The Think Tank Forum

reply to post by Klassified


I was involved in the RF awhile back

It is a lot of fun

But also a lot of work

reply to post by semperfortis


Great! Friday nights are always good. I appreciate the input and positive encouragement!

reply to post by beezzer


I would like to take part.

reply to post by jadedANDcynical


I'd appreciate your input.

reply to post by beezzer


I EAGERLY SUPPORT SUCH A FORUM.

Perhaps it could also be an experiment in self-moderating. i.e. those who give the invites to a thread also do the moderating of that thread. And without a consensus among them, no moderating action occurs.

Regardless, I think such a forum would be a big treat and a plus for ATS.

I think the rules of it along the conventional lines of brainstorming rules should reign and be posted at the top.

Also, perhaps a 2ndary sub forum should be a NOMINAL GROUP type of forum. That's a more structured form of brainstorming that has proven very powerful. Maybe in a day or 3 I'll find a link about that.

Thanks, Beezer. Great idea.

reply to post by beezzer


reply to post by semperfortis


Guys, just before New Years I sent out a call to all scholars to get off their proverbials and start cranking up the old research forum. For a while it was going great guns. Sadly it died with a whimper a little while back.

This is my suggestion. Going on the extreme success of the writing contests, why not try something similar with the research forum? Kind of a contest, kind of a think tank, with a twist. You already have what I would consider ATS thinkers on board, as participation in the forum requires interest to get involved. I had two replies, and am keen to get the research forum up and kicking you-know-what for 2014.

Unfortunately RA has been absent of late, so we really need a Mod or two to take up the challenge and let us kiddies get to building once more (hint hint Semp ).

Basically you could have a single idea or a group of similar themed ideas and have a multiple group project within say a month's time limit to get your posts and research in, judging works in similar ways to the writing contests, with the winning group winning applause and bragging rights etc.

Inbetween, you could have group research projects done just for fun or just for the hell of it, to keep participation up.

In either event, I'd be keen on getting involved with the process or even leading some of the groups in projects.

Whatd'ya think (sorry just wanted to use one of these cool new emoticons....)

reply to post by 74Templar


Definitely bears merit

I like the contest idea

Do you have Skype

If so, could you make some time to do a meet later on this week, perhaps Friday?

This goes to all interested in helping set this up

reply to post by semperfortis


I don't have Skype sorry, but that's cool, keep me posted by U2U or even in here with any ideas, as I will too. As I said I'm keen on getting the forum going again, along with the Collaborative Writing and Debate forums again, but one small leap at a time hey.

Keep me posted, I'm happy to work with you guys (and of course others who may be willing) in giving the ol girl a jumpstart this year.

reply to post by beezzer


I often agree with what you write but.......Not this time. I have seen this idea posted before on ATS and my reply is always the same. Who are you to decide what is value added content. Heck who is anyone to decide this.



What are the standards and who sets them. Free speech is just that. And if ATS ever becomes so arrogant to install something like this I will never post again.



Just look at mt ATS handle is says it all...........TRUTH IS SUBJECTIVE.

beezzer
reply to post by LiveForever8

 

My friend, I make a habit of whacking hornets nests almost on a weekly basis.

Stirring a pot brings the meat to the top.

Yep the wabbit is a meat wacker, er I mean hornets wacker lol. Half the time you want him on the barby but then you remember what fun he makes it. You can always depend on the furry little guy to rile things up lol.

Uh what's up doc......

The Bot

reply to post by beezzer


You should never underestimate a mind.

The only rule should be that each post must (re)emphasize a problem and give a solution to said problem.

E.g.

Your OP gave a problem and solution. I emphasized a problem within your solution, and gave a solution to said problem.



Problem:
There is no proper infrastructure for authoring solutions

Solution:
Create a forum for exclusive members to author solutions

Problem:
Exclusivity of minds is bad because any mind may come to the best solution

Solution:
Allow all members the opportunity to post solutions within the would-be forum, with the guideline that their posts must give a solution to a(n) (re)emphasized problem


Good idea, though.

reply to post by beezzer

Once again, this time, I propose a serious discussion on the merits of a Think Tank Forum.

I vote no. First we already have too many forums. Second the mods already have enough work as it is. Thirdly, a forum with such a name will only be a target for automated spam bots from the real world propaganda think tanks think of it as automated intellectual spam. ATS is going to be target for those agencies who do that kind of work so keep that in mind.

Fourthly, and this is totally speculative, someone here is going to make a thread called "Think Tank: How to solve World Hunger" and the answer is we already know how to solve world hunger!! - the solution is very simple : eat the rich.

Sixth, you have a problem with disorganized activists who want change the world, diametrically opposed with those who think that the world does not need to be changed, all in one thread? That just spells d-o-o-m-s-d-a-y to me.

Seventh, every thing you post to ATS is going into the NSA/proto-AI databases. If the proto-AI recognizes a threat to it's existence you can bet that proto-AI is going to collect and catalog every objection to it's very fundamental existence... yes it's going to get even deeper.

Eight, once you have a think tank thread about 'world hunger' the ultimate end of that thread is always going to be "who is going to do something about it"? The only answer to that question will be "nobody" because the rules say that recruiting and activism on ATS is against the rules.

I don't see any productivity out of think tank threads. ATS will end up with alot of threads getting a few flags and fewer replies.

reply to post by 74Templar


Nice idea, I like it.

P

beezzer
Once again, this time, I propose a serious discussion on the merits of a Think Tank Forum.

A place where the best and the brightest among us can actually discuss solutions to all the problems we all debate on a day to day basis.

Fantastic idea!! A place where the elite members can post and the rest of us can sit on the bench and watch.

Im not surprised really; this does seem to be the direction ATS wants to go.

www.abovetopsecret.com...

reply to post by olaru12


Would you like to participate?

beezzer
reply to post by olaru12

 

Would you like to participate?

Of course, but I'm not a scholar or much of a thinker; just a humble "people like you" remember?

Just start your own forum. It's easy and cheap. Invite only the ones you consider worthy. Anyway, a conspiracy discovery/analysis site, if that is what this still is, won't be warmly received as a think tank - they think we're all nuts.

olaru12

beezzer
reply to post by olaru12

 

Would you like to participate?

Of course, but I'm not a scholar or much of a thinker; just a humble "people like you" remember?

I came up with the concept, but I am not worthy of participating.

I'm just to damned irrational sometimes. I get applause and warnings from the same mods on the same days! This isn't to exclude based on elitism, but to provide a forum for those who take the issues we discuss more seriously.

I enjoy your input.

Perhaps you could be someone who makes a difference.

toidiem
Just start your own forum. It's easy and cheap. Invite only the ones you consider worthy. Anyway, a conspiracy discovery/analysis site, if that is what this still is, won't be warmly received as a think tank - they think we're all nuts.

Anyone with solutions will be determined as nuts.

I respect your opinion.

reply to post by beezzer


Hmmm .... this is an interesting idea . I've often seen clever and creative post/ solutions drowned out by bickering and banter.
If they made a way to at least have members capable of creating private threads you could start this out . Members could be invited to participate at the op's request.

Then members who meet certain criteria ( length of membership ?? wats score ??) could also view ( spectator mode ) the thread without participating and if anybody has a viable solution or good idea pm the thread owner and then they could be invited to participate.

Just an idea on how to possibly get the ball rolling. I understand ATS isn't built for this style of collaboration but it could help keep it relevant and fresh (not saying it isn't ). If it gets to complicated just axe it .