Suggestion Crackpot Forum - Discuss Strange Claims Here!

  • Thread starter Thread starter FlexGunship
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AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around the idea of allowing crackpot claims to remain accessible on the forum instead of being locked or deleted. Participants express a desire to see the evolution of these threads, arguing that locking them stifles discussion. However, others caution that allowing such content could lead to an influx of unsupported theories, negatively impacting the site's reputation and moderation efforts. The conversation highlights the tension between the entertainment value of crackpot discussions and the potential for chaos they might bring to the community. Ultimately, the consensus leans towards maintaining a strict stance against crackpottery to preserve the forum's integrity.
FlexGunship
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I know PF doesn't condone crackpottery (or, as near as I can tell, any pottery at all), but instead of locking threads instantly, maybe they could be moved to a crackpot forum. It's just that... I don't know... sometimes I want to see where they go; see what happens to them! Sometimes I have something to say and I can't because it's all locked up. :frown:

When someone makes a claim like: "we all know aliens are responsible for Cheetos, but why can't..." I just want to see what happens!
 
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If it's locked or deleted, no more discussion happens. It's the end.
 
FlexGunship said:
I know PF doesn't condone crackpottery (or, as near as I can tell, any pottery at all), but instead of locking threads instantly, maybe they could be moved to a crackpot forum. It's just that... I don't know... sometimes I want to see where they go; see what happens to them! Sometimes I have something to say and I can't because it's all locked up. :frown:

We've tried it before, didn't work. Nutters hang around and infect other parts of the site.
 
Evo said:
If it's locked or deleted, no more discussion happens. It's the end.

What a wonderfully totalitarian answer! :-p

Greg Bernhardt said:
We've tried it before, didn't work. Nutters hang around and infect other parts of the site.

Yeah, okay, I guess if you've tried it and it sucked, then there's no point in repeating a mistake. Reading locked threads is one of those wonderful distractions like guessing what roadkill used to be and inventing a narrative to explain the lunatic ramblings of bus station occupants.

Thanks to both of you for the replies.
 
I'll admit it is fun reading crazy threads but if we allow any kind of crackpot discussion it will be like cracking a hole into a weak dam. We'd get thread upon thread of ridiculous, unsupported statements and personal theories that would make the site look bad and be a nightmare to moderate.

The members that post there would also be likely to migrate elsewhere to vomit their rubbish. Though it is fun anymore crackpottery and it really wouldn't be.
 
Flex,

Funny coincidence you posted this because the very subject came up during chat on Sunday. Per chance, did you pop in when I wasn't there and discuss it ?

Rhody...
 
(...shhh.. quiet note to moderators... maybe time to lock this thread's insidious liberal "go-with-the-flow" ideas...! :-p)
 
rhody said:
Flex,

Funny coincidence you posted this because the very subject came up during chat on Sunday. Per chance, did you pop in when I wasn't there and discuss it ?

Rhody...

No, I wasn't there, sorry... but I believe it. I've noticed I'm incredibly psychic... I just don't mention it around here because the thread would get locked.
 
There are plenty of other forums that host crackpotness. However, I think the funnest part of PF is when the very knowledgeable advisers and mentors rip into someone (I'm looking at your Vanadium and Zz) :D. I wonder if you get such hilariousness at a more crackpot friendly forum.
 
  • #10
FlexGunship said:
No, I wasn't there, sorry... but I believe it. I've noticed I'm incredibly psychic... I just don't mention it around here because the thread would get locked.
Funny so am I o:) :biggrin: I just note the seemingly "odd coincidences" and how things tend (mostly) to go my way, especially with my BMW motorcycle. I find it amusing, am pleased by it. Hopefully, those kind of "coincidences" happen to you as well. Good karma... On a serious note, crackpots, while amusing quickly wear me down and after awhile I find myself wasting time with them, I get frustrated, then I simply walk away.

Rhody...
 
  • #11
If you are one step ahead of everyone else, they'll call you a genius.

If you are two steps ahead they'll call you a crackpot.
 
  • #12
cmb said:
If you are one step ahead of everyone else, they'll call you a genius.

If you are two steps ahead they'll call you a crackpot.

The epigram of crackpots everywhere usually followed by a spew of accusations towards scientific dogma, censorship and Nazis.
 
  • #13
Ryan_m_b said:
The epigram of crackpots everywhere usually followed by a spew of accusations towards scientific dogma, censorship and Nazis.

Being called a crackpot does not mean you are two steps ahead though. A point of logic you can expect them to fail to comprehend.
 
  • #14
The is already a forum for crackpots. It's called "the rest of the internet".
 
  • #15
For those of you who like to read (or post) crackpot stuff, I highly recommend forums.randi.org. (The forum of the James Randi Educational Foundation).
 

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