A discussion with rules

Official website announcements are posted in this forum.

If you have questions, suggestions, or need support or help with anything, please email [email protected].
Post Reply
User avatar
BelieveNothing
Posts: 109
Joined: January 24th, 2013, 6:17 am
Location: 2nd cloud from the right
Contact:

A discussion with rules

Post by BelieveNothing »

This forum is a little restrictive about how posts are constructed and a lot of subject matter has already been touched upon leaving new topics more and more limited as regards the chosen title because many keywords are already used in earlier posts.

How about these for rules on a discussion?:

1:There are no rules 2:Please observe rule 1 3:Suggestions are welcome

I don't mean to disrespect the efforts made by moderators and site designers to improve this site, I like this site as it is but just tell me how can a new topic be raised if it appears to the engine to be too similar to a previous post simply because some of the words match in the title? And how can any software ever be expected to recognize the difference in meaning between two titles when the main difference is related to context?

If people didn't digress and extrapolate then many of the posts on this site would never have been posted.
Reality is not all in your mind.
Spectrum
Posts: 5161
Joined: December 21st, 2010, 1:25 am
Favorite Philosopher: Eclectic -Various

Re: A discussion with rules

Post by Spectrum »

BelieveNothing wrote:This forum is a little restrictive about how posts are constructed and a lot of subject matter has already been touched upon leaving new topics more and more limited as regards the chosen title because many keywords are already used in earlier posts.

How about these for rules on a discussion?:

1:There are no rules 2:Please observe rule 1 3:Suggestions are welcome

I don't mean to disrespect the efforts made by moderators and site designers to improve this site, I like this site as it is but just tell me how can a new topic be raised if it appears to the engine to be too similar to a previous post simply because some of the words match in the title? And how can any software ever be expected to recognize the difference in meaning between two titles when the main difference is related to context?

If people didn't digress and extrapolate then many of the posts on this site would never have been posted.
I think even there are similar topics, it should be a new thread if the previous threads are more than 3 months old.
After all disk space is no issue these days.
Anyone who is serious enough can read up the old threads -some may stretch to 50 pages.
I don't find old threads appealing to response to.
Not-a-theist. Religion is a critical necessity for humanity now, but not the FUTURE.
User avatar
Philosophy Explorer
Posts: 2116
Joined: May 25th, 2013, 8:41 pm

Re: A discussion with rules

Post by Philosophy Explorer »

Even if threads are repeats, this website keeps getting new members who wouldn't mind repeating threads (and new members may have new ideas to contribute). May I suggest it'd be okay to repeat a threadif it's at least a year old.
User avatar
Spiral Out
Posts: 5014
Joined: June 26th, 2012, 10:22 am

Re: A discussion with rules

Post by Spiral Out »

(This thread has been moved from the General Philosophy section to the Feedback & Forum Announcements section.)

I had suggested a while back that a special forum be created that is (relatively) free from the rules and restrictions of the other forums on this site. At the time, it seemed to be a rather unpopular idea. Perhaps if it is the case that a large enough group of the members of this site request such a thing then it might come to pass.
Dedicated to the fine art of thinking.
User avatar
Eckhart Aurelius Hughes
The admin formerly known as Scott
Posts: 5765
Joined: January 20th, 2007, 6:24 pm
Favorite Philosopher: Eckhart Aurelius Hughes
Contact:

Re: A discussion with rules

Post by Eckhart Aurelius Hughes »

There are plenty of places on the internet to have discussions with no rules, where no moderation takes place. They are pretty miserable places. For one thing, they are filled with spam like porn ads. When actual discussion is present, it's just silly incredibly insulting and vulgar flame wars between people who at least act like 12 year olds.
My entire political philosophy summed up in one tweet.

"The mind is a wonderful servant but a terrible master."

I believe spiritual freedom (a.k.a. self-discipline) manifests as bravery, confidence, grace, honesty, love, and inner peace.
User avatar
Spiral Out
Posts: 5014
Joined: June 26th, 2012, 10:22 am

Re: A discussion with rules

Post by Spiral Out »

Scott wrote:When actual discussion is present, it's just silly incredibly insulting and vulgar flame wars between people who at least act like 12 year olds.
Perhaps having a forum for such childish incredibly insulting nonsense which is entirely separate from the other forums will draw it all away from the forums where people are trying to have serious discussions.

Would it not give them an outlet to vent their frustrations elsewhere and help to maintain proper focus in the official forums?

There doesn't have to be a complete lack of rules, but perhaps just a highly relaxed version of the current rules so that members can speak their mind freely yet not without at least a minimum degree of restraint.
Dedicated to the fine art of thinking.
User avatar
Philosophy Explorer
Posts: 2116
Joined: May 25th, 2013, 8:41 pm

Re: A discussion with rules

Post by Philosophy Explorer »

I'm in agreement with SO and to comment on something Scott said, I can point out websites with "rules" that have been poorly run. The important thing is that posters respect one another. As far as the grammar rules go, the only important thing I care about is that they can be understood; spelling mistakes, the 45-word rule, etc. are examples of rules that really aren't needed as they tend to slow up posting without adding to meaning - the ones who are terrible at spelling already know it and probably have and use their spell checkers.
User avatar
Eckhart Aurelius Hughes
The admin formerly known as Scott
Posts: 5765
Joined: January 20th, 2007, 6:24 pm
Favorite Philosopher: Eckhart Aurelius Hughes
Contact:

Re: A discussion with rules

Post by Eckhart Aurelius Hughes »

Spiral Out wrote:
Scott wrote:When actual discussion is present, it's just silly incredibly insulting and vulgar flame wars between people who at least act like 12 year olds.
Perhaps having a forum for such childish incredibly insulting nonsense which is entirely separate from the other forums will draw it all away from the forums where people are trying to have serious discussions.

Would it not give them an outlet to vent their frustrations elsewhere and help to maintain proper focus in the official forums?
Could we call it the Arthur Debate Forum?
My entire political philosophy summed up in one tweet.

"The mind is a wonderful servant but a terrible master."

I believe spiritual freedom (a.k.a. self-discipline) manifests as bravery, confidence, grace, honesty, love, and inner peace.
User avatar
Spiral Out
Posts: 5014
Joined: June 26th, 2012, 10:22 am

Re: A discussion with rules

Post by Spiral Out »

You could call it "The Dump" or the "Wall of Shame" or "Here Are The Members I Wish Weren't Members Forum" or whatever you think is appropriate.

You could set it up so that the posts only exist until the end of the week, or the end of the day.

You could warn users of the forum content and make it viewable only to members, or to members who've made some minimum number of posts.

What are your concerns?
Dedicated to the fine art of thinking.
User avatar
Eckhart Aurelius Hughes
The admin formerly known as Scott
Posts: 5765
Joined: January 20th, 2007, 6:24 pm
Favorite Philosopher: Eckhart Aurelius Hughes
Contact:

Re: A discussion with rules

Post by Eckhart Aurelius Hughes »

My main concerns are:

1. I'm not sure I want these people who wish to resort to personal attacks and ad hominem arguments to join my site at all.

2. While it seems little appreciated, I do take pride in protecting my members from being berated, insulted and ridiculed even in the off-topic section. I really hate the idea that I could encourage someone to join who has a very unpopular idea who argues as reasonably they can for that unpopular idea following the forum rules in the regular forum but who then is the victim of an onslaught of personal attacks and insults and ridicule in the other forum.

3. Many of the other rules are often what really bugs new members and might still need to be enforced: like no spam and no flooding. We might find this ruleless forum becomes a place to discuss the allegedly best viagra websites.

4. I'd still be responsible for the forum and have to moderate it for legal things like copyright infringement or violent threats as that is not up to me.
My entire political philosophy summed up in one tweet.

"The mind is a wonderful servant but a terrible master."

I believe spiritual freedom (a.k.a. self-discipline) manifests as bravery, confidence, grace, honesty, love, and inner peace.
User avatar
Spiral Out
Posts: 5014
Joined: June 26th, 2012, 10:22 am

Re: A discussion with rules

Post by Spiral Out »

Fair enough.
Dedicated to the fine art of thinking.
Post Reply

Return to “Forum Announcements”

2023/2024 Philosophy Books of the Month

Entanglement - Quantum and Otherwise

Entanglement - Quantum and Otherwise
by John K Danenbarger
January 2023

Mark Victor Hansen, Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul

Mark Victor Hansen, Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul
by Mitzi Perdue
February 2023

Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature: How Civilization Destroys Happiness

Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature: How Civilization Destroys Happiness
by Chet Shupe
March 2023

The Unfakeable Code®

The Unfakeable Code®
by Tony Jeton Selimi
April 2023

The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are

The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are
by Alan Watts
May 2023

Killing Abel

Killing Abel
by Michael Tieman
June 2023

Reconfigurement: Reconfiguring Your Life at Any Stage and Planning Ahead

Reconfigurement: Reconfiguring Your Life at Any Stage and Planning Ahead
by E. Alan Fleischauer
July 2023

First Survivor: The Impossible Childhood Cancer Breakthrough

First Survivor: The Impossible Childhood Cancer Breakthrough
by Mark Unger
August 2023

Predictably Irrational

Predictably Irrational
by Dan Ariely
September 2023

Artwords

Artwords
by Beatriz M. Robles
November 2023

Fireproof Happiness: Extinguishing Anxiety & Igniting Hope

Fireproof Happiness: Extinguishing Anxiety & Igniting Hope
by Dr. Randy Ross
December 2023

Beyond the Golden Door: Seeing the American Dream Through an Immigrant's Eyes

Beyond the Golden Door: Seeing the American Dream Through an Immigrant's Eyes
by Ali Master
February 2024

2022 Philosophy Books of the Month

Emotional Intelligence At Work

Emotional Intelligence At Work
by Richard M Contino & Penelope J Holt
January 2022

Free Will, Do You Have It?

Free Will, Do You Have It?
by Albertus Kral
February 2022

My Enemy in Vietnam

My Enemy in Vietnam
by Billy Springer
March 2022

2X2 on the Ark

2X2 on the Ark
by Mary J Giuffra, PhD
April 2022

The Maestro Monologue

The Maestro Monologue
by Rob White
May 2022

What Makes America Great

What Makes America Great
by Bob Dowell
June 2022

The Truth Is Beyond Belief!

The Truth Is Beyond Belief!
by Jerry Durr
July 2022

Living in Color

Living in Color
by Mike Murphy
August 2022 (tentative)

The Not So Great American Novel

The Not So Great American Novel
by James E Doucette
September 2022

Mary Jane Whiteley Coggeshall, Hicksite Quaker, Iowa/National Suffragette And Her Speeches

Mary Jane Whiteley Coggeshall, Hicksite Quaker, Iowa/National Suffragette And Her Speeches
by John N. (Jake) Ferris
October 2022

In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All

In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All
by Eckhart Aurelius Hughes
November 2022

The Smartest Person in the Room: The Root Cause and New Solution for Cybersecurity

The Smartest Person in the Room
by Christian Espinosa
December 2022

2021 Philosophy Books of the Month

The Biblical Clock: The Untold Secrets Linking the Universe and Humanity with God's Plan

The Biblical Clock
by Daniel Friedmann
March 2021

Wilderness Cry: A Scientific and Philosophical Approach to Understanding God and the Universe

Wilderness Cry
by Dr. Hilary L Hunt M.D.
April 2021

Fear Not, Dream Big, & Execute: Tools To Spark Your Dream And Ignite Your Follow-Through

Fear Not, Dream Big, & Execute
by Jeff Meyer
May 2021

Surviving the Business of Healthcare: Knowledge is Power

Surviving the Business of Healthcare
by Barbara Galutia Regis M.S. PA-C
June 2021

Winning the War on Cancer: The Epic Journey Towards a Natural Cure

Winning the War on Cancer
by Sylvie Beljanski
July 2021

Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream

Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream
by Dr Frank L Douglas
August 2021

If Life Stinks, Get Your Head Outta Your Buts

If Life Stinks, Get Your Head Outta Your Buts
by Mark L. Wdowiak
September 2021

The Preppers Medical Handbook

The Preppers Medical Handbook
by Dr. William W Forgey M.D.
October 2021

Natural Relief for Anxiety and Stress: A Practical Guide

Natural Relief for Anxiety and Stress
by Dr. Gustavo Kinrys, MD
November 2021

Dream For Peace: An Ambassador Memoir

Dream For Peace
by Dr. Ghoulem Berrah
December 2021