newbie help

[120ThingsIn20Years]

The fact that this is my first post, and engages with a censorship issue makes me wonder if I'll be welcome here. It's scary enough dropping in to a new community without having to learn new social rules. I spend several hours a week dropping into new communities as part of my ongoing endeavour to experience, but in this particular caste, how can I determine the areas to which I'm deemed unworthy to post? (no doubt there's a FAQ)

 

I have first hand experience with the results of the Australian government's swapping leather bound National® transistor radios for men's fertility in a developing nation, but for some reason cant post to the thread concerning global population.

 

The same thread has a threat from admin to pull the plug if someone fails to cease using a logical faux paux. I would have thought logic might have been a better argument for logic, rather than what ever you might call such a threat. I suspect logic can always be used to form a fallacy fordable argument.

 

This is obviously a place where I want to hang out, but tell me where I'm allowed to sit without someone taking my chocolate milk. I've been through enough as it is.

 

It's possible I'll turn out to be too interesting to sit at the kid's table, but obviously too foreign to sit with the grownups. Then what? Just squat in the corner on the welcome mat, dragged inside just for me? At least give me a glass of water to douse my burning book, in the hope that I might voice an opinion without getting crackling fingers, and rendering my barcode tattoo.

 

 

- R.O. Shipman, Group Chaplain

[Cap'n Refsmmat]

The only restrictions we have in place currently are on the Philosophy, Religion, and Politics forums, which require a member to have 30 posts before participating. They are the forums that attract the most incivility and anger, so the waiting period forces members to learn a bit about our rules and posting style before joining in.

 

We do have a policy of warning against logical fallacies, yes. Generally we prefer debates without threats, but fallacious logic is persistent by its very nature -- it does not follow the ordinary logical rules, so it can't be easily rebutted with ordinary logic. Strawman arguments are insidious because you cannot argue against someone who is arguing against a made-up position. Years of experience in the Politics forum shows us that discussions generally go very badly if members can make up logic willy-nilly.

 

If you have any questions about SFN and how it works, please do feel free to ask. I hope you enjoy your stay.

[swansont]

Logical fallacies are generally a tad more than a faux pas. The case in question I would classify as an over-reach, though some fallacies are simply lies and deception. But no poster should be put into a position where s/he feels a need to defend a statement they did not make.

 

This is a science site. Discussions are primarily based on rational thought and empirical evidence, to the extent that's possible.

[mooeypoo]

Also, we rarely bite... hard..

 

Honestly, though, as long as your attitude is civil, we are here to help and discuss. If you post something in "the wrong forum", we can move it to the right one, and we are here to answer your questions. We usually give tips or notes if something is done against the rules, we don't just "slap down".

 

And it also goes to you as well - if you think something is done wrong (someone is being uncivil to you, etc) you can use the "REPORT" button at the bottom of posts. This notifies the staff and we can take care of it.

 

 

 

So you can sit wherever you want and talk to whoever you wish, as long as the common attitude is civil.

 

Welcome to the forums!

 

~mooey

[120ThingsIn20Years]

Thanks people, I was a little out of line there. I just read my junk mail box and there was a nice description saying where I could and couldn't post. Thanks for being civil in spite of that

 

Censorship just freaks me out a little.

Edited August 20, 2011 by 120ThingsIn20Years

[swansont]

Thanks people, I was a little out of line there. I just read my junk mail box and there was a nice description saying where I could and couldn't post. Thanks for being civil in spite of that

 

Censorship just freaks me out a little.

We've recently lifted the restriction on new members posting in politics/religion. Members are free to post anywhere, as long as they follow the rules.