Replies

Even half a loof is better than none.

With your Solomonic wisdom, you have solved the problem! We can declare that half of all species are the result of evolution, and the other half are specially created. (The only problem then would be how to decide which half a particular species belonged in.)

I realize that some of you were not aware of the fact that a number of parties involved in these science threads have agreed to a standard of conduct which would encourage respectful discourse and thus avoid thread deletions, threads being relegated to Smokey Backroom and reporting of abuse on complying posters.

I respectfully ask that you read the linked agreement so that you will know what the willing parties expect of one another and their dealings with others. Some of you have signed the agreement. But signing the agreement does not automatically make one a complying poster. A party who has signed the agreement can be challenged as non-compliant with cause and evidence.

If we the complying posters observe a poster causing a problem on a thread, we are obligated under the agreement to first politely ask that the poster come into compliance using words such as the following:

”Hey Elsie, that post of yours 151 was a bit provocative. Under our agreement, the actions of provocateurs, trolls, spammers, and disruptors are prohibited, as is the use of obscene or belittling words to describe another poster or his beliefs. I understand that you're momentarily swept up in the debate, but please restrain yourself."

If the non-complying poster (whether the poster has signed the agreement or not) continues to provoke, troll, spam or disrupt then warnings will be posted to others on the threads, to avoid posting to non-complying poster (or a specific non-complying poster) since it could lead to flame wars, etc.

If the conduct continues, any of the otherwise complying posters may engage the non-complying posting with harsh language otherwise prohibited by the agreement. However, there is never any obligation on a complying poster at any time to refrain from pressing abuse on a non-complying poster.

TerrierGal, you just signed the agreement this evening so I suggest to all complying posters that everything that happened here today before you signed be laid aside and mentioned no more.

Elsie, the above example is your polite request that you join us in the agreement or that you not provoke flame wars.

f.Christian, since you have signed the agreement, I am now notifying you that your post 100 has been posted previously and is inflammatory per se and thus in violation of our agreement under the Sunset Clause not to bring forward issues that predate the effective date (August 9th 2003), the Language Clause not to use belittling words and the Economy Clause not to repeat posts excessively. We will appreciate your not posting that particular item in the future.

improving signal-to-noise ratio placemarker