[jadziadax8]

Many of our threads lately seem to be wandering far off-topic. Could we have a forum to allow people to discuss things besides Trek?

[Danny]

Something like "All things non-Trek"?

[charlie]

We could call it "Road for the Trek-less".

[Danny]

We could call it "Road for the Trek-less".

Or "Off the beaten Trek".

[whampiri]

its a good idea as long as people don't start flaming each other because of political opinions.man I'm a huge supporter of those conservitive democrats or democratic conservitives.

[Hoss-Drone]

There's two kinds of people I hate. People who are intolerant of other people's cultures......and the Dutch.

[Bulliebuddy]

There's two kinds of people I hate. People who are intolerant of other people's cultures......and the Dutch.

Nice Austin Powers/Michael Caine callback.

[Ferengi Captain]

Can we have a Star Wars forum too so I can flame people who find it intelligent and enjoyable?

[Iron Mike]

The problem with a forum like that is that it will create lots of clashes. Religion and politics threads will appear. Since these are sensitive topics, animosities will begin, and it could really hurt the community.

But if it is to be done, I have some ideas.

Have a firm "back it up or go away" policy. It prevents a lot of dumb ideas from gaining a foothold.

A tough mod staff that can recognise logical fallacies and flawed reasoning.

I might add more later.

[Ferengi Captain]

The problem with a forum like that is that it will create lots of clashes. Religion and politics threads will appear. Since these are sensitive topics, animosities will begin, and it could really hurt the community.

But if it is to be done, I have some ideas.

Have a firm "back it up or go away" policy. It prevents a lot of dumb ideas from gaining a foothold.

A tough mod staff that can recognise logical fallacies and flawed reasoning.

I might add more later.

Who would decide what are valid sources though? Who would be in charge of defining fallacies? It can be a rocky slope. Perhaps it would be best to simply leave things uncensored and allow mild flames to go their course and die out on their own.

[Boon of Bolian]

There's two kinds of people I hate. People who are intolerant of other people's cultures......and the Dutch.

I think this remark is intolerant.

But who am I to object the mighty Austin Powers.

[Iron Mike]

Who would decide what are valid sources though?

It's not hard. For political news, an actual news article would trump a blog. For science things, a peer reviewed publication would be a "standard" requirement, unless it's of an ongoing thing like the LHC.

Who would be in charge of defining fallacies?

Just have a list created. Here's an example.

It can be a rocky slope. Perhaps it would be best to simply leave things uncensored and allow mild flames to go their course and die out on their own.

I have no problem with flaming itself. My favourite approach to debating on forums is to allow anything, as long as it can be backed up with evidence.

My concern was that if you go down this path, people will start to get pissed off at one another and it will hurt the community.

[Maelwys]

As you can see by now, it's been done.

Just keep things civil. If you don't want to get into political arguments, avoid the political argument threads (or the board altogether). The same rules apply here as everywhere else, this isn't a free for all. Just a place to talk non-Trek stuff, and hopefully help build community spirit by allowing everybody to get to know each other better as more than just fellow Trek players, but well-rounded people.

[jadziadax8]

As you can see by now, it's been done.

Just keep things civil. If you don't want to get into political arguments, avoid the political argument threads (or the board altogether). The same rules apply here as everywhere else, this isn't a free for all. Just a place to talk non-Trek stuff, and hopefully help build community spirit by allowing everybody to get to know each other better as more than just fellow Trek players, but well-rounded people.

Thanks Chris! I do appreciate it. Maybe you should put up a disclaimer of "Don't like the heat? Stay out of the kitchen?" Or "What happens in The Buzz stays in The Buzz."?

[makimachine]

Thanks Chris! I do appreciate it. Maybe you should put up a disclaimer of "Don't like the heat? Stay out of the kitchen?"

Considering this is a Trek-board, wouldn't "If you can't handle the heat, stay out of the warp core!" work better?