Poll: should EcoModder ban certain forum topics? (HHO, magnets, Ram Implosion Wings)

[Frank Lee]

HHO ruined gassavers.org... it took over, that's what almost all the new threads were about, and it chased away many who couldn't take the nonsense.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by Thymeclock

banning speech and censorship of ideas (no matter how loony) are an expression and exercise of authoritarianism.

And as previously stated: tough beans! This isn't a town hall. It's a fuel economy forum. The moderators are your benevolent dictators. Them's the breaks.

labeling it as you suggested is inherently biased.

Completely intentional.

Personally, I want to discourage people from wasting time/bandwidth on subjects that lack scientific basis or credible evidence. If ostracizing them (the subjects) by filing them in the looney bin has that effect, woohoo! Having said that, if someone perserveres in elevating a topic from crackpot theory to plausible mod by providing decent, rational information, fantastic.

[Thymeclock]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

HHO ruined gassavers.org... it took over, that's what almost all the new threads were about, and it chased away many who couldn't take the nonsense.

Hey, some have described it as a "quarantine" - but again, that shows a biased and intolerant mindset. A "corral" or a "playground" is a more appropriate name for allowing and accommodating it. Limiting disagreeable behavior to a restricted area is far wiser than prohibiting it.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by Thymeclock

But don't be surprised if as a sub-forum, it becomes very popular...

Sure, that's a possibility. But if it becomes a liability, it'll be shut down.

[fjasper]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

registrations and activity are increasing in the forum... and ... are correlated with crackpot activity.

I'm not sure I like your tone! Crackpot sounds so tawdry.

How about a forum called "So crazy, it might just work!" Is that neutral enough? Or "I saw it on late night TV"?

How about "Banned!" That one should draw viewers like a clean car draws pigeon poop.

[Thymeclock]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

And as previously stated: tough beans! This isn't a town hall. It's a fuel economy forum. The moderators are your benevolent dictators. Them's the breaks.

Completely intentional.

Personally, I want to discourage people from wasting time/bandwidth on subjects that lack scientific basis or credible evidence. If ostracizing them (the subjects) by filing them in the looney bin has that effect, woohoo! Having said that, if someone perserveres in elevating a topic from crackpot theory to plausible mod by providing decent, rational information, fantastic.

But (after running a poll to determine what best to do) you accommodated the activity rather than banning it, by creating a space or sub-forum (or a playground) for it, and for that I commend you.

I guess you can continue calling yourself a "dictator" if it makes you feel better...

[Thymeclock]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Sure, that's a possibility. But if it becomes a liability, it'll be shut down.

"Never argue with success"...

[fjasper]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Sure, that's a possibility. But if it becomes a liability, it'll be shut down.

If it gets lots of views, spin it off, sell ads on it and use the dough to sponsor a "Free hour of wind tunnel time" promotion.

[cfg83]

Frank -

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

HHO ruined gassavers.org... it took over, that's what almost all the new threads were about, and it chased away many who couldn't take the nonsense.

I would agree that HHO contributed to it, but I left GS because of flame wars over politics that preceded the HHO takeover.

CarloSW2

[SoobieOut]

Accepted science facts are always up for debate, unless you ban discussion.

Scientific journals: Publish and be wrong | The Economist

Science frequently gets it wrong, especially when it is funded by ADM or big oil.