Does this mean you are looking for more members who are educated in various topics covered by the subforums?
Backgrounds in moderation
- Thread starter GeoffP
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Does this mean you are looking for more members who are educated in various topics covered by the subforums?
I suppose so. Or something. The selection of members with more background in those subjects depends I think on the direction of the forum itself. What is the target audience? Is it an achievable goal? Is an alteration in the structure like to achieve such a goal? These things must be interdependent.
*trying* is the operative word.
To be honest Geoff, the only way to change the audience is to integrate with already established groups, communities etc. For the most part though, I'm pretty sure the professionals won't have as much time to interact on the site compared to everyone else since professions aren't usually "part-time".
Perhaps we could invite various professionals onto the forum much like how phone-in's or Q & A's occur in magazines and on television, however I'm pretty sure while there might be the odd few that will do it for nothing more than just boosting their retrospect, some would rather only do so when dealing in cold hard cash.
Perhaps we could invite various professionals onto the forum much like how phone-in's or Q & A's occur in magazines and on television, however I'm pretty sure while there might be the odd few that will do it for nothing more than just boosting their retrospect, some would rather only do so when dealing in cold hard cash.
Boosting their retrospect?
-Stryderism:
N: A word used in a very, very, very bent way from its' original definition.
(yes... I did just put it in the encyclopedia. After the "death thralls of western civilization..."
You really put the English on your English, Strydey....)I like the idea of having a special forum for threads in which we are able to ask questions of visiting dignitaries. I doubt you could get any really big names? but maybe some kinda-big names...and doing so might increase site traffic and get more people interested in sticking around. I think you'd be surprised at how many of the smaller names are out there and would enjoy coming on here...and it would all increase site traffic.
Hopefully hooking interesting people with juicy brains? BRAAAAINS.
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Say no more: you'll find my rates quite reasonable.
In seriousness, though, now that I've splattered this question all over the forum I get the feeling there's a tone of an embarrassed foot-shuffling happening. Look: I'm not trying to push this. Frankly, the forum is probably just fine anyway. It's led me to the above questions about direction, but quantitatively the status quo ante is probably fine itself. Thanks for all the comments. Nice to have a discussion.
/smirk
blathering about nothing can get tiring, yes?
so far what has been "pushed" seems to be rather inane generalities and zero solutions so why not shift tactics and focus on specifics?
start with james, an administrator of an internet forum powered by vbulletin
what skills would you expect of him?
go down the list of moderators. establish incompetence and ask for resignations. demand it!
"embarrassed foot-shuffling" my ass! these tards are laughing at your ineffectual and pathetic attempts to get them on some imaginary defensive.
i swear to god, this community is goddamn pathetic
bunch of pussies
/spits
a noob with a 2006 join date thinks he is speshul
spamming?
blathering about nothing can get tiring, yes?
geoffp said:
so far what has been "pushed" seems to be rather inane generalities and zero solutions so why not shift tactics and focus on specifics?
start with james, an administrator of an internet forum powered by vbulletin
what skills would you expect of him?
go down the list of moderators. establish incompetence and ask for resignations. demand it!
"embarrassed foot-shuffling" my ass! these tards are laughing at your ineffectual and pathetic attempts to get them on some imaginary defensive.
i swear to god, this community is goddamn pathetic
bunch of pussies
/spits
a noob with a 2006 join date thinks he is speshul
spamming?
I bow to your greater experience.
Hey, how about not every subject on SF is life-or-death?
Bells
Staff member
More along the lines of 'no reason to complain make Geoff something something..'
Well I was first on the list apparently..
/Awaits petition..
Sign it you plebs! *Shakes fist*
I assumed he meant he was embarrassed and shuffling his own feet. What exactly are we meant to be embarrassed about, exactly? That Phd's, law degrees, accounting degrees, etc are not enough qualifications to moderate a science forum? Should we contact Bush and Clinton to have them moderate the politics sub forum to ensure both sides are represented and both have enough qualifications?
What exactly does he want or expect?
Alas, it has been amusing. I have literally been chuckling to myself reading this thread. Why? Because he does not seem to know what exactly he wants or expects.. he just wants "something something"..
But let us have a look at the lack of scientific content, shall we? Here is Geoff's latest contribution to the Human Science sub-forum:
We must rate our poop quite highly to send it along with our dead.
And then there was this gem, about water burials, in a thread about the level of anesthesia for red heads, here is Geoff's contribution.
Here is what I would like to reiterate to Geoff..
Tiassa said:
Now, there has been general unhappiness when I have moderated idiotic banter, so I have allowed some of it to remain, because that is what those who post it want. So what does Geoff want, exactly?
Well, naturally I was hoping for executions by dawn, but it seems this is not meant to be. Alas.
Tch. Philosophical gold, that was. And how can you ignore the value-added contribution of this very thread? You are standing upon worth, madam. You need only look down.
Now before this becomes a "pitchfork and Geoff party", it isn't whether I am contributing this or that (*cough* gustav *cough*) but rather that I wonder what is our target audience? Do we need to change to achieve it? This is of worth.
Why on earth would you possibly think I want to eliminate banter, exactly? You have missed your stop, madam.
Bells
Staff member
Still 'something something'..?
Haven't you figured that one out yet?
You are the target audience. Hence why Tiassa made the very pertinent comment..
Sciforums is only what our community makes it.
Without the community, there is no target audience. In other words Geoff, all members are the target audience..
So what would you, as the target audience, like to change? What level of scientific qualifications are you demanding for moderating the sub-forums? What about the religion forum? Should we try and find a member of clergy? From which denomination? How about the politics? pseudoscience? Art and Culture?
What exactly do you want Geoff?
People have been asking you what your point is and what you had in mind and you can't seem to answer. Just 'something something'..
So I am asking you now.
What do you want?
Bells
Staff member
Does this mean I can zap him with a taser now?
Lol seriously Bells, you have no idea how much you made me laugh... seriously I have drank so much tequila with friends tonight that I probably am legally considered poisoned by alchohol. Geoff is one of those rare people who actually have a brain but are anti-submission (in this case moderation) by nature. That aside he wants a challenge. I understand it. Just consider the idea that we might want more educated members to argue against. Right or wrong, it provides a platform for thinking (p.s. I am sorry Geoff if I am mis-representing you... but god damn you have no idea how much I drank tonight).
Haven't figured out my question yet? "Is there any other direction SciForums should take? What are the predicted benefits and detriments for doing so? What viable plans exist?" Come on, this isn't rocket surgery. The above doesn't address my discussion at all. Why are you trying to make this about something it's not?
Bells, I've only explained it a half-dozen times now. I'm asking where we should be going, and what our objective is. This has already been dealt with via comments from Stryder, quadra and a few others. I had a thought that we might widen our audience through making the object of the forum more scientific and less general, but this was more of a question than a request. Read the thread, plea-yas. I'm interested in what the long-term plans are, and I think this question has been answered. Let's mosey to the next ridge, all right?
Also, I think disputes should be resolved with pistols.
Geoff, I am all for pistols and nukes, but seriously I deserve more than that. I am putting myself forward with an exposed underbelly. Meet me half way and I will support improvement.
You know, Gustav, surgical interventions can be had...
http://www.supornclinic.com/
In regards to the original question...I do like Stryder's idea of "interview" posts (I think a separate section is called for). I'll even go so far as to ask for people we'd like to have come on...
Me?
-Pz Myers comes to mind...
The Bad Astronomer (Phil Plait)
-My wife points out: ANY phD student might want to present their thesis topic...
-Rummage up your fave assistant professor or grad student and get them on?
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Funny you should mention that... I happen to know a certain member bears a closet ordination.
I've been sworn to secrecy though.
I think having this person modding the religion subforum...would be entertaining.
VERY entertaining.
BWAHAHAHAHA!
Would you like me to float the idea by this person? *raises eyebrow* Don't know if they will feel up to it.
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