Re: [asa] Flood of emails

At 10:34 AM 12/11/2007, David Opderbeck wrote:

>The big downside to the email list is that the email list exchanges
>are publicly archived and that the list is unrestricted.

@ As I have already shown from the ASA archives, that problem has
historically been "solved" by the success certain prolific
restrictionists have had using ridicule and intimidation tactics.

>Everything you say here becomes a matter of public record, ...

@ Yeah. That "can" get to be embarrassing. :) For instance:

"The most dishonest thing about ID is they really mean God (the
intelligent designer), but they will never say it (publicly or in
court). I HATE it when people aren't clear and blunt with their true
stands. That said, I do have some sympathies with ID arguments. ~
Bernie Dehler Thu, 6 Dec 2007 16:10:35 RE: [asa] Secret Emails
Reveal How ISU Faculty Plotted to Deny Distinguished Astronomer Tenure

"..there are "scientists" in abundance who ...are not shy about
arguing "junkscience," citing only favorable evidence while ignoring
the contrary, thereby risking not only their own reputations, but
also that of the profession we all love. The authors cite an
abundance of instances, some involving scientists of nationwide
stature. Frankly, I felt sick as I read this book. .. The authors
show how easy it is to buffalo the media, and by extension, the
public, by pseudoscientific claims made by "real" scientists whose
intellectual heritage is that of nineteenth- century snake oil
salesmen. To conclude this review, I will illustrate its disturbing
message by telling an old, stale joke. Why do they bury scientists
twelve feet down? Because, deep down, they are really good people.
Oops! Not funny! That should be some other profession, not
"scientists!" .... Other professions have their share of shysters.
So does the scientific profession. The public just has not picked up
on us yet. It is clear that far too many in our profession have lost
their way. Are they a small minority? I would like to think so. Do
they have a bad influence in our society? Yes. Is this a good thing?
Clearly, no. .." ~ J. Burgeson reviewing TRUST US, WE'RE
EXPERTS... http://www.calvin.edu/archive/asa/200709/0311.html

>things can get attributed to ASA that shouldn't be, ...

@ Like this?:

"I don't know how wise it is for him [Ken Miller] to be sewing this
rift and division in the church among those who are looking for
justification to discredit and marginalize the Christian
faith." "His talk was punctuated with a lot of gratuitous political
references that were wildly popular with the audience like a picture
from a magazine that had a picture of B ush imposed over the cover of
his textbook ~ John Walley [asa] Ken Miller: Evolangelist - Thu, 29
Nov 2007 05:39:31 -0500

>and lots of ASA members with varying perspectives don't participate
>as a result. ..

@ I have always found that most people who don't participate in
discussions (if certain other people are also involved) don't have a
thick skin and want to be able to continue to hold their pet theories
/ opinions without challenge (they know they can't legitimately
defend them), and be provided with the cover (a "safe space") to diss
those they personally despise behind their back. It would blow their
"Christian" facade to do it in public.

>For these reasons, it would be great to have a well-promoted,
>diverse, private ASA board, along with a more diverse, substantive,
>moderated public ASA blog. ..

@ Who would this completely objective "restrictionist" (or
restrictionists) be who gets to define the term "substantive"?

>A private board would also allow for "spiritual" things like
>mentoring, prayer requests, and genuinely tolerant and loving
>communication among people who disagree.

@ You mean like an on-line "church"?

>Unfortunately, one needs to come to the email list with a bit of
>thick-skinned defensiveness, and I'm afraid that many newbies who
>are just beginning to seriously explore the intersection of
>Christian faith and science can get pummeled in a way that isn't
>faith-enhancing.

@ The real world is a tough place, isn't it.

> We've been through this a few times before. ...My effort to
> establish a private board on my own has floundered.. The
> boardmaster has to be active in letting the community know what's
> new -- although bulletin board systems allow people to receive
> emails of recently updated posts if they so elect. ...It would be
> great to have a genuinely "safe space" for exploration.

@ If they truly "need a safe place" your "private" board should
succeed as an on-line church.

~ Janice .... noting that PBS's Bill Moyers knows where a "safe
space" is: http://tinyurl.com/72xr4

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Received on Tue Dec 11 13:15:39 2007