I've just been approved as Host of the Science Group.

[eppur_se_muova]

Power going to my head in 3 ... 2 ...

Seriously, not much is going to change. I would like to suggest importing the SOP from the DU2 Science Forum -- it is a bit more emphatic about what constitutes acceptable "science-related discussion" and what is not. Not that there is any need to split hairs, or impose rigid guidelines -- I just see it as more detailed, and I would hope, clearer. I think the admins may have deliberately cut the length of the SOPs in the belief that smaller is better. I do find the original SOP not just more emphatic in discouraging pseudoscience, but also more welcoming to non-specialists.

This forum is for the discussion of science. Please feel free to post any news about science from scientific journals (Nature, Science, Cell, etc.) or from the mainstream media (The New York Times, AP, BBC, Wired, etc.). Also, feel free to post your own questions, comments, or other topics about science.

This forum is open to a everyone with an interest in science. Whether you're a tenured professor with a PhD in physics, or an interested lay person who occasionally watches science documentaries on the Discovery Channel, you are welcome here.

Threads about topics that are not science are not welcome here. Please do not post threads about pseudoscience (astrology, homeopathy, crop circles, bigfoot, alien abductions, and the like), which is not science. Don't even post threads bashing pseudoscience, because most people here in the science forum don't need to be convinced, but more importantly because such topics are bait for people to come here and argue the opposing viewpoint -- and then all hell breaks loose. If you want to discuss pseudoscience there are plenty of other places on DU where you can do so. (Visit the Skepticism, Science and Pseudoscience Group for discussions from the skeptics-only perspective. Visit the Astrology, Spirituality & Alternative Healing Group for discussions from the mystics-only perspective.)

Questions and comments from non-experts are welcome. You need not hold a consistent scientific worldview in order to participate here, but visitors are expected to have a genuine interest and appreciation for science. We reserve the right to bar anyone from posting here who is trying to deliberately stir up trouble or push some sort of personal agenda.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=228&topic_id=10346&mesg_id=10346

Science tends to be a pretty quiet and mostly noncontroversial group. Maybe once every month or so (or even less) there's an attempt to post what is commonly referred to as 'woo' (is that just a DU thing?) -- that is, pseudoscience, or speculation gussied up as science. That's pretty much the only time you're likely to hear from me wearing my Host hat.

I would like to invite a few people to be co-hosts -- not too many, given what a well-behaved, quiet little group this is ordinarily. I have already heard from a couple of people and welcome any PMs or replies to this thread from others who are interested. If you happen to have a special interest/field of expertise I would be interested in knowing what it is.

[laconicsax]

1. You should pin and lock that SOP.

It's good.

[struggle4progress]

2. Can we please keep science-v-religion posts out of this forum?

I've regularly read this forum for years, because it's a good mix of space pics and news about fossil finds and cool technology stuff and such

When I want to read philosophical arguments about involving religion, I go to the Religion forum

Science imo does not involve philosophical arguments -- and I'd prefer not to see those arguments here

[eppur_se_muova]

3. I wouldn't object to philosophy-of-science posts, but science v. religion belongs elsewhere.

Hosts can hide threads that clash with the SOP, and that was my main purpose in asking to be host.

[bananas]

4. I'd like to host for that reason

I don't mind philosophy of science, but if someone starts a thread ranting about religion, God, and atheism, I will lock it fast.

[bananas]

5. In the other thread, there was support for adding the GD SOP

which specifically excludes all the dungeon topics:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1228104

[laconicsax]

6. I'd be a willing co-host.

I'm ever vigilant.

[usregimechange]

7. If it's not broke don't fix it.

[usregimechange]

8. What is a host btw?

[eppur_se_muova]

9. Sort of like a moderator in DU2, hosts can lock or hide threads ...

also, pin threads, appoint or remove other hosts, and block frequent or particularly obnoxious disruptors from the Group. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usenet_celebrity

[dipsydoodle]

10. Something which parasites attach themselves to.

.

[Chemisse]

11. I am interested, if you still need someone.

I am a high school chemistry and physics teacher, and also have a background in biology and space/earth science, so I enjoy reading most of the threads in this forum.

Now that I am no longer a moderator, I can be more involved in the groups and forums. I really look forward to that level of participation.

[eppur_se_muova]

12. Consider it done! Glad to hear from our science teachers. nt

[Wilms]

13. I for one welcome our new Science Forum overlord. n/t

[Humanist_Activist]

14. Hey now, where's the peer review process? This isn't science!

[cstanleytech]

15. Until science can answer the old question of

which came first the chicken or the egg I wont trust it lol
Joking aside, grats.

[laconicsax]

16. Science answered that question a 152 years ago.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_the_Origin_of_Species