The Recent Growth Of Our Forum Options

[Shawn]

I noticed that on January 25, we broke the 1000 member mark. Now, just 10 days later, we have 1095 members. That's almost 100 members in just 10 days, which I think is quite remarkable. Regardless of how big this forum gets, though, let me assure everyone that its features and quality will scale with its growth. As always, any feedback, suggestions and even criticisms are encouraged and will be very much appreciated.

[-J-]

Dear Shawn & Co.

It saddens me to read this thread, it really does. It just goes to prove one very sad but true fact of life here on this (dare I say it ) God forsaken world :-

1. An idea is born
2. The original founders work their butts off and it becomes established
3. The idea takes off and attracts attention
4. The dream behind the idea becomes more of a reality
5. The reality of the idea becomes more and more popular
6. The idea evolves to compensate for the added interest
7. The evolution of the idea takes flight and even attracts unexpected (unwanted?) interest
8. The "purists" then begin to "notice" the interest in the in the evolving branches of the original idea(s)
9. The "purists" then begin to build their defensive walls of reason to establish a clear distinction between what they perceive as being the "original" idea and the subsequent evolutionary branches formed as a consequence of the popularity of the original idea.
10. This thread is born
11. The once welcome evolutionary branches become a point of contention
12. The "founding fathers" have to appease the "purists"
13. A solution is found to the problem : an irrevocable split.


This is yet another case of history repeating itself, please allow me to explain.

This principle has been seen throughout our history, especially within the religious and political spectrums. All to often an idea / ideal / philosophy etc.. takes form and becomes popular. The more popular it becomes the chance that it evolves beyond the original becomes greater and greater. It then falls prey to its own popularity and can quite easily become chaotic. To stem the rise of this unfortunate consequence, puritanical thought is born, the human need to fight for the original principle and avoid change at all costs.
In the "real world" (I use the term losely ) this leads to what we call "fundamentalists" who in turn breed discontent as they think the evolutionary traits of the idea should be static.

We then reach the classic consequence faced by all ideas :

Do we embrace the evolutionary patterns and compensate ?
Do we remain pure to the original idea and dismiss the evolutionary traits ?
Do we allow a split to occur thus promoting segratation ?

This may seem somewhat "off topic" and not true to the thread but please ( in true advocational expressionism ) indulge me, it will all make sense by the end of this post.


I first came across this forum in April this year (2004) whilst I was looking for a place on the net that could not only give me a subject matter that didnt contain "old-boy" schools of thought within a philosophical spectrum, but welcomed and encouraged new schools.
When I loaded the welcome page of this site for the first time, I swear ( I do that occasionally ) something inside of me said, this place stands out from the rest.

As I browsed the content fo the forum I couldnt believe it when I saw it contained a poetry section.
Poetry ! In a forum of neural science and philosophy ? Have I died and gone to ......... ? ( please fill in the blanks according to your own belief )

Are you people aware of how rare this site is ???
Do you have any inclination of what it means, for the first time to be able to converse/communicate with people who can (this is the amazing bit) transcend the gap or should I say chasm between the two hemispherical abilities ??

It made a change from hitting thousands of forum sites filled to the brim with adolescent subject matter about popular thought and trends.

I read all the separate forums available, printed reams of paper out for closer study, relished the differences of opinions that were banded around the different subject matter, read in awe the propostional thinking of the learned and the not so learned within the members.... etc

I also met some very like-minded people, some very opposing viewpoints and some very very interesting subjects that I hadnt even dreamed of entering into before.

I have no means whatsoever to finacially support this forum, ( if my present situation was different I would ) as all good philosophers, free-thinkers and poets, I am dirt poor and just to make matters worse, homeless. I officially have an email address and thats about it.
This forum is my alpha and omega, it made me feel welcome, it woke me up to the singularity theory, it has caused me no end of problems as I discuss this forum with others I meet on my travels, yet whenever I log in, it sort of feels like "going home".

Now I see the forum is becoming more and more popular, I have recommended it to scores of people and even though they might not have become members, I know for a fact they have also recommended it to thier own social network.

I prided myself somewhat in recommending it to some very accomplished members of my own social network, and the feedback it gave has only been positive. They too found the blend of scientific fact, philosophical debate matter and creative subject matter ( hereunder poetry, short stories etc.. ) to be one worthy not only of a glance, but serious study.
A close friend of mine who is a teacher, has recommended it to her students based upon the unique blend this site offers.

The point I am trying to make is very simple. The interesting and unique blend this site offers is what makes it so damned good.
Splitting off into branches (seperate sites etc..) only leads to the advent of segregation between what once was a whole but is now a halve (its only an expression, dont take it literally)

Unknowns who think that the poetry forum is a waste of time are denying the fact that we as humans are capable of creative thought beyond that which is taught.

The site in my humble opinion is in no need whatsoever of a "face-lift" or change from its present form. It obviously is a hit as the ever growing popularity becomes more and more evident.
People who log in to peruse the scientific theories the singularity offers stay within those areas in the site. The people who log in to peruse the philosophical subject matter, likewise stay within that area of the site etc........

If the poetry part of the forum offends or becomes a point of contention for any member then may I offer them a solution ?

Don't read that part of the site.

Please Shawn do not change the site in anyway, embrace the rush of interest, people will read what they want and say what they want, just remember a few simple facts : the more popular the site is, the more ground you cover in promoting the singularity theory.
The more avenues you open for free thinking, the more interest you create.

This site became popular as is.

I wish I had more time to write a better formulated arguement but this PC is in a job centre and I am breaking the rules ( as usual ) by even writing this piece, and others want to use it.

I hope that my point got across as is, if not try this :

Dear Shawn : If it isnt broke, dont fix it !!!!!!!!!

-J-