Philosophy Forum

[Iskatehard]

It came up in one of the topics in Off-Topic. I've thought about it, and figured it's worth bringing up in this forum and seeing if anybody else agrees.

Which is bleh. Seems like additional forum suggestions never ever fly, but...

I will point out the top "pros" and reasons SB-C should have a philosophy forum

1 - We have a political forum. And philosophy can really go hand in hand with politics in a sense, but they are two very separate subjects. I believe the political forum partially justifies the presence of a philosophy forum.

2 - It seems the community seems split concerning how they approach philosophical threads. Some people really enjoy them, and others, while they may not mind them, don't feel like involving themselves in the discussion.

A large amount of members however do thoroughly enjoy them. How many times have we heard people say they're such a nice change of pace from other topics? You know where I'm going with this.. Basically, a lot of members would appreciate and make use of this forum.

3 - Recently, there has been a lot of disappointment with some of the topics people post around Sb-C (especially in GoT). People are posting trivial threads with no discussion value at all, really.

This forum won't correct that problem as a whole. But it will cause in an increase of threads with a very high possibility of "discussion value". These threads particularly often end up with people thinking more than they do in other threads. You don't get as many responses consisting of just a few words. The posts are of essence and opinion, which is a great thing on a message board.

4 - Philosophy is a very LARGE term. I mean this as in, it can include a ton of different topics.

We've gotten suggestions for a lot of forums. And some are valid ideas, I think. But the problem with some of them is they're too precise. Philosophy however.. It is impossible to sum it up in a single thread such as you can with many other topics.

It's a wide topic, and is very accessible to many people. If we had a philosophy forum for a bit of time, we'd find that any Sb-C user.. No matter of their lifestyle, financial positioning, race, religion, intellect, whatever else have you.. Will be able to find a topic of interest here.



Those are some of the main reasons, I think. There are more, of course.. Many more, actually. A few users have already spoken concerning this idea and all have been in favor. I really believe it can be a solid forum.

*Skateboarding is an activity that can cater to nearly any type of person. SB-C gets users from very different families and enviorments. This messageboard is a great place for people of every lifestyle to interact. And those different lifestyles end up in different thinking habits and such. And considering that skateboarding is such an activity with wide interest, a philosophy forum relates to skateboarding in this sense.*

A philosophy forum would be incredible.

[Toke_It_Up]

wow ive got to give it too you. i completely agree
your my favorite member.

[Iskatehard]

Shit, haha, thanks a lot for that man. I appreciate that compliment quite a good bit.

[Smokesletsgo]

I support the idea. Maily because interesting threads in off topic seems to drown in a matter of hours. I don't always involve myself in there kinds of threads, but I do find them interesting to read, so I'm all for it

[Roboman]

But by having your philosophical threads on Off Topic it means that the standard in there is raised... too many subforums is definitely a bad thing though, we try to cut back... would philosophy work if it were combined with politics?

[Purple Skater]

As much as I'd like one I don't see there being enough active thinkers on SBC to keep the forum alive.

[Re-W1nd]

Hmm i think its worth a shot even though iskatehard is probably one of the best thinkers on this site haha, but i think it'd be cool to see other peoples views on philosophy, and it'd open people up to new ideas and such.

[WhiteTrash]

I'd be all for it but at the same time have the doubt purple skater said with, not sure if it would be kept alive with the intelligence level and activeness of users.

[millerbestmedia]

I really enjoy them and think it is a good idea, but I also think it will be cool if they continue to reside in GOT. I contribute to a few of them and I really like reading others responses and thinking deeply about things, some of them have actually really deep posts in them.

thumbs up from me

[riskitforabiscuit]

If we make a subforum for interesting kinds of topics like these then it will just make off topic worse.

[Cosmo]

I don't think there is enough demand for a philosophy forum, and we've been fine talking about this sort of stuff in OT. If people don't like it, them they don't join in, in the same way alot of the threads in OT don't interest me, so I don't comment. The political forum should go, very inactive, most political things get discussed in OT anyway.

[artificiallife99]

I support it. It's a great idea. Philosophy Sub-phorum ftw!

[the_unknown_soldier]

Even though I know for a fact that the creation of a forum such as this will result in some complete idiots just ruining it, I still think it's an excellent idea.

[Iskatehard]

I'd be all for it but at the same time have the doubt purple skater said with, not sure if it would be kept alive with the intelligence level and activeness of users.

I'm sure it'd stay alive.

You really don't have to be smart or a very active thinker to take interest in or participate in philosophical discussion.. That's one of the best things, too, I think.

SB-C members certainly are smart and "thinkers" in some sense or another

too many subforums is definitely a bad thing though, we try to cut back... would philosophy work if it were combined with politics?

Yeah, I really know what you mean. I just think this is one of the few subforums that would actually work very well.

As for combining it with politics.. While the two can go hand in hand in some senses, I don't think it would be good to mix the two in a single sub-forum. There really is a ton of differences in the two, making them two very seperate subjects. It seems like it'd be similar to adding religion discussion into the politics forum, or something.

Taking these threads could take away from good threads in GoT

It is very possible in this sense.. But not worth considering.

And I mean, the same thing could be said about having a politic section outside of GoT. Political threads often can have a lot of discussion involved, so by having them in their own sub-forum means there aren't as many in GoT, thus taking away from "good posts" in it.

But all the same, GoT is still an infinite area concerning topics. Just because you had a place for philosophical threads doesn't mean there is a drastic cut in possibilities of different posts in GoT. To look at it like that isn't fair, really, I don't think. GoT could still be home to a lot of very active topics with very high "discussion value".

Even though I know for a fact that the creation of a forum such as this will result in some complete idiots just ruining it, I still think it's an excellent idea.

I don't think it would be ruined by idiots. Some people may not be very educated concerning certain topics, but that's not a good reason to leave it out, y'know?

Look at the forums we have such as the photography forum. Sure, some idiot could go in there and not know shit about it and "ruin" it.. But it really doesn't work that way it seems.



I think there are a lot of plus sides to the idea of this sub-forum. And as for the worries some people don't think enough to justify the addition of it here... Philosophy isn't always about thinking, you know.. Part of what's pretty cool about it.. Is that some topics can come up and a person that might not "think" a whole lot, but said thread will push them to thinking.

It's not just about seasoned people who've got a lot of experience with anything. It's a real "door opener" in quite a few senses.


And GoT is so big, it's kind of a shame that particular threads really do get overlooked and "drowned" so easily. It would be really good to have threads on a philosophical note organized.

And I'm certain it will cause an increase in actively thinking members.

[HUnGary_SAmUraI]

Yea that would forum would be sick

because then kids can talk about how they feel about life and why things are the way they are without being bitched at and called a pussy (well at least not as much I guess)

[Iskatehard]

And hey.. If anyone is concerned with the possibility of having too many sub-forums.. And you're concerned with a certain forum/sub-forum not getting enough attention and activity.. Perhaps you could consider replacing something like "homework" with something more accessible to people.. Such as "philosophy".

I mean.. Shit.. Homework is only applicable to people in school. It's only also applicable only during times when school is going on. It's summer, and you know that forum is going to be more "dead" than usual. And a large portion of homework related topics end up in GoT than anywhere else.

It's kind of hard to say you worry about the activity possibility of a specific kind of forum when you have sub-forums like THAT. We've got some really specific forums.. And even more specific sub-forums.. If those have enough activity and discussion to be allowed, then there's no doubt that the philosophy forum wouldn't be incredibly active in comparison to some of those..

[the_unknown_soldier]

I don't think it would be ruined by idiots. Some people may not be very educated concerning certain topics, but that's not a good reason to leave it out, y'know?

.
I agree with your whole point, for sure. I would LOVE for there to be a philosophy forum. I just hope the morons who make GoT look bad find there way to the Philosophy section, because lets face it; there are some dumb fucking kids on this website.



But as I said, a philosophy forum would be a great addition.

[Iskatehard]

And shit, anybody ever payed attention to some other forums?

A handful of forums concerning different topics have a philosophy forum. Some forums with more active and some with more/less educated people than here at SB-C. And they've all turned out great.

[Retired Skater]

perhaps make the forum available to respected users and above? That might cut down on some of the crap topics.

[Iskatehard]

Nah, I don't think that would do any good. Philosophy is such a wide topic, it's easy for anybody to take part in it and discuss it. Even though somebody just joined a day or two ago, their thoughts and opinions are still just as valid as that of a "respected user". And they certainly can offer some very interesting posts.

I get what you mean though. But really, I don't think it could be "ruined". And sure, there might be a few arguable "crap topics".. But with the way shit works, they'll quickly fall to the end of the forum.

Plus.. It's hard to really define a "crap topic" concerning philosophy. It might seem stupid at first glance, but somebody else can come in and see it differently. And once the topic is discussed a bit and develops, you might find yourself thinking it's not such a sketchy topic after all...

[WhiteTrash]

I agree with your whole point, for sure. I would LOVE for there to be a philosophy forum. I just hope the morons who make GoT look bad find there way to the Philosophy section, because lets face it; there are some dumb fucking kids on this website.



But as I said, a philosophy forum would be a great addition.

Word, but if this forum was to be made I would make sure I'd be the personal mod for it to keep them out.

[Retired Skater]

Word, but if this forum was to be made I would make sure I'd be the personal mod for it to keep them out.

I would do the same.

[Iskatehard]

Word, but if this forum was to be made I would make sure I'd be the personal mod for it to keep them out.

I was thinking he meant that he would WANT them to go to the forums. Maybe it'll get some people to better understand and possibly appreciate more in depth discussions. Then, that appreciation and understanding will be seen elsewhere on the message board as a "side effect", if you will.

Philosophy is about a lot of things.. But I think it's a great way to learn about a wide range of topics. And why should "stupid" members be left out of learning?

I don't know where some of you might be coming from. But when I personally think of a philosophy forum.. I think of something that is welcoming to every type of member. It shouldn't be a forum considered only fit for "smarter" members or anything like that, you know? Shit, what good would it be if we didn't have people with very different qualities about them?

If it gets added, smart people would learn from dumb people.. And dumb people would learn from smart people. And shit, we might be able to figure out why we even feel the need to place much value on "smart" and "dumb" on a website '_-...

And as I said, I'm sure that newly found appreciation for more in depth threads and discussion will show all over the forum. It's kind of hard to enjoy a shitty thread full one one and two word posts with no real topic once you've really sorted through some amazing topics with amazing discussion.

SHIT. Come on people. I really can't see any significant downside to having a philosophy forum.

Simply have a single stickied post stating the simple rules such as being fair and open minded. The only thing that needs to really be monitored there is making sure no arguments get out of hand and shit. But hey, isn't that a big thing in every forum anyway?

Let's see Sb-C rocking this great forum!

[Vivica]

I'm not going to write a wall of text on this one, don't have the time.

This is going to result in around 100 Christianity Vs Sanity threads within the month...
I don't see why this can't be rolled into the politics forum, which is where threads regarding religious matters have historically been put.
I see how reason any philosophical matters can't be put there as is.

If demand persists, from more than just Iskatehard, then i'll do it, but i really don't see the point based on the above ramblings.

[Teak]

how about a poll in GOT

[millerbestmedia]

I'm not going to write a wall of text on this one, don't have the time.

This is going to result in around 100 Christianity Vs Sanity threads within the month...
I don't see why this can't be rolled into the politics forum, which is where threads regarding religious matters have historically been put.
I see how reason any philosophical matters can't be put there as is.

If demand persists, from more than just Iskatehard, then i'll do it, but i really don't see the point based on the above ramblings.

I demand it.

And I dont really see much correlation between philosophy and politics, and we dont have to talk about religous matters. Think of most of the recent philosophical threads- there hasnt been much mention of any religion in them

[the_unknown_soldier]

Word, but if this forum was to be made I would make sure I'd be the personal mod for it to keep them out.
Then my worries are gone. :-D

[Vivica]

I demand it.

And I dont really see much correlation between philosophy and politics, and we dont have to talk about religous matters. Think of most of the recent philosophical threads- there hasnt been much mention of any religion in them

I know what you're saying, and i'm by no means ignorant enough to suggest that philosophy and religion are one and the same, but i can guarantee that a majority of the threads within this forum would be based on religion.

I must however argue that there is a strong connection to politics, for both philosophy and religion.

[Till Death 21]

This forum is, on average, too young and too incomplete of thinkers for this.

Word, but if this forum was to be made I would make sure I'd be the personal mod for it to keep them out.

I would do the same.

No thanks, nice try though

[Iskatehard]

I can understand the worry of too many religious threads. Perhaps there would have to be a rule concerning them? Or perhaps a single sticky post to address the most popular topics concerning religion.. And then if somebody has a topic idea that doesn't touch the ideas involved in the sticky post, they would be able to make a specific thread on them. Religion can be applied to most any topic, but we really don't see it happen a whole lot. I don't think this messageboard has a very large amount of super religious people. Sure, there are religious members, but not enough to constantly divert attention to religion in the majority of the threads.

And as for why it possibly couldn't be rolled into politics.. The only real relation with politics and philosophy is the philosophies being used and implemented by the politicians, and possibly the philosophies that contrast what they're doing. There are still very many topics that doesn't relate to politics whatsoever, so it would have a lot of people asking themselves "why is this in the political forum?"

edit-

And perhaps a poll would be in order to try to gauge the demand for it?

[Retired Skater]

Philosophy is much more interesting than politics in my opinion, even though politics does involve a bit of philosophy.

[Till Death 21]

Once again, I'll voice the truest opinion about this, the average age of SB-C is 14-15, and many of us are too incomplete of thinkers for a philosophy forum.

[adude113]

I'd go on it if it were made.

[Retired Skater]

Once again, I'll voice the truest opinion about this, the average age of SB-C is 14-15, and many of us are too incomplete of thinkers for a philosophy forum.

The point of philosophy is not to know it all, it's to share our thoughts and strive to learn more about ourselves and life. Even those professors with PhD's in Philosophy are wise enough to know they don't know it all.

Why not include the younger members? Perhaps they can learn something from the older members and vice versa.

[Vivica]

I'm not going to read that wall of txt as i'm still viewing SBC from my phone at the moment.

I'm going to discuss this real quick with the mod squad, we'll trial the new section and see how it goes.

Who says we don't listen to ou members...

[WhiteTrash]

Apart from the discussing with the mod squad, you said you'd wait to see if more demand came which may have given more of an idea of the success or this or not, stop closing threads.

[Vivica]

I'm not being funny, but i'll close whichever threads i want. Newbie.
Why must people constantly make this job harder than it needs to be?

[Iskatehard]

Er, anyway. Have the mods and staff concluded anything concerning this?

[skate___board]

I think it would be a great addition to the forum. Some quite interesting philosophies could come about. And it doesn't just have to be classical philosophy, it could be anything really that could somehow apply, and if its not a valid topic it will fall to the bottom like it should. Just like Iskatehard said, its a very wide topic to be discussed. From ideas involving politics to ideas involving religion, as far as government and how to create peace on earth. It's a wide variety of things, that are all, in my opinion, interesting and applicable to everyone.

[Brick]

I like the idea. Whenever a thoughtful thread is made people are always clogging it up with nonsense.

[Vivica]

There's no point in this thread being open anymore, if anybody chooses to reopen it, they're getting warned. Hope this is understood.

Mod squad are under consultation, we'll be back to you shortly with a verdict.

[WhiteTrash]

I'm not being funny, but i'll close whichever threads i want. Newbie.
Why must people constantly make this job harder than it needs to be?

And I'll open threads that I want? Theres a right for discussion, I didn't make anything harder.