[OSM-talk] BDFL & Moderation

[John F. Eldredge]

I think that you and I are using different definitions of "theory".  I am using the scientific definition of theory, "an explanation of how a group of facts relate to each other".  A theory, using that definition, continues to exist even once it has been proven.  You are using the colloquial definition of theory, "unproven speculation".  Using either definition, forbidding discussion of a conspiracy theory could mean that a real conspiracy would be allowed to continue.  However, I do agree that discussion of conspiracy theories has the potential to swamp a discussion forum, such as this mailing list.

-------Original Email-------
Subject :Re: [OSM-talk] BDFL & Moderation
From  :mailto:lists at gimnechiske.org
Date  :Mon Aug 16 01:50:39 America/Chicago 2010


If you can back your claim of conspiracy by some sort of evidence than we can conclude that it is not a theory anymore, independent if it is a realy conspiracy or not. It is easy to say something in the line of "FBI plotted to assassinate JFK", but to prove it is harder, independente if they did or not.
 
A


On Sun, Aug 15, 2010 at 1:56 PM, John F. Eldredge <john at jfeldredge.com <mailto:john at jfeldredge.com> > wrote:
 However, should someone uncover a real conspiracy, any attempt to reveal it to others would be discussion of a conspiracy theory, and therefore forbidden.  "Theory" does not mean "nonexistent"; the fact that the theory of gravity exists does not mean that gravity does not exist.
 
 --
 John F. Eldredge -- john at jfeldredge.com <mailto:john at jfeldredge.com> 
 "Reserve your right to think, for even to think wrongly is better than not to think at all." -- Hypatia of Alexandria
 



 -----Original Message-----
 From: pdorange at mac.com <mailto:pdorange at mac.com>  (Pierre-Alain Dorange)
 Sender: talk-bounces at openstreetmap.org <mailto:talk-bounces at openstreetmap.org> 
 Date: Sun, 15 Aug 2010 13:31:36
 To: <talk at openstreetmap.org <mailto:talk at openstreetmap.org> >
 Subject: Re: [OSM-talk] BDFL & Moderation
 
 M?rtin Koppenhoefer <dieterdreist at gmail.com <mailto:dieterdreist at gmail.com> > wrote:
 
 > >        • No conspiracy theories
 > ...
 >
 > could this be amended by "unless there is a real conspiracy"?
 > Otherwise our hands might be tied in case there is a conspiracy.
 
 "no conspiracy theories" seems clear.
 A real conspiracy is not a theory. "conspiracy theories" are always
 trolls
 
 --
 Pierre-Alain Dorange
 
 
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-- 
John F. Eldredge -- john at jfeldredge.com
"Reserve your right to think, for even to think wrongly is better than not to think at all." -- Hypatia of Alexandria