[Robert]

Greeting Members,

As forum administrator it is my job to build a happy ToeQuest community that can work together for a common goal. Since this website caters to both traditional views on science as well as, and to the extent that it can be scientifically-based and rationally explained, new thinking on scientific matters, I have a quite a job on my hands to keep the peace. When I first started these forums over two years ago, I thought it would be illuminating to open the doors to this "new thinking" on science matters. However, I see three sources of friction and distress in our community that I'll outline below:

1. Traditional Views on Science. Members in this category tend to close their minds to some of these areas of "new thinking". They see this thinking as non-scientific, irrational, baseless claims to extraordinary explanations of our reality. The book by Thomas Kuhn, "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions", probably illustrates this best in regard to a "paradigm shift" where scientists move from disdain through doubt to acceptance of a new theory. I'd like to ask members of this group to open your minds to potential insights that can be gained from the new thinking or new theories put forward by other members. I'd also like to ask that when responding to posts, you do not criticize another member for baseless ideas, but offer encouragement for exploring new possibilities and offer some constructive criticism.
2. New Thinking in Science. Members in this group see reality from a different perspective and come up with new ideas and explanation. I think it is good to think "Out-of-the-Box" and explore other explanations. It is my belief that this new thinking will provide clues that could accelerate our quest for the TOE. However, along with this new way of thinking often comes a strong emotional attachment to ones ideas and sometimes an unwillingness to let go of concepts even in the face of conflicting evidence. So I'd like to ask members in this group to make sure your thinking is scientifically sound, and to not be resistent to changing your beliefs when confronted with conflicting evidence. Or, find ways to rationally explain any contradictions.
3. Religious Views on Science. Members come from a variety of religious backgrounds. Although this is a potentially explosive area, I have some forums dedicted to religious discussion simply because, if there is an intellegent design to the universe, it is important that it be included in the Theory of Everything. There should be no realms where the Theory of Everything does not apply. Religion can give one tremendous strength and perseverance to make great accomplishments in life, regardless of whether a diety exists or not. However, If your religion prevents you from exploring, investigating, and discussing new ideas and thoughts, which may contradict your religious beliefs, then ToeQuest may not be appropriate for you. All members should show respect for anothers religion and not denigrate a specific religion. However, it is appropriate to discuss religion in a general sense as it applies to the discovery of (or blocking the discovery of) the Theory of Everything.

Summary
To summarize, I'd like to encourage all members to be more open to new ideas or new thinking and also, more open to constructive criticism. This helps us to refine our thinking, our theories and ideas on the Theory of Everything. All members should be respectful to other members and show tolerance for different approaches on scientific matters. This especially applies when you are a guest on another member's thread (i.e. you did not start the thread). If you disagree with the tone or content of a posting please refer it to a administrator or moderator to review and take action if necessary.

If you haven't done so already, please review the posting guidelines. Also, if you need to report a bad post to me, review this thread for instructions on how to do so. And finally, if you don't like the way you are treated by another member, review this thread for instructions on how you can remove points from their reputation causing them to loose power within the community.

Regards,
--Robert

[mkirkpatrick]

Thank you Robert,
I think that we all need to be open minded and tolerant of each others Ideas
and theories,the toe-quest forum is really great and has opened up alot for me
and also provided an opportunity to gain knowledge,and share Ideas and experiences.Give and take,and show respect,if we can do this,then this community will flourish,and this is what we all want surely.
Once again thank you Robert,for all your hard work.




kind regards michael.

[Mike 5]

Maybe truth is much simpler and more obvious to us all than philosophers and politicians and priests pretend. Opposite views are normal and natural in this world, so maybe oppositions and dualities are the key to understanding understanding. Recursively.

If I hold up my hand and declare; the thumb is on the left, it is possible that everyone else will see the thumb is evidently on the right. So we learn to keep quiet or even delude ourselve as to what we do experience.

Maybe Truth has to be beyond any single viewpoint or theory.

Maybe every viewpoints is incomplete.

Maybe all viewpoints are different.

Maybe every viewpoint has an opposite and equally true viewpoint.

Just as our two eyes each see a flat 2D image and the brain constructs depth from that to fit our experiences of touch and sound, in fact each eye is a contradiction in the details of the other, the sense of touch often contradicts the appearances, and so on. Intelligence is, it seems, the curving flowing reconciliation of paradox into theory.

Bezier for Pope!

[dleviwing]

We are a very gullible species and prone to be mislead by the predators of the same species.

Under these conditions, a TOE concept may be doomed if it is expected to provide apathetic support for the belief systems of the human species.

Many forums have been provided on TOEquest to support the many diversified ideas of our species. If we chose our forums wisely, there should be very little conflict.

Scientist do not make good mechanics and mechanics do not make good scientist. Who is best qualified for the job? If one accepts the job, one must also accept the responsibility to know how to perform the task.

[Robert]

Originally Posted by dleviwing Many forums have been provided on TOEquest to support the many diversified ideas of our species. If we chose our forums wisely, there should be very little conflict. Scientist do not make good mechanics and mechanics do not make good scientist. Who is best qualified for the job? If one accepts the job, one must also accept the responsibility to know how to perform the task.

Although I don't disagree with Dave's comment I am a little uncomfortable with it and here's why. The ToeQuest website is a science website, but reaches out to some "out-of-the-mainstream" thinking. A recipe for disaster? I hope not. My assumption here is that it is a good thing to be exposed to other ideas as long as those ideas are logically thought out and based on sound reason, if not scientific evidence. Even somewhat wacky ideas can have a grain of truth, identify an anomaly, pinpoint an unforeseen problem that may lead to some kind of breakthrough in thinking, inspire new scientific investigation, open possibilities. This cross-pollination would not take place if members are segregated by their viewpoints or modes of thinking.

With the above in mind, I do encourage members to participate in, or at least read, all forums since I believe this will help us in our Quest. Perhaps, instead of members choosing their forums wisely, they should choose their threads more wisely. The thread starter sets the context and tone of the thread. Other posters should respect this. I do want viewpoints challenged when you disagree. But if that disrupts the thread too much or could stir up strong emotions, then you should start your own thread where you set the tone and content. You can post a summary of why you disagree with a thread, and include a link to your own thread to continue your line of thought. Strong emotions seem to shut down the ability to rationally think matters through and therefore don't help our quest.

Happy Posting!

[michellemfry]

It doesn't get said enough. You did a good thing when you started this place. The hard work shows. How do you feel about those sights that have black for a background? The black and blue would be stunning. You deserve a tall cold one somewhere someday. Thanks.

[Robert]

Originally Posted by michellemfry It doesn't get said enough. You did a good thing when you started this place. The hard work shows. How do you feel about those sights that have black for a background? The black and blue would be stunning. You deserve a tall cold one somewhere someday. Thanks.

Thanks Michelle. Sure appreciate your kind words.

I find that the sites with the dark backgrounds, unless carefully designed, have text that is difficult to read and sometimes give an unprofessional appearance. They can also create kind of a gloomy mood, while the brighter colors create a "Happy" mood. Is everyone Happy? Have you checked out the Hotline Forums? They have a dark background and they look pretty good. However, I do plan on experimenting with some different color schemes in different parts of the website to create an appropriate mood.

That tall cold one sounds good. I need to drop in the Many-Worlds Pub more often.

[dleviwing]

Robert;
I agree with Michelle; you have made TOEquest an excellent site with a extensive range of forums.
I believe your goal to be sincere and I often become annoyed with others who use TOEquest for their own personal agendas. I hope my frankness with these people and those who misrepresent scientific facts does not cause friction; however human nature is not scientific and I have little use for emotions as a tool of science.

I have however, found that science does go very well with many tall cold ones and a game of darts in a traditional Irish pub. I would love to join you some day and your second one is on me.
Best regards;
Dave