Has the bias made this forum essentially irrelevant?

Do you think you could identify the mountain for us and tell us the criteria you used for identifying it? Please reply over at the Did the Biblical Exodus ever happen?, but just so people here know what we're talking about, here's the map: The question is, which mountain and how did you identify it? The mountain may not actually be in this image, it's just as close as I could guess from Wyatt's map, but you can pan around, it's an interactive map. Ain't Google grand!--Percy

Your thread is about bias and the impact it's had on the forum. If you'd like to discuss evolution then one of the threads in the Biological Evolution forum would be better suited, and it looks like links to several threads have already been provided.--Percy

When I'm participating as a normal member I post as Percy.--Percy

Hi Bolder-dash,Most members are aware that EvC Forum tries to keep discussions on topic. While minor divergences of topic are normal and expected, now that you want to focus on some specific evidences for evolution it would be better to take the discussion to other more appropriate threads.Regarding the suggestions from Panda, here are threads discussing those topics:

• Smoking-Gun Evidence of Man-Monkey Kindred: Episode I - endogenous retrovirus
  
• Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve: Part II
  
• AIG has an article up on the nylon-digesting bacteria
  
• Is the evidence concerning the Nylon bug being exaggerated
  
• Vestigial Organs?

Or you can propose your own threads over at Proposed New Topics.--Percy

Moderators at EvC Forum each have two linked accounts. One is a normal account, the other is an administrative account providing the necessary permissions for moderator actions. The linking of the two accounts means that moderators don't have to log in and out of their two accounts as they switch back and forth between normal participation and administrative duties. Radio buttons that are only present for those with linked accounts allow selection of the appropriate account.--PercyEdited by Percy, : Add sig.

Hi Bolder-dash,Bringing this back onto topic, I felt that your problems were all of your own making because you ignore forum rules and moderation, and that reduced creationist participation was due to a creationist strategy change after Dover. You felt your problems were due to moderation bias that caused reduced creationist participation. Your recent behavior is giving your position scant support.EvC Forum exists to provide a moderated venue for constructive dialog between the two sides in the creation/evolution debate. Moderators work to keep threads on topic and minimize disruptions. To the extent that you exhibit behavior contrary to these goals you will continue to be the primary source of your own problems here.--Percy

Having normal and admin accounts makes it much easier for everyone, including ourselves, to keep track of where we're moderating and where we're participating. Otherwise it seems to all run together. It was never intended as an aid to maintaining objectivity, something I think all moderators struggle with.--Percy

Bolder-dash is making this up. I can't bring moderator pressure to bear on anyone in this thread because I'm a participant.ButI will absolutely support anyone, including Bolder-dash, in seeking evidence from anyone making unsupported assertions, but that doesn't include going off-topic. If I were moderating this thread Bolder-dash's insistent off-topic excursions and behavior would have drawn some attention.--Percy

It seems clear that Bolder-dash doesn't care how much or how often he confirms what I've been telling him all along, that it is his behavior that causes his problems, not biased moderation. His behavior in this thread would gain him suspensions at almost any moderated board. I've suspended evolutionists for far, far less. Given that his problems with moderators are central to his claims of bias, it's surprising that he doesn't realize that good behavior is essential to successfully making his case.Bolder-dash believes his experiences here are examples of a forum-wide moderation bias so intense that creationists avoid the place like the plague, but in its short life this thread has already become the best example we have not only of his bad behavior, but also of the determination and resolve he has to continue behaving badly no matter what. Once he starts he can't seem to stop himself.--Percy

Hi Bolder-dash,Concerning discussion of this thread's topic, while I cannot play a moderator role in this thread, I will support efforts encouraging people to support their positions with evidence. This is in line with the Forum Guidelines:

4. Points should be supported with evidence and/or reasoned argumentation. Address rebuttals through the introduction of additional evidence or by enlarging upon the argument. Do not repeat previous points without further elaboration. Avoid bare assertions.

For discussion of issues outsides the thread's topic then I will support efforts to keep discussion on-topic. This is in line with the Forum Guidelines:

2. Please stay on topic for a thread. Open a new thread for new topics.

Concerning this thread's topic all I can say is that you do not seem to be making much if any headway. Indeed, your own behavior seems to back up what I've said all along, that you're your own worst enemy. Any problems you've experienced with moderation are due to your own poor behavior, not bias.--Percy

That could be true. Maybe this is his "Let's trash the place and split" tour.--Percy

Good question. Maybe we need some politeness police.--Percy

All discussions diverge onto other issues, it's inevitable. It's only a concern when a divergence begins to distract attention or become a side discussion unrelated to the main topic or even replace the main topic. At that point it's time to find another thread, and in my opinion you guys are reaching that point.--Percy

I believe that any conclusions I might reach about ultimate origins are bound to be wrong, so I try to avoid reaching any. If you really meant "cosmic accident" then that probably isn't a possibility in which I could see much promise, but if what you meant comes closer to feelings of skepticism that the universe came about simply by reality being reality then I can say that I share these feelings. And you might also agree with me that at the same time I see no overt evidence for intelligent guidance. I wish I could make this happen, but there are practical issues regarding moderation that are too complex and debatable to get into, and with so many bad examples out there like PZ Myers and Dawkins and Penn & Teller's show, not to mention the more, uh, excitable members here, its like putting your finger in the dike. Too many people feel if you can insult it or ridicule it you've rebutted it.--Percy

I've found moderator "ahems" and "could you tone it down a bits" to be both ineffective and inflammatory at the same time. Some of the time it works, but most of the time you get ignored, or even worse you get a "Hey, how come you're picking on me when it's him who started it," and you end up creating more work for yourself.Of course, perhaps if someone would check their PM box and say yes this time it would help improve things around here. --Percy