James R,
I just found out (from post of MacM)
Lethe has infact been banned
that you indeed banned lethe.
I demand public explanation why you did it - for what lethe was banned?
Please, do not repeat text of Rules - we can read by ourselves. Give us the description of all violations that lethe did.

To everybody,

Guys, if one knows how I can reach lethe (e-mail address, web site, address, phone) please, send it to me by any way you prefer: here, on my web sites, e-mail, letters. All data about me is here in Members area.
I will very appreciate your help!

lethe was banned because he was flaming MacM. Apparently MacM doesn't have to be banned even though he has flamed many people before too [Persol]. So, the real reason is, lethe is banned because he started adding bad connotations to his posts of the current moderator, JamesR, and James didn’t like that. A lot of what lethe said was true. I mean, I respect the fact that JamesR is busy, but WE ALL ARE. If you're too busy to tend to a forum, why don't you pass to power to someone who frequents it enough to care and to tidy things up? That's what a moderator does! Someone moderates the forum...

I could be a lot more angry and start yelling and swearing like I was this morning, but really, it's not necessary. It just shows what type of poor judgment we have around here, and that our physics forum really can't be saved. lethe actually KNEW MATH! OMG! He's banned now. One less person actually knowing what he's talking about.

Thank you Yuriy for starting this thread. I'm curious myself. I want to hear what JamesR has to say for himself so I can laugh at someone.

I don't know if he would appreciate me broadcasting his contact information, so I'll PM you Yuriy, otay?

Dear kind heart, lil miss demosthenes!
(Let me call you so: you are just in age of my grandson)

Thank you very much. I have to contact lethe...
What we can do facing such obvious injustice: lethe gone, MacM still here and still will spread his poison all over around?

After we get response from James R, I will give you my explanation what really happened and why people as lethe are not welcome here, but like MacM are. But, let us wait for official explanation first...

What we can do in current situation? My advice and my ask to any decent man and woman in this Forum is: Do not respond on any of MacM's post no matter how he will provoke you to do that!

I promise: after my explanation, I mentioned above, you will understand why this will be the most effective protest against banning of lethe.

Lol! I need someone to adopt me as their granddaughter anyway. I was hoping John Nash could do that, but I didn't visit him when I went to Princeton for a visit. I'm glad you're on my side. =) Good advice, grandpa.

I'd like that explanation as well.

I'd like that explanation as well.

I'm not responding for James R, but only want to point out that Yuriy and I both were also warned. Lethe unfortunately chose to disregard, an openly state he was doing so and continued.

Fortunately it is only a three day suspension and he can come back. Now I don't like this crap either but I have never attacked anybody. I have responded to attacks in kind. But I guess I will need to not do that either and just let the chips fall where they should.

As far as Yuriy's efforts to isolate me, so be it. But others should note that he does so after having been shown wrong Here

The fact that GPS does not rely on SRT is far more important than this petty clash between myself and the elite here.

My friends,
I just got very interesting explanation (of lethe's ban case) from James R. due to private internal e-mail. He said:
"...lethe's response to my previous PM was to say "I look forward to being banned." I have been happy to accomodate his self-ban request, and have banned him for an initial period of 3 days."

So, lethe was actually banned not for some concrete violation of acting rules after last warning, but ... for "saucy", impudent response to Mr. Moderator's PM!
I have been happy to accomodate his self-ban request, and have banned him for an initial period of 3 days.

First of all, I do not buy such transparent "explanation", and become thinking that personal motives between James R and lethe, that were noticed by many members, plaid much bigger role than naive self-request of lette was...
If action of James R in regard of lethe is in accordance with publicly announced Rules, then, I can guess, they are mandatory as for members, so for moderators...
Under these new circumstances I now am cogitating on what my self-request to James R will be, which he will immediately execute...

My friends,
Under these new circumstances I now am cogitating on what my self-request to James R will be, which he will immediately execute...Mass walk-out, protest, boycott...? Good idea. There's no science here anyway.

Let Mr BurgerKing have it all to himself. Why not?

What a waste of time and effort, so far....

Finally! Someone gets that this place is an utter waste of time. I just persuaded lethe to leave once and for all [he asked me my opinion via MSN]. We could be doing more useful things than trying to pick a fight with MacM. It's like Slashdot! Productive programmers turn into lazy people who just wait for a new headline every 20 minutes...

We could be expanding our own field, writing more papers, and teaching other people who are actually willing to learn. Oh, and if you have a family, maybe the time devoted to posting on sciforums could be spent more wisely with your kids.

Think about it. Three years. lethe has been frequenting here three years, and the first thing JamesR does when he comes back is give him a nice ban. Is it just me, or do I find this curiously parallel to Lavoisier? It takes a second to place a ban but a year before someone as knowledgeable and as sarcastic comes along. Hey, it's only for 3 days, but no matter how long the ban is, the fact that he was banned kind of makes the banée angry.

Sorry to disappoint you Yuriy. You can do the same "team" thing at another place. I agree with JamesR's idea: start your own forum. We can pile up there and begin afresh.

Yes, you're still my grandpa.

We could be expanding our own field, writing more papers, and teaching other people who are actually willing to learn. Oh, and if you have a family, maybe the time devoted to posting on sciforums could be spent more wisely with your kids. Such maturity from a 14 yr old!! You're right - we should be writing more papers (oh well, all my colleagues say the same)

Hey, it's only for 3 days, but no matter how long the ban is, the fact that he was banned ... Quite...
Yes, you're still my grandpa.Not me, I hope haha!.

We could be expanding our own field, writing more papers...

Sounds like what i Should be doing instead of writing this.


Rather interesting actually. What is everyones field???
I know mine, even though i should not discuss it, but what is yours? (not general answers like Physics, but perhaps Nuclear Physics or maybe even more precise)

My field is Annoying Mathematicians With Painfully Eloquent Letters [AMWPEL].

:)

you are 14, right?
Now i find that rather impressive.

Mass walk-out, protest, boycott...? Good idea. There's no science here anyway.

Let Mr BurgerKing have it all to himself. Why not?

What a waste of time and effort, so far....There's a reason most people left and only come back to make snide comments.

Porf is quickly going to lose my monthly donations....

There's a reason most people left and only come back to make snide comments.

Porf is quickly going to lose my monthly donations....

People actually donate to this place?! :bugeye: How utterly selfless of them, and what an utter waste of money.

you are 14, right?
Now i find that rather impressive.

Yes, I just turned 14 two days ago. Why do you find *what* rather impressive? That I write annoying but eloquent letters at the same time? Can't everyone do that?

Yuiry, this thread is a really good example of pie in the sky thinking.

Your inability to deal with the realities of forum management and the basis by which it works is sometime amazing.

JamesR can not respond to this thread as his decisions are not open to public negotiation, and this is actually a necessity if this or any forum is to run successfully.

When you demand something from someone who has no obligation other than that of a voluntary one, you render yourself impotent and unable to achieve anything.

I have been a poster here for over 2 years and have always found JamesR to be a reasonable and fair moderator. His reasons for suspending Lethes membership have been generating for a lengthy period. We have no way of knowing what correspondance has been going on in the back ground between the two persons.

Are you expecting [no...the word is "demanding"] him to come on this forum and tell the forum of all his past conversations with Lethe? Would you respond to this thread if you were him?

A realty check is in order I think.........

We have a right to know what happened to lethe. If what JamesR did was fair and without personal grudges, then he should have set things straight with us by openly posting the reasons behind the ban.

Why is lethe 'special'? Why was a thread opened for his banning, and not for others?

lethe has been around here, like I said, for 3 years. He did not do anything wrong except for venting off a bit of anger that we all have sometimes, and I find it rather strange that MacM has done the same to Persol, more numerous than lethe's rant at MacM, yet MacM has managed to pass unscathed. There is clearly some discrimination, and though JamesR has been a fair moderator in your eyes, for someone who just arrived, this type of sudden execution in the dark is not a great example of his fairness. Maybe you were able to witness proper judgment for 2 years, but I just got here, and I don't see that.

First, Congratulations.

Secondly, JamesR does not have to tell anyone here anything. He could ban anyone here anytime. (hmm, lots of any***)
Anyway... :) Yuriy quoted what Lethe had written back to JamesR, i find that explenation enough to why Lethe was banned. Why MacM has not been banned, well i am oblivious.
MacM - The untouchible

My assessment of the MacM/ Lethe issue

MacM has survived I would sumise because even though he offeres alternative theories and thoughts he does not deliberately flame someone in preference to scientific arguement.

He has always chased the scientific truth even if he has done so some times or as some will suggest, always, using incorrrect methods and math.

It is not a crime to be curious and ignorant of proceses but it is a crime to flame and ridicule a person for being so.

MacM may be the most frustrating member of the forum but he is not stupid.

Keeping everything in perspective is often difficult especially if your integrity is being attacked and most flame wars are about integrity.

I give up. I'm leaving anyway. I'm glad you guys are so nice to MacM, and I hope he stays do he can continue to be defended.

Well, I've only been here a little while. I'm afraid I'm going to have to be bitterly honest about these boards though.

The only valid challenge to any currently accepted theory on these boards right now is the thread on lateral motion of light, and that's only proviso the purported evidence isn't garbage (and even then, it doesn't appear that the person presenting the result can give any reason for why time dilation does in fact occur, for example), like most everything else people have posted questioning modern physics here. The rest is just a result of complete lack of understanding of the mathematics and theory involved ("dual realities," hahahahah. Learn some algebra). I guess people target special relativity because it's the least mathematically demanding field in modern physics, but even those limited mathematical tools seem absent from discussions here. I see no reason to stick around and read more of it.

I may keep checking back for the next little while to see if anything interesting pops up but I see no reason to expect it as of now.

The most alternative theory I ever heard is a theory that
MacM has survived I would sumise because even though he offeres alternative theories….
Buy my opinion even usage of term “theory” in the quoted sentence is … abuse of logic…
I reject any possibility even as momentarily assumption that 25 yeas old student, capable to create and maintain such a web site as sciforums.com, can share and /or have any sympathy to nonsense as UniKEF… It is simply impossible…
So, there can be three and only three causes of that “Phantom of Sciforums”:
1. Relative ties tie owner with MacM. Possible, but not probable (Australia-USA).
2. MacM makes an essential donation to Forum, directly or indirectly. (Very, very probable. Then the Porphyry’s position absolutely understandable.)
3. MacM gets the most popular threads, keeps people on site, and attracts new members.
And this cause is not only truth, but it indeed is commercially reasonable.
So, a good commercial motivation becomes a reason of a moral conflict: Even being in on place with man who is capable and practices all known moral meanness: lie, falsification, abuse, swearing, misinformation, plagiarism, slandering, talk scandals, etc., etc., is insulting for average normal human being.
But one usually says himself: “What I can do? That is a free public place and that is a price for having such a place”. Eventually we all remember grate words of Voltaire: ”Sir, I hate your point of view, but I will give up my life for your right to express it freely”…
But if presence of such a person leads to … exclusion of another person, even an average one, not so extraordinary for our Forum, as lethe is, it exceeds tolerance of any decent man to such unfair event.
James R did a mistake, mixing his own offence for lethe’s criticism of his actions in past, and insulted lethe’s honor with absolutely injustice and out-of-order decision, covering this stupid act under transparent sheet of childish explanation:
"...lethe's response to my previous PM was to say "I look forward to being banned." I have been happy to accomodate his self-ban request, and have banned him for an initial period of 3 days."

Talking with James R will take a lot time and a lot power… But we can “cut the roots” of this stupid situation when one dishonest man spoils whole company and provokes people to do wrong steps.
Why MacM’s posts are so popular? Because of wisdom they bring to us? All you know in what museum his wisdom is displayed!
His posts are so popular only because we, naïve enthusiasts of real Science came there to criticize him, trying to teach him, trying to prevent others from poison of his “production”….
We do that threads popular and we grant MacM shield of “commercial success carrier”…
Therefore, the first and the easiest step that every decent person may and should do is stop visiting MacM’s threads and stop posting any responses on his posts! Even posting one short statement: “MacM, you are fool!” adds to his popularity and stabilizes his untouchable position in this Forum.
So, every decent member and visitor!
Stop contacts with MacM!
Do not respond on his posts! Do not visit his threads!

We have a right to know what happened to lethe. If what JamesR did was fair and without personal grudges, then he should have set things straight with us by openly posting the reasons behind the ban.

Why is lethe 'special'? Why was a thread opened for his banning, and not for others?

lethe has been around here, like I said, for 3 years. He did not do anything wrong except for venting off a bit of anger that we all have sometimes, and I find it rather strange that MacM has done the same to Persol, more numerous than lethe's rant at MacM, yet MacM has managed to pass unscathed. There is clearly some discrimination, and though JamesR has been a fair moderator in your eyes, for someone who just arrived, this type of sudden execution in the dark is not a great example of his fairness. Maybe you were able to witness proper judgment for 2 years, but I just got here, and I don't see that.

Just to keep the record straight. I have never once taken the first shot. Persol (and others) make it a habit of attacking and going off topic in deliberate attempt to trash threads.

I have in the past both responded in kind, if not with greater personal offensive comments. That clearly must change but all the talk about science, well maybe just maybe these self appointed experts should start acting like professionals and addressing the issues.

One very important one is now being ignored. Here. Until it is properly addressed , then yes there is very little in the way of true science going on here.

First, Congratulations.

Secondly, JamesR does not have to tell anyone here anything. He could ban anyone here anytime. (hmm, lots of any***)
Anyway... :) Yuriy quoted what Lethe had written back to JamesR, i find that explenation enough to why Lethe was banned. Why MacM has not been banned, well i am oblivious.
MacM - The untouchible

Not hardly. I have had warnings as well. But I at least have responded and not challenged James R's authority to do so.

Lethe on the other hand, after responding to James R, wrote this.

Note: I've just been threatened for the second time with banning by our crackpot-apologist "moderator" James. If I continue my childish behavior, I will be banned.

Since I have only a limited time left at this forum due to my childish interaction with this forum's ridiculous crackpot, MacM, I feel I'd better get my last jibes in as fast as possible.

“ Originally Posted by MacM
Of course not but there is the possibility due to the enviornment here that those that communicate with me in the background might wish to remain anonomous. ”

By Lethe:"Look, assface,.........."

And proceed to write a page of irrelevant crap.

Now frankly I am almost convienced that this has been a very clever attempt by Lethe to pull a psychological boomerang. That is deliberately set himself up for banning under the guise that it is MacM's fault so as to turn this forum against me.

Howver, that was the case before he did so and was unnecessary.

The following clearly needs a response. It is unfortunate that I can not do so in my usual manner as deserved by such nonsense displayed here by a purportedly educated person.

Therefore I'll be factual but unwillingly polite.

The most alternative theory I ever heard is a theory that

Buy my opinion even usage of term “theory” in the quoted sentence is … abuse of logic…

I reject any possibility even as momentarily assumption that 25 yeas old student, capable to create and maintain such a web site as sciforums.com, can share and /or have any sympathy to nonsense as UniKEF… It is simply impossible…

UniKEF seems to stick in your craw. Funny since you know absolutely nothing about it. Before knocking it perhaps you care to explain the gravity test results which support that view. I'll be the first to admit it is full of holes and errors. I do so in the introduction to it. However, it is a fool that turns a blind eye to the predictions it lead to and the test results. That is simply totally unscientific.

So, there can be three and only three causes of that “Phantom of Sciforums”:

1. Relative ties tie owner with MacM. Possible, but not probable (Australia-USA).

Absolute fantasy.

2. MacM makes an essential donation to Forum, directly or indirectly. (Very, very probable. Then the Porphyry’s position absolutely understandable.)

MacM is not wealthy, nor has he contributed.

3. MacM gets the most popular threads, keeps people on site, and attracts new members.

And this cause is not only truth, but it indeed is commercially reasonable.
So, a good commercial motivation becomes a reason of a moral conflict: Even being in on place with man who is capable and practices all known moral meanness: lie, falsification, abuse, swearing, misinformation, plagiarism, slandering, talk scandals, etc., etc., is insulting for average normal human being.

Sorry but you have the horse before the cart. I only respond to such attacks in kind. I have never attacked without provocation or cause.

As to the list of faults per Yuriy. They are out right fabrications. They are insulting and untrue. I have not once lied. I have not once taken someone's post "Cut - modified - and Pasted" it back into a text and then call that person a liar repeatedly claiming it was what he wrote. YOU did and it is you that are being dishonest.

But if presence of such a person leads to … exclusion of another person, even an average one, not so extraordinary for our Forum, as lethe is, it exceeds tolerance of any decent man to such unfair event.

James R did a mistake, mixing his own offence for lethe’s criticism of his actions in past, and insulted lethe’s honor with absolutely injustice and out-of-order decision, covering this stupid act under transparent sheet of childish explanation:

Only Lethe can answer for his actions. He clearly has choosen to be banned and acted to bring it about. While I too regret his decisions, I can not find sympathy since it was his choosing.

Why MacM’s posts are so popular? Because of wisdom they bring to us? All you know in what museum his wisdom is displayed!

His posts are so popular only because we, naïve enthusiasts of real Science came there to criticize him, trying to teach him, trying to prevent others from poison of his “production”….

We do that threads popular and we grant MacM shield of “commercial success carrier”…

Therefore, the first and the easiest step that every decent person may and should do is stop visiting MacM’s threads and stop posting any responses on his posts! Even posting one short statement: “MacM, you are fool!” adds to his popularity and stabilizes his untouchable position in this Forum.

So, every decent member and visitor!

Stop contacts with MacM!

Do not respond on his posts! Do not visit his threads!

So you are here to defend science? Then why don't you defend it. Making personal attacks - Which by the way this thread is. You assert personal characteristics which are simply totally false.

I posted a mathematically detailed demonstration why your claim that GPS employs SRT is invalid. That your clearly stated "Relative Velocity" calculation fails to produce the correct answer and my view of absolute velocity of orbit does.

It would seem that immediately after that post you started this campaign to isolate me. Why because you cannot answer me? Until you do the lable "Crackpot" is put on the back burner. The fact that SRT fails stands unchallenged by the professionals.

That is fine by me. Stay quiet for as long as you like. All those readers that follow my threads will know the truth.

PS: You forgot other possibilities for the readership of my threads and my survival here.

1 - "They find the alternative view refreshing and logical and are tired of the circular logic run around, fiat declarations and rhetoric answers by the establishment."

2 - While full of holes, some of my work shows merit and is worthy of actual consideration before just casting it aside.

lethe doesn't need to turn the forum against you Mac, the forum has been against you for a long time. That is just painfully obvious. I'm not against you myself because I just arrived, and there is no motive for me to be so, but that doesn't mean I have to love your theory and see the truth. What if I'm blind?

I don't have a problem with you as a person. I would respond to personal attacks in the same manner as well. I just have a problem with biased choosing of who to ban and who to keep. I never hinted once that you should be banned, I was only curious to this fact: if lethe was eligible for banning, why weren't you? Indirectly meaning, on the contrary, you shouldn't be banned for things that lethe was banned for.

You do understand that no person, however lunatic they are, would randomly start personal attacks, right? You do see that the reason Persol and others have tried to derail your threads into a pile of asdf is because they don't like your theory, right?

And, as all of these transactions are purely online, your theory represents you, even though this is not true. I mean, what other thing have you presented here besides your theory and continued defense of it?

When things like this gets drilled in people's heads for a year or two, people start confusing [well, not really confusing, they just replace] you, the person, as the theory. That's all you ever talk about - and that's all really what you should talk about. This is as a science forum, last time I checked. Albeit a bad one, but it still is. The topic is science. Naturally, you talk about science.

When people don't know you offline, they can only judge by what you post online, which consists of drivel they dislike, so they dislike you. Don't let it get into your head, old man. Speak psychology for yourself.


Only Lethe can answer for his actions. He clearly has choosen to be banned and acted to bring it about. While I too regret his decisions, I can not find sympathy since it was his choosing.

Bullshit. He did not "choose to be banned" - stop stretching things. He replied in a cocky way. Not everything people say, people mean. There is something called sarcasm. Picture with me here: lethe gets up, logs on to sciforums, and sees a nice little message warning him about an imminent ban. After being a faithful member for quite some time and contributing as much as he can, the first thing JamesR does when he gets back is send him a polite message regarding his bitching against you.

Eh, I don't know about everyone, but I'd be rather angry.

In anger, I'd probably respond with: "I look forward to being banned" in the same polite, but definitely sardonic manner. That doesn't mean I really want to be banned. It means I'm rather annoyed with you that you'd actually think of banning me.

By this point I have lost approximately 67.8% of the people reading my post. But I really don't care. Most people of that 67.8% are asking me, how do you know what lethe thinks, oh great and mighty 14-year-old girl? [Again, using sarcasm to get others used to this new and innovative way of expression].

Maybe because I stay in touch with him every day. And, maybe because most of this he's told me himself. So no, I'm not putting thoughts in lethe's head. Rather, I'm speaking for him.

Woah!

Totally new perspective!

And now, onto geography coursework.

First, Congratulations.

Secondly, JamesR does not have to tell anyone here anything. He could ban anyone here anytime. (hmm, lots of any***)
Anyway... :) Yuriy quoted what Lethe had written back to JamesR, i find that explenation enough to why Lethe was banned. Why MacM has not been banned, well i am oblivious.
MacM - The untouchible

First, thank you.

Secondly, no he doesn't. He has the technical power to prohibit a certain IP from coming, but he doesn't have the ultimate, omniscient judgment that pervades through the fibres of all things sciforums. What JamesR does may be absolute, but not right. 'Right' is only in the eye of the beholder, so you may disagree.

I don't find that sufficient explanation. So deal with it. I'm a teenager and I demand things, and I don't give a shit if it's unreasonable. All it has to be is reasonable to me. And, I'm not asking for anything outlandish, nor am I disrupting anyone, nor am I insulting/attacking anyone. So don't try to sue me.

MacM is not banned because. I don't care if he stays here at all. He hasn't done anything wrong recently. I can't say for the past, as I was not here. But it's already passed, so there's no point in rekindling meaningless things.

lil miss demosthenes,

This is as a science forum, last time I checked. Albeit a bad one, but it still is.

I believe I read somewhere that you were leaving?
Why don't you get on with it if that's what you feel?

Bullshit. He did not "choose to be banned" - stop stretching things. He replied in a cocky way. Not everything people say, people mean. There is something called sarcasm. Picture with me here: lethe gets up, logs on to sciforums, and sees a nice little message warning him about an imminent ban. After being a faithful member for quite some time and contributing as much as he can, the first thing JamesR does when he gets back is send him a polite message regarding his bitching against you.

Eh, I do't know about everyone, but I'd be rather angry.

So what? The point is that he is banned for his own actions. He broke forum rules after multiple warnings. Why don't you start insulting people and see how long you last? And then you can blame your banning on the 'crackpot-apologist moderator'.

In anger, I'd probably respond with: "I look forward to being banned" in the same polite, but definitely sardonic manner. That doesn't mean I really want to be banned. It means I'm rather annoyed with you that you'd actually think of banning me.


"I look forward to being banned" in itself should bring about a permaban by site rules (informal perhaps. Not sure if it ever made into writing anywhere). James was lenient in only giving him a three day ban. All self-requested bans are accepted instantly and permanently according to Goofyfish. I've seen a few people get banned this way. It's usually done through self-ban threads, but I think this statement might very well fall under the same category.

However, it was not that statement that got him banned.

By this point I have lost approximately 67.8% of the people reading my post. But I really don't care. Most people of that 67.8% are asking me, how do you know what lethe thinks, oh great and mighty 14-year-old girl? [Again, using sarcasm to get others used to this new and innovative way of expression].

I don't often dwell in the phsyics portion of this forum, but you seem to be bright girl and might be an asset to the forum if you chose to be one. But, right now you're acting like a 14-year old girl and thinking that a month's worth of knowledge of the workings of this forum gives you the information necessary to make all these judgements that you're making.
You're acting emotionally and not logically.
Need a kleenex?
Your makeup's running.

Maybe because I stay in touch with him every day. And, maybe because most of this he's told me himself. So no, I'm not putting thoughts in lethe's head. Rather, I'm speaking for him.

How old is Lethe? And do your parents know of your attraction for him?

I'm a teenager and I demand things, and I don't give a shit if it's unreasonable.

Well now. That's scientific.



Anyway, I can understand your anger. I myself have been in a similar situation. Defending a banned member. But, the situation was different. I'd been here longer than a month. I'd known this person longer than a month. And the reasons for the ban were more spurious than this one. But I do understand your anger, but your constant derision of this site is getting on my nerves.

If that's how you feel then leave.
Now.
Don't let the door hit you on the ass on the way out.
You get out of it what you put in. And all you seem to be putting in is derision.

lethe doesn't need to turn the forum against you Mac, the forum has been against you for a long time. That is just painfully obvious.

I agree and have already stated that it was not necesary if that was his intention.

I'm not against you myself because I just arrived, and there is no motive for me to be so, but that doesn't mean I have to love your theory and see the truth. What if I'm blind?

I wouldn't matter blind or not. I am not attempting to convert anyone. My work is far from being complete. However, they need to do a better job and be professional and forth right in their defense of their favored current theory. They are not. If they can't properly address an issue they go off on a tangent of attacks and superflous issues.

I don't have a problem with you as a person. I would respond to personal attacks in the same manner as well.

Well at least we share something in common. :D

I just have a problem with biased choosing of who to ban and who to keep. I never hinted once that you should be banned, I was only curious to this fact: if lethe was eligible for banning, why weren't you? Indirectly meaning, on the contrary, you shouldn't be banned for things that lethe was banned for.

Well I think it is a very fine line indeed and I certainly am not immune. I have also been warned. The point would be that anyone following these threads (as the moderator does) sees who starts the flaming. While I do also attack it has only been in response to an attack.

In this particular case Lethe, Yuriy and myself received a final warning. Lethe simply chose to throw it in James R's face. He openly defyed the warning stating he was doing so and posted further off topic insults.

It seems he wanted to get banned. Why only he can say. I'd rather not have this stuff going on at all, much less be a participant.

You do understand that no person, however lunatic they are, would randomly start personal attacks, right? You do see that the reason Persol and others have tried to derail your threads into a pile of asdf is because they don't like your theory, right?

Absolutely correct. But my theory hasn't been that much of a topic here. The simple truth is they don't like me because "I lack full credentials" in their eyes and stand up to their fiat and circular logic.

What is funny is that my credentials aren't really at issue. They make the same insults to any physicists that has published anything they disagree with. It is a defense mechanisism. If they claim the person is a Crackpot then they don't have to address issues they would rather not try to explain.

I would not name names but I have had some behind the scenes contact by other professionals (a couple actually joined my site) that (while not necessarily supporting my theory) certainly support the idea that Relativity is flawed but it is not a wise thing to openly state in public, regardless of how fair they claim the community is. It isn't.

And, as all of these transactions are purely online, your theory represents you, even though this is not true. I mean, what other thing have you presented here besides your theory and continued defense of it?

A longtime ago it was decided to keep my theory aside the mainstream posts here and keep them in the thread started by James R "UniKEF Analysis". My posting regarding my theory for over a year now has only been in response to somebodyelse attacking it when it has not otherwise been mentioned.

What I post are open questions regarding current theory. (Relativity - SRT) specifically.

When things like this gets drilled in people's heads for a year or two, people start confusing [well, not really confusing, they just replace] you, the person, as the theory. That's all you ever talk about - and that's all really what you should talk about. This is as a science forum, last time I checked. Albeit a bad one, but it still is. The topic is science. Naturally, you talk about science.

As stated I do not talk about my theory perse, except in the thread provided and when others choose to bring it up in a derogatory manner.

When people don't know you offline, they can only judge by what you post online, which consists of drivel they dislike, so they dislike you. Don't let it get into your head, old man. Speak psychology for yourself.

I agree with the exception of the adjaective "drivel". :D

Bullshit. He did not "choose to be banned" - stop stretching things. He replied in a cocky way. Not everything people say, people mean. There is something called sarcasm. Picture with me here: lethe gets up, logs on to sciforums, and sees a nice little message warning him about an imminent ban. After being a faithful member for quite some time and contributing as much as he can, the first thing JamesR does when he gets back is send him a polite message regarding his bitching against you.

I think in fact had he simply back talked James R it would have gone no further but he then publicly embarassed James R and challenged his authority by openly stating he had been warned and intended to ignore that warning and continued to post attacks.

I can see why James R could not let his authority be usurped in that public manner. Don't you? I think James R has been very fair all around.

Eh, I don't know about everyone, but I'd be rather angry.

In anger, I'd probably respond with: "I look forward to being banned" in the same polite, but definitely sardonic manner. That doesn't mean I really want to be banned. It means I'm rather annoyed with you that you'd actually think of banning me.

See above.

By this point I have lost approximately 67.8% of the people reading my post. But I really don't care. Most people of that 67.8% are asking me, how do you know what lethe thinks, oh great and mighty 14-year-old girl? [Again, using sarcasm to get others used to this new and innovative way of expression].

HeHE. Actually I think you have captured many readers. I have to also say I find it unlikely you are actually only 14, but then that is just a huntch.

Maybe because I stay in touch with him every day. And, maybe because most of this he's told me himself. So no, I'm not putting thoughts in lethe's head. Rather, I'm speaking for him.

In such case I think if he is being honest with you, even if he really didn't want banned, he simply chose being banned rather than being controlled in his mannerisims here. He left once before, not over me but over some issue he saw as censorship. He is a very strong advocate of no restrictions on posting.

lil miss demosthenes,

I believe I read somewhere that you were leaving?
Why don't you get on with it if that's what you feel?

Not until I lose all amusement here.

So what? The point is that he is banned for his own actions. He broke forum rules after multiple warnings. Why don't you start insulting people and see how long you last? And then you can blame your banning on the 'crackpot-apologist moderator'.

He insulted MacM far less than other people or MacM himself has insulted others. It doesn't matter who started it first. What matters is the insult.

"I look forward to being banned" in itself should bring about a permaban by site rules (informal perhaps. Not sure if it ever made into writing anywhere). James was lenient in only giving him a three day ban. All self-requested bans are accepted instantly and permanently according to Goofyfish. I've seen a but I think this statement might very well fall under the same category.

Have you even read my post? There is something called sarcasm.

However, it was not that statement that got him banned.

I appreciate your astute observation as that was exactly what I have been implying all along.

I don't often dwell in the phsyics portion of this forum, but you seem to be bright girl and might be an asset to the forum if you chose to be one. But, right now you're acting like a 14-year old girl and thinking that a month's worth of knowledge of the workings of this forum gives you the information necessary to make all these judgements that you're making.
You're acting emotionally and not logically.
Need a kleenex?
Your makeup's running.

I don't either as I don't know enough mathematics. But apparently this forum is not about science. I am acting like a 14-year-old girl because I am. It is, especially if you've signed up only after visiting for a while and reading many of the old posts. I'm sorry you feel that way. Emotion is a sin and so is logic, and I only employ the one that is necessary. Make whatever judgments you want about me, and see if I go home and whine to mommy. I collect Kleenex boxes sir, so no thank you. I don't wear makeup, it's nasty stuff, and it blemishes the natural skin.

How old is Lethe? And do your parents know of your attraction for him?

25. He has a girlfriend, and I am married to Motz. Don't you think being attracted to lethe is a bit disgusting? The statement that I talk to him every day implies abnormal love? I talk to most of my hacker friends, friends overseas, friends offline, and all types of friends online virtually every day. I guess I'm just a polygamous whore. I don't care for my parents. Actually, I only care about my mother as my father disowned me when he heard that I didn't want any money for college. But no, my mother does not. I appreciate your concern though.

Well now. That's scientific.

I guess so.

Anyway, I can understand your anger. I myself have been in a similar situation. Defending a banned member. But, the situation was different. I'd been here longer than a month. I'd known this person longer than a month. And the reasons for the ban were more spurious than this one. But I do understand your anger, but your constant derision of this site is getting on my nerves.

You're special and I'm not. I don't know about your case, but I believe you. And I do say this without sarcasm. sciforums is not the only forum I am/was active in. I've seen the mod power up too many times.

If that's how you feel then leave.
Now.
Don't let the door hit you on the ass on the way out.
You get out of it what you put in. And all you seem to be putting in is derision.

Derision, derision, derision. Actually, I like most of the members here. I'm not deriding anyone. I'm being bitter about the way things turn out. Hey, call me idealistic. I'll take it as a compliment =)

MacM: good, then we have nothing to bicker about. That's how you view things, and it's quite positive, so I respect that. I need to eat dinner here, brb. Try not to kill anyone, everyone.

lil miss demosthenes,

Not until I lose all amusement here.

Ahh. There it is.
Amusement.
Is it amusement or science that you're looking for?

But apparently this forum is not about science.

There you go again.

Anyway.
It's about science.
It's not science itself.
As I said, you get out what you put in.

I don't wear makeup

Knew you'd say that. I just said it to be an asshole anyway.

Don't you think being attracted to lethe is a bit disgusting?

Again. I said that to be an asshole. I don't like your derision of this site and it prompts me to act emotionally. However, I'm not the one going on about science. It's about 'intelligent discussion'. We aren't all scientists here performing experiments and analyzing data.

You're special and I'm not. I don't know about your case, but I believe you.

Didn't mean to imply any such thing. In fact, when I did my thing I got a lot of backlash for it. A lot of 'just calm down. A week isn't that long.' But, as I said my case was different. The reasons were more spurious and the ban was initially implied as a permaban rather than a seven-day ban which it turned out to be.

I've seen the mod power up too many times.

James is one of the better mods here. A bit too prudish, but mostly fair.

Actually, I like most of the members here. I'm not deriding anyone. I'm being bitter about the way things turn out.

Liking members isn't the issue.
You've been deriding the site as being about 'bad science'. Liking members isn't scientific. Unless you're here for things other than science.
Are you?
I think you are. You're here to meet interesting people. To talk about interesting things. And to learn and possibly to even teach.
You get out of it what you put into it.

Hey, call me idealistic. I'll take it as a compliment =)

I, too, am idealistic at times, but it is important to be self-consistent. You admit to being bitter, but this bitterness is preventing you from seeing the big picture.
Relax. Relate. Release.


I don't mind you defending your friend. But, you're smearing defense of your friend with attacking the site in general. I'm in love with this site and take offense to that. It's going through a bit of a slump still but it is still the best forum that I've been part of and I'll stomp you into the ground to defend it. That's me being idealistic.

Contradiction: "Liking members isn't scientific."; "It's not science itself."

So what is it? Do you want science or do you want things other than science? I want both. I think you're implying that you do too. Well then, what are we bickering about? Science is amusing. But not in the way I'm thinking about.

I know what an "intelligent discussion" is. It can happen anywhere: in the girl's bathroom, over the phone at 2 AM, a sudden thought in the middle of the salesman speech. It doesn't always have to be Copenhagen. Would it be logical to say that you only eat at the dinner table?

I know everyone tries to hold "intelligent discussions". But you don't try to do these things. You just do. It's like saying, shit, I need sleep, I gotta sleep, I'm going to sleep. That just prevents you from sleeping. Intelligent discussion comes naturally.

I think I've met interesting people invert_nexus. Aren't you a bit inconsistent yourself? "Taking a months knowledge to judge this forum" - taking a single post and deciding you know the person - that's what you're doing, or at least, your tone of voice connotates it, so it could be unintentional. I may be young, I may be naïve, I may be conceited, and I may have many things to learn, but that doesn't mean I don't have a good sense of judgment.

I don't take stereotypes too seriously. Lab coats? Experiments? Firstly, not everyone is an experimentalist; there are theorists. Knowing the difference between hacker and cracker, I think I can ignore the necessary things that the the media feeds me.

I'm glad you like the forum. I don't. It's a matter of opinion and I respect yours. I hope you respect mine.

Say it just to annoy me? I don't get annoyed easily. I'm amused.

Now where has lethe got to?

I can't find him anywhere! Figures. Just as we were getting into relative topological spaces.

Guys,
does anybody know will lethe return in Forum, or he decided not to come back?

I've been something of a passive observer to this forum, and I tend to not get involved in arguments about fringe theories like MacM's (I use the word fringe to distinguish it from 'mainstream' theories like GR or QFT), but just reading this forum I think I have a few points to make.

(1) First Amendment issues don't apply in private forums. If JamesR bans you, sucks for you. It's his forum. If you don't like it, then leave. Mocking a forum moderator on the internet is like mocking your jury at a trial. It's stupid and is likely to end up hurting you. Shame on lethe for not learning this lesson.

(2) I find it rather amusing that a 14 year old is the voice of reason among adults. All praises to you, and may you continue to keep your head level on your shoulders in the future. It will set you apart from almost everyone around you.

(3) If you have a new scientific theory, everyone's going to consider you a wild-hacked nutjob. MacM has handled this very well. I disagree with opening science to a popular vote since that's not what science is, but hey, it's an internet forum.

(4) That said, it IS an internet forum. I would wager that maybe one or two of us actually have PhDs in physics. That makes few of us truly qualified to critique some new physical theory.

(5) The big problem with new scientific theories is that they're untested, and science is a world of experiment. Defending a theory that is untested is a very untenable position. Comparing your own struggles with Einstein's is very dangerous, because Einstein's theories were logical offsprings of well-accepted scientific theories, not large departures from that. Please, in general, refrain from doing this.

(6) Thank you, JamesR, for laying down the law when you had to. I've seen a lot of internet forums go completely nuts because the moderators bowed to public pressure or just let the forum go rampant.

(7) I would really like to see more posts about stuff like condensed matter physics and the like. Everybody's interested in this high energy gravity stuff, but there's some neat work going on on why my table top has the conductive properties it does. Just thought I'd mention it while on my soap box.

PhysMachine,
(1) First Amendment issues don't apply in private forums. If JamesR bans you, sucks for you. It's his forum. If you don't like it, then leave. Mocking a forum moderator on the internet is like mocking your jury at a trial. It's stupid and is likely to end up hurting you. Shame on lethe for not learning this lesson.

1. One my friend once exclaimed: “Who talks about logic if there is a law!”. I guess, you never read any acting law about Internet, web sites, public forums, e-mails, etc., etc. Try searching on Internet, there are a lot of interesting materials on that topic…
2. Simple analogy: if you will open a store … in your house for… your family nobody will care about that – do what you want to do there. But if you will open a door for any, even very close to you group of people from outside – you immediately become an enterprise with whole bunch of laws applicable to you. Do you get my thought? If did - good for you, if not – try again…

(2) I find it rather amusing that a 14 year old is the voice of reason among adults. All praises to you, and may you continue to keep your head level on your shoulders in the future. It will set you apart from almost everyone around you.

Ditto from MacM.

(3) If you have a new scientific theory, everyone's going to consider you a wild-hacked nutjob. MacM has handled this very well. I disagree with opening science to a popular vote since that's not what science is, but hey, it's an internet forum.

I thank you for the politeness. Being fair to those that have pointed out that UniKEF is not actually qualified yet as a theory however.

(5) The big problem with new scientific theories is that they're untested, and science is a world of experiment. Defending a theory that is untested is a very untenable position. Comparing your own struggles with Einstein's is very dangerous, because Einstein's theories were logical offsprings of well-accepted scientific theories, not large departures from that. Please, in general, refrain from doing this.

Unfortunately I did not come here to claim some victory but expecting (naively) interest by the professionals and that somehow that might advance the analysis. Shows what I know. :o

good post physmachine......

Well, this is a fairly predictable response.

Yuriy:

I demand public explanation why you did it - for what lethe was banned?

You know why he was banned. And don't worry - in 3 hours he'll be back. For a while, at least.

My friends,
I just got very interesting explanation (of lethe's ban case) from James R. due to private internal e-mail. He said:
“
"...lethe's response to my previous PM was to say "I look forward to being banned." I have been happy to accomodate his self-ban request, and have banned him for an initial period of 3 days."

Do you understand what a private message is? In future, I will not do you the courtesy of keeping you informed, since you do me the discourtesy of making public what was given to you in confidence.

No more favours for you, Yuriy.

So, lethe was actually banned not for some concrete violation of acting rules after last warning, but ... for "saucy", impudent response to Mr. Moderator's PM!

You do not know the history of private messages between lethe and myself, so you are hardly in a position to comment. lethe had more than fair warning. He has been trying hard for this for over two months.

I could easily have banned all three of you (lethe, Yuriy and MacM). Instead, I decided to warn you - again. lethe made a clear choice.

First of all, I do not buy such transparent "explanation", and become thinking that personal motives between James R and lethe, that were noticed by many members, plaid much bigger role than naive self-request of lette was...

What personal motive might I have? lethe is just one more poster with an oversized ego. If he can't abide by the forum rules, then he has no place here.


lil miss demosthenes

We haven't talked much. 14 years old, eh? You express yourself well, but you're not dealing with the full picture here, so you're making too many guesses and assumptions. My advice is to try to get your facts straight first in future.

lethe was banned because he was flaming MacM. Apparently MacM doesn't have to be banned even though he has flamed many people before too [Persol].

MacM flames in response. He seldom, if ever, takes the first shot. Watch carefully and see for yourself.

Nevertheless, he was warned, along with lethe and Yuriy.

So, the real reason is, lethe is banned because he started adding bad connotations to his posts of the current moderator, JamesR, and James didn’t like that. A lot of what lethe said was true. I mean, I respect the fact that JamesR is busy, but WE ALL ARE. If you're too busy to tend to a forum, why don't you pass to power to someone who frequents it enough to care and to tidy things up? That's what a moderator does! Someone moderates the forum...

lethe has been taking jibes at people on the forum for several months now. I am only one of them. No, I don't like it when people attack me, particularly when I feel the attacks are unjustified. But I've been on the internet for far to long to let it get to me to the extent where it interferes with my ability to moderate this forum. Trust me. The fact is, I just don't value lethe's opinion of me enough to care whether he thinks I'm a good moderator or not. His own behaviour does not give him the moral high ground to allow him to make judgments about other people. Take a look at his recent posts and judge for yourself. You're a smart girl.

It just shows what type of poor judgment we have around here, and that our physics forum really can't be saved. lethe actually KNEW MATH! OMG! He's banned now. One less person actually knowing what he's talking about.

People who know math are a dime a dozen. Many of them are polite, friendly people. lethe is not irreplaceable, if he has indeed decided to leave.

Finally! Someone gets that this place is an utter waste of time. I just persuaded lethe to leave once and for all [he asked me my opinion via MSN].

Did you really persuade him, or had he already made up his mind? There have been other people here who have finally decided to leave after they have had a brief break imposed upon them.

If lethe doesn't like this forum, why should he stay here? This is something people do for fun, after all.

We could be expanding our own field, writing more papers, and teaching other people who are actually willing to learn. Oh, and if you have a family, maybe the time devoted to posting on sciforums could be spent more wisely with your kids.

Maybe so. I certainly would suggest that an internet forum should not dominate your life. It's all about balance ... and moderation!

Think about it. Three years. lethe has been frequenting here three years, and the first thing JamesR does when he comes back is give him a nice ban.

He first asked me to ban him before Christmas. He has been hanging out for it.

Why is lethe 'special'? Why was a thread opened for his banning, and not for others?

People here often complain when their friends are banned. The Open Government forum used to be full of it.

I give up. I'm leaving anyway. I'm glad you guys are so nice to MacM, and I hope he stays do he can continue to be defended.

I'm sorry you're leaving - if you are. Maybe you should have stuck around a little longer, rather than making snap judgments.



invert nexus

James is one of the better mods here. A bit too prudish, but mostly fair.

Prudish, moi?

This one has me a little puzzled.

Ok, this is my view, for what it’s worth. James R was right to ban Lethe under the circumstances. James R, in my experience, has always made a concerted effort to police this forum in a professional and fair manner and not only performs his duties (which for that matter are there for our benefit) but also contributes to the discussions in a way that I admire. Only when pushed to the limit will James resort to a punishing tactic of put-downs, which he executes in an elegant style. He never hurls abuse first and never insults anyone unless they have chosen to incorporate abuse as part of the discourse first. He often stays in the background and only enters the conversation to rectify incorrect statements made by lesser knowledgeable members or act as a calming figure for many situations that develop into an undesirable condition. Anyone who can’t understand this has either: not been on this forum long enough, is socially inadequate and can’t judge social behaviour, just trying to stir things up, or just too damned thick to realise the rights and wrongs of the situation in hand. If anyone has a problem with James R then you need to realise that it could well be YOU that has the problem and not him. I have got frustrated with James R before, not because of him but rather the fact that he can’t be everywhere at once and quite often hasn’t got the time to tutor people or share his knowledge in the way that we would desire. I have seen a huge amount of effort coming from James R and he has demonstrated considerable patience on this forum. For God’s sake leave him alone and stop being ungrateful.

As for MacM, I like him and think he has exceptional qualities. He is a real “thinker” and nobody should spurn him for that, he has been labelled as a crackpot and has done well to come through relatively unscathed. Basically, I have witnessed considerable bullying aimed at MacM and I think it should stop because we’re all getting a bit bored of it now. James R is right regarding his comment about the first thrower of insults.

Regarding Lethe, I respect him for his knowledge of maths but I also think some of his comments are pure entertainment value – we do need a bit of this around here so it’s not all a bad thing. Lethe has chosen to pick on MacM but these days also seems to disrespect the moderator and his opinion of how the forum should be led. I think there is probably much water passed under the bridge but regardless, I hope Lethe comes back. But, Lethe, if you’re listening, you know you have a choice to go somewhere else, we don’t want you to go but rather come back and share your unparalleled knowledge of maths with us.

To resolve this whole problem I believe a new sticky thread should be set up at the top of the maths forum where people can hurl abuse at each other to their hearts content. Arhhh, *pondering for a second* just think how I could contribute to that. :D

haha, id be there hurling right back at you.

lethe is probably the jewel of sciforums. Banning him will be a great error. Nuff said

haha, id be there hurling right back at you.

Listen,you hideous, dread-bolted clack-dish you're talking to the master of sarcasm and witt, the undisputed champion of insults and put-downs. You're just an insignificant excuse for decaying sheep droppings, let alone an asinine stack of pureed bile and a tiny-brained contribution of fornicating zit cheese!

Anyone care to hurl abuse at me :rolleyes:

It might take the tension off the current situation.

PS. Only joking Dilbert :)

As for MacM, I like him and think he has exceptional qualities. He is a real “thinker” and nobody should spurn him for that, he has been labelled as a crackpot and has done well to come through relatively unscathed. Basically, I have witnessed considerable bullying aimed at MacM and I think it should stop because we’re all getting a bit bored of it now. James R is right regarding his comment about the first thrower of insults.

Thanks. I do have to recognize these far to rare comments. I only want to add that indeed I have made numerous screw ups and often try to converse far to casually for many here. But I do think the bottom line should not be disregarded in the overall view.

To that end I feel obligated to draw attention to the (what appears to be conclusions) of my thread "A Question for Relativists" Here and the factual status of GPS vs SRT. That I would hope is why we are all here, to sort out any kinks which appear valid regarding our current physics.

Regarding Lethe, I respect him for his knowledge of maths but I also think some of his comments are pure entertainment value – we do need a bit of this around here so it’s not all a bad thing. Lethe has chosen to pick on MacM but these days also seems to disrespect the moderator and his opinion of how the forum should be led. I think there is probably much water passed under the bridge but regardless, I hope Lethe comes back. But, Lethe, if you’re listening, you know you have a choice to go somewhere else, we don’t want you to go but rather come back and share your unparalleled knowledge of maths with us.

Inspite of what some here have said, I too like Lethe, I didn't appreciate some of his posts but many were in fact posted and taken as entertainment value. Bewing referred to as a Crackpot doesn't phase me but being called a lair and other things I do take offense too.

Lethe has an impressive mathematical comprehension and is an asset here. I too hope he returns.

But I do think the bottom line should not be disregarded in the overall view.

I wasn't saying that YOU were the first thrower of insults, macM, just to clarify. I was merely backing up James R by saying that you were NOT usually the instigator of insults.

I wasn't saying that YOU were the first thrower of insults, macM, just to clarify. I was merely backing up James R by saying that you were NOT usually the instigator of insults.

Understood. And I fully recognize that my responses are also not acceptable and will in the future attempt to either ignore or offset in a different manner.

no problem, i do not mind. but given your position i thought that you would.

James R,

You know why he was banned.

Yes, and I informed whole Forum about the real cause of lethe’s ban:

So, lethe was actually banned not for some concrete violation of acting rules after last warning, but ... for "saucy", impudent response to Mr. Moderator's PM! .

I did not think that man like you will have two set of explanation of his actions: one for public announcements, second one for private information. I was wrong…

. Do you understand what a private message is?
Yes, something what belongs to receiver of such a message. If someone who sends such messages does not like how addressee treats them, he stops further sending… But all, what was sent, belongs to addressee and he can do with it what he wants; for instance – publish it… In my Moral system the confidentiality of any voluntarily sent messages can appear only and only from need to protect addressee or some third party, not the messenger. When we want protect messenger we call it not common word “confidentiality”, but “messenger protection plan”… For instance, the Moral system of journalism is straightly opposite: The main goal is to protect messenger, no matter what message is and how it can or does affect any other people. Reason of difference is absolutely clear: journalists make livings on spreading of that information and therefore they are very interested to protect their source of informations they sale, I do not… That why I can exercise more decent Moral… You understand me…

In future, I will not do you the courtesy of keeping you informed, since you do me the discourtesy of making public what was given to you in confidence.
Please, do me that favor. I do not want a courtesy to have such “an information” that at a test does not match with information given to public…

You do not know the history of private messages between lethe and myself, so you are hardly in a position to comment.
Let us look on that issue one more time.
Of course, I do not know your private conversations, and I do not want to know it. But just this quote clearly proves that my conclusion that
So, lethe was actually banned not for some concrete violation of acting rules after last warning, but ... for "saucy", impudent response to Mr. Moderator's PM!
was absolutely right: lethe was fairly warned, but the same absolutely unfairly banned. Especially, if your decision came due to … your private conversations… Should we conclude that he said you something that your ego could not afford and you decided to use forum for … revenge? Your next words are remarkable in finding of a possible cause:

You do not know the history of private messages between lethe and myself, so you are hardly in a position to comment. lethe had more than fair warning. He has been trying hard for this for over two months.
Do words “for this” mean “saying to me something I do not like very much”?…
And after all that it comes a naïve question:

What personal motive might I have?
Do you expect I will buy this too?…

But the most important words that were slipped out your mouth are:
lethe is just one more poster with an oversized ego. If he can't abide by the forum rules, then he has no place here
Because you very well know that there is no such rule in this Forum as
“ Every member has to like moderator and has to respect moderator and be polite with him at private conversations”
all what I just quoted can and should be applied to events that were happened in posts, not in your private conversations… Personally I did not see any “oversized ego” Good, big enough ego – yes, oversized – no. There are a lot of people with much bigger ego-s and you deal with them very well long-long time… Moreover, lethe is the one of “ego-s’, that make this forum interesting for others and creates its commercial effectiveness (at all other causes). So, “oversized ego” is not a cause of your behavior, James R.
May be your point of view more precisely reveals the beginning of your sentence: “ lethe is just one more poster…”?
So, your explanations did not convinced me to change my point of view on happened events…
P.S. you said about lethe:
And don't worry - in 3 hours he'll be back. For a while, at least
I very much hope he will be back, that he will stay above whole, let say soft - opinions that were expressed and ... actions that were done in this very unpleasant story, and I hope he will continue his grate work in this Forum...

MacM flames in response. He seldom, if ever, takes the first shot. Watch carefully and see for yourself.Bullshit. Look at his first post on this forum. Look at him leading the way in insults in the UniKEF thread.

There is a reason he's been banned from numerous forums... and unfortunately there's a reason he hasn't been banned from this one...

Bullshit. Look at his first post on this forum. Look at him leading the way in insults in the UniKEF thread.

There is a reason he's been banned from numerous forums... and unfortunately there's a reason he hasn't been banned from this one...

My first post was an insult (from a Relativits view) against Relativity, not any member. For the rest of your post I'll let the record stand for itself.

While I broke a rule on Physlink, as explained, I was induced into doing it, unknowingly (even though I should have known the rules) as a consequence of Yuriy's conduct there as it had been here, combined with a management there that seemed to encourage such conduct rather than what James R seems to do here which is apply the rules equitably.

I was banned from PF because of a thread which I started very simular to the current "A question for Relativists" thread; which being allowed to run here has produced some rather interesting facts about GPS and SRT.

Neither of the bannings were for flaming or name calling. So you are typically in left field with your post particularily in light of your own historical conduct.

The bottom line is my bannings were for pursueing taboo lines of questions about Relativity. The only differance here is it has created an unpleasant enviornment with professionals or self-proclaimed psudeo-intellectuals (that is a group that are not professionally educated on the subject, but that follow the professionals around parroting their comments in an attempt to appear more intelligent than they are) which either think such topics are a waste of time or would rather not address such issues.

Such topics have not been a banning offense although you and others seem to want to make it so.

And lastly in the two years that I have managed my own site, I have had only one case of personal attacks having occured which resulted in a temporary ban which hasn't had to be repeated. So I can speak from experience that such topics can be successfully discussed without the distraction of personal insults that we have seen here.

Frankly it doesn't speak well for those that should know better or claim to be intelligent.

Yuriy, excellent post. For someone from Russia using broken English, you certainly spoke better than I could have done regarding my own thoughts. PhysMachine, same to you. I liked your unbiased view.

Firstly, thank you all for praising my "cool-headedness". I will follow your advices and keep striving to keep it that way. Secondly, I disagree with you JamesR. It doesn't matter who takes the first shot, it's the insult that counts. For example, if I said "fuck you" after you attacked me, that fact doesn't make it a lighter swear word. I still mean it, and for that, I should be equally punished.

Also, ever heard of sarcasm and humor? Either you really are quite prudish , or you simply don't appreciate dry humor. Both ways, we need someone like lethe around here. He has the right balance of knowledge and wit. Personality is a necessity in forums. I would not like to be regarded as a textbook, nor would I like to be surrounded by textbook-members.

People who know math are a dime a dozen. Many of them are polite, friendly people. lethe is not irreplaceable, if he has indeed decided to leave."

No they are not. Producers give what consumers want. Apparently, consumers want singing plushies and FreeBSD T-shirts advertising devils in which Texan ladies hide from [taken from a website]. So if that's what consumers want, and people who know math are so ubiquitous, why don't I own a Pocket Mathematician [tm] (PM, cough pun, doubleplusuncough) myself? Yes, I speak for the majority of consumers when I say I want a Pocket Mathematician [tm].

Sure. Everyone knows math. I know math, you know math, the world can know math together. But those that know math [i]very well are needles in a haystack. Why? It's America. Math at a good standard is Algebra II. Go figure. Everywhere else, including Australia [I'm talking to you, remember?], are much better at this "standard" thing.

Also, most math-knowing people are not polite, friendly people. Polite-friendly people == boring == without personality. People who have a cool personality can be polite and friendly at the same time, but that's a very odd and rare mix.

Most "interesting" people don't kiss up to authority and follow rules when necessary. Doesn't mean they're rebel without causes, it just means that they're not silent and subordinate. They're probably 'radical', meaning 'open-minded' here. Willing to try unorthodox things no matter how unorthodox it is, but remembering the boundaries, which would be, of course, maths and Occam.

Most math-knowing people are quite intelligent, and through that intelligence, tend not to follow the crowd but their own mindset. Their mindset probably composes of intuition and logic.

Most.

I'm not speaking for everyone. But most - because if I had to draw a nice percentage of all the "interesting" math-knowing people I know, 90% of them fit in the Eccentric-Pretentious-Rollicking [EPR] category. Which...doesn't really fit your description. Maybe you met my 10%.

lethe is definitely replaceable. But how long would it be before you find someone as knowledgeable and sardonic as he?

Ah, that long.

But will they come to sciforums, like lethe did?

Really?

I persuaded him. He was on the verge of returning, but I told him this place wasn't worth his time. As much as the forum needs him, he ought to go somewhere were the moderator appreciates his presence. It's always more welcoming that way, I think. I can't think for him, but I bet he concurs with this statement.

He didn't ask you to ban him before Christmas. You threatened him (http://www.sciforums.com/showthread.php?t=43181&page=2&pp=20), and he responded (http://www.sciforums.com/showthread.php?t=43300) in a different thread because you locked the thread he was going to respond to. It looks disjointed. Therefore, it looked like lethe requested banning. But read the other thread, and things make sense. :: sigh :: Do I need to give another example for this?

Someone walks up to me one day and asked me if I wanted feta cheese. I told them, "No, I don't like feta cheese. Thank you though."

That doesn't mean I started out, without invitation, to that person: "Dude! I don't want your feta cheese!"

Who violates the Law of Conservation of Energy?

Would Venn Diagrams help? Would a tabloid of salicylic acid help? Can I go now?

lethe isn't my friend. Friends are mutual. Even if I considered him as my friend, I don't know if he thinks the same of me. So, don't say that: be accurate please.

Snap judgments? Even those not here for a very long time can see that lethe's banning was definitely more than what the surface value implied. Sure, I could go. Don't know if you know me well enough to actually want me to stay, so I think your statement was just out of politeness because you know math and you have to be Polite 'n Friendly.

I mean, I would love to stay to continue being amused, have something to blog about, and talk with other members, but does the moderator want me around? It's only more welcoming that way, like I said.

I think we're done here.