<HTML>Hi Anthony,
>There is an air of suppression, however, that comes with registration.
I beginning to believe that this is true, and I think it's a shame.
The registration process was first implemented to solve two problems: 1) random attacks (e.g. bombardments of silly messages about Fozzy Bear) from university kids on their lunch breaks and 2) use of multiple pseudonyms for the purpose of avoiding constructive and responsible debate.
I think it sovled both those problems, and ultimately made the board a better place to visit. But it may have also given the impression that we are some kind of exclusive community. Yuk! I had enough of that at university. We have 500 registered users, but how many more contributions might we have had if we'd not implemented registration?
I'm going to make an announcement on the GHMB about this.
>There is a fear of censorship, as the GH site has, as its premise, that the >lost civilization DOES exist
That you haven't raised this point on the GHMB could be seen as evidence of its truthfulness, at least as one perception. Would you make this point on the GHMB to see what people there think? Or are you chicken? :-)
I personally don't agree with it. Firstly, having an idea does not necessarily go and hand-in-hand with silencing contradictory ideas - so there's no a priori reason why people should fear that. Secondly, the possibility of a "Lost Civilisation" is presented as an hypothesis, the usefulness of which lies in its potential to inspire new interpretations of the available evidence. It is not a premise. It's just Graham's own (non-scientific but honest and, I think, constructive) approach. Our site is called "Quest for the Lost Civilisation" not "Investigating the Lost Civilisation" - I think that reflects something important about Graham's position.
Regards,
Sharif
Ps// Do you mind if I post this thread on the GHMB? It would establish the proper background to the announcement I want to make.</HTML>
