Origins Forum Goes Live!

[Bravus]

Hi All

Well, after weeks of massive work by NormF, with me occassionally throwing stones from afar, the Origins Forum is ready for prime time. I'm waiting by the phone (well, the computer) for applications to join, so the only remaining question (aside from all the origins questions, of course) is "We've built it - will they come?"

[NormF]

Bravus, as a displaced Canadian Aussie, can't do this; but as an American, I can:

• WE WANT YOU!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

(misquoting from the Uncle Sam poster seeking recruitments for U.S. armed services) <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Seriously, we really do need posting members AND their posts. Check out the Origins Forum, and then flood Bravus with your requests and opening forays into the threads we need.

And Aussies, Canadians, and ALL OTHERS everywhere, you are thoroughly, thoroughly welcome to join and participate!

Regards,

Norm

[wicklunds]

Quote:

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Hi All

Well, after weeks of massive work by NormF, with me occassionally throwing stones from afar, the Origins Forum is ready for prime time. I'm waiting by the phone (well, the computer) for applications to join, so the only remaining question (aside from all the origins questions, of course) is "We've built it - will they come?"

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That is the problem, you've built it. A forum with active moderation is nothing but a venue for individuals with self-appointed veto power to answer the issues of their own choosing while skirting questions and issues at variance with pet notions. A recipe for heavy-handed streamlining of personal agendas. You might as well be the host of a radio talk show with your finger on the red button every time one of your best critics call up so you can cut them off. But hey that is the way of the world after all. I just hope Stan Jensen knows who he has entrusted with such a critical topic as "origins." My advice, Stan, lose the active moderation idea because it only perpetuates someones version of a topic. If the truth can be suppressed by apparently just means, like "active moderation", then we are only wounding ourselves in the head and heart.

Dennis

[bevin]

Wicklunds,

why don't you wait to see how it works out before slamming the effort.

Put your energy into trying to make a positive contribution.

/Bevin

[Bravus]

Any society has to run on trust. If anyone doesn't trust us, there's little we can do about that, except ask them to suspend their disbelief and give us a chance to prove ourselves.

Norm has laid out the rules very clearly, and they're all about style, not about content. That is, the commitment is never to edit for views, viewpoints and ideas, only ever for tone. The aim of the active moderation is not to effect the perspectives shared at all in any way, but only to keep to discussion civil.

You just have to trust that that's the case - we're saying so, as clearly as we can.

[wicklunds]

ok. we'll see...

[cricket]

Just because there's an Origins forum, does this mean we have to speak about origins only in that particular forum?

I think not. I think that for those who wish to have not such active moderation can post right here in townhall if they wish.