Should we permit interviews on non-core subjects, esp AIDS/HIV?

So if I did an interview about my cats that rest of the group should appreciate it?

Listen to yourself. You make no sense.

Well, if the interview was posted in Other Stuff, I would definitely read an interview with you about your cats. But only if it had pictures, of course.

Naturally, everyone has a different view about this. Regarding non-psi unconventional science in general, on the whole I'd prefer to see it treated in the same way as political conspiracy theories. I don't really see any essential difference.

But whereas most unconventional science theories are relatively harmless, HIV/AIDS denialism is not. As I mentioned before, it's been estimated that the denialist policies of the South African government resulted in 330,000 additional deaths from AIDS. That's why - unlike most other unconventional science theories - it would be a "red line" for me.

If it's still difficult to understand, I should feel the same way if the site gave a platform to someone arguing that people should refuse life-saving blood transfusions for theological reasons. Or that people should commit suicide in order to get to heaven quicker.

If the founders/admins are looking for a community consensus, I guess I'll throw in with an opinion... I don't know anything about the "HIV doesn't cause AIDS argument." I have a few friends who are HIV+, so I suppose if I wanted, I could seek out other interviews with this guy Bauer or read what he's written on this topic in other places, if I was that curious. But I don't think that topic would be appropriate for the forum.

But, the question is, is the interview about the HIV/AIDs connection or is it about anything that relates to the paranormal or psi? Some people did say that he has written on that topic, outside of the HIV thing.

If he wouldn't be interviewed about that topic, then the question becomes whether we want to interview a guest who has held objectionable views, currently or in the past, on a subject, no? I get a bit uneasy with no-platforming people because they once held objectionable views in the past, or they have politics that I disagree with, when they, in fact, do possess expertise in another subject I'd be interested to know about.

I guess that's all, but I hope we can come to a good conclusion.

I've already said that it doesn't matter what I think... Sci is not gonna run the articles he finds past you or anyone else before he posts them. And neither am I... If I want to post an article that I think is relevant, and concerns hiv/aids... I will... I'm not going to start asking permission because we've got a couple of homophobic members who get a bit anxious around the subject matter. I couldn't care less what the community decides on this matter... so stick that in your pipe.

No surprises there then.

But, the question is, is the interview about the HIV/AIDs connection or is it about anything that relates to the paranormal or psi? Some people did say that he has written on that topic, outside of the HIV thing.

If he wouldn't be interviewed about that topic, then the question becomes whether we want to interview a guest who has held objectionable views, currently or in the past, on a subject, no? I get a bit uneasy with no-platforming people because they once held objectionable views in the past, or they have politics that I disagree with, when they, in fact, do possess expertise in another subject I'd be interested to know about.

Vortex said above: "The interview would be on his general position concerning science, not on his HIV-AIDS positions. They may be mentioned by him as an example, of course, but they definitely will not be central concern."

Vortex said above: "The interview would be on his general position concerning science, not on his HIV-AIDS positions. They may be mentioned by him as an example, of course, but they definitely will not be central concern."

Yes, I did see that, but I thought it was rather vague?

It seems that people are going to post HIV/AIDS denialist propaganda here anyway, whether or not Henry Bauer is interviewed about it.

For the reasons I've already explained, I'm going to withdraw now.

It seems that people are going to post HIV/AIDS denialist propaganda here anyway, whether or not Henry Bauer is interviewed about it.

For the reasons I've already explained, I'm going to withdraw now.

I don't see that happening, other than perhaps with David, and maybe Max?  I have said that I don't think it's an appropriate discussion for the forum as have many others.

The best place for your friends to study this question (...)

I don't think my friends would be interested. I said that if I, if I were so inclined, could seek that info out if I wanted to, but that I didn't think this topic was appropriate for this forum.