Why Are Criticisms of Revered Scientists Often Discouraged?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the perceived discouragement of criticisms directed at prominent scientists, specifically Carl Sagan, within the forum. Participants explore the implications of this phenomenon, questioning the boundaries of acceptable discourse regarding revered figures in science.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant argues that criticisms of scientists like Carl Sagan are not tolerated, suggesting a culture of reverence that stifles open discussion.
  • Another participant counters that the forum does not censor criticism of popular figures but does reject incoherent or unsupported claims, implying that the original post lacked substance.
  • Several participants express agreement with the notion that the original thread was nonsensical and did not provide evidence for its claims, reinforcing the idea that meaningful discourse is expected.
  • One participant labels the original poster as a "previously banned crackpot," indicating a history of contentious contributions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the original post was not a valid criticism and that the forum maintains standards against incoherent arguments. However, there is disagreement about the implications of this moderation on the freedom to critique established scientists.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects varying interpretations of acceptable criticism and the standards for discourse within the forum, with some participants emphasizing the need for evidence and coherence in arguments.

IsaacKnewton
No "debunking" Gods of Science

How is it that criticisms of any of the Gods of Science, such as Carl Sagan, is not tolerated here? How is that?

Someone mentioned the Sagan Boloney Detector, and I copied the term and commented on it, and pow, thread destroyed.

It's somewhat like 1984 where everyone is equal but some are more equal than others.
Nobody is more equal than Gods of Science, such as Carl Sagan.

Science is not so advanced by pretensions of infallible grandeur.

Oh yes, some of his worshipers would claim "Carl is not around any longer to defend himself."
But if Carl were still alive, he assuredly would not be browsing around this place anyway, so that argument and its corollaries are utterly fatuous.
 
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I saw your thread and it was silly. The forum censors incoherent, meaningless rantings. It doesn't censor criticism of popular figures (although actually they do when it's just plain crude). Your thread was the former. You just picked a random personality, decided on your own that he is seen as some sort of superhuman character in physics, complained about it, and then with no evidence to support your own claims, challenged everyone else to prove yourself wrong. That kind of garbage doesn't fly around here.
 


Pengwuino said:
I saw your thread and it was silly. The forum censors incoherent, meaningless rantings. It doesn't censor criticism of popular figures (although actually they do when it's just plain crude). Your thread was the former. You just picked a random personality, decided on your own that he is seen as some sort of superhuman character in physics, complained about it, and then with no evidence to support your own claims, challenged everyone else to prove yourself wrong. That kind of garbage doesn't fly around here.

+1 on that
 


Pengwuino said:
I saw your thread and it was silly. The forum censors incoherent, meaningless rantings. It doesn't censor criticism of popular figures (although actually they do when it's just plain crude). Your thread was the former. You just picked a random personality, decided on your own that he is seen as some sort of superhuman character in physics, complained about it, and then with no evidence to support your own claims, challenged everyone else to prove yourself wrong. That kind of garbage doesn't fly around here.

+1 too. Go peng!
 


He's a previously banned crackpot.
 


Evo said:
He's a previously banned crackpot.

Hurray for evo! :biggrin:
 

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