Why are YOU here?

Discussion in 'SF Open Government' started by Oli, Jul 18, 2009.

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Whay are you here?

Poll closed Aug 17, 2009.
  1. Discuss the science I'm learning/ working at

    2 vote(s)
    9.5%
  2. Better than other sites

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  3. For the quality of discussion in my favourite topics

    6 vote(s)
    28.6%
  4. I get bored

    2 vote(s)
    9.5%
  5. I want to learn from others

    4 vote(s)
    19.0%
  6. I'm here to discuss/ disseminate my new theory

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  7. To wrestle with a different point of view from someone knowledgable

    3 vote(s)
    14.3%
  8. The general ambience

    1 vote(s)
    4.8%
  9. I have questions I want answering

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  10. Science got something(s) wrong and I have the answer

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  11. I'm learning more about the world in general

    3 vote(s)
    14.3%
  1. Oli Heute der Enteteich... Registered Senior Member

    Messages:
    11,888
    What's your reason for being on Sciforums?
    The list above is a limited selection of possible choices, but in the end it comes down to one of three possible things:
    1) You're learning from others who are more knowledgeable
    2) You want to discuss what you're learning/ doing/ interested in with others
    3) You're correcting others' misapprehensions (generally a losing proposition)

    Are you actually contributing to the forum, as a forum, or are you merely floating along and having fun?
    Do you care what you're posting (or what anyone else is posting), or is it "just the internet" and therefore essentially of no intrinsic worth?
    We have a number (a large number) of posters who contribute nothing but words - they might as well type with their eyes shut for all the genuine sense/ valid comments that their posts make*
    Is Sci something you come to simply because there's nothing on the box? Or are you here to contribute? Do you give a shit? At all?
    If pushed I could name possibly two dozen poster of genuine worth (regardless of whether or not I agree with them), and far far more who do little but interject, usually with something at a tangent, sometimes on-topic and relevant but trivial or just tripe.

    Is it me that's wrong in expecting something of actual value from a discussion forum? Is it a futile hope that it should have any validity? Or am I on the wrong track altogether and I'm missing the joke that's so obviously evident to maybe 70%+ of posters?
    Was Sciforums ever intended to be of worth (I got that impression when first arrived, possibly erroneously) and it's deteriorated drastically? Or did I miss that too?

    D H and Ben have made a policy of stamping down on crackpots, but they (the crackpots) don't seem to be called out by the general body of the members. Why not? Because it doesn't matter that barely educated half-wits are spewing specious crap all over the place or because it's not recognised for what it is?**

    Or again, am I simply in the wrong (or in a minority) that actually cares about this forum?


    * Since this could very well be my last ever thread I'll name (some) names: Bishadi, DwayneD. L. Rabon, ripleofdeath, voodoochile, Draqon, Tnerb...
    ** I hope, sincerely, that it's not the latter, otherwise I really, genuinely fear for future generations.

    Main footnote: if you picked an even numbered option please, please please, go away and don't come back.
    Join Facebook or look for a genuine crackpot site where you can be comforted by other ill- or non-educated fools.
     
    Last edited: Jul 18, 2009
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  3. Mrs.Lucysnow Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    9,879
    This again?

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    Its the 'why are you here' thread again

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    All of the above for some members, or just a few for others and the answer would change from one to the other everyday for most. The value goes like this, if you think a thread has no value then don't post in it. Ignore it and go to a different thread. At the end of the day its only sciforums, its an open board and it doesn't matter why we are here. If you choose to leave then fine go and find some other intelligent community but I doubt you will leave. You don't always gravitate to 'intelligent' worthy threads, you muck about at times just like everyone else. What I find so special about this place is how often the complaints are EXACTLY the same no matter what has changed and how often the threads are EXACTLY the same no matter what changes.

    People care about this forum in the same way as they did when Gendy started a thread asking this question not to mention a dozen others.
     
    Last edited: Jul 18, 2009
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  5. Oli Heute der Enteteich... Registered Senior Member

    Messages:
    11,888
    No, you're wrong: if I do go that's it - fini.
    Scrambled password and all.
     
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  7. Japarican Registered Senior Member

    Messages:
    148
    A combination of everything. I enjoy reading about everyone's different perspectives on topics even if I don't agree with them.
     
  8. Mrs.Lucysnow Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    9,879
    Well fine Oli you won't be the first nor the last to leave and there will be others who come and fill the space but this still has nothing to do with why we are here. What's important for you is why YOU come here not why others are here. I mean if you come on the site and its boring or silly go do something else. If you come to the site and there is something you want to contribute or there is a thread that tickles your fancy then post with interest. Its quite simple really.
     
  9. Carcano Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    6,865
    From the business end its the so-called crackpots who generate the most income for the site.

    They make it popular.

    Not only for other crackpots...but for the people who LOVE to hate them.

    Like Oli...

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  10. Dr Lou Natic Unnecessary Surgeon Registered Senior Member

    Messages:
    5,574
    Writing practice
    Entertainment
    Compliments/ego fluffing
     
  11. Repo Man Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    4,955
    When I first began using computers and the internet in 2000, I began to go to a site called www.overclockers.com . I was there to learn about computers, but they also allowed political discussions at the time. I had a naive view of the internet, thinking that it would mostly consist of well educated computer nerds. I was shocked to realize that there were many creationist types spewing their nonsense.

    The overclockers site tired of the drama of political/religious discussions, and banned them. I'd found this site via Google in early 2002 while researching a paper I was writing about antibiotic use in farm animal feed contributing to drug resistant bacteria. So I began to come here. It's a cathartic waste of time I suppose. I can't very well go around telling people in real life that they are wrong, and possibly idiots, for believing the Earth is less than ten thousand years old. But I can on the internet.

    I can occasionally contribute something of use when it comes to repairing or upgrading computers.
     
  12. nietzschefan Thread Killer Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    7,721
    Well at least you called some people out, that's a start....anyone else?
     
  13. spidergoat pubic diorama Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    54,036
    I'm charming I'm dashing I'm rental-car bashing
    I'm phony-paper passing at Nick's Check Cashing...
     
  14. superstring01 Moderator

    Messages:
    12,110
    I voted for an option, but several applied.

    Also, I'm stalking MacGyver1968. Want him baaaaaaaad.

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    ~String
     
  15. hypewaders Save Changes Registered Senior Member

    Messages:
    12,061
    I'm running out of reasons.
     
  16. superstring01 Moderator

    Messages:
    12,110
    Well, your--albeit opposite views from mine--are nonetheless intelligent, cogent, necessary for a good membership base, and if that's not enough, know that you're a funny guy and you make me laugh.

    ~String
     
  17. Stryder Keeper of "good" ideas. Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    13,105
    Couldn't you just get some computer geek to program an Oli bot? Just erm... no Nike saleswork please

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  18. Enmos Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    43,184
    The reason I'm here is to learn from others and to offer my own view on things up for discussion.
    I'm mainly interested in how other people 'see' things and why.
    So the closest poll option is "I want to learn from others", I guess.
     
  19. MacGyver1968 Fixin' Shit that Ain't Broke Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    7,028
    Get in line baby..get in line.

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    I come here first and foremost to learn and to better myself. I learn new things here all of the time.

    Secondly I come here to make people laugh (or cry, depending on how bad the one liner is) and let off a little steam.
     
  20. cosmictraveler Be kind to yourself always. Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    33,264
    Perhaps one day I will figure it out. :shrug:
     
  21. BenTheMan Dr. of Physics, Prof. of Love Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    8,967
    Good thread

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  22. BenTheMan Dr. of Physics, Prof. of Love Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    8,967
    Ah well---bigger better things I suppose.

    If this is the case, then take care man.
     
  23. Oli Heute der Enteteich... Registered Senior Member

    Messages:
    11,888
    Unfortunately, even after extensive searches, Sci seems to be the best around...
    I dunno if that's a good thing or not

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