Please reassure a sceptical New Member

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Roobaba
Posts: 19
Joined: January 3rd, 2022, 7:20 pm

Please reassure a sceptical New Member

Post by Roobaba »

Hello! I have already introduced myself, so far without any response from anyone, forum members or regulars.. not that I was expecting a reply. So having checked out other online 'discussion forums' I was hoping for it here to be more friendly and welcoming, with more intelligent people than elsewhere. One question and answer website I found, The Answerbank seems to be a lively place with plenty of daily regulars contributing to make what could be a 'must visit' destination, however I found it spoilt by a group of shall we say 'less than average intelligence' contributors who insist on belittling anyone who disagrees with their misconceived ideas that they constantly repeat. I'd guess it puts many people off contributing. Anyway, I sign up here only today to find a thread on the Philosophy of Science forum (my most likely forum to read regularly and the one I would expect to find 'scientific rigour') entitled 'The Simple Science (and Logic) of Covid' by RJG (a member since 2012) trying to peddle misconceived ideas about viruses, specifically about the current Coronavirus global pandemic. Needless to say I cannot abide such foolish 'unintelligent' behaviour, so I for one will not be posting here, until I can be reassured that the 'stupid' people are called out for their misinformation, so as to not mislead others. It wasn't until a moderator (LuckyR) posted a knowledgeable reply that I was able to feel that sense had returned. Please tell me I am not wasting my time, and becoming needlessly frustrated with what I read here. I seek truth not lies and 'fake' misguided or misinformed replies!
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Sy Borg
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Joined: December 16th, 2013, 9:05 pm

Re: Please reassure a sceptical New Member

Post by Sy Borg »

Roobaba wrote: January 6th, 2022, 9:07 am... I sign up here only today to find a thread on the Philosophy of Science forum (my most likely forum to read regularly and the one I would expect to find 'scientific rigour') entitled 'The Simple Science (and Logic) of Covid' by RJG (a member since 2012) trying to peddle misconceived ideas about viruses, specifically about the current Coronavirus global pandemic.
The thread can now be found in the Philosopher's Lounge because "Philosophy of science deals with the assumptions, foundations, and implications of science". It's for discussion of science and the scientific method, not hot button political issues that touch on science.

And yes, I think the thread's information is wrong too. If you are disappointed by the lack of opposition, it's because the thread creator has already started several threads on the topic and we know it's a lost cause to try to sway him. So some figure that replying is a waste of time. Annoying, but the alternative is heavy-handed moderating.

Forums will necessarily have a range of personalities. We can either ban those with whom we disagree or state an alternative case. Some philosophy forums jealously guard their quality control, ruthlessly weeding out those who are not considered "suitable". That can allow for more focused debates and fewer unsophisticated ones, as in universities, but at this forum the range of personalities is broad and the quality of debate more variable, ranging from the incomprehensibly academic to political back-and-forth, and everything in between.
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LuckyR
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Re: Please reassure a sceptical New Member

Post by LuckyR »

Roobaba wrote: January 6th, 2022, 9:07 am Hello! I have already introduced myself, so far without any response from anyone, forum members or regulars.. not that I was expecting a reply. So having checked out other online 'discussion forums' I was hoping for it here to be more friendly and welcoming, with more intelligent people than elsewhere. One question and answer website I found, The Answerbank seems to be a lively place with plenty of daily regulars contributing to make what could be a 'must visit' destination, however I found it spoilt by a group of shall we say 'less than average intelligence' contributors who insist on belittling anyone who disagrees with their misconceived ideas that they constantly repeat. I'd guess it puts many people off contributing. Anyway, I sign up here only today to find a thread on the Philosophy of Science forum (my most likely forum to read regularly and the one I would expect to find 'scientific rigour') entitled 'The Simple Science (and Logic) of Covid' by RJG (a member since 2012) trying to peddle misconceived ideas about viruses, specifically about the current Coronavirus global pandemic. Needless to say I cannot abide such foolish 'unintelligent' behaviour, so I for one will not be posting here, until I can be reassured that the 'stupid' people are called out for their misinformation, so as to not mislead others. It wasn't until a moderator (LuckyR) posted a knowledgeable reply that I was able to feel that sense had returned. Please tell me I am not wasting my time, and becoming needlessly frustrated with what I read here. I seek truth not lies and 'fake' misguided or misinformed replies!
Ok: you are not wasting your time, though that thread can cause needless frustration when read. There are a few one trick ponies, but they're very few. The majority of topics have a plurality of opinions and experiences voiced and I have personally broadened my viewpoint on certain topics based solely on well presented arguments and observations from Forum members. We all have areas we know well and those we are unfamiliar with.
"As usual... it depends."
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chewybrian
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Re: Please reassure a sceptical New Member

Post by chewybrian »

I would not sweat the lack of a reply to the new to the forum post, because a lot of people (myself included) never or almost never look at that sub-forum, and you won't be on the hot topics list either way. I would suggest that you post a topic on something that really interests you and see how it goes.

There are a select few that will turn everything back to their single issue, and they will fight any perceived attack on their bunker. It's pointless to try to follow along, and even more hopeless to try to sway them with facts or logic. But, there are a lot more people who are not that way, and some of them have a lot to say worth reading.

The mods are all among those who have taught me or pointed me to some interesting ideas in books or videos or whatever. It's easy to find a spot where we might think we would do something different, but I do think it is appropriate for a philosophy forum to allow people a lot of room. Call them on it when they are full of baloney, but don't pick and choose what ideas are appropriate for discussion.
"If determinism holds, then past events have conspired to cause me to hold this view--it is out of my control. Either I am right about free will, or it is not my fault that I am wrong."
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JackDaydream
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Re: Please reassure a sceptical New Member

Post by JackDaydream »

@Roobaba

Hello again,
I don't think that you should be put off by one thread. I am sure that there all kinds of ideas on Covid_19 and other health issues on the internet. A bigger problem would be if someone produced what appeared to be a serious research study with misleading information. I have read more controversial ideas about Covid_19 in published magazines than in the thread which you are talking about. Hopefully, when people are using a philosophy forum they have a certain amount of critical thinking skill to aid their interpretation of ideas and opinions.
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Sculptor1
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Joined: May 16th, 2019, 5:35 am

Re: Please reassure a sceptical New Member

Post by Sculptor1 »

Roobaba wrote: January 6th, 2022, 9:07 am Hello! I have already introduced myself, so far without any response from anyone, forum members or regulars.. not that I was expecting a reply. So having checked out other online 'discussion forums' I was hoping for it here to be more friendly and welcoming, with more intelligent people than elsewhere. One question and answer website I found, The Answerbank seems to be a lively place with plenty of daily regulars contributing to make what could be a 'must visit' destination, however I found it spoilt by a group of shall we say 'less than average intelligence' contributors who insist on belittling anyone who disagrees with their misconceived ideas that they constantly repeat. I'd guess it puts many people off contributing. Anyway, I sign up here only today to find a thread on the Philosophy of Science forum (my most likely forum to read regularly and the one I would expect to find 'scientific rigour') entitled 'The Simple Science (and Logic) of Covid' by RJG (a member since 2012) trying to peddle misconceived ideas about viruses, specifically about the current Coronavirus global pandemic. Needless to say I cannot abide such foolish 'unintelligent' behaviour, so I for one will not be posting here, until I can be reassured that the 'stupid' people are called out for their misinformation, so as to not mislead others. It wasn't until a moderator (LuckyR) posted a knowledgeable reply that I was able to feel that sense had returned. Please tell me I am not wasting my time, and becoming needlessly frustrated with what I read here. I seek truth not lies and 'fake' misguided or misinformed replies!
I think the issue here is that RJG seems to have a limited set of premises and seems to lack the nuance of the reality of the impact of the pandemic.
He also seems careless of the consequnces of his suggestions, and is working with a limited goal in mind.
His goal is the speediest resolution to achieve "herd immunity" at all costs, without fully considering the massive increases on deaths that such a set of policies , asuch as he suggests, would cause, and if herd immunity were more important than human life.
My adivce would be to you to unpack this "logic" and challnege him on his limited viewpoint and offering him and more deep understanding of the consequences of his draconian solutions.
Not everyone is like him here.
But you cannot expect everyone on a Forum to comply with you own moral standards nor see their failings as easily as you can see them.
Having people like RJG helps the forum because he gives people something to argue against, as I think nearly everyone else on the Forum does. INterstingly enough he is also running a similar thread on "Philosophy Now" where he has collected some support - but this is based on political alignment and not logical argument. He has become a cheerleader for what is commonly called "covidits", and those that put personal freedom against the needs of the community for their own self interest.
It is simply a fact that some people think that their nuisence of mask wearing trumps the health of others. That is an opinion, a value position which cannot be argued against with logic.
Last edited by Sculptor1 on January 11th, 2022, 6:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Roobaba
Posts: 19
Joined: January 3rd, 2022, 7:20 pm

Re: Please reassure a sceptical New Member

Post by Roobaba »

Thanks for the replies and encouragement, I feel suitably reassured. Having checked out 'another philosophy forum' I think I now appreciate it here so much more. Being sensible is I guess what matters, along with as chewybrian says 'it is appropriate for a philosophy forum to allow people a lot of room.' The 'wacky philosophical wild west' here it is not, a warm feeling of 'intellectual safety' amongst thoughtful, considered and respectful individuals it most certainly is! I am so pleased to be here. :)
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Kaitlyn Wadsworth
New Trial Member
Posts: 3
Joined: June 21st, 2023, 2:25 am

Re: Please reassure a sceptical New Member

Post by Kaitlyn Wadsworth »

I read your post with interest. I haven't gone to the Science forum but did post something in the Philosophy forum. I'm used to posting comments in other places than on line in online book club. Readers of my comments love them and thank me. I gather the philosophy forum is about disagreeing with what can be pulled apart to disagree with. I applauded the commentor being an expert. Thanked him for the reply. Clarified a few points he'd understood wrong. I felt very disenchanted with the forum. I'm feeling all this is hard work. I am not able to post in so many places as a new member. Haven't read all the books I've seen titles for so also can't post or comment. Am so busy doing the things I need to do that I have no time for pleasure reading. Trying to navigate and find everything is a nightmare. The latest is I have no posts tallied to date and I know that I spent hours yesterday exploring where I could, and making posts. Most of them were rejected and then I had to find out how to join the forum (Oops) to repost. To date it is recorded that I have made no posts. I have to make at least 3 a day and 20 to not be such an ignorant newbie. This isn't reassuring sorry. But you seem to be doing well. Better than me. So glad you are pleased to be here. Hope I learn how to do all this soon. Then instead of an upside down smile I will have a happy face like yours.
Xenophon
Posts: 92
Joined: January 6th, 2024, 5:21 am

Re: Please reassure a sceptical New Member

Post by Xenophon »

Roobaba wrote: January 6th, 2022, 9:07 am Hello! I have already introduced myself, so far without any response from anyone, forum members or regulars.. not that I was expecting a reply. So having checked out other online 'discussion forums' I was hoping for it here to be more friendly and welcoming, with more intelligent people than elsewhere. One question and answer website I found, The Answerbank seems to be a lively place with plenty of daily regulars contributing to make what could be a 'must visit' destination, however I found it spoilt by a group of shall we say 'less than average intelligence' contributors who insist on belittling anyone who disagrees with their misconceived ideas that they constantly repeat. I'd guess it puts many people off contributing. Anyway, I sign up here only today to find a thread on the Philosophy of Science forum (my most likely forum to read regularly and the one I would expect to find 'scientific rigour') entitled 'The Simple Science (and Logic) of Covid' by RJG (a member since 2012) trying to peddle misconceived ideas about viruses, specifically about the current Coronavirus global pandemic. Needless to say I cannot abide such foolish 'unintelligent' behaviour, so I for one will not be posting here, until I can be reassured that the 'stupid' people are called out for their misinformation, so as to not mislead others. It wasn't until a moderator (LuckyR) posted a knowledgeable reply that I was able to feel that sense had returned. Please tell me I am not wasting my time, and becoming needlessly frustrated with what I read here. I seek truth not lies and 'fake' misguided or misinformed replies!
You know, I tried that at a party once. Walked up to a girl and said, "I've been here 10 minutes and you STILL haven't introduced yourself! You stuck up?" The line didn't work, just like your plaint above inspires little sympathy.

The best thing to do in a forum is to go jump into a thread. Better yet, start one.
"Mankind has no destiny. Only some men do: to recover lost divinity."---Miguel Serrano
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