Is BAUT for Experts Only?

[Hornblower]

Originally Posted by sirjon

I started this thread. In my own opinion, I find this forum too rigid and strict and not recommendable for undergraduates and lay man like me. Maybe due to my lack of understanding in higher math and developments in science. But this forum made me more mature. Now I am using the internet and doing my own research. I took out back my dusted book in trigonometry and reviewing my knowledge in math. (In fact, I am a college undergrad, BS-Education, major in math before I became a tv repairman). I started my blog in rough road and even given that a title, "No need to be super genius to prove gravity is not a force", a naughty way to take attention of my prospective readers. Now, it is getting better and beautiful. I realized that I should give high respect and cautious considerations to people in this field of science that they are indeed painstakingly trying their best to understand the universe. Thank you very much.

W/out realizing one's mistakes it will not make me do, some editing and upgrading in that articles. In addition, this forum made me more careful in my english grammar, although it still need more refinement. Thank you very much for all the people who enlightened me for their constructive comments. I will also include those ridicules and nasty criticisms, they are part of a battle in this arena. Next time, would you give me permission to start a new thread in title " Silly Questions That Need Serious Answers", for guys like us? My first question would be " How infinite Infinities are? Oooppss...just Joking. "MABUHAY KAYO"

You don't need to apologize for your English grammar skills. Your writing shows a very good level of proficiency in our exasperatingly irregular hybrid language. It appears that the English teachers in your country and many others (Germany, Austria, Denmark, Netherlands, to name a few) are doing excellent work. What exasperates me is the textmessagese that some of my fellow Americans use in their posts.

[nokton]

Originally Posted by sirjon

I am wondering if this forum is an exclusive arena, only for gladiators w/ mathematical prowess and specialists w/ Ph. D. Degrees, just to display and show their arsenals of highly advance scientific knowledge.
I felt offended by that guys (I will not mention their names). First, that guy who made a comment that the only math equation I can show is that “ a = 9.8m per sec per sec” and that other guy that told me to stop in sharing my views and dared me to take up a course in Physics ( I taught America is a free country?). You know what guys, ordinary people like me want experts who can share or explain things in simpler ways as what Prof. Stephen Hawking did. I admire Prof. Hawking for three good reasons. First, he is an “open-minded” person by taking the advice of someone who told him that each equation that he includes in his book could halve the sales. Second, he is a “sensible” person by stating in the acknowledgments of his book “A Brief History of Time”, “…yet the basic ideas about the origin and fate of the Universe can be stated w/out math in a form that people w/out scientific education can understand”(see p.vi). He was even quoted “…I hope that will not scare half of my potential readers”, the result – a best selling book. Third, he is a “brave” man – it did not matter to him if it would hurt his reputation by inserting the words “a trick”, in his proposal of a quantum theory of gravity (see pp.135-136) which in the world of Science, could be branded as a “non-acceptable excuse”. Unlike Marquis de Laplace who, maybe, not only decided that it was a crazy idea to think that light could be dragged by gravitational attraction but possibly, he was worried by the impact of such idea in his reputation (see p.82 ).
I don’t want to think that because I came from a third world country and my knowledge is not at that high level, I am not welcome to share my views and opinions about a certain topic in this forum. I regret such kind of prejudice. The story of George Simon Ohm is one classical example of such prejudice. He was ridiculed by his own fellow countrymen (German scientists) because of his dubious math but at the end, the Ohm’s Law became a very significant mathematical formula in the study of electricity and electronics (see p.205, “History of Science and Technology” by Vicente et al, Uni-Ed Inc, Phil.,1988).
I admit that I had offended and hurt the feelings of some people in giving that title, “No Need To Be Super…” (I was not allowed to mention it in this forum or I might be accused again of promoting that blog).I wish to apologize to them and ask for forgiveness. As a sign of respect, I changed the main title and deleted some of the offending statements. But I decided not to take it out from that website, just consider it as a petty sequel of Prof. Hawking’s book, a lay man’s understanding and views of a different kind of gravity.

This forum is composed of dedicated people who put science above everything, race, creed, or culture. That you not see that is your problem. If you sustain your predjuice
in spite of what you read here, that denies your assertions.
This site is about free thinkers, if you want your ideas to be recognised on this site,
accept the site rules and post your opinions, they will be challenged by reason and logic.
Furthermore, less of the rhetoric, if you have something interesting to say, am all ears.
Nokton

[mahesh]

The most number of BAUT users on-line was a fortnight ago...July 08 2009 at 1,761.
The celestial event was Lunar Eclipse (Penumbral).

I presume / suspect that that number may be exceeded by yesterday's.....Solar Eclipse.

Originally Posted by nokton

This forum is composed of dedicated people who put science above everything, race, creed, or culture....

Bravo for BAUT!

edit:
I do remember a different, higher number from last year....
At the Total Lunar Eclipse on February 21, 2008, the total number of registered users online at the same time was over 2,100.
I do not remember exactly how many.
I wonder if the BAUT forum software, updates data /stats annually.

[sirjon]

Originally Posted by nokton

Furthermore, less of the rhetoric, if you have something interesting to say, am all ears.
Nokton

Thank you sir. I'll stick on the rules

[AndrewJ]

When I used to look at physicsforums.com they seemed to have a system recognising expertise - you could be a "science advisor" etc. Has BAUT ever done this? Perhaps deciding who gives the best advice on astrophysics, astrophotography and so on is part of the fun.

[Swift]

Originally Posted by AndrewJ

When I used to look at physicsforums.com they seemed to have a system recognising expertise - you could be a "science advisor" etc. Has BAUT ever done this? Perhaps deciding who gives the best advice on astrophysics, astrophotography and so on is part of the fun.

It has been discussed several times, but never done. Part of the thinking behind this is that we would like, as much as we can, to have a free, open, and inclusive discussion. The feeling is having designated, official experts, would tend to stifle that.

The other part is that we rarely have a single expert or two. Even on something like the Moon Landing Hoax, there are at least half a dozen people with high degrees of expertise.

[Simona]

I don't think a system of expertise would be good and I'm glad things are the way they are here. Either it would intimidate some people or lead to some kind of official elitism or God knows what.
The more time you spend on a forum, the better understanding you gain about who is particularly good in what field as you get to know its members. Either by simply checking their profile or especially paying attention to their posts and people's reactions to them. Things like that come naturally.

[01101001]

With our cultural dislike for ad-hominem and from-authority arguments, where we in large prefer to be swayed by the words instead of by the source's level of respect, a system of scoring member expertise should here have little, or even negative, value.

[Paul Beardsley]

Originally Posted by 01101001

With our cultural dislike for ad-hominem and from-authority arguments, where we in large prefer to be swayed by the words instead of by the source's level of respect, a system of scoring member expertise should here have little, or even negative, value.

I don't see that. If someone says, "I've climbed Everest, and had three books published on mountaineering by major publishers," and it's clearly true, I am going to trust that person more on that particular subject than someone who hasn't.

[geonuc]

Originally Posted by Paul Beardsley

I don't see that. If someone says, "I've climbed Everest, and had three books published on mountaineering by major publishers," and it's clearly true, I am going to trust that person more on that particular subject than someone who hasn't.

I agree. While it would be silly for BAUT to designate subject matter experts, it is equally silly to ignore a member's qualifications when weighing their posted opinions. As Simona says, with time, you learn who knows what.

[Swift]

Originally Posted by Paul Beardsley

I don't see that. If someone says, "I've climbed Everest, and had three books published on mountaineering by major publishers," and it's clearly true, I am going to trust that person more on that particular subject than someone who hasn't.

Yes, but we let you make the decision, rather than making it an official BAUT brand (TM) expert.

[ginnie]

This forum is composed of dedicated people who put science above everything, race, creed, or culture

Some people here do, I guess. But could that statement apply to the majority here?
Certainly not to me - I'm mainly an artist and musician. But I love to read about science and history. My main forum of interest is actually http://sahb.proboards.com/index.cgi - ALL THINGS Sensational Alex Harvey Band!

[Gillianren]

Yeah. While I do put science above race and creed, certainly, do I put it above culture? Well, now, it depends on how you define "culture," doesn't it? After all, my expertise is arguably in culture!

I do know what's meant. I put science above consideration of others' culture as a way to judge things. But above everything? Too much of what I do cannot be scientifically quantified.

[geonuc]

I don't even know what it means to 'put science above race, creed and culture.'

[Moose]

I just want to mention that if anyone is hoping the moderation team will consider recognizing (in the formal sense) credentials on someone's say-so alone, I feel very safe in suggesting that one should probably not hold their breath for long, lest they faint.

I feel equally safe in suggesting that the obvious alternative, collecting certified paper copies of credentials, is even more unlikely.

[slang]

I can't help but notice a suspicious absence of the third obvious option, namely the transfer of items of the monetary persuasion. So suspicious that the absence of it in the list might as well be a flashing neon arrow sign. "Dragons be everywhere else"

[Tensor]

Originally Posted by Moose

I feel equally safe in suggesting that the obvious alternative, collecting certified paper copies of credentials, is even more unlikely.

You mean all that converting of my credentials to digital form for was for nothing?

[ToSeek]

Originally Posted by Moose

I just want to mention that if anyone is hoping the moderation team will consider recognizing (in the formal sense) credentials on someone's say-so alone, I feel very safe in suggesting that one should probably not hold their breath for long, lest they faint.

I feel equally safe in suggesting that the obvious alternative, collecting certified paper copies of credentials, is even more unlikely.

Everyone please send in notarized copies of your college diplomas. Also, your credit card numbers and expiration dates. If you do, I will be happy to share with you this money I found in Nigeria. Thank you.

[snifferdog]

With regards to the original post,you will notice that my post count is really quite low even though ive been hovering around the forum for quite some time, my impression is that while its not specifically for experts it certainly is not for 'beginners'.Everyone on here seems cleverer than me anyway,haha.
Although,it has inspired me to start an open university degree in geo-science,which starts in october,so thanks for the kick up the backside!!

[Tobin Dax]

Originally Posted by snifferdog

With regards to the original post,you will notice that my post count is really quite low even though ive been hovering around the forum for quite some time, my impression is that while its not specifically for experts it certainly is not for 'beginners'.

May I ask why you think that, snifferdog?

There are a lot of posters well-educated in the sciences, but there are also a lot of posters who don't have a strong science background. Discussions happen at all levels, and we are usually pretty good about explaining things in beginner-level terms when asked.

[korjik]

Originally Posted by Tobin Dax

May I ask why you think that, snifferdog?

There are a lot of posters well-educated in the sciences, but there are also a lot of posters who don't have a strong science background. Discussions happen at all levels, and we are usually pretty good about explaining things in beginner-level terms when asked.

I think he means that it can get pretty technical pretty quick. We may be good about explaning, but discussions can get out of hand in a heartbeat

[Tobin Dax]

Originally Posted by korjik

I think he means that it can get pretty technical pretty quick. We may be good about explaning, but discussions can get out of hand in a heartbeat

I suspect that you're right. However, I think that a simple request should be all that's needed to get part of the conversation to an accessible/desired level by anyone on the board.

[snifferdog]

Originally Posted by korjik

I think he means that it can get pretty technical pretty quick. We may be good about explaning, but discussions can get out of hand in a heartbeat

Yes thats it mate,you said it better than i did,I suppose i mean that some threads do get very technical,very quickly and by the time i get there with my 2 pennies worth its onto page 7 and i dont understand anything after page 2,haha.

[Tobin Dax]

Originally Posted by snifferdog

Yes thats it mate,you said it better than i did,I suppose i mean that some threads do get very technical,very quickly and by the time i get there with my 2 pennies worth its onto page 7 and i dont understand anything after page 2,haha.

I've felt the same way a number of times. If a thread gets heavily in General Relativity, for example, I just move on most of the time. Then again, I've got a couple friends who play World of Warcraft together, and when they get going, I have to do the same type of thing.

[Robinson]

Curiously, experts actually are quite rare on Baut.

[HenrikOlsen]

Originally Posted by snifferdog

Although,it has inspired me to start an open university degree in geo-science,which starts in october,so thanks for the kick up the backside!!

We're several here who've taken OU courses or are working on an OU degree, so you're not alone there.

I had to stop because it was too expensive, as a non-uk/ireland citizen I didn't get the government funding that the natives get, so my course fee was 2½ times higher that you pay.

[Gillianren]

Originally Posted by Robinson

Curiously, experts actually are quite rare on Baut.

Relative to the actual number of members? Sure. Relative to the number of regular members? Not as much so, not remotely as much so, as in the general population.

[Robinson]

I was talking about experts as recognized by the scientific or engineering community, not self proclaimed experts.

[Robinson]

I had better qualify that. When I say "are quite rare", I am talking about how often you see them post, not in regards to numbers. I have no idea about the numbers, the ratios, in regards to the experts, (who are rarely heard from) compared to the "regulars", who post all the time.

[Tobin Dax]

Originally Posted by Robinson

I had better qualify that. When I say "are quite rare", I am talking about how often you see them post, not in regards to numbers. I have no idea about the numbers, the ratios, in regards to the experts, (who are rarely heard from) compared to the "regulars", who post all the time.

Well, it sure is a good thing that Tensor's better than he expected to be currently.