The Skeptiko post-trauma thread

Took a peek at Skeptiko this morning and was surprised to see both "Other Stuff" and "Critical Discussions" are completely  restored.

[Ninshub]

I don't see that. Alex "restored" them a while back, but they are closed for new posting. In any event, I wouldn't go back to posting there if they were reopened.

I don't see that. Alex "restored" them a while back, but they are closed for new posting. In any event, I wouldn't go back to posting there if they were reopened.

Its been a few weeks since I was there.
Folks complained that all of the content was lost or not easily accessible I recall some saying.

Don't be so silly, Tsakiris isn't a cat, and neither is he friendly or relaxed, and nobody was poking him with a stick.

We have a solid reminder of how pointless and insincere your invitation is, as Chotki joins psiencequest in the last few hours.

"Don't be so silly, Tsakiris isn't a cat, and neither is he friendly or relaxed, and nobody was poking him with a stick. "

        I missed that gem somehow. What are we going to do with you, David.

Hi,

I had not been frequenting Skeptiko recently, so I missed the whole sub-forum closure thing. Just checked back and and saw someone had sent me an invite to the new forum. The reason I'd stayed away was I felt I wasn't getting any new or helpful insights into the topics discussed, even though for sure there are a bunch of really smart people posting.  

I am amazed that Alex chose to close the CD forum, and equally amazed that Sciborg was banned. WTF??? How could that be??? I don't even want to know.

The CD forum was really a device for containing certain individuals to part of the website. I decided that people were either  willing to debate in a civilised way (whatever their views) or we were better without them. That mean't that anyone was free to discuss CD type issues wherever they arose.

Just about all the significant threads in the two closed forums, were moved elsewhere on the forum. I am not apologising for Alex - just explaining that the effect was much less than it first seemed.

A lot of people - such as me - are members of both forums.

When I did visit Skeptiko, 95 percent of the time it was the CD forum. I guess I felt more was to be gained by challenging my current "beliefs" (ah, apparently not that much gain). The familiar skeptics who posted there (Arouet, Paul, fls, malf come to mind....) seemed to me like smart and respectful people (I'd still wager that no tens of thousands of posts will change their minds that all consciousness is brain generated...but who cares?). Certainly this was not a place where rational proponent comments were brushed aside by rude dickheads like on the JREF... anyway ... good luck with the new forum! 

Nor will it ever resemble JREF, or even a sort of JREF in reverse!

When things came to a head, a small number of people chose to challenge Alex directly on the forum. He banned them pending an email discussion. Some of those chose not to have that discussion.

Perhaps some people need to remember that he pays all the costs associated with the forum, and preparing the podcasts etc, and has obviously lavished many hours on his site.

I don't want to mention names, but while some of the sceptics on your list were polite, and contributed to the forum, others were decidedly difficult. You were obviously polite and reasonable, and contributed to Skeptiko.

I'd suggest you start a new thread on Skeptiko to discuss whatever topic most concerns you.

David

When things came to a head, a small number of people chose to challenge Alex directly on the forum. He banned them pending an email discussion. Some of those chose not to have that discussion.

Perhaps some people need to remember that he pays all the costs associated with the forum, and preparing the podcasts etc, and has obviously lavished many hours on his site.

David

Actually, Alex's words were that people should contact him to eat a little piece of humble pie. Probably a poor turn of phrase.

Who can possibly forget that Alex pays for everything and owns it all? He acted like a true authoritarian. 

I will die before I ever make another post on Skeptiko.

I'd suggest you start a new thread on Skeptiko to discuss whatever topic most concerns you.

Or you could pick one of the threads under discussion today. Oh, sorry, no posts today. Try again tomorrow?

I will die before I ever make another post on Skeptiko.

Well in your case, perhaps that is just as well.

Or you could pick one of the threads under discussion today. Oh, sorry, no posts today. Try again tomorrow?

Unlike both of you, I wish both forums well, because I respect the significance of the subject we are discussing more than the egos of a few individuals.

David

Unlike both of you, I wish both forums well, because I respect the significance of the subject we are discussing more than the egos of a few individuals.

That we should all be so humble as yourself, David.