"miscellaneous" Sub-forum

[softwareNerd]

Reading a thread about an Objectivist Church, begun by David a while ago, got me thinking: don't Objectivists need a social club?

Other than their religious function, people make friends at church. Many of my mother's friends and her social activities used to revolve around her church, even though she was not particularly religious.

Yet, other than a few "Bible study" events, I don't remember my mother's church friends ever discussing much explicit philosophy.

This is something I miss. When I have joined Objectivist groups, I have found that they all want to discuss philosophy. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but there are very few groups that simply want to socialize with other Objectivists.

What has that to do with this forum and its policies? This:

I think the sub-forum titled "Miscellaneous" is a good place to discuss "off-topic" things and to socialize. Indeed, people have used it in this way. There have been threads on puzzles and brain-teasers, jobs, coffee, model-trains, to name just a few. Sometimes, the first few posts are of (mild) interest to a general audience, but if the thread gets more involved, then they aren't... but, after all, it is the "Miscellaneous" sub-forum. Indeed, it is open even to unregistered users.

I'd be keen on understanding David's opinion on this, since he is the owner of the forum.

My perspective is that it would be nice to have a "build it and they will come... bring the eyballs, and the minds will follow" approach. For instance, a member (or ex-member) of this forum was running a Yahoo group to discuss Software development from an Objectivist viewpoint. There were a few posts every month for about a year, and then it died out. I submit that if such a sub-forum (SIG - "Special Interest Group") were to be part of a larger forum such as this one, it would have a better chance of survival. Many people here are software developers (as the occupations thread attests), and might be interested in such a SIG, even though they may not bother checking a separate low-populated forum. In its turn, the SIG would draw a certain audience of Objectivists to the main forum.

What precipitated this post? It was the thread started by someone trying to learn programming. The thread took an unusual turn when someone posted pseudo-code there. Brought a smile to my face. It was nice to see people just chatting as friends in the Miscellaneous sub-forum. Just another way to share values. Vive la Objectivism!

Then, a moderator closed the thread. Not sure why.

[HaloNoble6]

There are issues that need to be resolved as to the purpose of the misc. forum and specifically the one you bring up. That is, the need for a "social club." Upon further consideration, I was wrong to delete the post on C programing on the basis that it did not contribute any philosophical discourse. My decision was based on a specific understanding of the scope of this site, which I am currently fleshing out with GC. Please accept my apologies for acting on incorrect premises. I am reinstating the C programing thread, as well as the video game thread.

<b>UPDATE</b>: After a lengthy conversation with GC over the purpose and guidelines of the Misc. forum, I have come to the following understanding:

-Absolutely anything that comes to mind, that is not covered in the other forums, is allowed.

-The basic posting etiquette outlined in the forum rules STILL APPLY.

Again, I apologize for the misunderstanding. Please continue with your threads on C programing and on Witchcraft, as I've moved them back into posting position.

Edited March 19, 2005 by Felipe