Is there some sort of new member “kiddie pool” where people aspiring to improve their own rational processes can feel free to speak as they/we wish without knowing the correct terminology, and without an academic background regarding logic itself?
I guess, to learn, and express, in aid of learning, there needs to be some sort of safe “bumper bowling” alley available.
I have little access to formal education, and so, in the interests of self improvement, would like discourse which is both forgiving and conducive to improving discursive quality.
I feel I am just as likely to say something which is misinterpreted, due to (what amounts to) sub-cultural norms here, from this community, as I am to say something accurately insightful. This is intimidating, despite my intention to improve my expressive accuracy. Maybe I am intimidated by elitism and expertise, to the point of rejecting the service itself? This is probably biased and irrational, but worth describing, because the act of changing cultural attitudes (in service to the goal of increasing societal rationality), requires us all to be aware of the limitations of a macro-cultural audience.
Maybe I just mean to ask: Is there a way to throw ideas around and see what sticks, without becoming a forum pariah?
“You are on an internet forum. How much safer to do you want to be?”—Lumifer.
Some forums are “more equal than others.” I suspect anyone who has had unpleasant experiences online develops a modicum of caution if not healthy apprehension.
One of the reasons I wish to participate here, is because of social isolation in a regional area. I don’t have access to face to face discourse with people who share a curiosity or desire to analyse topics much further away than the end of their nose, so to speak (bar a few much-loved exceptions).
Thank you each for your assistance and time. I feel I have a great many stupid questions to ask, and look forward to discovering which of those are not stupid.
I hope you won’t become a pariah regardless, but if you are extra-worried then there are occasional “stupid question” threads which might be usable as “stupid idea” threads too. (Not to imply that either the questions or the ideas are necessarily stupid, but the point is that even if they are the norm in such threads is meant to be to (1) be nice and (2) not inflict reputational damage on the person saying stupid things.)
There are some chat groups you can join, you can post in the open thread. You can try and fail. If you want to write a post and are not sure about the quality—make sure to have spent 2 hours writing it (if not more like 20 hours) as a fail-safe.
Yes we come across as elitist. As long as you are willing to learn, willing to be curious about why others think differently from you and willing to change your mind—that’s what matters.
If you want to teach yourself and you are willing to read and do your research you will fit right in. That means books, papers, theories. We are always ferocious about knowledge. And if you can teach us—that would be great too
Is there some sort of new member “kiddie pool” where people aspiring to improve their own rational processes can feel free to speak as they/we wish without knowing the correct terminology, and without an academic background regarding logic itself?
I guess, to learn, and express, in aid of learning, there needs to be some sort of safe “bumper bowling” alley available.
I have little access to formal education, and so, in the interests of self improvement, would like discourse which is both forgiving and conducive to improving discursive quality.
I feel I am just as likely to say something which is misinterpreted, due to (what amounts to) sub-cultural norms here, from this community, as I am to say something accurately insightful. This is intimidating, despite my intention to improve my expressive accuracy. Maybe I am intimidated by elitism and expertise, to the point of rejecting the service itself? This is probably biased and irrational, but worth describing, because the act of changing cultural attitudes (in service to the goal of increasing societal rationality), requires us all to be aware of the limitations of a macro-cultural audience.
Maybe I just mean to ask: Is there a way to throw ideas around and see what sticks, without becoming a forum pariah?
Thanks for the feedback Elo, Luminifer, gjm.
“You are on an internet forum. How much safer to do you want to be?”—Lumifer. Some forums are “more equal than others.” I suspect anyone who has had unpleasant experiences online develops a modicum of caution if not healthy apprehension.
One of the reasons I wish to participate here, is because of social isolation in a regional area. I don’t have access to face to face discourse with people who share a curiosity or desire to analyse topics much further away than the end of their nose, so to speak (bar a few much-loved exceptions).
Thank you each for your assistance and time. I feel I have a great many stupid questions to ask, and look forward to discovering which of those are not stupid.
Community is great! You’ll fit right in :)
I hope you won’t become a pariah regardless, but if you are extra-worried then there are occasional “stupid question” threads which might be usable as “stupid idea” threads too. (Not to imply that either the questions or the ideas are necessarily stupid, but the point is that even if they are the norm in such threads is meant to be to (1) be nice and (2) not inflict reputational damage on the person saying stupid things.)
This is the kiddie pool.
You are on an internet forum. How much safer to do you want to be?
It is perfectly fine to try, fail, and try again. In fact, that’s how most of learning works.
Sure, some people will misunderstand you. Take it as an opportunity to practice expressing yourself very very clearly.
There are some chat groups you can join, you can post in the open thread. You can try and fail. If you want to write a post and are not sure about the quality—make sure to have spent 2 hours writing it (if not more like 20 hours) as a fail-safe.
Yes we come across as elitist. As long as you are willing to learn, willing to be curious about why others think differently from you and willing to change your mind—that’s what matters.
If you want to teach yourself and you are willing to read and do your research you will fit right in. That means books, papers, theories. We are always ferocious about knowledge. And if you can teach us—that would be great too