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Cuneiformist
The Imperfectionist
USA
4955 Posts |
 Posted - 11/29/2004 : 09:07:45
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So I was looking at the most recent Skeptic Summary and noticed that something like 20 new members joined last week. Some of them, e.g. bebebebebe123, have posted. Most, however, don't seem to have posted anything.
Similarly, our Member list is 96 (!) pages long-- over 1,400 people! Yet not everyone who's joined has posted. Indeed, page 43 sees the last member who's posted, meaning that over half our members have never posted once.
And among those that have posted, many have done so only a few times and left seemingly never to return. Granted, this doesn't mean that they won't come back-- I first joined back in May of 2003, but didn't start regularly posting until almost a year later. I know that Wendy has a similar story.
So here's my question: to all you lurkers out there who have joined but not posted, what's stopping you?!? There's nothing better than the anonymity of the internet to post your rant about Masons, ID, UFOs, or eating too many sunflower seeds, or to ask questions about dating techniques (both scientific and social!), or to comment on news or politics.
Some of us may be harsh at times when dealing with controversial claims, but in general I think that what everyone really wants is to have a great community-- and great community participation-- here at SFN.
So here's your chance: if you've never posted before, go ahead and post! It can be at this thread, or at another forum. Ask a question, make a comment, or even tell a joke! We'd all love to hear from you!
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Dr. Mabuse
Septic Fiend
Sweden
9688 Posts |
Posted - 11/29/2004 : 19:06:30 [Permalink]
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I concur with Cuneiformist.
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Dr. Mabuse - "When the going gets tough, the tough get Duct-tape..."
Dr. Mabuse whisper.mp3
"Equivocation is not just a job, for a creationist it's a way of life..." Dr. Mabuse
Support American Troops in Iraq:
Send them unarmed civilians for target practice..
Collateralmurder. |
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filthy
SFN Die Hard
USA
14408 Posts |
Posted - 11/29/2004 : 19:56:11 [Permalink]
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I think that, in many cases, it is a matter of knowing that any statement made is likely to get challenged, especally if the poster hasn't done his/her research down to the last jot and tittle. Nobody wants to get their hump busted over something that really isn't important in the matter of putting groceries in the icebox.
This is, of course, a false impression. Unfortunatly, those such as verlch often bring out the worst in us and that is the impression we put forth. I am at least as guilty as anyone and am unlikely to change my ways. Thus, I think we are lurked upon for the amusment value. It's fun to see someone else's hump get busted.
A pity, really. I've no doubt that most of these folks would make some interesting contributions, indeed create some good discussions.
As Cuneiformist said, "C'mon in folks, the water's fine!" 
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"What luck for rulers that men do not think." -- Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945)
"If only we could impeach on the basis of criminal stupidity, 90% of the Rethuglicans and half of the Democrats would be thrown out of office." ~~ P.Z. Myres
"The default position of human nature is to punch the other guy in the face and take his stuff." ~~ Dude
Brother Boot Knife of Warm Humanitarianism,
and Crypto-Communist! 
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Ricky
SFN Die Hard
USA
4907 Posts |
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filthy
SFN Die Hard
USA
14408 Posts |
Posted - 11/29/2004 : 20:27:59 [Permalink]
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quote:
You can see what members are browsing the forums at the bottom of the main page. I rarely see a name I don't recognize, although I haven't been paying too much attention to it.
Where? I used to see it, but the list disappeared some time ago, at least on my box.
Is my wretched computer screwing the kitty again?
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"What luck for rulers that men do not think." -- Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945)
"If only we could impeach on the basis of criminal stupidity, 90% of the Rethuglicans and half of the Democrats would be thrown out of office." ~~ P.Z. Myres
"The default position of human nature is to punch the other guy in the face and take his stuff." ~~ Dude
Brother Boot Knife of Warm Humanitarianism,
and Crypto-Communist!
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Cuneiformist
The Imperfectionist
USA
4955 Posts |
Posted - 11/29/2004 : 20:38:06 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by Ricky
Some probably sign up one day and completely forget about it the next, never to come back. Others leave because they have no time left. Others get sick of us and our need for such absurd things known as "evidence". Still others just like to read, don't really feel the need to post.
I know that a lurker Creationist might feel like she or he doesn't want to get in a debate because it would be fruitless. But what about the skeptics?
I first recall jumping in full steam back when verlch was talking about 2000 year old trees (though I'd been a member for some months before that). Don't other skeptics read, for instance, some of verlch's stuff and want to jump in?
I'm talking to YOU, lurker! There has to be a thread in the humor forum you want to add to, or some news story you'd like to comment on? A poll, perhaps?!? |
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Ricky
SFN Die Hard
USA
4907 Posts |
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Dave W.
Info Junkie
USA
26022 Posts |
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the_ignored
SFN Addict
2562 Posts |
Posted - 11/29/2004 : 23:11:35 [Permalink]
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I know what's wrong...they're probably counting out how many feathers an owl has!
(November 28 Sunday chat inside joke, folks! Sorry, you had to have been there) 
Seriously, yeah. Join in. The people here only gets antsy if you act up yourself. Otherwise, even those of opposite viewpoints can get along! |
>From: enuffenuff@fastmail.fm
(excerpt follows):
> I'm looking to teach these two bastards a lesson they'll never forget.
> Personal visit by mates of mine. No violence, just a wee little chat.
>
> **** has also committed more crimes than you can count with his
> incitement of hatred against a religion. That law came in about 2007
> much to ****'s ignorance. That is fact and his writing will become well
> know as well as him becoming a publicly known icon of hatred.
>
> Good luck with that fuckwit. And Reynold, fucking run, and don't stop.
> Disappear would be best as it was you who dared to attack me on my
> illness knowing nothing of the cause. You disgust me and you are top of
> the list boy. Again, no violence. Just regular reminders of who's there
> and visits to see you are behaving. Nothing scary in reality. But I'd
> still disappear if I was you.
What brought that on? this. Original posting here.
Another example of this guy's lunacy here. |
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Siberia
SFN Addict
Brazil
2322 Posts |
Posted - 11/30/2004 : 05:57:11 [Permalink]
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I think Dave scared them
But, really. Some people just forget. I usually do, but you guys are so darn interesting... |
"Why are you afraid of something you're not even sure exists?"
- The Kovenant, Via Negativa
"People who don't like their beliefs being laughed at shouldn't have such funny beliefs."
-- unknown
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Mr. Spock
Skeptic Friend
USA
99 Posts |
Posted - 11/30/2004 : 06:21:30 [Permalink]
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| Sometimes I feel badly for not posting more often. I've been a member here for at least two or three years; every now and then I'll get bored and leave for a while, but I always come back. I really like the current lineup of skeptics who frequent the forum. A while back (the last time I was active) we had some real assholes, even among the skeptics, and after having been beaten up several times over a misrepresentation of my position, I said to hell with it. You folks seem to be able do disagree without becoming acrimonious. For the most part, though, I am educated and entertained simply by reading your posts. If I don't feel that I can contribute an informed viewpoint, I'd rather just "watch." After all, that's what we accuse the cretinists and others of doing--presenting themselves as authorities on matters about which their knowledge is incomplete. |
"The amount of noise which anyone can bear stands in inverse proportion to his mental capacity." --Schopenhauer |
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Storm
SFN Regular
USA
708 Posts |
Posted - 11/30/2004 : 06:53:28 [Permalink]
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Sometimes one has to leave to contemplate. That is what I did? This is definetly one of the best forums I have been on in a long time. Som Many times I would get kicked off. I can be a little pushy and set in my ways. But over the last couple of posts I really had to sit back and contemplate what has been discussed. After deep contemplation I have a whole bunch of new topics to discuss. So I hope you are interested? |
Storm |
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way
New Member
USA
35 Posts |
Posted - 11/30/2004 : 07:06:41 [Permalink]
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Okay. I admit it. I've been a lurker. I have really enjoyed the threads and really like the way all you skeptics think. I'd say I've been a closet skeptic all my life. Guess it's time for a change. I'm tired of the same old routine.
As of very early this morning, I was the newest member and here I've posted on the same day. I look forward to some interesting conversations whether I'm "busting" or getting "busted"
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filthy
SFN Die Hard
USA
14408 Posts |
Posted - 11/30/2004 : 07:07:33 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by Storm
Sometimes one has to leave to contemplate. That is what I did? This is definetly one of the best forums I have been on in a long time. Som Many times I would get kicked off. I can be a little pushy and set in my ways. But over the last couple of posts I really had to sit back and contemplate what has been discussed. After deep contemplation I have a whole bunch of new topics to discuss. So I hope you are interested?
Yes-indeedy-do!
And don't worry about getting kicked here. You'd have to do something even more heinious than feeding Dave W's grandmother to the Bugbladder Beast to accomplish that. 
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"What luck for rulers that men do not think." -- Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945)
"If only we could impeach on the basis of criminal stupidity, 90% of the Rethuglicans and half of the Democrats would be thrown out of office." ~~ P.Z. Myres
"The default position of human nature is to punch the other guy in the face and take his stuff." ~~ Dude
Brother Boot Knife of Warm Humanitarianism,
and Crypto-Communist!
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filthy
SFN Die Hard
USA
14408 Posts |
Posted - 11/30/2004 : 07:11:16 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by way
Okay. I admit it. I've been a lurker. I have really enjoyed the threads and really like the way all you skeptics think. I'd say I've been a closet skeptic all my life. Guess it's time for a change. I'm tired of the same old routine.
As of very early this morning, I was the newest member and here I've posted on the same day. I look forward to some interesting conversations whether I'm "busting" or getting "busted"
Hi way (chuckle, snort), and welcome!
If you've been lurkin', you know how it's done. Looking forward to your input.
Edited 'cause i forgot how to spel.
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"What luck for rulers that men do not think." -- Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945)
"If only we could impeach on the basis of criminal stupidity, 90% of the Rethuglicans and half of the Democrats would be thrown out of office." ~~ P.Z. Myres
"The default position of human nature is to punch the other guy in the face and take his stuff." ~~ Dude
Brother Boot Knife of Warm Humanitarianism,
and Crypto-Communist!
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| Edited by - filthy on 11/30/2004 07:20:08 |
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filthy
SFN Die Hard
USA
14408 Posts |
Posted - 11/30/2004 : 07:22:35 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by Mr. Spock
Sometimes I feel badly for not posting more often. I've been a member here for at least two or three years; every now and then I'll get bored and leave for a while, but I always come back. I really like the current lineup of skeptics who frequent the forum. A while back (the last time I was active) we had some real assholes, even among the skeptics, and after having been beaten up several times over a misrepresentation of my position, I said to hell with it. You folks seem to be able do disagree without becoming acrimonious. For the most part, though, I am educated and entertained simply by reading your posts. If I don't feel that I can contribute an informed viewpoint, I'd rather just "watch." After all, that's what we accuse the cretinists and others of doing--presenting themselves as authorities on matters about which their knowledge is incomplete.
Long time, no see, B'rer Spock! You were one of those who I was wondering what happened to.
Welcome back!
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"What luck for rulers that men do not think." -- Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945)
"If only we could impeach on the basis of criminal stupidity, 90% of the Rethuglicans and half of the Democrats would be thrown out of office." ~~ P.Z. Myres
"The default position of human nature is to punch the other guy in the face and take his stuff." ~~ Dude
Brother Boot Knife of Warm Humanitarianism,
and Crypto-Communist!
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