Re moderators, academic freedom, and all that

							                            Re: moderators, academic freedom, and all that

Re: moderators, academic freedom, and all that

Source: http://sci.tech−archive.net/Archive/sci.math/2005−05/msg02288.html



      • From: "guenther vonKnakspot" <apacur@xxxxxxxxx>
      • Date: 11 May 2005 23:15:29 −0700

REPOSTED FOR CLARITY'S SAKE
Kim wrote:
> Having observed this forum for a short while, it's already quite
> clear to me that the discussions can generally be divided into two
main
> types: (1) questions and discussions concerning genuine, mainstream
> mathematics, such as unsolved problems, people wanting to show off
> (supposedly) new results, etc.; (2) disputes centering around
> historical, philosophical and foundational matters. Especially the
> discussions in the latter category sometimes tend to be emotionally
> highly charged, with some harsh words here and there.
>
> My main question is: do you, the posters on this forum, believe that
> the discussions should be "regulated" by moderators? What are your
> arguments for or

Yes, absolutely. I believe this forum should be made to reflect more
intensely our helathy western cultures. We should
have someone to make sure that everyone gets a fair chance, and a fair
share of the total discussion volume. At times it is appalling to watch
one or two guys with great innovative ideas being hounded by a mob of
angry reactionary upholders of the establishment. A regulator coud
enforce even odds by only permitting a limited amount of responders. A
regulator could also censor those responses he actually permitted, and
perhaps even enhance them with entreatings to open mindedness and
reminders of the fact that everybody can be right at the same time
according to their own point of view. Just because some guys actually
study mathematics and spend several years at college, they think they
are the only ones properly qualified to talk about mathematics. They
need to be teached a lesson, that anybody, even someone lacking the
most basic training, is entitled to have his contributions accepted and
introduced into the main body of mathematics. After all this is not the
18th century anymore, there are all sorts of interesting new Ideas out
there and we need to ensure that all of them get the same amount of
exposure. Maybe also a fee should be charged for using this forum, so
that there is some enticing for any prospective moderators. I dont
think anybody would object to that, after all they would be told what
to think and what to say in return for their money, and that is a great
value, don't you agree? Once you had the system in place and running,


Re: moderators, academic freedom, and all that                               1
                             Re: moderators, academic freedom, and all that
killfiles could be discarded because there would be a guarantee that
every post was politically correct and every discussion balanced.
Actually killfiles should be banned then, lest some ineducable
intransigent reactionary misuse them in order to avoid exposure to
ideas he despises. Yes, anyone found out using a killfile should be
banned from the forum.



> against such control from above? I do not ask this because I want to
> limit anyone's academic freedom, quite the contrary even; it's just
> that I doubt whether the exchange of foul words constitutes TRUE
> academic freedom. To me, academic freedom means the carefree exchange
> of ideas and knowledge, not of insults, because insults,

This is one brilliant recognition, that we cannot have freedom unless
someone first tells us what TRUE freedom is. Anybody's still present
reservations about submitting to the control of a moderator should be
dispelled by now.

>
>
> if they become too caustic, must lead to an atmosphere of
intellectual
> repression and fear. For example, I was quite a bit shocked when I
read
> how a university professor, who should − I agree − know how to behave
> better, and several other posters were rowing like young schoolboys.
>
You are a wonderful person. You are not only most sensible, you are
also amazingly sensitive. I wish you could implement your proposal as
soon as possible with you as the chief moderator. I just have one
request,that you please try it out first, perhaps there are
improvements you haven't thought of. I suggest you go to
alt.pansies.with.opinions, and come back as soon as you've ascertained
that everything works out honky dory.

>
>>
> > Perhaps it would also be a good idea to create seperate forums for
> the two types of discussion indicated above.

.



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             ♦ moderators, academic freedom, and all that
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