Righteous egos.

Is this forum a scientific centre of excellence or something? Or is it a place where ordinary plebs can question things? 

I have always thought it was the latter. If I was wrong, or if it has changed in the recent past, could someone please let me know and I’ll dump it, just as I’ve dumped Skeptiko!

[Laird]

G'day Steve,

First off: Your presence is valued here. I hope you don't choose to leave us as you've left Skeptiko.

To address the subtext of your post though: I know you don't like the way we (as a community, which, as you know, voted on this outcome, I feel I ought to remind you) have partitioned the forum such that certain topics belong only in opt-in forums, and I also know that you don't like that we have partitioned even the public discussions around the coronavirus into two separate threads - data versus response - but please know this: I personally will try to maintain proper boundaries, and not "relegate" posts from one thread to another without good reason based on predetermined criteria (see here and here). If you feel that any decision made by a moderator fails to comply with those criteria, then please raise it with us.

So, in other words: "ordinary plebs" are welcome to question whatever they like, so long as they respect the topicality of the threads in which they ask those questions.

I hope you're well, my friend.

G'day Steve,

First off: Your presence is valued here. I hope you don't choose to leave us as you've left Skeptiko.

To address the subtext of your post though: I know you don't like the way we (as a community, which, as you know, voted on this outcome, I feel I ought to remind you) have partitioned the forum such that certain topics belong only in opt-in forums, and I also know that you don't like that we have partitioned even the public discussions around the coronavirus into two separate threads - data versus response - but please know this: I personally will try to maintain proper boundaries, and not "relegate" posts from one thread to another without good reason based on predetermined criteria (see here and here). If you feel that any decision made by a moderator fails to comply with those criteria, then please raise it with us.

So, in other words: "ordinary plebs" are welcome to question whatever they like, so long as they respect the topicality of the threads in which they ask those questions.

I hope you're well, my friend.

Thanks Laird.
I really feel it’s important that we don’t get too ‘up ourselves’ and that we are always able to ask questions or make what some think to be stupid comments. If PhD’s become a necessary qualification here I will point you to a couple on Skeptiko who I’m certain have expertise in certain areas, but when offering opinions outside these areas, are just as uninformed as many others.

[Laird]

We do value thoughtful, intelligent contributions, but a PhD isn't required for that. So-called "stupid" comments or questions might best be judged by their intent. Of course, if members become "stuck on stupid" then that could become problematic. But I'm not referring to you nor anybody in particular here.