[Specop_007]

Sometimes, we see people complain how Open Discussion isnt used to talk about Peak oil.
I ask you why? Whats the point. We know peak oil is coming. There isnt anything we can do to change it. We're passengers on the train and the door to the engine is locked. We're simply along for the ride. Why continually talk about PO? Theres nothing we can do, nothing we can say, that will change the outcome.

So, why not talk about other stuff. Talking about the end of our lifestyle kinda gets to be a bit boring and dry after so long. You can only tell me so many times that I wont be able to afford to heat my house or drive my car before I really just dont want to hear it anymore.......

[killJOY]

Spec, the spirit of what you say is RIGHT ON, but you miss the point. (By "some people" you can only mean me, as my complaint appears right before yours).

It is the fact that irrelevant posts PUSH OTHER TOPICS OFF THE QUEUE THAT BOTHERS ME.

Notice that these two topics have just pushed two other off the list.

Let's say someone just posted a fabulous topic that gets filed away under "Economics." Well, I'm not much informed on economics, so I wouldn't think of going there every day.

Or maybe it's a "Current Events" (also irrelevant, as far as I'm concerned) or a "Psychology" or....well, you see the point.

The whole purpose of having the list at the side of the page is to keep people up to date on recent topics, but in just a matter of a few hours some really good PO stuff gets buried in open topics without your getting a chance to check it out.

As Kunstler says (I can only paraphrase): the more media avenues we open up, the more crap we fill it with.

This could be managed much much more efficiently, if the moderators would get a clue.

[Specop_007]

So perhaps we, as a collective, could work out something to combat good topics being dropped from the qeueu. Forexample, perhaps we could ask that Open Discussion not be included in the Recent Topics section or something of that nature.

While I agree its improtant to not forget the basic premise of the website, you also have to understand that I cant think of one forum I've ever seen that didnt have a general or lounge type section for just good ole banter and bashing.

[Aaron]

Since last visit

And you'll never miss a post

[Jack]

KillJOY, a couple of points -

First, the site is an internet community. Such communities invariably digress into off-topic issues, and only heavy handed moderation can prevent it. Most people don't like such a regime; indeed, it would tend to destroy the feeling of community that many enjoy.

Second, the search function is a good solution to the problem. You can specify one forum - or all forums - and choose to look at summaries of posts instead of threads. Choose a 600 character summary, specify a single day's history, and you'll get a list you can review easily.

In the alternative, go directly to the forums. It doesn't take long to look at the titles and decide which threads are of interest.

Of course, more aggressive moderation is available....

[killJOY]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'i')t would tend to destroy the feeling of community that many enjoy.

[Jack]

Oh. So it's all about "feelings." I thought it was about Peak Oil. How new age.


I note that you fail to define what "it" refers to. If we assume that you mean this site, one can reasonably infer that the psychology (i.e., feelings) of individuals and groups is a valid element of the overall discussion.

If you desire a more rigorous treatment of the subject, perhaps you would be so kind as to show us the way instead of complaining that others fail to meet your standards. I'll await your first paper on the subject.

[killJOY]

Notice that Aaron offers INFORMATION.

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'S')ince last visit

And you'll never miss a post

[Jack]

Notice that my preliminary post offered extensive information. You have chosen to ignore that.

Notice also that my response was not sarcastic. If you want a more rigorous approach, if this is truly what you advocate, then you should lead the way. It appears, given your response, that you are unwilling or unable to do so.

Finally, I'll let the community draw their own conclusions about the value of your ideas given the manner of expression you chose in the preceding post.

[PenultimateManStanding]

jeez, that killjoy is such a killjoy.

[Specop_007]

Jack(ass)



I actually laughed out loud at that.

[threadbear]

Killjoy, Last night when I was out walking my dog, it started to rain, so I had to run home. The sound of my shoes on the pavement went sloosh, sloosh, sloosh. My little dog's fur was all matted and wet by the time I got home and it took forever to towel dry him. Seeing as I had an extra hour before I went to bed, I decided to bake some muffins. It was really fun!! I've never baked anything in the evening before. Anyway, I had this batch of warm muffins, so I settled back in my chair and just munched away, pulled out a book about John Paul Sartre and began to read. What fun!! Would you like to discuss Sartre with me, or should I send you my muffin recipe? Hey, maybe we could set up the Sartre- muffin forum, just for you and me!

[uNkNowN ElEmEnt]

LOL threadbear!

[mgibbons19]

I only read a little of nausea by sartre. And I found it a little nauseating. Really it sucked. I almost can't believe that this guy was the spokesman for all of existentialism. What a bummer. There is so much good existentialism out there in literature and such. Well, I was dissapointed.

Now, muffins in the evening, that'll make you fat man. Of course, a few extra pounds is probably a good thing,

since

PEAK OIL IS COMING!!!!

See, we can stay on topic.