Why the hostility against the Science forum?.

[avandonk]

Originally Posted by marki

I agree totally Bert but it happens. All we have are keyboards and monitors and much of our evolved senses that let us read between the lines are blocked, we are blinded by science so to speak. It is not possible to see an expression or a wry smile to determine the posters intent and thus it is all open to semantics. I would love to see a science board that was open to all discussion so folks could ask questions or state their ideas no matter how silly they may be (try teaching kids). Those with the knowledge should assemble it in such a way as to steer the person in the right direction and everybody wins even if the original poster was trolling, others would learn. If we trully value science then we must work to encourage understanding and free people from ignorance. This can not be done with a sledge hammer , it needs to be done cleverly.


Mark

I used to work at CSIRO and part of my work was to teach our PhD students everything I knew. I always started off by telling them this and then saying 'what are we going to do after lunch'. This then put them at ease. I further predicted that when you say I am wrong or a DH my work with you is done.
One by one my predictions became true. They all now work in the best labs on our planet.
When my students could validly evaluate my judgement I had done my job!

Bert

[iceman (Mike)]

I think that all that needs to be said has been said here.

I find it kind of ironic that Stephen "will no longer participate in any forum here" because a few people expressed the way they felt when posting in the science forum.

I think Fred said it best, Stephen. I hope you change your mind

When threads like this come up, I always receive a few PM's from people who are too afraid to post but agree with what's been said. And this time is no exception.

So what's the answer?

I'd like an area where people can post without intimidation or fear or being talked down to - just like all the other areas of the forum. It could be for 'simple' questions, or for generally curious people trying to find out more information, or for amateur discoveries or 'laymens' discussion of science topics.

It seems there's also a niche group who want an area for 'robust debate', where they can speak more freely without worry of offending or upsetting people who generally don't participate in such debates.

It seems more and more like the two groups can't belong in the same sub-forum.

I'm not sure what the answer is right now, (feel free to PM me any suggestions) I'll think about it over the xmas break, but as always:

- Use the report bad post button on any post you feel is offensive or personally attacking
- Use the 'ignore' list to hide posts from people you don't want to see
- And as others have already said, you can choose to simply not visit those threads or that forum.