Free Chat

John Creighton · 2004-06-11 15:38:42

We come here to posts about mars, but well, waiting for people to reply on what you write about mars it is nice to have some other discussion going on. It is just you can only have so many new ideas about mars. Ultimately what many people want is thought provoking discussion and if not all of it is about mars that is okay because at least it keeps people coming here to read the other conversations well hoping to here something new and interesting about mars in the mean time.

Rxke · 2004-06-14 04:25:48

I agree, ...80%

While I hear myself thinking sometimes: "Darn, all everyone does here seems to be talking politics, while we have *live rovers* on Mars, what a shame...", I have to say I DO enjoy the political discussions, for they are at least civilized (99 times out of 100...) wich is great and *very* unusual on the 'net... I've learned a lot about American political viewpoints, on this board (being an yuropean)

But it does get tiresome, sometimes, to see certain threads getting hijacked by political discussions...

Gennaro · 2004-06-14 06:31:11

Ehum, Rxke, I agree. Not least about understanding US political culture and the fact that discussion is uniquely civilized around here.

Feeling a little embarrassed...

Cobra Commander · 2004-06-14 08:16:34

Being guilty of contributing to the hijacking of threads with political discussions from time to time, I see where Rxke is coming from. I think we all try to keep such matters confined in their place, but sometimes it just doesn't work out.

Personally, I've come to enjoy the political discussion here, perhaps more so than the Mars-related topics. I've never really been one for pure science without applications, and politics tends to seep in there once you get from "why is..." to "what can we do with..."

We've got a good space enthusiast community with widely varying political inclinations who can actually discuss matters about which we have very strong differences of opinion without resorting to the usual name calling and uncivility. It seems to be working well.

Besides, sometimes there's just nothing Mars related of note going on, yet we've always got wars or whatnot to hash over.

And here we are seeking to leave this planet to go bugger the rest of the cosmos. ???

Rxke · 2004-06-14 13:25:14

Hey, I'm guilty, too!

Politics is just part of everyone's life, and culture, so it adds salt to the discussions, talking as if in a political vacuum is nonsense, a lot of space-related stuff is politically entangled, like it or not, (and scientist don't like it, as long as they get the money they'd rather be in a political vacuum...)
...so it will always be part of discussions, no problems with that, but sometimes... sigh (heehee :;): )

(wow, incoherent, what am i smoking...)

Josh Cryer · 2004-06-14 19:54:40

I wasn't coming down on anyone really, just trying to throw out a friendly reminder. Don't worry, nothing is going to happen. If we were trigger happy, we'd diligantly seek out all off topic political discussions and ban all offenders!!

But, yeah, politics is appealing, everyone seems to have their own opinion here or there, and believe me when I say that I know this from personal experience (my early posts here were really political, even more political than Zubrin himself can get! and I know that I probably bugged a lot of people when I didn't have a job and harassed soph here, on politics, on a daily basis). So yeah, it's all good, I don't mean to discourage political discussion, the reminder was primarily one of taking someones legitimate discussion off topic. It's just... rude to interrupt someones conversation, online and in real life.

Shaun Barrett · 2004-06-15 07:09:02

I think it's very civilised we can all agree that politics in the wrong threads is probably going to happen, to at least some extent. But that we can all self-regulate, making a brief relevant political point, perhaps, while resisting the temptation to expound at length on off-topic material, is an indicator of the intelligence and goodwill of most members of New Mars.
I've always thought that the great majority of people really want the same kinds of things but just disagree over the best way to achieve them - we're all part of the same species, after all. A long-term rational debate, however fruitless it may appear to be in terms of changing people's opinions, is the best way to very gradually work out our differences and achieve genuinely useful compromise.

This is the only 'chat room' type of site I've ever participated in but, according to others here, I've hit the jackpot!
Taking them at their word, having no reason to doubt them, I must say I do appreciate the wonderful and good-natured exchange of viewpoints here at New Mars.

Take a bow, everyone ... you're a pretty good bunch of people!
:up:

dicktice · 2004-06-15 08:49:01

Gosh, it's rewarding to win approval, however seldom, by such a bunch as this--not to mention the theory hand-holding by those who are current. On the other hand, I've noticed that occasional takeover attempts by self-styled experts to usurp entire threads (even ones started by themselves!) don't last long, which is another good thing.

clark · 2004-06-15 09:06:39

A thread talking about how we talk about politcs. Think about it. :laugh:

Cobra Commander · 2004-06-15 09:12:25

A thread talking about how we talk about politcs. Think about it.

I'm waiting for it to get hijacked and actually be about politics.

So, how 'bout them Nazis?

clark · 2004-06-15 09:14:50

Just some wayward misunderstood blokes. Not all that bad when you get them alone, but in a group, man, they can get a little out of hand.

I think they are definite canadites for a Queer Eye make over. Now I would pay to see that! :laugh:

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#1 2004-06-11 15:38:42

Re: Free Chat

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