time I became egg, caterpillar, chrysalis and moth. Over the course of a nearly a decade I ravaged every subject I came across with the appetite of a swarm of locusts. Ghosts, reincarnation, UFOs, psi research, mind altering drugs, meditation, the yoga sutras (thanks, Don!), cryptids, conspiracy theories, theories of everything, the nature of enlightenment, the true nature of reality, magic, witchcraft, astral projection, mediumship. You name it. And then suddenly, nothing. No more appetite. No more yearning. I look at the titles of the new threads on both forums, but none of it really entices me to read any further. 

I'm so grateful for everyone on all the forums. And I mean everyone. I think I learned more about myself from dealing with people that I strongly disagreed with than from my compatriots. At times I miss engaging and participating, but I have nothing to say. Skeptiko was the kernel inside of the seed that forever changed the way I experience reality. So grateful. Thanks to all.

Chuck

I guess more than a few of us here are from the old mind-energy.net where Skeptiko was born. Skeptiko came into my life at a time of rebirth for me personally and spiritually. The three incarnations are the only place I've ever felt a true sense on community online. During that time I became egg, caterpillar, chrysalis and moth. Over the course of a nearly a decade I ravaged every subject I came across with the appetite of a swarm of locusts. Ghosts, reincarnation, UFOs, psi research, mind altering drugs, meditation, the yoga sutras (thanks, Don!), cryptids, conspiracy theories, theories of everything, the nature of enlightenment, the true nature of reality, magic, witchcraft, astral projection, mediumship. You name it. And then suddenly, nothing. No more appetite. No more yearning. I look at the titles of the new threads on both forums, but none of it really entices me to read any further.  I'm so grateful for everyone on all the forums. And I mean everyone. I think I learned more about myself from dealing with people that I strongly disagreed with than from my compatriots. At times I miss engaging and participating, but I have nothing to say. Skeptiko was the kernel inside of the seed that forever changed the way I experience reality. So grateful. Thanks to all. Chuck

Good to see you Chuck. I get what you say about having nothing left to say... I think I might’ve reached the end of my personality on here.

I guess more than a few of us here are from the old mind-energy.net where Skeptiko was born. Skeptiko came into my life at a time of rebirth for me personally and spiritually. The three incarnations are the only place I've ever felt a true sense on community online. During that time I became egg, caterpillar, chrysalis and moth. Over the course of a nearly a decade I ravaged every subject I came across with the appetite of a swarm of locusts. Ghosts, reincarnation, UFOs, psi research, mind altering drugs, meditation, the yoga sutras (thanks, Don!), cryptids, conspiracy theories, theories of everything, the nature of enlightenment, the true nature of reality, magic, witchcraft, astral projection, mediumship. You name it. And then suddenly, nothing. No more appetite. No more yearning. I look at the titles of the new threads on both forums, but none of it really entices me to read any further. 

I'm so grateful for everyone on all the forums. And I mean everyone. I think I learned more about myself from dealing with people that I strongly disagreed with than from my compatriots. At times I miss engaging and participating, but I have nothing to say. Skeptiko was the kernel inside of the seed that forever changed the way I experience reality. So grateful. Thanks to all.

Chuck

Chuck you've discovered the true importance of forums such as this one.