The question of political / conspiracy theory content

***Laird*** · ***Laird*** 2017-08-23, 02:29 AM Administrator

Done.

chuck · chuck 2017-08-23, 02:29 AM

(2017-08-23, 02:27 AM)Laird Wrote: Hmm. Perhaps you're right. OK, I'll add that option in.

Yes. I'm reluctant to vote also. You need the 3rd option.

***Laird*** · ***Laird*** 2017-08-23, 02:34 AM Administrator

(2017-08-23, 02:29 AM)chuck Wrote: Yes. I'm reluctant to vote also. You need the 3rd option.

It's there now. :-)

***Ninshub*** · ***Ninshub*** 2017-08-23, 05:04 AM Administrator

Watching those poll results are exciting. Kind of like...

Brexit. Or the Trump election. Anyone feel like discussing that? Wink

Stan Woolley · Stan Woolley 2017-08-23, 07:42 AM

(2017-08-23, 01:51 AM)Laird Wrote: Hopefully this brings us closer to closure - we really don't want folks leaving over this.

Jmac has left suddenly in a fit of pique because I tried to make a point and he got offended. We could discuss this if he were still around, but he doesn't appear to be.

I have been a member (Steve) of the Skeptiko forum since the closing of the old 'mind' forum. I cant recall ever before having such a reaction to any of my posts. I feel the real problem here is that some people are very easily offended, taking themselves and others too seriously imo. That is what we should be discussing. Do we really want to be treading very lightly in case anyone gets offended? If so, count me out.

I would apologise if I felt I had done anything wrong, but to do so just to 'make peace', or because it might smooth things over because I am a 'founder member', just wouldn't be honest. My possible overreaction is worth discussing, I admit. I would defend it too, not surprisingly. Wink

Yes, it's all about ego, but there are two egos involved here, make no mistake. And believe it or not, I'm making a stand for the health of the forum.

I'd much rather we discussed it out in the open. I'd really prefer Jmac to be part of the community. I am not a person that holds grudges, I'm really not. What you see is what you get. You can always put me on 'ignore'. Sleepy

I would urge Jmac to reconsider. Even if we end up disagreeing on this point, surely we can live together on the forum having minor or even major differences? Smile

And if not, we've nobody to blame but ourselves.

***Laird*** · ***Laird*** 2017-08-23, 08:09 AM Administrator

(2017-08-23, 07:42 AM)Stan Woolley Wrote: I would urge Jmac to reconsider. Even if we end up disagreeing on this point, surely we can live together on the forum having minor or even major differences? And if not, we've nobody to blame but ourselves.

I would urge jkmac to reconsider too. I don't think that this thread says anything about the relative dysfunction of Psience Quest versus Skeptiko, since the only dysfunction that can be controlled is moderation, which has been totally liberal (in fact, absent!) in this thread. The views and disagreements of members are really beyond the control of the founders of the forum, and I don't think they should be counted either way in a comparison of the two forums. On any significant topic, members are going to disagree, sometimes heatedly - whether on Psience Quest, Skeptiko or any other forum. Please, jkmac, stick with us and help us resolve this discussion with what hopefully is the most methodical approach: polling. Put your paws on the voting buttons, man!

***Ninshub*** · ***Ninshub*** 2017-08-23, 12:56 PM Administrator

(2017-08-23, 05:04 AM)Ninshub Wrote: Watching those poll results are exciting. Kind of like...

Brexit. Or the Trump election. Anyone feel like discussing that?

Funny. It's probably because I wrote this but, wow, woke up a short while ago and I just had a very long extended dream about hanging out with Trump.

I guess that could go in "Personal Experiences"... Wink

chuck · chuck 2017-08-23, 01:22 PM

(2017-08-23, 02:34 AM)Laird Wrote: It's there now. :-)

I have to say I'm pretty surprised by the results. I would have thought based on this thread that there would be a lot more "NO" votes. Hopefully we can find a compromise that suits everyone.

chuck · chuck 2017-08-23, 01:28 PM

(2017-08-23, 08:09 AM)Laird Wrote: I would urge jkmac to reconsider too. I don't think that this thread says anything about the relative dysfunction of Psience Quest versus Skeptiko, since the only dysfunction that can be controlled is moderation, which has been totally liberal (in fact, absent!) in this thread. The views and disagreements of members are really beyond the control of the founders of the forum, and I don't think they should be counted either way in a comparison of the two forums. On any significant topic, members are going to disagree, sometimes heatedly - whether on Psience Quest, Skeptiko or any other forum. Please, jkmac, stick with us and help us resolve this discussion with what hopefully is the most methodical approach: polling. Put your paws on the voting buttons, man!

I would also urge jkmac to reconsider. I don't mind admitting that I was getting really frustrated early on in this thread and almost contacted Laird to delete my ID. I'm not sure why in retrospect that I felt so strongly--I guess that is just one of the interesting things about the forum. I know on Skeptiko I left probably 10 or so times and returned each time with a different username (and most of the time with a slightly different viewpoint on the topics discussed.)

If this idea is to succeed we NEED as many voices as we can muster. But we must also have thick skins. Maybe there can be some kind of release valve--a thread to go to when another member has just pushed us beyond the limits of our temper. And we just vent and let it go.

***Ninshub*** · ***Ninshub*** 2017-08-23, 01:38 PM Administrator

Maybe an Emotional Release Thread.