Freethought & Rationalism Archive

S2Focus · 03-15-2002, 02:50 PM

If you go to <a href="http://www.arn.org/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi" target="_blank">http://www.arn.org/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi</a> , you'll see this message:

Access Research Network has suspended operation of the ARN Design Forum temporarily. We have found it necessary to take this step due to recent and repeated rules abuses, and the increasingly unacceptable atmosphere being fostered in many of the threads. We anticipate reopening the Forum at a later date with a restructured format that will allow the genuine exchange of information, and limit misuse. Thank you.

I suspect that a reasonable translation of the above might read as follows:

"We got tired of seeing our creationist pals get their heads handed to them on a platter in almost every thread, so we'll just accuse evilutionists of being rude, obnoxious boors and shut down the board."

[ March 15, 2002: Message edited by: S2Focus ]

Principia · 03-15-2002, 03:11 PM

That's pretty much what happened. 10 minutes before they shut down the thread, I discovered another forum on ARN in which all of the Creationists were *conferencing* about how to deal with me best.

The level of hypocrisy on that forum was amazing. The Creationists had the monopoly on what were reasonable, logical, factual, and permissible topics of discussion. Well, as a 2 wk. old newbie on this evo-cre debate I've found all of this to be more tasking than I am willing to endure.

SC

[ March 15, 2002: Message edited by: Scientiae ]

Dr Rick · 03-15-2002, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by S2Focus:
Access Research Network has suspended operation of the ARN Design Forum temporarily...

Great...now I suppose I'll have to go into a period of mourning or something

Wyrdsmyth · 03-15-2002, 04:38 PM

Yeee-HAW!

This is much better than getting banned!!!!

Pantera · 03-15-2002, 04:44 PM

Anyone remember <a href="http://www.foolishfaith.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi" target="_blank">Foolish Faith</a>? It is still "temporarily down". Will ARN go the same way?

Richiyaado · 03-15-2002, 05:42 PM

Hello All,

Not to burst anyone's bubble, but ARN announced a few weeks ago that they were planning an upgrade for their forum. This was before Scientiae or Wyrdsmyth appeared on the scene.

theyeti · 03-15-2002, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Richiyaado:
Hello All,

Not to burst anyone's bubble, but ARN announced a few weeks ago that they were planning an upgrade for their forum. This was before Scientiae or Wyrdsmyth appeared on the scene.

Then why the bit about "rules abuses"? I remember the claim about the forum being down, but I thought that had come and gone. If this is what they were talking about, why did they not claim that it was for technical reasons?

theyeti

RufusAtticus · 03-15-2002, 06:17 PM

Echos of BaptistBoard...

Richiyaado · 03-15-2002, 06:23 PM

Hi theyeti,

I take your point. I merely suggest 'rules abuses' may not be the entire reason for temporarily shutting down. If I were really cynical, I might suppose they're using the opportunity to score a few points while doing so.

Wyrdsmyth · 03-15-2002, 06:25 PM

Yeah, how does that explain the "recent and repeated rules abuses" and "the increasingly unacceptable atmosphere being fostered in many of the threads" that were mentioned? What, specifically, were the rules that were repeatedly abused? And who decides what makes for an unacceptable atmosphere?

I guess they weren't referring to the constant, inane postings of mturner, nobody and bertvan, which always seemed to start lots of jokey or trivial threads. Did they lead to intelligent and worthwhile discussion about a "biological theory of intelligent design"? What about Douglas' preaching and 'Biblical Equations'? It looked to me like the whole General Discussion forum was sliding into a morass, from whatever might have counted as 'legitimate' debate over ID into a free for all... into the theistic environment which supports yet also undermines the whole thing in the first place.

But somehow, I think the references above are primarily directed at the ID critics, not the people on 'their side.' Let's face it, the whole atmosphere on ARN tends to become galvanized by the debate between theists and non-theists, and the political aspect of it is always foremost on almost everybody's mind. If you just looked at the private forums, you could see the most posts were on Biology, Philosophy and Education.

[ March 15, 2002: Message edited by: Wyrdsmyth ]

03-15-2002, 02:50 PM	#1
S2Focus Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: 1162 easy freeway minutes from the new ICR in TX Posts: 896	ARN C/E board down for the count... If you go to <a href="http://www.arn.org/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi" target="_blank">http://www.arn.org/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi</a> , you'll see this message: Access Research Network has suspended operation of the ARN Design Forum temporarily. We have found it necessary to take this step due to recent and repeated rules abuses, and the increasingly unacceptable atmosphere being fostered in many of the threads. We anticipate reopening the Forum at a later date with a restructured format that will allow the genuine exchange of information, and limit misuse. Thank you. I suspect that a reasonable translation of the above might read as follows: "We got tired of seeing our creationist pals get their heads handed to them on a platter in almost every thread, so we'll just accuse evilutionists of being rude, obnoxious boors and shut down the board." [ March 15, 2002: Message edited by: S2Focus ]</p>

03-15-2002, 03:11 PM	#2
Principia Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: anywhere Posts: 1,976	That's pretty much what happened. 10 minutes before they shut down the thread, I discovered another forum on ARN in which all of the Creationists were conferencing about how to deal with me best. The level of hypocrisy on that forum was amazing. The Creationists had the monopoly on what were reasonable, logical, factual, and permissible topics of discussion. Well, as a 2 wk. old newbie on this evo-cre debate I've found all of this to be more tasking than I am willing to endure. SC [ March 15, 2002: Message edited by: Scientiae ]</p>

03-15-2002, 06:25 PM	#10
Wyrdsmyth Senior Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Sarver, PA, USA Posts: 920	Yeah, how does that explain the "recent and repeated rules abuses" and "the increasingly unacceptable atmosphere being fostered in many of the threads" that were mentioned? What, specifically, were the rules that were repeatedly abused? And who decides what makes for an unacceptable atmosphere? I guess they weren't referring to the constant, inane postings of mturner, nobody and bertvan, which always seemed to start lots of jokey or trivial threads. Did they lead to intelligent and worthwhile discussion about a "biological theory of intelligent design"? What about Douglas' preaching and 'Biblical Equations'? It looked to me like the whole General Discussion forum was sliding into a morass, from whatever might have counted as 'legitimate' debate over ID into a free for all... into the theistic environment which supports yet also undermines the whole thing in the first place. But somehow, I think the references above are primarily directed at the ID critics, not the people on 'their side.' Let's face it, the whole atmosphere on ARN tends to become galvanized by the debate between theists and non-theists, and the political aspect of it is always foremost on almost everybody's mind. If you just looked at the private forums, you could see the most posts were on Biology, Philosophy and Education. [ March 15, 2002: Message edited by: Wyrdsmyth ]</p>

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03-15-2002, 04:38 PM	#4
Wyrdsmyth Senior Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Sarver, PA, USA Posts: 920	Yeee-HAW! This is much better than getting banned!!!!

03-15-2002, 04:44 PM	#5
Pantera Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Cambridge, England, but a Scot at heart Posts: 2,431	Anyone remember <a href="http://www.foolishfaith.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi" target="_blank">Foolish Faith</a>? It is still "temporarily down". Will ARN go the same way?

03-15-2002, 05:42 PM	#6
Richiyaado Regular Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: New Orleans Posts: 172	Hello All, Not to burst anyone's bubble, but ARN announced a few weeks ago that they were planning an upgrade for their forum. This was before Scientiae or Wyrdsmyth appeared on the scene.

03-15-2002, 06:17 PM	#8
RufusAtticus Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NCSU Posts: 5,853	Echos of BaptistBoard...

03-15-2002, 06:23 PM	#9
Richiyaado Regular Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: New Orleans Posts: 172	Hi theyeti, I take your point. I merely suggest 'rules abuses' may not be the entire reason for temporarily shutting down. If I were really cynical, I might suppose they're using the opportunity to score a few points while doing so.

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