Before I start, the purpose of this thread isn't to criticise so much as attempt to improve the quality of these forums.
I've always found it interesting reading about FE theory and simply wish for the experience to be improved slightly. Also, since my post count is negligible feel free to completely ignore this, though I'd rather that most of you interpret this as unbiased outsiders observations and maybe take note.
Mostly I'd like to ask what the deal with most of the posters here. Taking most of the threads on face value there appears to be as many flat earth believers as round earth. However I get the impression that most of the "FEer's" are only arguing the point for the sake of the debate and don't really believe the world is flat at all, am I correct? I'm not even sure that Tom is a "real" FE proponent and not more of a "don't believe everything you are told" proponent. The main message I get from these forums is "to question everything and don't take anything on face value but the world is actually round, of course". Is this wrong?
Second, I've noticed several problems regarding the quality of a lot of posts, particularly those threads created by unknowing and naive newbies. Heres an example of a typical noob thread:
n00b
: "I think the earth is round, for example how can you explain gravity?? why are so many of the answers in the FAQ answered with 'its a conspiracy' ?? why doesn't the earth smash in to the sun and moon? why doesn't the earth have gravity and the moon and sun do? "
random poster #1
: "...YOU ARE A STUPID IDIOT
STOP POSTING HERE. THE WORLD IS FLAT YOU RETARD HURRRRRRRRRRR"
random poster #2
: " Because it just is."
random poster #3
: "
READ THE FAQ RETARD! why are noobs so stupid? hey random poster #2 long time no see..."
random poster #4
: "
"
n00b
: "I've read the FAQ but i have questions that
aren't being answered! this is a waste of time..."
*thread diminishes in to unrelated topic about somebody's new sig*
Of course this doesn't happen all the time, but I see it in quite a few places and I find it frustrating. In the example, n00b did ask some stupid questions that are answered in the FAQ, but if you are posting back to them to tell them how much of a retard they are or how they should read the faq, you may as well answer the question at the same time, no? It makes it easier for others to read, it solves n00bs problem and it could facilitate a clarification that the n00b was seeking in the first place. The search facility isn't all knowing, If I wanted to check if someone had asked for clarification about Tom's window explanation it would not be an easy task seeing as how the words I could search for would appear in hundreds of posts. I understand the need for people to attempt to figure out if their question has been answered already but searching a forum for an answer isn't done quickly or easily, particularly when the question may be long-winded or difficult to articulate.
I also find that most threads diminish in to random chatter after the first page that is mostly unintelligible to anybody who isn't a regular here. If the chatter is necessary why isn't it in a more appropriate place with a more appropriate title? i.e. a thread containing a discussion about Tom's hair titled "The curvature of the earth" .
I see a lot of "I'm too cool to respond to this" posts (like poster #2 in the example) how does that help the discussion? If you are too good to respond with answers why respond at all?
Random poster #4 replies with emoticons, one should ask oneself if a response can be captured by a single or string of yellow faces is it worth posting at all.
Another example:
IamSoSMART
: "anybody who is worth their monkey balm would know that 'dY = dX/dt sig ^ 32 G' thus proving the world is round"
random poster #1
: " DY = DX/DT SIG ^ 31!!!! G YOU IDIOT!!!!
DON'T POST HERE UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT FUCKHEAD"
random poster #2
: "i believe you have disproved you're own theory there"
random poster #3
: "Actually, Einstein said _______, modern day observations state that _________. and 'dY = dX/dt sig ^ 32 G' is ALL
BAD MATHS. QED FUCKTARD"
IamSoSMART
: "YOU ARE THE RETARDS FUCK YOU"
random poster #1
: "
This thread sucks....."
*thread diminishes in to unrelated topic about somebody's new sig*
I'm all for debate, that’s what I'm here for, I like the alternative explanations for things and to me that’s the whole point of these forums. But, calling each other retards isn't a debate, its pointless internet crap.
I would say that if you are an authority on a subject, i.e. you are an Astrophysicist or some such scientist then instead of saying "you are wrong FUCKTARD" say "Einstein’s law states _________ not _________. See this link for verification. I am an Astrophysicist, 5 years of uni says I know all about this junk.". At the same time, if you don't have qualifications beyond year 12 calculus perhaps you should think more about making sweeping statements about physics. I know from my point of view I'm much more likely to take someone who speaks in a clear non-insulting manner seriously.
Again here too, random poster #2 responded with a "I'm too cool for this" response, if somebody is wrong perhaps you should provide them with a reason why you think so.
Again, my reasons for this post are not to troll. I like the forums and perhaps would be more active if some of the negative attributes of it were removed. And since its the only repository (on the internet) for the many of these FE ideas and debates, I think that if everyone put a little more thought in to what they post everyone would benefit. Just to clarify; there are many good threads on this forum, I'm only picking on the sucky ones.
I could go on but I think this post is long enough.
BTW all the examples I've used here were created by me and only serve to illustrate my point and not point out specific threads or people.