Create an "Alternative theories" subforum?

Discussion in 'SF Open Government' started by James R, Sep 26, 2011.

?

Should sciforums have an Alternative Theories subforum?

Poll closed Oct 3, 2011.

  1. Yes

    15 vote(s)
    46.9%

  2. No

    15 vote(s)
    46.9%

  3. Abstain/don't care

    2 vote(s)
    6.3%
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  1. leopold

    leopold Valued Senior Member

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    my suggestion would be:
    rename the current "hard sciences" to "mainstream science" and keep the current rules for it.
    right below that create the new subforum and name it "mainstream alternatives" and create a new ruleset for it.
    we can put the following into that subforum:
    alternative theories.
    parapsyc.
    pseudoscience.
    ufology.

    i have no clue what you would do with "religion".
    that's authority for ya.
    come down here and take a massive shit all over everything and leave us with the mess to clean up.
     
    leopold, Oct 1, 2011
    #81

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  3. James R

    James R Just this guy, you know? Staff Member

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    See post #23 of that thread.
     
    James R, Oct 1, 2011
    #82

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  5. Gustav

    Gustav Banned Banned

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    take the initiative, james
    rehashing shit for close to a decade is just tedious

    open up more forums, do trial runs for a year or two. if traffic is not up to expectations, move threads, delete forums
     
    Gustav, Oct 1, 2011
    #83

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  7. Varda

    Varda The Bug Lady Valued Senior Member

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    Dear mods,
    Please change my vote to yes.
    Regards,
    Varda
     
    Varda, Oct 1, 2011
    #84
  8. Gustav

    Gustav Banned Banned

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    Believe, Crunchy Cat, Emil, Enmos, GeoffP, Hercules Rockefeller, kwhilborn, MacGyver1968, Orleander, prometheus, quadraphonics, quantum_wave, Search & Destroy, Varda


    i believe the no vote also assures that you will be boycotting the forum, content only to point and titter. you will not be feeding any alleged trolls and crackpots, choosing instead to attend to matters of real science

    this is good and i commend you for that stance

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    Last edited: Oct 1, 2011
    Gustav, Oct 1, 2011
    #85
  9. GeoffP

    GeoffP Caput gerat lupinum Valued Senior Member

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    22,087
    Classic intellectual disconnect.

    /cheers
     
    GeoffP, Oct 1, 2011
    #86
  10. kira

    kira Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    1,579


    A couple of posters have changed their votes, e.g. Enmos (it was in the previous pages):
     
    kira, Oct 1, 2011
    #87
  11. GeoffP

    GeoffP Caput gerat lupinum Valued Senior Member

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    Nonetheless, the above individuals should be viciously ostracized. How dare they vote.
     
    GeoffP, Oct 1, 2011
    #88
  12. Gustav

    Gustav Banned Banned

    Messages:
    12,575
    thanks
    i'll do an edit


    a brain fart or a valid inference?
     
    Gustav, Oct 1, 2011
    #89
  13. Varda

    Varda The Bug Lady Valued Senior Member

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    6,184
    Interesting... JamesR can change the numbers in polls while the names still show where the vote was placed.
    I ought to examine polls more carefully.
     
    Varda, Oct 1, 2011
    #90
  14. GeoffP

    GeoffP Caput gerat lupinum Valued Senior Member

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    22,087
    Wonder and twist, Gus.
     
    GeoffP, Oct 1, 2011
    #91
  15. James R

    James R Just this guy, you know? Staff Member

    Messages:
    39,421
    Done.

    Yes, I can change the numbers in polls. I'm an administrator.

    I cannot move the names of people who have already voted from one option to another, though. If I could, I would have done that when you and Enmos requested it.

    Count the votes. You'll find 2 more names in the "No" list than there are voted, and 2 fewer names in the "Yes" list than there are votes.
     
    James R, Oct 2, 2011
    #92
  16. Captain Kremmen

    Captain Kremmen All aboard, me Hearties! Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    12,738
    Varda, that wasn't a fair insinuation.
     
    Captain Kremmen, Oct 2, 2011
    #93
  17. James R

    James R Just this guy, you know? Staff Member

    Messages:
    39,421
    At present, it looks like we're likely to have a majority vote in favour of this.

    So, to the matter of names. Suggestions so far:

    • Alternative theories
    • Alternative hypotheses
    • Alternative ideas
    • The Fringe
    • Fringe Science
    • Fringe Ideas (or Ideas on the Fringe?)
    • I can't prove it, but...
    • Alternatives to the mainstream
    • Theory development
    • Unconventional theories
     
    James R, Oct 3, 2011
    #94
  18. OnlyMe

    OnlyMe Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    3,914
    If we are talking a name that has the best chance of promoting sound discussions... These would be my best guesses, but to some extent it still depends on the definition and rules.

    Not necessarily in this order.
    • Alternative theories
    • Alternative hypotheses
    • Theory development
    • Unconventional theories

    I think personally I'd favor
    • Alternative theories or
    • Theory development

    I believe I initially suggested "The Fringe" and "Fringe Science" and while much of what might wind up here would fall under the category of Fringe Science, the word fringe does carry some negative connotation that may or may not affect things. There is also a point to be made that the name could set to some extent the expectations of the folder.
     
    Last edited: Oct 3, 2011
    OnlyMe, Oct 3, 2011
    #95
  19. Crunchy Cat

    Crunchy Cat F-in' *meow* baby!!! Valued Senior Member

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    Leopold seems to have some interesting ideas in his most recent post.
     
    Crunchy Cat, Oct 3, 2011
    #96
  20. OnlyMe

    OnlyMe Valued Senior Member

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    3,914
    It would be my opinion that this new folder should remain in the science folder and not be grouped together with pseudoscience and parapsychology.

    If the intent is to create a place to explore new or "fringe" theory, models and hypothesis, separating the folder from science and associating it with pseudoscience and parapsychology defeats the intent.

    Like I said I suggested name of "Fringe Science" and I like that, but it does carry some baggage with it that could limit the success of the experiment.

    Keep the new folder in Science.
     
    OnlyMe, Oct 3, 2011
    #97
  21. leopold

    leopold Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    17,455
    you leave it in the "hard sciences" section and you might as well forget the whole shebang.
    the new subforum must be located outside the "hard sciences" section or you will have moderation problems with it.
    i've even thought about suggesting religion be included in it but religion is also a valid philosophical topic too.
    how are you going to moderate such a forum if it's in the "hard sciences" section?
    keep the new subforum out of science for the sake of hercules rockefellar.
    the guy is probably having a cow the way it is.
     
    leopold, Oct 3, 2011
    #98
  22. leopold

    leopold Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    17,455
    i like mainstream alternatives.
     
    leopold, Oct 3, 2011
    #99
  23. Gustav

    Gustav Banned Banned

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    a brief and perhaps, incomplete history.....

    2003 - 15 for, 8 against

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    2004 - 28 for, 19 against

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    2011 - 17 for, 13 against

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    ​


    same time, same place in a few years?

    /snicker
     
    Gustav, Oct 3, 2011
    #100
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