So what the heck is StrangeQuarks
I think we would all hesitate to describe SQ as "just" another discussion board. Although the site was started as a place where some friends could stay in touch with each other as many of us graduated and headed off in separate directions, it has since expanded beyond these humble beginnings.
We actively encourage new members to join and share in the discussions, and stress that there is no reason anyone should feel they're contributions would not be valued. We want to hear what you have to say!
How to join
If you're reading this page, you are probably someone who likes to talk about all manner of interesting topics, from the serious to the light-hearted. Maybe something in the forums caught your attention. Maybe you know a few of us here on the site and are interested in joining too to keep in touch. Maybe you have a lot of interesting ideas rolling about in your head and just want an open-minded place to share them and see what other people think.
If any of these fit, we would love to have you aboard!
Now, unfortunately due to the evil spam-bots of the web which want to coat our forums with scads of unsightly advertisements, we have had to disable the ability for new users to create their own accounts. Keeping our site a clean, friendly, and advertisement-free place to converse is of the utmost importance. As such, I will have to create your account for you manually and have the site send you your account details.
In order to join, I will need you to email me from your main address and give me a user name to create your account with. You can send this to: puxapuak [at_symbol] gmail [dot] com (using the appropriate symbols in place of all the spam-guarded bracketed stuff and no spaces, of course).
Some of the forums seem a bit daunting... What's with that?
The forums are where most of the action on SQ happens, but we're no ordinary forum. Many topics are light-hearted, but we do frequently delve into the deeper aspects of some pretty serious and complex issues. What really makes SQ's forums stand apart is that we tend to approach these more serious issues from a non-personal and more academic approach. This allows for an open honest exchange of ideas without feelings getting hurt along the way.
It can be disconcerting to many new readers though, who may find that some topics look like major arguments. Rest assured, though we are not afraid to disagree, we all recognize that an attack on an argument is not an attack on the person making that argument.
The rule of thumb is, if you feel insulted by something someone wrote, first consider whether you may be misinterpreting them or taking their words personally when that was not intended. Actual direct insults on SQ are very rare and are strongly discouraged. Users who insist on resorting to unreasonable personal attacks against other members will be booted off the forum.
As I mentioned, we frequently have an academic tone to many discussions. This means we do expect people to back up claims from time to time. In a more formal discussion of a serious topic, we strongly encourage referencing things when you are presenting information that is not widely known or accepted.
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Okay with all that said, we look forward to welcoming you here and reading your posts!
