The article at http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=8898 includes some thoughts on improving the value of OLO.

I'm going to skip further comment on the rights and wrongs of citizen involvment within this thread and involve myself in that thread as the topic seems to fit there.

R0bert

Bronwyn,
I think you're right on all counts. All this has an air of deja vu all over again. How tedious.
As I said back then it costs nothing to be civil. Yet it will gain far more.

Ginx
I don't share your jaded view of life I don't need to be stimulated by what amounts to titillation in everything from argy bargy in conversations, magazines , nude pictures et al. Human nature shows that this sort of stimulation never stops of its own accord rather it keeps getting more and more extreme, louder, pervasive. Until the nuance the subtleties that make us special are swamped by the noise.
Think about the news papers back then and now then ask are we better informed by them? Are we more able to discuss meaningful solutions to complex problems? Instead we get titillation and sensationalism and instant 'magic' bullet conclusions that in reality are neither satisfying nor workable.
I for one don't want to waste my time adding to the noise. Life is too short to waste opportunities to help with solutions and clear thinking.
Alternatively to you I get most pleasure from the mental activity and the connections with others sharing their perspectives, issues etc. perhaps being party to a great idea. To do this I don't have to agree with them only take note. And not clutter the path with counter productive dross as served up by superficial thrill seekers like H is displaying.
Note I reject his behaviour not him.

Fractelle
I have more faith in humanity that the capitalist mentality we are more than the sum of our urges if given the choice. The above fascination with sensation/titillation is a created artefact of marketing and the desire to define our selves by acquisitions rather than humanity and cooperation because you can't sell what is free. A person on the Gruen effect lamented that it's a pity air is free. As I keep saying balance i.e. you say, I say
is sterile. Objectivity, context and proportion are the building blocks to understanding and progress. Over thunk or what?

Examinator

Over thunk? Not.

Right on the mark as is usual. We are indeed greater than the sum of our primal urges, how else to explain great art, music and architecture.

Regards.

*We are indeed greater than the sum of our primal urges*

Ah, but there is of course more to the brain then just urges.
We are the product of our parts. The mind is what the brain does.
There are no ghosts up there lol.

Genes determine potential, environment determines how that potential
develops or is used.

So it is up to each of us to recognise our genetic attributes and
make the best of them. In my case, I have no more talent at art
then Kanzi the famous bonobo :) Luckily I have other talents,
like pointing out the many flaws in posts written by Examinator
and his followers.

Dear Yabby,

That's one explanation for your situation
that most people would never consider - "Talent!"

Thanks for explaining things to us.
So, the talent that your gene pool has endowed
you with is finally being put to use.

So, I guess the old Chinese saying is true then:
"A genius always presents himself as a fool."
(Great wisdom disguised as stupidity).

To whom it may be of interest,

Seen transiting the 'Users currently online' display on the 'Welcome to the Forum' page at around 8:00 AM, OLO userID 'Belly', or at least someone using his computer.

It seems the margin of error in my estimate of the time of Belly's return was + or - one second. His post here: http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?discussion=2744#62018 is timestamped Saturday, 9 May 2009 7:59:59 AM.

Thanks again Bronwyn and Pericles for the references.

"One for one, and bags for all
Seems the basis for Belly's call"

Welcome back, Belly.

PS Server error message 7804-1708 at around 8:17 AM on first attempt to post. FYI GrahamY.