If you could change one thing about sciforums...

James R

James R

Just this guy, you know?
Staff member
If you could change one thing about sciforums, what would it be?

Or, maybe you have more than one idea.

This is a thread to post your ideas on how sciforums can attract more members and how we can improve the quality of discussions here.

I'm leaving this as a very general question at this point. Talk about anything that occurs to you.

Please, no flaming of other members and/or moderators. If the one thing you'd really like to change is to get rid of member X or moderator Y, you can say so here, but make sure you give reasons that go beyond personal insults and the fact that you have a personal dislike for somebody.

But please don't make the whole thread about who needs to leave. I'd like to hear some constructive ideas. Think laterally.
 
Well you need a "goal".

There are other much better sites for "real" discussion of scientific topics. University sites, academic groups etc.

Most of the new comers find this site on some of the oddest google searches. These threads are NOT valued by those who control this site. They are usually very controversial topics, very unscientific, or outright pseudoscience. Topics that often get members banned or shouted out or thereafter ignored.

At it's best I think sciforums was a great place to challenge (however unsuccessfully) status quo with current reigning scientific thought and DOGMA(certainly there is THAT to combat). My own opinion of course.
 
Unbanning banned members by membership votes, up or down.

With the exception of those dangerious to the forum or society.

It seem to me that a few of the "far out" banned members have someting to say that might be valuable to hear.

Most are idiots but even a blind hog can find an acorn once in a while.
 
My one change: Let people Moderate Their own threads in unpopular section of the forum. Remove any comments. I'll explain


It would seem Sciforums has only limited topics of conversation. You must only talk about well defined proven science that has no room for question.

There is no opportunity to "roleplay", "brainstorm", or enter into "suppositions".

We all know to go to our other forums for that sort of thing.

I can honestly say that while I am writing this; a discussion is taking place in this forum about what makes fart sounds in human science.

Anyways; there are too many people willing to jump all over discussions with name calling like "crank", etc. I imagine many people just leave after signing up.

Moderators can also be amongst the most harsh.

Have a look at the old threads started by Reiku. I know. I know. His name is like a swearword around here, but seriously.
Look at the discussions he started,

http://www.sciforums.com/search.php?searchid=6025175
http://www.sciforums.com/search.php?searchid=6025175

I am sure many people found those threads fun and interesting, yet once he got in bad with one moderator he was done for.

Those are some very interesting topics. Better than reading about "fart sounds"... Really!

Even the post above mine might be in reference to that sort of person.. Just because science doesn't match a moderators view doesn't mean it needs to be condemned. There are other viewpoints.

In the double slit experiment; There are thousands and thousands of people who believe that consciousness causes the collapse, yet you won't find any of them on Sciforums. They all got run off by pitchforks. So that whole avenue of exploration or topics is gone.

Least we can discuss fart sounds.

People will assume I am him (Reiku) the way I defend some of his stuff, but I assure you I can be a "crank" enough on my own as I am professional researcher into mind power/paranormal/psychic etc.

I am also a science fiction writer.

The pseudoscience, and parapsychology forums here are troll only areas. I think when people get bored they click into these forums strictly to tease anybody foolish enough to leave a comment. There is not many willing to explore the how/why things could happen.

It may surprise some (and I will be called a crank just for going this far), but because I have spent years investigating telepathy at the professional level I have seen some findings/hit rates that mathematically defy the odds so overwhelmingly that I find it hard to believe anyone could doubt it is real.

I have even appealed to members to try to keep things on topic and discuss intelligently. The answers I seek must come from the quantum world of physics. I do not assume there is anything magic about telepathy, as I assume we just cannot measure it for now. but getting an idea or suggestions on how it could work would pave the way to such measurements.

If you really want new members allow parapsychology threads or pseudoscience threads to be moderated by the people starting them. Then they could throw out troll comments from Crunchycats, or any other members. I believe I have seen you yourself "patrol" those forums.

If people do not wish to read a topic or if they disagree too strongly they would just have to "not read it". Not overly complicated.

I put fforth an argument for science in the pseudoscience here.....
in thread called "science in parapsychology"
http://www.sciforums.com/showthread.php?t=66112

anyways...

Okay.. let me have it.. crank, crank, crank, crank.
My fault for saying it I guess.
 
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James, I don't see the Forum improving beyond what it has already accomplished. Why?

Well, because it is a generic forum. It was great 10 years ago, but since then every group consisting of more than 3 people have their own specified forum. So let's say I am interested in How to raise my dragon?, there is a forum for that. So there will be new limited influx of users, but most won't stick around because for their special interest they can find a better forum with more info.

That is just the nature of the internet. I think time has passed Sciforum and now it is in its declining phrase, no matter what kind of jingles and bells the owners will add.

But to be contributive, more smart members would do it, even if you have to pay them for posting here. :)

P.S.: Also, you can not have high quality and growing numbers, because those 2 are mutually exclusive when it goes to the general population... So you want more members? You have to dumb it down....
 
James R said:
If you could change one thing about sciforums, what would it be?

Or, maybe you have more than one idea.

This is a thread to post your ideas on how sciforums can attract more members and how we can improve the quality of discussions here.

I'm leaving this as a very general question at this point. Talk about anything that occurs to you.

Please, no flaming of other members and/or moderators. If the one thing you'd really like to change is to get rid of member X or moderator Y, you can say so here, but make sure you give reasons that go beyond personal insults and the fact that you have a personal dislike for somebody.

But please don't make the whole thread about who needs to leave. I'd like to hear some constructive ideas. Think laterally.
Click to expand...

Spur an environment were real science can prosper. It would take just a slight alteration in Mod Behavior . Although even in my small amount of time here I have witness a dramatic alteration in mind sets . Everything starts with leadership . Why ? Cause they are the ones in-charge. They command the power by being in the leadership roll . They dictate mood and when you are fostering accomplishment that very mood is key . Comfort to speak ones mind with out harsh retribution frees up the mind to think . Think! James Think! Yet I do understand the mods concern about the hostility of people that feel rejected from a community . War is hell is all I can say . I can't see were it would be any different in the world of War with words . People feel cheated in life . That is an anger hard to overcome .

So foster Accomplishment and others will come to be accomplished. It could be like and information crossroads were science does trade. The currency is information instead of cold hard cash . Maybe this was an old business model in the begging and if so the development of the business plan was stifled by disappointment. So to refocus on goals and objectives by setting small goals to bring success moving to an eventual out come of being a crossroads of information exchange . This would legitimize the site I believe . It seems to Me there are some big players in the game of life here already . But you knoow how us trolls have a hard time excepting others greatness . Lots of Big Egos here . Yet it is the flamboyant showman that most people like to watch . A Live flopping fish is always more exciting than a dead smelly Maggot fish

Edit for additional brain storming : Gladiator wars like Alphanumeric and Magneto . Good stuff . There is a quality of blow by blow violence with words that brings out animal attraction in the verbal spiral . Like a dance . Tiaiasa ( Fuck how do you spell that name again ) Alluded to the Dance . I think she will know what I am talking about ( You all say everyone a man until proven otherwise on the internet , Sorry you all look like women to Me . That is not bad thing really , You should all consider your selves lucky I feel that way . To be a woman is a Great thing !!!If I could be only more so
 
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spidergoat said:
Moderator term limits.
Click to expand...

Term Limits is a joke Spidey . It may keep out the corruption of power , but it exiles the gifted that make a difference . Not everyone is made to be a leader and term limits make more room for the deceitful to get there far share at the cost of the public .
You should consider the casinos . They higher professional gamblers to oversee . They don't higher grandma playing penny poker . Experts are a value to society . Yet we blow them off like they are of no value . Even criminalize them at times . I saw this plain and clear as development was made the scape goat of environmental wars . You want to blame the development community when you should be looking at the political will of the people ( Mob rule ). That is what the elected official tries to go by. The disconnect from the inner workings of the people blocks there efficiency in giving the people what they want . Then the people are subject to change as we gain more information. Ride the Wave Spidey . Listen to that Pearl Jam Song. The lyric goes ( Riding high above the wave
 
I would add a "universal translator" to Sciforums...just so I can understand Me-Ki-Gal's posts. :) j/k
 
hardalee said:
Unbanning banned members by membership votes, up or down.

With the exception of those dangerious to the forum or society.

It seem to me that a few of the "far out" banned members have someting to say that might be valuable to hear.

Most are idiots but even a blind hog can find an acorn once in a while.
Click to expand...

I can tell you are in the industry . I would use your services based on what you just said , The blind hog analogy . Not all engineers listen to the contractor . I am thinking you might have a time or 2 and have found value in applications. I can tell you this " I listen to the engineer with both ears when they talk . Freedom of exchange in information is very valuable when you want to accomplish. Wow I am hearing a Jimmi Hendrix song in there. Have you ever been Experienced

Job site mythology : The only stupid question is the one not asked .
This is to spur accomplishment in tasks . It brakes down information silos and makes the employee feel inclusive and valuable . This fosters dedication and a will to do the best you can do. Everyone wants to be wanted and to Capitalize on that desire would push the world into a new mind set . We might even accomplish something instead of being counterproductive
 
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spidergoat said:
Moderator term limits.
Click to expand...

That's an incredibly stupid idea. If the mods are good, why can't they stay forever? If they are bad, they should be removed anyway.

And as it seems, they have trouble finding enough mods as it is, with term limits it would be even harder.
 
kwhilborn said:
My one change: Let people Moderate Their own threads in unpopular section of the forum. Remove any comments. I'll explain


It would seem Sciforums has only limited topics of conversation. You must only talk about well defined proven science that has no room for question.

There is no opportunity to "roleplay", "brainstorm", or enter into "suppositions".

We all know to go to our other forums for that sort of thing.

I can honestly say that while I am writing this; a discussion is taking place in this forum about what makes fart sounds in human science.

Anyways; there are too many people willing to jump all over discussions with name calling like "crank", etc. I imagine many people just leave after signing up.

Moderators can also be amongst the most harsh.

Have a look at the old threads started by Reiku. I know. I know. His name is like a swearword around here, but seriously.
Look at the discussions he started,

http://www.sciforums.com/search.php?searchid=6025175
http://www.sciforums.com/search.php?searchid=6025175

I am sure many people found those threads fun and interesting, yet once he got in bad with one moderator he was done for.

Those are some very interesting topics. Better than reading about "fart sounds"... Really!

Even the post above mine might be in reference to that sort of person.. Just because science doesn't match a moderators view doesn't mean it needs to be condemned. There are other viewpoints.

In the double slit experiment; There are thousands and thousands of people who believe that consciousness causes the collapse, yet you won't find any of them on Sciforums. They all got run off by pitchforks. So that whole avenue of exploration or topics is gone.

Least we can discuss fart sounds.

People will assume I am him (Reiku) the way I defend some of his stuff, but I assure you I can be a "crank" enough on my own as I am professional researcher into mind power/paranormal/psychic etc.

I am also a science fiction writer.

The pseudoscience, and parapsychology forums here are troll only areas. I think when people get bored they click into these forums strictly to tease anybody foolish enough to leave a comment. There is not many willing to explore the how/why things could happen.

It may surprise some (and I will be called a crank just for going this far), but because I have spent years investigating telepathy at the professional level I have seen some findings/hit rates that mathematically defy the odds so overwhelmingly that I find it hard to believe anyone could doubt it is real.

I have even appealed to members to try to keep things on topic and discuss intelligently. The answers I seek must come from the quantum world of physics. I do not assume there is anything magic about telepathy, as I assume we just cannot measure it for now. but getting an idea or suggestions on how it could work would pave the way to such measurements.

If you really want new members allow parapsychology threads or pseudoscience threads to be moderated by the people starting them. Then they could throw out troll comments from Crunchycats, or any other members. I believe I have seen you yourself "patrol" those forums.

If people do not wish to read a topic or if they disagree too strongly they would just have to "not read it". Not overly complicated.

I put fforth an argument for science in the pseudoscience here.....
in thread called "science in parapsychology"
http://www.sciforums.com/showthread.php?t=66112

anyways...

Okay.. let me have it.. crank, crank, crank, crank.
My fault for saying it I guess.
Click to expand...

Interesting . I think there is some validity ( Off subject , sorry for trolling yet it may be my only chance to comment as being of Me dyslexic self ) I don't think you collapse the field with your brain . Influence maybe , but collapse is a vary strong usage . I think the low voltage of the human brain can only have a minimal effect and is seriously hampers by the low out put of the human brain . If you can resonate with other brains then there is a possibility of a stacking effect. Were the person next to you accomplishes and gives you the feeling of mystical accomplishment that you had no direct hands
on participation. It feels like it all magically happened yet it could be aliment in goal orientation. So I was looking at common phrasing in the broad reader part of Sci-forum . It list the times of the phrases used by members and others on the internet . It would show a conglomerate of word combination and how many times it was used in oh a 2 month window ( I assume spider bots retrieve the information ) I wonder how this stacks up to laws of probability . I would think anyone deep into probabilities would take advantage of such available data . I don't know but it smells of group direction at some other level of existence to Me . Not just random willy nilly, but Probability being the laws that govern .
 
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