The question of political / conspiracy theory content

Pretty much every single place in the internet right now is a space to discuss such topics, it doesn't need to be here. 

Except for the fact that some of us know each other for a long time from being on the forum together and might want to discuss politics with each other and and anyone else who is here who wants to participate.

Pretty much every single place in the internet right now is a space to discuss such topics, it doesn't need to be here. 

Except some of us have known each other for a long time from being on the forum together and might want to discuss politics with each other and anyone else who is here who wants to participate.

I personally cringe these days whenever I hear the word conspiracy. 

Can't you see the danger in this? 

There are always dangers. I know from some personal experience when I went down the conspiracy theory path decades ago, as well as what I've seen happen to some of my close friends, that it can also be considered as a form of self-harm. One needs to swim carefully in these murky waters.

Is that not the case with everything? Aren't there always Choices for individuals?   

The danger I meant wasn't so much the 'dark stuff', but much more about our bias's and the possible consequences thereof. I was recently trying to put my viewpoint to some 'reasonable' people on Facebook about 9/11. I quickly saw that they just wouldn't have it, they claimed to be open minded, but not in my opinion. 

I left them with this thought. If 9/11 did somehow involve the government, as unbelievable as that may seem to some. Do we not owe it to those victims to openly talk about it, rather than being ridiculed for suggesting such an 'offensive thing'. Offensive? Shit, the government bombed the crap out of innocents  all over the world, yet nobody found that particularly offensive.

Is it possible to have a sub forum that you have to join to get access to?

We could put a pinned notice in the other stuff forum that anyone who wants to discuss policies should join the politics sub forum

I'll cast my vote for a de-emphasis on CTs generally.

As a relatively new member of the Skeptiko community, it seemed like a rather stark change occurred there over the past several months. The Pizzagate thing still strikes me as a bizarre topic. The stretch to consciousness exploration and science seems to be of the chasm variety.

It also became clear that moderation was problematic for many.

I'm with several others who have indicated their interests to be more in the consciousness science, persistence of consciousness, big question pursuits, etc. I want sceptics here posting. I want proponents posting. I'd like it to be a respectful, passionate debate. I hate trolling and baiting. I don't like personal attacks. A certain decorum should be expected in communication. (As if you were in the same room conversing verbally.)

Is that not the case with everything? Aren't there always Choices for individuals?   

The danger I meant wasn't so much the 'dark stuff', but much more about our bias's and the possible consequences thereof. 

I was talking about our biasses and the possible consequences thereof too.

Alex's final thread in "Other Stuff" warning of the end on 8/21 (solar eclipse day) happened to be thread #911. I'm taking this as an omen that we'd better allow CT's here. 

Also, I agree with others' suggestions that "other stuff" and anything from CT or politics sub forums not show up in the "new posts" list.

And one more thing. I think we can look at this like a hobbyist group... our hobby is science related to consciousness and Psi. But as with most groups I've ever been a part of, the main point of being in the group is not to perfect your hobby... half the point of the group is to find like-minded people so you have friendly relationships and discuss life.

And in regards to the types of debates to be had... we can think of them as games. A game will only be interesting if each side is well matched and following predefined rules. And you don't want to play tennis and football on the same field at the same time. I think the wider variety of games the better, but they should be contained in their own arenas. Part of the problem on Skeptiko is people showed up for badminton and got tackled. Also, the application of rules seemed too arbitrary.