h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I was just a bit worried about the interesting stuff getting swamped by miscellaneous conversations, but you're probably right... the rubbish should soon sink to the bottom.

We'll get some religious types eventually I'm sure, Flake.

Way back when, the promotion of clubs was something I was involved in, and I've built a successful one myself, so I've got a pretty good idea of what it takes. One of the keys is to hit the ground running with a core of people who want to make it work. We've got that, and more are coming. This one will be a success.

Whisky: I'm a proponent of chaos, myself. The other club I started was with the philosophy of letting the inmates run the asylum... and they do. I'd just as soon let anyone and everyone start a debate. The understanding will be that any debates need to meet the higher standard that we are setting, as far as conduct.

As for watered down... I don't mind if people want to argue about pop music, or sports, or whatever. There is more to life than politics and religion.

The goal in creating this was to build an environment for debates that focus on issues rather than personalities, and through peer pressure forces adherence to a certain code of conduct that is higher than you'll find elsewhere on this site. We'll be our own watchdogs, so we'll be more sensitive to what consists of trolling or unethical behavior than a moderator reading things out of context could be. Along the way, we'll sharpen our own skills, and teach them to others.

The goal was not to foster a sort of intellectual arena. I'm sure that will be a natural outgrowth, as intellectual people are more likely to be drawn to this sort of thing. But if people want to argue about how to make the best fart noises, there is room for that. And it would still fit within the original goal.

But of course, there is always room for dissenting opinions.

I think the best method is to place the mouth just below the inside of the elbow of the forearm and blow as hard as you can.

Hi, can I join?

Politics: left/liberal

Religion: None

Philosophy: Post-Kantian (I was tempted to say Nogginism, which it's been called on another thread )

left leaning independantism/atheism-logical posivism/skepticalism-secualr humanism

(U201116)

Can I join?

Is this still being checked and I haven't been added because you desided I don't belong? OK, but can you please tell me why you don't want me. Let me know and I won't bother you about it any more.

Sorry, Eto. Real life intervened in the form of a four-day weekend and a high-priority project at work. I'll make you and Noggin official as soon as I get an opportunity... which isn't now.

In the meantime, please feel free to enjoy the forums.

Hmm, "liberal agnostic/atheist rationalist".

My whole being in four words Of course, I reserve the right to change any of them without notice

Gif

Welcome Noggin, Eto, and Giford. You're now official members.

I know we've already gone through the trouble to name this thing, but inspiration often arrives late. I've come up with a name that I really like, so what do you all think about the "Argument Clinic"?

Thanks. Both names are OK, but I like the ODS one more.

And my previous message was a joke; I don't know if anyone got it. I said it because I say you'd posted to H2G2 quite recently but hadn't updated the list yet.

Can I play?

political: liberal left
religious: non-atheist humanist
philosophical: numerous!

As for the name, I don't know if you are all Python fans but we could have "I'd like an argument please....."

Well, you might like this: http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/alabaster/F19585?thread=282306 I didn't post it to the ODS page because it isn't really a debate subject, though it could turn into a debate.

Z: The name of that Python sketch is "Argument Clinic." That's where I stole the proposed new name.

Ah

In that case I second the motion.

How did this escape my notice for so long? Did nobody mention it on FFFF? Sign me up:

Politics: hmmm, how can I put it? Democratic left anarchist? Will that do?

Religion: atheist

Philosophy: again, can't think of a good term so I'll make one up. "Modern pragmatist" (to indicate that I'm not a follower of Peirce / James / Dewey although the pragmatic philosophical outlook seems the most satisfactory to me).

Looking forward to some good debates

Welcome aboard, Dogster.

I did make a mention of it at the FFFF, but I did it rather subtly. I don't want to be a pest.

On the topic of the name change, we have only three votes. "Argument Clinic" leads "Open Debating Society" by two votes to one.

Come on, guys... democracy doesn't work if nobody participates.

Mark one down for Open Debating Society. That's 2 all, I believe.

Hello all,

I am currently writing a question for a new debate, the title of which is going to be something like: 'Iraq in 1920 to Iraq in 2003: What's the difference?' And I was wondering if it would be bad etiquette to post it sometime within the next week as I fear people may start to grumble at the number of debates going at the same time.

Would anyone object to a new question?