I think that, perhaps, we should impose a limit on how stupid a person can be... no, I don't mean it literally... but those that demonstrate a constant inability to either utilize rational thought, logical functions, or other such basic skills seem to be cluttering up some of the more interesting of topics here. For example, I feel that saying things such as "I don't have to respond to you" after someone has torn your pet theory apart and presented evidence as to why it's wrong should be grounds for some kind of punishment. Likewise, ignoring obvious evidence (such as picture/video proof of something) should likely be grounds for disciplinary action. This is just my opinion, but I thought I'd put it out there for people to give their take on it.
Star Wars vs. Star Trek isn't actually that important in the grand scheme of things, Kittamaru. Proof of "facts" in fictional universes is a strange thing to get all heated about, don't you think? I do take your general point, however.
I'm not just referring to Trek vs Wars - I used to partake in various other forums and lately they've devolved into a lot of herp-derping (if you will pardon my lack of a better word for it). "Facts" in many places include things such as personal opinions and "Appeal to Authority" fallacies (among others) seem to run rampant. This forum so far seems to be the last bastion of scientific process and debate. I wish to see it remain as such Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
I guess the best way to define "stupid" would be something that flies in the face of logic... ergo, if they refuse to accept reasonable evidence. This is still open to interpretation, mind you, as what is "reasonable" varies depending on who/what is being argued. On a previous forum, they stated that visuals overruled dialogue when debating sci-fi, for example - this was incredibly stupid, as that meant virtually no sci-fi had faster than light capability (after all, you can't SEE anything going FTL), among a host of other issues (one being that, in general, sci-fi battles are fought at near-point blank ranges, as it makes for good drama). Such a rule completely overruled the suspension of disbelief, as well as rendered many characters utterly retarded and/or incompetent (example, in Star Trek, they will often count down the ranges to the ship they are attacking - at one point they engaged at 150,000km, yet on screen it only appeared to be a few km at most, if not in the hundreds of meters - in that case, what do you go by?) There are other places where this would make a significant impact - theological discussion and "what if" scenarios would require slightly more defined setups, but would provide much more accurate feedback. Exactly - if a few reasonable people look at something and go "my GOD that's dumb", then chances are it's dumb. In this case, said reasonable people would be the moderation staff of the forum Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
I understand exactly what you are talking about and pretty much agree. However, that policy would result in loosing much of the humor/entertainment currently found here.Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
You can't have a topic like this in a Science forum without at least one topical quote. Quotes aside, The level of stupidity was bound to increase as the internet becomes larger and broader with more people than ever being able to connect through their home computers, PDA's or mobile phones. Especially when the main people in this trend are young, while being open to new ideas and possibly not adverse to trying to assimilate knowledge, they can occasionally act their age. There is also the fact that low income households have access to the internet too, this is both good and bad at that same time. It's good that they get the chance to utilise the internet to learn what they might lack from not being able to afford a decent education, this forwards more towards equality which is a noble goal, however the problem is that sometimes where they have lacked means that they haven't necessarily learnt how to fully appreciate the availability any further than Tweeting or using Facebook, that is actually a crying shame. (This is an understandable problem with our CargoCult™ Culture since we are manipulated to buy brands and follow specific trends which we apparently can't live without) So simply we can't "eradicate" stupidity (No matter how eugenic it might assume), all we can do is learn to tolerate or build a Crutch(aptitude test to subforum etc.) to support those that don't want to be "with stupid".
Oh, I don't wish to suggest banning people for acting/being ignorant on a subject - however, if someone chooses to repeatedly ignore evidence/act like a douche/et al over and over again, perhaps they should lose their posting privileges for a while?
Starting a war with stupid is a never ending battle. And the stupid outnumber you. Sometimes war is not the answer.
Dude, like the music notation in your snotwuh! It also makes me feel like you're not so harmless as you say. Never mind who I am. I'm an old woman. An old Cardassian woman.
Erm, right... Moving on... Yes, a war on stupid is a never ending battle - ideally, the ignorant can be taught... however, those that show no willingness to learn are the ones that I feel need dealt with (in some circles, they are called noobs or trolls)
Well that's what I thought, but I was hoping for the backstory, learn something new sort of thing. Know what I mean? There is a subtle humor when people who have never experienced the Hitchhikers Guide in any of it's myriad forms see that tagline. Cause they don't know what it means. And yet, they may read into it some of the meaning it originally had. It's sublime.
Indeed there is. Same with "don't forget to bring a towel"... though South Park fucked that one up for us all Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
Its a very good idea. Perhaps in the future there will be an aptitude test whereas a certain intellect, lets say average, where if you are below you would only be able to read and not add to the internet. Best thing is to lobby politicians and see if this can get passed in every country.
Then we need to purge the data already uploaded. People cry "censorship...the dim need to be heard too" or "how unfair!"
