Thread closures - Why?

stinky · #1 13-02-2006, 10:45 PM

The thread "The Universe is no accident" was closed with NO reason given. Why? (In the past vague reasons have been given - now it's just closure)

See: http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ead.php?t=7646

[1ponders] (Paul) · #2 13-02-2006, 10:56 PM

There was a reason give. Pending moderation. A similar thread was just closed.

stinky · #3 13-02-2006, 11:02 PM

With all due respect - that is not a reason. Can you please enlighten us as to the reason 'pending' moderation is required? (And certainly you are correct no moderation has been applied at this stage - only closure.)

[1ponders] (Paul) · #4 13-02-2006, 11:33 PM

Read the forum title for a start. Astronomy Science. By definition ID and discussions relating to it don't belong there. Two, the two previous ID/bigbang discussion were closed because of the confilict arising from them.

stinky · #5 13-02-2006, 11:50 PM

I think you just passed judgement that not all might agree with.

For one I don't think ID is based on science - others say that it is. You just killed that debate (raised as an interesting topic by the founder of the forum in the General Chat forum).

In the Astronomy/science forum the discussion was about science and enquiry.

In the other thread - well you are correct - there is conflict between the ID and big bang mob - The whole reason the thread was started! By YOUR founder.

Granted - the discussion, in the initial thread, was heated - but not rude, disgusting or profane - was interesting and educational. A golden opportunity to understand others points of view.

The second thread was purely on science.

If you have a problem with the points of view expressed surely it would be better to join in on the discussions - to moderate.

And 'good on ya' for coming back with a reply - in this 3rd thread.

RB (Andrew) · #6 14-02-2006, 12:35 AM

With all due respect Stinky, I think Paul is right.
These types of discussions seem to lead into personal mud slinging matches.
The same applies to threads started on the topic of Politics.

I for one have seen enough in the previous threads on ID (and politics) to realise no-one will be convinced enough to accept the other sides argument and in the end the only thing achieved is to have peoples feelings hurt.
So why continue and why continue to question every action the moderators and Mike take on these issues?

Lets move on to other topics that bring the community closer not divide it apart. We all know where each of us stand on these issues, lets just leave it at that and move on.

Orion · #7 14-02-2006, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocket Boy

With all due respect Stinky, I think Paul is right.
These types of discussions seem to lead into personal mud slinging matches.
The same applies to threads started on the topic of Politics.

I for one have seen enough in the previous threads on ID (and politics) to realise no-one will be convinced enough to accept the other sides argument and in the end the only thing achieved is to have peoples feelings hurt.
So why continue and why continue to question every action the moderators and Mike take on these issues?

Lets move on to other topics that bring the community closer not divide it apart. We all know where each of us stand on these issues, lets just leave it at that and move on.

I agree.

ving (David) · #8 14-02-2006, 10:15 AM

these things always end in tears... we know that!

janoskiss (Steve H) · #9 14-02-2006, 11:16 AM

Stinky, the ID thread was getting ugly. I get the impression that you find this sort of thing entertaining, and I must admit there is nothing like a nasty fight to pull the crowds. That is why soap operas have so many *****-fights and such. People love to watch that sort of thing. I cannot deny that I too get curious when it occasionally happens here.

But people feuding, getting personal and insulting each other (which is where things were heading on the ID thread) is very unhelpful for the site. It isolates people rather than bring them together, so it goes completely against the point of IIS.

fringe_dweller · #10 14-02-2006, 01:44 PM

Stinky, if you want to get involved in this discussion - go to an American forum - they seem to have a genuine love of free speech over there (lets face it - thats how modern ID originated and evolved - from free speech) and dont just pay it lip service. ie: they did invent the internet
Also they seem to be able to intelligently debate difficult topics without resorting to thread ending schoolyard name calling - and keep there frustrations in check for the benifit of the debate.
Also I dont think the debate started as pointless brawling at all, it stemmed from the the very real *recent* threat in australia and the rest of the world (remember 70 000 aussie scientists and science teachers felt compelled to unitedly reject it in a petition), and possible continued reccurring threat in the future, of religous views surreptiously veiled as science running roughshod over real science.
Its funny how as the years go by, aussies more and more move to an American style society - user pay's, anti medicare, market forces rule, every man for himself, the rise and rise of fundamentalist christianity, low taxes ect, baseball caps.
but we resist some of their most cherished rights/beliefs - ie the right to free speech. remember resistance is futile hehe
anyway - go to http://www.bautforum.com/ for a open and grey matter stimulating debate - hit 'todays posts'

enjoy

iceman (Mike) · #11 14-02-2006, 01:57 PM

Kearn, It's not about free speech in my opinion. It's about keeping unity in our small community.

BAUT has over 10,000 members, most of them with a much more scientific background than IIS. IIS has a lot of newbies buying their first telescope. There just isn't a big enough community with the same interest in healthy debates - it ends up getting personal.

BAUT has restrictions on so called "free speech" as well, just check their guidelines. But I do agree with you, that stinky, or anyone else, who wants to have a vigorous healthy debate on ID, do it over at BAUT. It's obvious that IIS isn't a big enough, mature/evolved enough community for that right now.

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #12 14-02-2006, 06:06 PM

Unity in our small community.
Well said Mike.
We already know that most members here support one side or the other of the ID debate. How about agreeing to disagree from the very start because we know that neither side is going to convince the other to change their minds.

fringe_dweller · #13 14-02-2006, 06:30 PM

Yes, I fully understand and appreciate what your saying Mike, personally I think/agree it was given a fair run/go in here, and I agree the results speak for themselves, unfortunately. Maybe, one day

janoskiss (Steve H) · #14 14-02-2006, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fringe_dweller

... go to an American forum - they seem to have a genuine love of free speech over there ... go to http://www.bautforum.com/ for a open and grey matter stimulating debate - hit 'todays posts'

enjoy

Or hit 'BAUT BANNED posters log' (and read the rules also) to see how far their "genuine love of free speech" stretches.

davidpretorius · #15 14-02-2006, 06:53 PM

i thought this was a sewing thread, oops sorry

fringe_dweller · #16 14-02-2006, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janoskiss

Or hit 'BAUT BANNED posters log' (and read the rules also) to see how far their "genuine love of free speech" stretches.

I have Steve - and it goes a little further than it would here, the threads arent shut down for one thing - just the offending post (and poster sometimes) is removed so that not everyone suffers from one persons outburst/transgression

Argonavis (William) · #17 14-02-2006, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janoskiss

Stinky, the ID thread was getting ugly. I get the impression that you find this sort of thing entertaining, and I must admit there is nothing like a nasty fight to pull the crowds. That is why soap operas have so many *****-fights and such. People love to watch that sort of thing. I cannot deny that I too get curious when it occasionally happens here.

But people feuding, getting personal and insulting each other (which is where things were heading on the ID thread) is very unhelpful for the site. It isolates people rather than bring them together, so it goes completely against the point of IIS.

I agree. So why are you imputing motives to Stinky of which you have no knowledge? I think you owe an apology.

And yes the ID thread was getting out of hand, which is why I withdrew and started another thread on tha accidental universe. It certainly looked like astronomy to me.

mick pinner · #18 14-02-2006, 08:34 PM

when you live in an undemocratic society or are a member of an undemocratic forum then you must submit to the will of those in charge.

janoskiss (Steve H) · #19 14-02-2006, 08:38 PM

Argo, re Stinky, just my impression. Does not mean it is correct. And if it is, I wouldn't hold it against him.

janoskiss (Steve H) · #20 14-02-2006, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mick pinner

when you live in an undemocratic society or are a member of an undemocratic forum then you must submit to the will of those in charge.

We could elect moderators by popular vote, every few weeks/months, I suppose. And maybe even a president to take Mike's place. Maybe we can do all the states one after the other, and perhaps NZ too.