Mods: Please reconsider the purpose of this forum

[Lord SteveO]

I'm in a similar boat to you.

I have never been taught any philosophy, in fact my degree is in zoology!
So i often get well and trully lost in some of the threads in ths forum. BUt i do enjoy reading the ones i can understand, and i enjoy the debate they throw up. It's refreshing to have some good sensible debates on the internet instead of the dribble you get on most other sites.

Post the serious philosophy topics, but don't expect many non-philosophers to understand them or post in them. And at the same time go a bit easier on those who post what some deem to be topics unworthy of going in here. I mean some of the so called "conspiracy theory" threads posted by the likes of Norsemaiden have been quite popular, often more so than the "true" philosophy ones.

 

[Kenneth R.]

lets not forget the more subversive problems associated with any platform for "philosophy": those who would seek to use such platforms to profer their own beliefs and convert as many as possible. infoterror and his buddies have more or less hijacked this forum to copy and paste their essays and point of view. now, there is nothing wrong with disagreement, but i am honestly sick of seeing anus article after anus article posted and acknowledged as if truth. the state of nationalism? since when are we all nationalists? unsolicted self-advertisement.

my 2 cents and again, my only post around here in ages.

 

[Norsemaiden]

The more philosophical threads should be written in lay-man's terms so that everyone on the forum understands. Difficult concepts should be repeated in a way that is more understandable to those unfamiliar with the subject, as far as this is possible without losing meaning.

 

[speed]

The more philosophical threads should be written in lay-man's terms so that everyone on the forum understands. Difficult concepts should be repeated in a way that is more understandable to those unfamiliar with the subject, as far as this is possible without losing meaning.

I think this is the reason why so many threads of a complex philosophical nature are not started.

 

[derek]

I think it is clear we cannot please everyone. It should also be clear that attempting to do so will dilute this forum until nobody is happy and it becomes (even more) desolate.

 

[Anvil]

infoterror and his buddies have more or less hijacked this forum to copy and paste their essays and point of view. now, there is nothing wrong with disagreement, but i am honestly sick of seeing anus article after anus article posted and acknowledged as if truth.

Essays are supposed to be writen in such a format.

The more philosophical threads should be written in lay-man's terms so that everyone on the forum understands. Difficult concepts should be repeated in a way that is more understandable to those unfamiliar with the subject, as far as this is possible without losing meaning.

No.Thats just stupid. You can't ask people with a higher vocabulary to dim it down a bit for others. Its like Poetry. An artist will write something that he finds very beautiful, yet most people who will read it will think that its disgusting. Understanding and beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

 

[MasterOLightning]

lets not forget the more subversive problems associated with any platform for "philosophy": those who would seek to use such platforms to profer their own beliefs and convert as many as possible. infoterror and his buddies have more or less hijacked this forum to copy and paste their essays and point of view. now, there is nothing wrong with disagreement, but i am honestly sick of seeing anus article after anus article posted and acknowledged as if truth. the state of nationalism? since when are we all nationalists? unsolicted self-advertisement.

my 2 cents and again, my only post around here in ages.

Just because infoterror clashes with your views doesn't mean that his essays don't belong here.

 

[Silver Incubus]

Can we also make a thread for people to bitch, so threads like these can be avoided.

 

[speed]

lets not forget the more subversive problems associated with any platform for "philosophy": those who would seek to use such platforms to profer their own beliefs and convert as many as possible. infoterror and his buddies have more or less hijacked this forum to copy and paste their essays and point of view. now, there is nothing wrong with disagreement, but i am honestly sick of seeing anus article after anus article posted and acknowledged as if truth. the state of nationalism? since when are we all nationalists? unsolicted self-advertisement.

my 2 cents and again, my only post around here in ages.

I honestly hope you resume posting here again; however...

If you dont like Infoterror's essays, dont read them--and, even better, post your own essays. This is really the problem around here. No one wishes to post threads or be the slightest bit creative, yet they are quick to complain and attack those that do post threads (infoterror, Norsemaiden).

 

[speed]

Can we also make a thread for people to bitch, so threads like these can be avoided.

We already have two of them: the moderation thread, and the New Philosopher Guidelines thread.

We have tried to act on Justin S' suggestion. So please, tell us what you think of the new Conspiracy Thread.

 

[Silver Incubus]

I guess I like the idea, as long as it keeps things from getting out of hand.

 

[Lord SteveO]

If people don't like the philosophy threads like those infoterror post, don't read them or post in them.
Likewise, if people don't like the conspiracy ones, or those that are not deemed to be "trully" philosophical, don't read them or post in them.

Simple.

 

[infoterror]

No one wishes to post threads or be the slightest bit creative, yet they are quick to complain and attack those that do post threads (infoterror, Norsemaiden).

Good point. We observed the same thing for a time at the ANUS forums -- a culture of critique built up to the point where no one wanted to step forward.

It had to be terminated with the intervention of an apple corer or its surgical equivalent.

 

[Anvil]

Philosophy is all about opinion. If you aren't open to hear others opinions on a certain matter that you may feel strongly opposed to, than you don't belong here. Reason for debate is fine, but if you ask for mods to delete, or ban users because of such reasons, then I say to you, "Leave."

 

[Øjeblikket]

No one wishes to post threads or be the slightest bit creative, yet they are quick to complain and attack those that do post threads (infoterror, Norsemaiden).

it's not because they're starting threads that people are complaining, I think it's the enormity of posts, the redundancy therein, and predictability of view points of some users.

Besides, just glance through the discussion concerning the bible if you want to observe Norsemaiden's rendition of attack:

to the general

I'm going to conclude that Christians don't really know why they believe the Bible, they just do or it just feels nice them. - Norsemaiden

to another user, (from which the above is likely to be loosely esteemed)

How literally do you take the Bible? Do you agree with any of the message of the Old Testament, do you admire the heroes of the Old Testament? Or do you only follow Christ's teaching, and if so, do you obey (or try to obey) everything, or do you pick and choose what fits in with your own idea of convenience? Do you agree that a rich Christian is a hypocrit? Do you agree that you should take out your eye if you lust after women? Do you believe in Heaven and Hell? - Norsemaiden

Granted, I'm not here to pretend an imposition of judgement on anyone, but how constructive is all that prejudiced hogwash? How conducive to education is the continued, unabbreviated execution of stereotyping for the purpose of berating other folks?

Yes, I mostly ignore Norsemaiden's posts since she seems to be working through some sort of crisis with denial as her hole-punch, but often I find myself wishing she'd smell the roses.

 

[anonymouswierdo]

A suggestion to peopel who have had trouble understanding threads:

how about reply to them, asking if you have understood correctly? Just keep at it till you DO understand. I think it could even help the discussion, it would force people to think about their ieads/views/whatever a bit more.

 

[Norsemaiden]

A suggestion to peopel who have had trouble understanding threads:

how about reply to them, asking if you have understood correctly? Just keep at it till you DO understand. I think it could even help the discussion, it would force people to think about their ieads/views/whatever a bit more.

Yes people should certainly do that. Good point.

 

[The Devil's Steed]

A suggestion to peopel who have had trouble understanding threads:

how about reply to them, asking if you have understood correctly? Just keep at it till you DO understand. I think it could even help the discussion, it would force people to think about their ieads/views/whatever a bit more.

Unfortunately doing such a thing tends to make people feel stupid (and give members who dislike them material to use for insulting their intelligence) so that's not likely to happen too often. It is a good idea, though.

 

[Norsemaiden]

Essays are supposed to be writen in such a format.


No.Thats just stupid. You can't ask people with a higher vocabulary to dim it down a bit for others. Its like Poetry. An artist will write something that he finds very beautiful, yet most people who will read it will think that its disgusting. Understanding and beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

You are right that dumbing down vocabulary should not happen, but perhaps certain concepts (like "cognitive dissonance") should be explained. On second thoughts, it may be best to give an explanation when asked. But if someone can't be bothered doing that then fair enough. It was only a suggestion. I don't think most people think that what an artist finds beautiful is disgusting. That would be a curious response.