Forum rules

[peter]

C - ADDITIONS

07 - Participating on a forum isn't easy. Sooner or later, there will be a debate and chances are you could get involved as well. In order to prevent problems, rules were invented. Rules of interaction, that is. As rules often can be explained in more than one way, mods were added to apply them. In the end, rules are decisive and mods always have the last word.

08 - Many, so it seems, assume a debate will end with a conclusion supported by most. This, most unfortunately, is not always the case. In quite many debates, those involved are unable to reach any kind of agreement. For this reason, it is important to learn how to agree to disagree in a respectful way. Disagreement also is a result. Those involved in debates need to be prepared to accept a stalemate. It means the case is undecided. 

09 - Although not many would be prepared to admit it, it is a fact that nearly all of us are preferenced to an extent. Same for those involved in a forum. This means some pigs will be more equal than others and at times it will show in a debate. In this respect, this forum is no different from others. In spite of that, it is important to remember that rules are decisive. This means that even those with a bit more support than others will be subjected to them when things get 'out of hand'. As reality shows that debates often get out of hand, it is important to remember that status doesn't affect decisions in the end. Not on this forum.

10 - In the end, every debate is about respect. Respect for information, respect for other debaters and respect for forum rules. Experience says that most of those involved in information will make a mistake sooner or later. That, however, doesn't mean they can be used to dismiss an entire set of valid statements or a theory. Biologists and zoologists are different from most others participating on a forum in that the documents they produce are peer-reviewed. This means it is more than likely that errors will be discovered by their peers. For this reason, their word on many issues has to be regarded as final.

Nearly every forum seems to have members who do not mind dismissing well-trained, experienced and motivated professionals when it suits them. In many cases, preference or distrust seem to be the driving factors. The owners and mods of this forum want to make it very clear that their creation is not regarded as a platform for those involved in dismissing professionals on a regular basis. 

11 - A debate shouldn't be about opinions, but about facts. You do opinions in the pub. This forum is a platform for those who base ideas on facts. For this reason, everyone participating in a debate is expected to deliver facts. Same for counters in that those who disagree are expected to deliver facts. In the end, facts decide.

12 - On this forum, every member has equal rights and obligations. Not one member can expect to get a room with a view. If he, for whatever reason, isn't able to wear the same clothes as other members, he or she is adviced to move elsewhere. No exceptions. Reply