Suggestion: Science/Medical News section

[twilyth]

I know SF is gone, possibly for good, but I run across a lot of really interesting articles on science, medicine and a variety of related topics that I would like to share and which I think a lot of people here would like. I can't put them into WFG, although I did find one today that sort of fit, and they don't really belong in Xtreme News.

Since the section would be strictly limited to science and medical related news, there shouldn't be any of the problems associated with SF. Any posts that clearly political or junk science from questionable sources would deserve to be deleted. I can see some potential problems regarding articles on things like creationism or abortion, but it shouldn't be persistent and recurring problem the way controversial subjects tended to be in SF.

I'm adding a poll just so people can express their opinion.

[Oldguy932]

I'd like to see a section like this. I like being able to see the good things that come out of projects like WCG and Folding@home.

[twilyth]

I'd like to see a section like this. I like being able to see the good things that come out of projects like WCG and Folding@home.

Well, technically that stuff would probably go in the team sections. What I had in mind would be a lot broader. For example I just read articles today on how a certain type of mushroom (stop giggling - they're white button mushrooms) can improve immune function and another on possible changes in the treatment of Crohn's disease. There was a third article on a new drug approved by the FDA for type 2 diabetes (actually a combo of 2 existing drugs, but still of interest).

[sc00p]

Would be very well suited to have one extra subsection under xtreme_teams if needed IMO. I would use it broader than just one dc-project_related news reporting. Strictly project related news could be better go to a stickied thread by a specific dc-project at it's own subsection.

[twilyth]

bump

[DeadlyFire]

Sounds like a good idea

[Ashraf]

Probably not.

This is computer hardware (and software) related forums, not science/medical stuff or casual conversations. The only problem I am seeing is there is still the opposition between science/medical and religions/politics, which means there will be still the same people that ruined the Speak Freely section, IMO.

Just because the Speak Freely is gone, doesn't mean we need to create a new section to replace it.

Why can you not post science/medical related news that might be useful to the projects in the DC section(s) you are running/crunching/folding?

[twilyth]

Probably not.

This is computer hardware (and software) related forums, not science/medical stuff or casual conversations. The only problem I am seeing is there is still the opposition between science/medical and religions/politics, which means there will be still the same people that ruined the Speak Freely section, IMO.

Just because the Speak Freely is gone, doesn't mean we need to create a new section to replace it.

Why can you not post science/medical related news that might be useful to the projects in the DC section(s) you are running/crunching/folding?

OK, fair question. But do you really think that the DC teams want topics in their sections that don't DIRECTLY relate to the work we're doing? Take the 3 examples I gave in my earlier post - immune function, Crohn's and diabetes. There's no relationship whatsoever to any existing project.

Also, don't I run into the same risk posting the same articles in any thread - in terms of creating controversy? Personally, I would never post an article on creationism, but I might post one that has something to do with evolution - for example a new discovery of say H. Floresiensis bones. That would irritate people who believe in creationism but it is still science.

However I think that you could avoid the problem by just making it a policy to not permit controversial subjects and/or any discussion that does not relate directly to the science involved. That would eliminate any religious/political tangents. I think that is an acceptable price to pay in order to permit the free exchange of information that may be interesting, not to mention beneficial, to many members.

It would NOT be intended to replace SF except for the fact that this was the only catch all section where such posts have been acceptable in the past.

I belong to this community because of all the people who have similar interests and I know for a fact that many of them follow the lay scientific press just like I do. This would be a section where we could share that interest. If there were a lot people here who collected barbie dolls, I would be in favor of a section for that too. It would be just like the cars and trucks section or photography. Those don't have anything to do with hardware either but there are a lot of people here interested in those things so we have special sections. However no one has ever tried to most photos from Maplethorpe in photography as far as i know.

[Kobalt]

Probably not.

This is computer hardware (and software) related forums, not science/medical stuff or casual conversations. The only problem I am seeing is there is still the opposition between science/medical and religions/politics, which means there will be still the same people that ruined the Speak Freely section, IMO.

Just because the Speak Freely is gone, doesn't mean we need to create a new section to replace it.

Why can you not post science/medical related news that might be useful to the projects in the DC section(s) you are running/crunching/folding?

You can make a rule that no religious or political posts are allowed in that section so the posts in the thread would focus more on the science. Head-Fi has a rule such as this for their lounge section and it works quite well. Just a suggestion on a suggestion .

[Gautam]

Why can't you use Wamps for threads of this nature?

[twilyth]

Why can't you use Wamps for threads of this nature?

I'd be happy to do that, but the articles I want to post are serious scientific items that don't really seem to belong there. But if the Admins tell me it's ok, I certainly don't have a problem with that - although I can't guarantee everyone else is going to feel the same.

[.Logic]

I'd like to see a general news section and in that section sub forums e.g. medical/science, sport etc...

[[XC] 2long4u]

No, Wampeteers, Foma, & Granfaloons is a perfect place for that. Just like there is no need for a political section.

[sc00p]

No, Wampeteers, Foma, & Granfaloons is a perfect place for that. Just like there is no need for a political section.

Even dc-vault would be better hold these type of conversations than Wampfaloonies...

[[XC] 2long4u]

Even dc-vault would be better hold these type of conversations than Wampfaloonies...

Don't you know Wampeteers, Foma, & Granfaloons is the new SF without all the BS!

[The0men]

I know SF is gone, possibly for good, but I run across a lot of really interesting articles on science, medicine and a variety of related topics that I would like to share and which I think a lot of people here would like. I can't put them into WFG, although I did find one today that sort of fit, and they don't really belong in Xtreme News.

Since the section would be strictly limited to science and medical related news, there shouldn't be any of the problems associated with SF. Any posts that clearly political or junk science from questionable sources would deserve to be deleted. I can see some potential problems regarding articles on things like creationism or abortion, but it shouldn't be persistent and recurring problem the way controversial subjects tended to be in SF.

I'm adding a poll just so people can express their opinion.

I can understand what your saying, and I'd like to see it, often we get the odd one in Xtreme news, but a dedicated place would be great.

I also understand the possible conflict, but with close moderation, and those
people who dont agree with the topic should simpily stear clear of the
thread as there are many users who can learn from this.

The science especially, which ties in well with computers and electronics
would be terrific.

Good idea.

[sc00p]

Don't you know Wampeteers, Foma, & Granfaloons is the new SF without all the BS!

It's still a chat-section... do you like Hi, I'm new guy here or Happy Birthday -threads in between e.g 2006 Chemistry Nobel Price winner-thread etc.

OK... I'm fine without what Twilyth suggested. Just to use different phorums...

[[cTx]Hype]

I would love to see a section like this go up i love reading about all the new stuff thats being worked on.

[dagger]

sounds good twilyth, makes for great reading and discussions.

[twilyth]

OK, this doesn't seem to be getting much traction, so unless someone tells me differently, I'm going to assume that I can post non-amusing but science/medicine related stories in WFG.

edit - thanks to everyone who voted and/or contributed to the discussion.

[krille]

Sure, why not. Preferably there would be a News section divided into Computing and Science (or Other) news. You should be able to browse both sections at the same time (if you want to), but when you post a thread you'd have to specify the appropriate forum for it. I'm not sure if this is possible at all.

But I'm all for Science News. I want to find them in the both section (thus the above suggestion), but I'm still voting Definitely.

[dengyong]

More Science...... not so much medical.

I don't want to see anybody exploring, Uranus.

[SamHughe]

Great idea! It has to be strickly science & technology related though.

[The0men]

hmm seems to be gaining some steam Twilyth...

Doing pretty good in the poll

[Blauhung]

I'm all for it, I love digging up random facts