The board and the children

[Argos]

The recent banning of the thread on, you know, a certain "profession", got me thinking. Are the discussions on tensors and manifolds, so commonly found in the forums, suitable for children?

Having been for seven years here, I know the rules to the bones. I know that kids frequent this board, perhaps looking for useful information. But I understand that this is intended primarily for discussion [and I´d say high to very high level discussions - not really profitable for children], and not for information broadcast.

I see a contradiction between the high-profile discussions on physics, mathematics and astronomy and some infantilized threads, derived from the rules constraints.

Wouldn´t it be time to drop the OTB section altogether, and stick with the science-oriented threads only?

(*) And paradoxically this goes in the OTB section

[AndreH]

Originally Posted by Argos

The recent banning of the thread on, you know, a certain "profession", got me thinking. Are the discussions on tensors and manifolds, so commonly found in the forums, suitable for children?

Having been for seven years here, I know the rules to the bones. I know that kids frequent this board, perhaps looking for useful information. But I understand that this is intended primarily for discussion [and I´d say high to very high level discussions - not really profitable for children], and not for information broadcast.

I see a contradiction between the high-profile discussions on physics, mathematics and astronomy and some infantilized threads, derived from the rules constraints.

Wouldn´t it be time to drop the OTB section altogether, and stick with the science-oriented threads only?

(*) And paradoxically this goes in the OTB section

Even scientists need a place to have fun, think (about other things) and relax.

[Argos]

Have fun like children?

[NEOWatcher]

Originally Posted by AndreH

Even scientists need a place to have fun, think (about other things) and relax.

Not only that, but I enjoy reading daily events, explainations and opinions from people that look at things objectively and without any kind of crudity.

And; yes we need to be careful, because blame can come very easily.
For example on this (local) news station*, our zoo is under fire because thier page references a video on YouTube, and YouTube has other related videos. One of which has a shot of private parts of gorillas.

* sorry, no direct link, because they hide there shame in javascript, so I provided the search. The story is titled Cleveland Metro Park Zoo Under Fire For YouTube Posting

[Disinfo Agent]

In my objective and crude-less opinion, that's pretty ridiculous.

[farmerjumperdon]

I like the OTB section because of the chance to interact with others that have physics/astronomy as a profession or serious interest. I read the other threads, but have nowhere near the expertise of most of those that seriously contribute to them. So the chance to chat up gardening, wildlife, health, education, etc. with a somewhat like-minded, above average intellidgence, yet ecclectic group like this is very appreciated. It's a very different and sometimes much needed alternative to the discussion style of the skydiving forums.

[geonuc]

So, you're proposing we protect internet-surfing children from BAUT?

OTB has by far the most posts.

[AndreH]

Originally Posted by Argos

Have fun like children?

Yep! Especially as I am a typical male. You know this means part of me will always be a boy.

[AndreH]

Originally Posted by NEOWatcher

Not only that, but I enjoy reading daily events, explainations and opinions from people that look at things objectively and without any kind of crudity.

And; yes we need to be careful, because blame can come very easily.
For example on this (local) news station*, our zoo is under fire because thier page references a video on YouTube, and YouTube has other related videos. One of which has a shot of private parts of gorillas.

* sorry, no direct link, because they hide there shame in javascript, so I provided the search. The story is titled Cleveland Metro Park Zoo Under Fire For YouTube Posting

I agree, I assume this covered by "think about other things"

[Tog_]

From the bit that ToSeek highlighted on the thread in question, it seems pretty clear why it all happened.

My impression of the ruling on this was that if Timmy tells his mom about relativity or the Mars probes and that he learned it on BAUT, it will have a markedly different reaction than if he tells abut "other stuff" he learned here.

Yeah, most kids won't get a lot of the stuff said. I don't either. But if the reading level of the post is kid level, but the content is NC-17, the kid might read it and repeat it in school, and then BAUT ends up on one of "those" lists.

[Swift]

Originally Posted by Argos

Have fun like children?

As AndreH said, yes. And not just boys; girls like to have fun to. Quite frankly, if BAUT was just a dry discussion about tensors and manifolds, I would probably not participate. I like the fact that BAUT also has a social aspect. And there is plenty of room for BABBling, even with our current rules - there are a lot of discussions we can have and keep it child friendly.

[Moose]

Originally Posted by Swift

Quite frankly, if BAUT was just a dry discussion about tensors and manifolds, I would probably not participate. I like the fact that BAUT also has a social aspect. And there is plenty of room for BABBling, even with our current rules - there are a lot of discussions we can have and keep it child friendly.

Agreed. Some of us live in rural backwaters where finding others with some subset of my interests is nearly impossible. If I want to socialize with my peers (science-educated adults who are mostly resistant to woo claims and won't think less of me for my adamantly-non-mainstream hobbies), I have to do it online. There is no adult community of my peers within 600 miles of where I'm sitting.

And I love the Maritimes far too much to contemplate leaving.

I really hate to put it this way (because by mainstream standards it sounds desperate), but in a way I absolutely depend on BAUT and FARK for social interaction I can't get here and cannot do without.

[antoniseb]

I moved this thread based on a member recommendation.

[Kaptain K]

FWIW, for those who don't remember or haven't been here that long, OTB was created to keep OTB out of the serious fora!

[laurele]

Why not just amend the rules to ban "adult" content, to keep this board family friendly?

Not being a scientist but a writer interested in astronomy, I confess to not knowing what tensors and manifolds are myself. And I'm betting there are a few kids who are astronomy buffs who do know what they are and can provide in depth explanations.

If Timmy or Tammy starts insisting to his/her teachers and parents that Pluto is a planet because he/she read it multiple times on BAUT by some wacky writer lady, I'll take full responsibility.

[RalofTyr]

Children really shouldn't be on the internet.

They should be outside.

[mahesh]

Mr Einstein had child-like curiosity.

pardon me, but what IS OTB? And what's wrong with BAUT again?

[NEOWatcher]

Originally Posted by laurele

Why not just amend the rules to ban "adult" content, to keep this board family friendly?

That's fairly well covered in rule#3. Although, maybe it could be updated from "language" to "content".

[Disinfo Agent]

Originally Posted by laurele

Why not just amend the rules to ban "adult" content, to keep this board family friendly?

There's no need. The rules already ban adult content. The problem is that sometimes you're in a grey area where it's a bit subjective whether a given topic is specifically "adult" or not. Reading the thread that inspired this one, it never crossed my mind that someone might see it as inappropriate.
But I guess that's up to the moderators to decide.

[hhEb09'1]

Originally Posted by laurele

Why not just amend the rules to ban "adult" content, to keep this board family friendly?

Already done I think.

Originally Posted by mahesh

pardon me, but what IS OTB? And what's wrong with BAUT again?

Off-Topic Babbling forum, see the BAUT front page. It was originally named that as an acronym for Bad Astronomy Bulletin Board (BABB), although it was first named "Blabbing" IIRC

Originally Posted by Argos

(*) And paradoxically this goes in the OTB section

Originally Posted by antoniseb