New Section Under General Academics?

[CWL]

Hal's thread regarding a non-English section of the forum got me thinking. Instead of a non-English section I would like to propose a new section under General Academics called "Linguistics and Semantics".

I would also like to suggest another section called "History".

Here are some of my thoughts on the subject. Here are some more thoughts.

Hal has suggested that I start a poll on the topic. Well, this is just that. Vote away!

 

[Q-Source]

Hi CWL,

You are right. I have read many threads on the R&P Forum which seem to go discussing around semantics. This gives an idea that semantics is a very relevant issue (at least when it comes to discuss Philosophy) and maybe it should have a section. However, I do not think that most of the people who come to the JREF would engage in such discussions.

Why don't you start a thread purely about Linguistics and Semantics and see the response of the posters?.

Q-S

 

[CWL]

Hi CWL,

You are right. I have read many threads on the R&P Forum which seem to go discussing around semantics. This gives an idea that semantics is a very relevant issue (at least when it comes to discuss Philosophy) and maybe it should have a section. However, I do not think that most of the people who come to the JREF would engage in such discussions.

Why don't you start a thread purely about Linguistics and Semantics and see the response of the posters?.

Q-S

Hiya, Q-S!

Well, as to Semantics I think the interest is clear as you yourself indicate. As to Linguistics, there does appear to be an interest therefor aswell, as the discussions going on here would indicate.

What about History? History is fun, fun, fun!

 

[CWL]

Bump?

 

[CWL]

Pretty bump with sugar on it?

 

[whitefork]

"one lump or two?" (whack! whack!)

I'd like to see a linguistics forum too.

 

[CWL]

So, let's see where we're at.

With 14 votes cast (not reflected in the below figures since it is possible to vote for both new proposed forums) we have the following:

Linguistics and Semantics: 5 votes
History: 7 votes
No new sections: 6 votes

How positively exciting!

 

[CWL]

Come on you people! 148 views and only 15 votes?!?

Anyway, here's where we're at:

Linguistics and Semantics: 6 votes
History: 8 votes
No new sections: 6 votes

 

[PixyMisa]

You left out the Planet X option - what do you expect?

Having said which, I voted for both.

 

[renata]

I do not think there should be more sections, but if you must, a history section would be an interesting one.

 

[Upchurch]

Because shameless plugs should not go unrewarded. (or is it that they should go unrewarded?)

I think both are a very good idea, but I would especially look forward to a History board. There have been a few threads in both R&P and P&CE that would have been fun to argue more of the historical facts behind them. Imagine threads about holocaust revisionism and such.

(couldn't let the thread go on too long without mentioning Nazis, ya understand)

As history is not my strongest suit, I'd look forward to learning a lot.

 

[De_Bunk]

"History"... gets my vote....

( ...and what..!!!... you lot think i can't play in that section....get real....)

 

[Tez]

i like the 'history" idea. I think linguistics just wouldnt get enough interest to make a separate forum worthwhile.

For my money I'd also get rid of the Links and Radio SHow fora. People tend to post the links in whichever forum is suitable and if none is then in Banter. Similarly the radio show tends to get discussed in the more active forums...

 

[Skeptoid]

I've been in support of a History & Archaeology section since Hal's poll. I think it would be interesting and educational. I hope Hal reconsiders his decision to not open a new sub-forum.

 

[CWL]

I've been in support of a History & Archaeology section since Hal's poll. I think it would be interesting and educational. I hope Hal reconsiders his decision to not open a new sub-forum.

I like the "& Archeology" bit. Interesting!

Originally posted by Tez
i like the 'history" idea. I think linguistics just wouldnt get enough interest to make a separate forum worthwhile.

Well, don't write it off to fast. Remember, this was originally in response to Hal's thoughts surrounding a non-English forum. A Linguistics & Semantics forum would be a great place for any non-English threads. In addition thereto, discussions on etymology, grammatics and general language issues could take place there. Adding "Semantics" would open up the forum for philosophical debate on definitions, connotations, the general function of language, the shortcomings of communications, etc. Pretty darn interesting stuff!

 

[Tez]

Well, don't write it off to fast. Remember, this was originally in response to Hal's thoughts surrounding a non-English forum. A Linguistics & Semantics forum would be a great place for any non-English threads. In addition thereto, discussions on etymology, grammatics and general language issues could take place there. Adding "Semantics" would open up the forum for philosophical debate on definitions, connotations, the general function of language, the shortcomings of communications, etc. Pretty darn interesting stuff!

Not saying it wouldnt be interesting - just that there wouldnt be enough response to warrant a separate forum. There are, relatively speaking, very few threads on those issues. Since "other language" threads are likely to most often be about things other than linguistics (once the initial thrill of realising that there exist other people who speak the same language dies down), I think its not such a great idea.

Personally I'd rather see a "General skeptic issues" forum, to be a "banterlike" place where anything of general interest relating to skepticism that doesnt fit in the more specific forums, is discussed. At the moment these threads get mixed up in Banter amongst the resident narcissists seeking attention, people playing chess, whining about the forum/other posters and so on. Much more use for another such general forum IMO....

 

[renata]

Personally I'd rather see a "General skeptic issues" forum, to be a "banterlike" place where anything of general interest relating to skepticism that doesnt fit in the more specific forums, is discussed. At the moment these threads get mixed up in Banter amongst the resident narcissists seeking attention, people playing chess, whining about the forum/other posters and so on. Much more use for another such general forum IMO....

Hey, wait a second! I take that personally!

Actually, I agree that Banter is a hodgepodge. Although many threads here ( like the chess thread) could go into the totally unrelated forum, that forum appears to be less read, and populated by more shall we say, graphic posts. I think there will always be a forum for miscellaneous stuff. In the meanwhile, there are times when the same topic is posted in three different forums, and the response is diluted.

 

[CWL]

Personally I'd rather see a "General skeptic issues" forum, to be a "banterlike" place where anything of general interest relating to skepticism that doesnt fit in the more specific forums, is discussed. At the moment these threads get mixed up in Banter amongst the resident narcissists seeking attention, people playing chess, whining about the forum/other posters and so on. Much more use for another such general forum IMO....

That's an interesting thought. I would gladly participate in such a forum myself. I suppose that the "Million Dollar Challenge" could to a certain extent cater to those needs, but it's not entirely relevant (and certainly does not function in that way at the present). A "General Skepticism" forum (assumedly under "JREF Topics"?) is not a bad idea at all...

 

[CWL]

Quick update (24 votes cast):

Linguistics & Semantics: 7
History (& Archeology, as suggested): 14
No new sections: 9

 

[DialecticMaterialist]

No

History can go under science or politics. Linguistics, philosophy or science.

I mean we may as well add, math,ethics,biblical scholarship, etc. If we go that route.