I knew this would be a bit contentious when I started it, which is why I’m trying to make this as clear as possible:
There’s no requirement for agreement, there’s no requirement for even looking at the stuff. There’s no requirement whatsoever. All materials are up for debate, and in fact I should probably set up some system by which people of the community can somehow veto something up there that they don’t think is representative of current scientific view, and so that something that is representative of the current scientific view and is a sort of requirement for basic science literacy can be put up, regardless of my own views. Not all sources are equal, and in science, not all views are equal, as ‘dogmatic’ as that may sound.
This isn’t about agreeing with the current scientific stance, it’s merely about understanding what it is. I don’t think that that’s dogmatic, I think it’s essential for sensible conversation on matters of science. Everything is open for discussion, though, and hopefully this ‘knowledge base’ idea won’t end up being limited by my own views. For the moment, it is, and I’d like to work on rectifying that soon.
[edit after seeing above post]
No, the knowledge base thread won’t be open to anyone. I will try to set up a system by which it’s not limited to my views only, but it will be an announcement that remains at the top of the Science forum, and whatever system I set up, I want to make sure that:
(a) the content is of the highest quality it can be
(b) the views represented are representative of the current state of science
(c) the material is freely available online
and there may be a few other standards I haven’t thought of while making this post.
So, for perfect clarity: I agree that it shouldn’t be down to my views only, but it should meet at least requirements A, B, and C, and as such it will not be open to everyone, but everyone is free to suggest things they’d like to see on it, argue for things they’d like to see on it, or take off it, and in the (hopefully near) future there will be a system by which I will not be the sole final arbiter of what goes on it. Leaving it open to everyone will trivialize it, and the standards a b and c will soon be lost. I don’t want that.