Pertaining to the New Chat Rules

[Ben Niehoff]

The problem with this is we don't want chat replacing what should be discussed in the forum. This is why homework and subjects suitable for forum discussion are sent back to be posted in the proper forum.

I can't imagine a consistent interpretation of this opinion that allows a chatroom to exist at all. ALL viable topics are covered in some PF forum, be it math, politics, or even general discussion. What's left are topics that are globally discouraged at PF, such as philosophy and crackpot theories.

I do think one can make a consistent exception for homework, in part because homework is a task, not a topic of discussion. I should note that in the vast majority of cases, math discussion in the chatroom has not diverted into tasks (i.e., actually solving math problems), but has focused mostly on math as a topic of discussion which, as should be clear, a number of chatroom participants are passionate about as a general interest.

We would also need a mentor available for whatever subject was being discussed.

I don't understand this statement at all. Is it the Mentors' opinion that an appropriate expert must monitor every last discussion that occurs on PF? And to what end?

I'm not against people having casual "math chats". If that's the majority of chat that is happening, then I just leave as I have nothing to contribute, but it should not become main chat as that defeats the purpose of the forums, we want that out in the forum so everyone can benefit. We are primarily a forum, not a chat room, chat is just a perk for members to socialize.

We have been primarily having sociable math chats. If anything gets to the point of requiring LaTeX, it always ends up in the forum, because the chatroom is rather unwieldy for that.

 

[Evo]

I can't imagine a consistent interpretation of this opinion that allows a chatroom to exist at all. ALL viable topics are covered in some PF forum, be it math, politics, or even general discussion. What's left are topics that are globally discouraged at PF, such as philosophy and crackpot theories.

See my above reponse to this.

The alternative being discussed is to just close chat and not have it anymore if it is this contentious and upsetting for members. That would be a shame. It is a nice way for members to get to know each other, which was the intent.

 

[Ben Niehoff]

I agree it would be a shame to shut it down. I have enjoyed getting to know some of the people who show up. I would prefer a more "live and let live" attitude.

 

[WannabeNewton]

I agree it would be a shame to shut it down. I have enjoyed getting to know some of the people who show up. I would prefer a more "live and let live" attitude.

Awww, I love you too Ben :)

 

[AnTiFreeze3]

Awww, I love you too Ben :)

... He's talking about me?

 

[Intrastellar]

See my above reponse to this.

The alternative being discussed is to just close chat and not have it anymore if it is this contentious and upsetting for members. That would be a shame. It is a nice way for members to get to know each other, which was the intent.

people come to a science chat-room expecting science chat, and there is already a good suggestion of being able to be in a multiple chat rooms, why don't you just take that suggestion ?

It is even more unreasonable to decide to close the chat because of a small issue like that.

 

[Ryan_m_b]

people come to a science chat-room expecting science chat, and there is already a good suggestion of being able to be in a multiple chat rooms, why don't you just take that suggestion ?

This suggestion has been taken rest assured.

 

[Intrastellar]

This suggestion has been taken rest assured.

ok, great to know

 

[Evo]

What's funny is that people say they want science chat, yet they don't want to use the science chat room because they'll miss general discussion chat.

 

[WannabeNewton]

What's funny is that people say they want science chat, yet they don't want to use the science chat room because they'll miss general discussion chat.

So this is all your fault in the end for being so entertaining. For shame madame. For shame.

 

[Evo]

So this is all your fault in the end for being so entertaining. For shame madame. For shame.

Everything is my fault.

 

[micromass]

Everything is my fault.

Nooooooooo, not everything is your fault! Most is your fault though, but not everything!

 

[micromass]

Nooooooooo, not everything is your fault! Most is your fault though, but not everything!

Actually, I've been thinking of an example that is not your fault, but I can't seem to find anything... I guess everything is your fault after all...

 

[WannabeNewton]

Everything is my fault.

Including our impending divorce. I'm gettin chacha btw

 

[micromass]

I'm gettin chacha btw

That should get you a delicious soup.

 

[Evo]

Including our impending divorce. I'm gettin chacha btw

Divorce?? Why?

No, you can't have chacha, I love the little angry beast.

 

[WannabeNewton]

Divorce?? Why?

Just the way it has to be love. You know how it is.

 

[MathWarrior]

Chat also has a tendency to be dominated by a small number of people talking about the Food Network. I find it dreadfully boring, and stifles more interesting discussions. I think it would be best if such topics were kept out of chat.

No offense, but most of the people in the chat seem fine with just about any topic. If they didn't no one would come to the chat to begin with.

Yet people come back every Sunday so obviously people find it engaging. Just because a few outliers don't like specific topics, is a poor excuse to complain. If you don't like the chat why do you come to the chat? Chat rooms in general are not tailored to one specific topic its not a forum.

Obviously no one can like every topic, I am sure there are plenty of people who dislike any number of topics. Just because a a few people dislike the occasional topic not a good representation of the whole.

Do you get mad at fellow scientists if they bring up something not science related? A large amount of science is communication skills just like anything else. I would recommend expanding your field of vision.

 

[Ben Niehoff]

No offense, but most of the people in the chat seem fine with just about any topic. If they didn't no one would come to the chat to begin with.

Yet people come back every Sunday so obviously people find it engaging. Just because a few outliers don't like specific topics, is a poor excuse to complain. If you don't like the chat why do you come to the chat? Chat rooms in general are not tailored to one specific topic its not a forum.

Obviously no one can like every topic, I am sure there are plenty of people who dislike any number of topics. Just because a a few people dislike the occasional topic not a good representation of the whole.

Do you get mad at fellow scientists if they bring up something not science related? A large amount of science is communication skills just like anything else. I would recommend expanding your field of vision.

All of which make wonderful reasons not to ban discussions of math just because some people aren't interested in them (which is the point I've been arguing).

 

[dlgoff]

No offense, but most of the people in the chat seem fine with just about any topic. If they didn't no one would come to the chat to begin with. ...

All of which make wonderful reasons not to ban discussions of math ...

Don't mean to butt in here. I've been to New Years Eve celebration chats where the sherry was flowing. Just sayin'

 

[PhizKid]

Is there a rule that says only one topic at a time can be discussed between members in the chatroom? If not, why can't there just be multiple simultaneous conversations in the chatroom, one of which may or may not include technical math/physics chatting

 

[StevieTNZ]

For all intents and purposes, I see no reason to create multiple rooms to cater for each individual topic. Yes, there may be a major topic being discussed at one time, but if one is looking at each line type, you can see other things written in between. If a discussion wants to occur between two people, you have the option of private messaging.

I take general chat to be a chat pretty much about what springs to mind of the chatters. It need not be so strict and formal - but a lay back place to be in considering it coincides on a Sunday for most users.

 

[Curious3141]

This is very weird. I would expect even casual visitors to PF to be at least interested in Science and Math. It makes no sense to ban chats involving those topics.

It's like a car forum banning chats about cars or a religious forum banning discussions about God. Just plain weird.

If anyone's seriously alienated by such topics (which I doubt), then perhaps they're not exactly the target demographic for this forum.

 

[Evo]

This is very weird. I would expect even casual visitors to PF to be at least interested in Science and Math. It makes no sense to ban chats involving those topics.

It's like a car forum banning chats about cars or a religious forum banning discussions about God. Just plain weird.

If anyone's seriously alienated by such topics (which I doubt), then perhaps they're not exactly the target demographic for this forum.

We're not banning math and science chat, there has been a science chat room since day one. I don't know who started that mistaken notion.

The issue is that people want to hold science and math discussions in the GD chat room.

I don't have a problem with that as long as it is

1) a spontaneous discussion between a few people.

2) Anyone can join in

3) it isn't replacing discussions that need to go into the math forum.

So far, IMO, the Math chats have been between a few people discussing specific things they enjoy. That is ok for chat, IMO. If it gets to the point that it's preventing regular chat, they can move to the science chat room, until the conversation dwindles.

 

[AnTiFreeze3]

I would say that this issue has been addressed thoroughly. I don't know if I have any authority since this is technically my thread, but I wouldn't be upset if someone locked it at this point

 

[micromass]

We're not banning math and science chat, there has been a science chat room since day one. I don't know who started the that mistaken notion.

I think that the issue is that banning math and science to science chat is pretty much equivalent to banning it in the entire chat. Nobody uses science chat. It's a cold, dark place. And it hasn't been cleaned in years.

 

[StevieTNZ]

I don't mind discussing other topics within a chat going on about Maths within the General Chat (GC). No one goes into the Science chat, because everyone gathers in GC; the option to be in both rooms at once can't be utilised as the current configuration does not permit it.

 

[Borek]

Nobody uses science chat. It's a cold, dark place. And it hasn't been cleaned in years.

Perhaps it is a time to assign cleaning it and putting a light on as a duty to one of our Mentors