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SR1419

Senior Member.
I've updated the above slightly to clarify what Metabunk is about. It's about finding bunk, and about debunking that bunk. It's also about discussing the topic of debunking.

Metabunk is not a general discussion forum for speculative theories. It's about finding claims of evidence that are wrong, and then debunking them...

Threads like "New evidence of Nuclear Demolition of the World Trade Center" will be deleted.

If you can't identify a claim of evidence, or it's not about debunking, then do not post it.


Pardon the confusion but the thread of "new evidence of Nuclear Demolition..."...would fit the acceptable criteria- would it not?
 
Pardon the confusion but the thread of "new evidence of Nuclear Demolition..."...would fit the acceptable criteria- would it not?

That depends what's in it. If it's just presenting evidence to back up a theory, then that's not really debunking a claim of evidence. It also depends on how focussed the first post is.

You could posit any outlandish theory as a "debunk" of the official story. That does not mean it's an acceptable topic for a post. You would need to show what "official story" evidence is actually debunked by this.

Metabunk is about debunking claims of evidence, not theories. So if you were actually debunking a claim about nuclear demolition, that would be fine.
 
Wow.

Not just wow.

How about an analysis overlay, where the progress of a thread is analyzed, and argued over a little, the better to create a new thread. There's a whole new language waiting to be born out there. Or is it praxis?
 
Part of what I'm trying to do is to provide an alternative to the rest of the internet for people who share this particular focus. Unfortunately this might exclude some people who prefer arguing as a form of entertainment, or just want to spread their favorite thoeries, but then they have the rest of the internet to do that.
 
Arguing certainly is a form of entertainment for me (partly). But it is limited, because it is frequently derailed. We've had a lot of deluded derailers recently. They devalue every thread they occupy by endless repetition.

I think that the progress of an argument can be argued over, in order to improve the argument. That happens to be more entertaining, but also happens to be more useful. Think about it.

Either that. or you need to observe your own rules more closely than you have done so far. It isn't particularly fair, being so critical, as your site is streets ahead of what anyone else has been able to offer. But that is exactly why I'm trying to make the point.
 
The process certainly can be argued over. But mostly what I'm trying here is to start things going in the right direction. If you don't start with focus, it's hard to achieve focus. You need that focused reference OP to anchor a productive discussion. Spin-offs will happen of course, and digressions and asides.

What I'm also trying for here is debunking that is reusable. Mid thread debunking is not reusable, it needs to be at the start, or right next to the start.

And there's the Metadebunking forum for discussions about discussions. Discussion about debunking.
 
The process certainly can be argued over. But mostly what I'm trying here is to start things going in the right direction. If you don't start with focus, it's hard to achieve focus. You need that focused reference OP to anchor a productive discussion. Spin-offs will happen of course, and digressions and asides.
I appreciate that it's more work for you when you have to continually marshal the thread. Yes.

What I'm also trying for here is debunking that is reusable. Mid thread debunking is not reusable, it needs to be at the start, or right next to the start.
I couldn't agree more.

And there's the Metadebunking forum for discussions about discussions. Discussion about debunking.
I have not found that yet. Obviously. LOL.
 
Rambles is a good alternative to stop a thread from cluttering things up without the draconian measure of deleting it.

Chitchat, I'm not so sure about. Occasionally it's good to talk about other things, but I don't want Metabunk to just become a social club either.
 
That depends what's in it. If it's just presenting evidence to back up a theory, then that's not really debunking a claim of evidence. It also depends on how focussed the first post is.

You could posit any outlandish theory as a "debunk" of the official story. That does not mean it's an acceptable topic for a post. You would need to show what "official story" evidence is actually debunked by this.

Metabunk is about debunking claims of evidence, not theories. So if you were actually debunking a claim about nuclear demolition, that would be fine.

Pardon the confusion but the thread of "new evidence of Nuclear Demolition..."...would fit the acceptable criteria- would it not?

I would like to state for the record that I researched govt publications about atomic detonations, underground, atmospheric.... pictures, watched videos, researched Hiroshima, responders statements, debunk sites which don't address underground nuke explosions, and matched up the data as best to my ability even though it still needs work before I posted the nuclear theory. It all added up from what I have learned

Its normal to be skeptical, especially on something like that, but I wasn't really debunked. I asked questions to others in which I got no reply. I was thrown into the rambles section instead. Lets just say for the sake of argument, that I'm right, it would throw a monkey wrench into other Metabunk 911 threads and apparently "we can't have that."
 
I'd love to have an actual monkey wrench of evidence. However your Nuclear demolition theory was moved because it is obviously wrong after only the briefest inspection.

Unfortunately your increasingly off-topic posts were one of the reasons I had to update the posting guidelines. Since you have continually avoided these guidelines, and frequently veer off into nonsensical topics, I'm afraid I have to concluded this is not the forum for you. You may come back in one year.
 
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May we have a definition of the word bunk please? To save me wasting my or anybody else's time with unwanted posts.
 
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Debunking, according to Merriam Webster’s Dictionary
“To expose the sham or falsehood of a subject”
When you debunk an assertion, you are demonstrating that some of the reasoning, or the claimed facts, behind that assertion are false. You look and see what they are claiming, you identify which bits are true and which are not, then you explain this.
https://www.metabunk.org/threads/a-guide-to-debunking.1886/

So 'bunk' is anything false asserted as true.
 

And more specifically, from the OP:

The specific form of bunk focussed on at Metabunk is claims of evidence. i.e. individual points that are used to back up a broader theory. For example, the fact that high levels of aluminum are sometimes found in rainwater is used as evidence for the "chemtrails" theory.

Claims of evidence can be debunked in one of two main ways
  1. Demonstrating that the evidence is incorrect (e.g. aluminum levels were high because the water was actually from a muddy pond)
  2. Demonstrating that the evidence does not support the theory (e.g. aluminum is expected in rainwater because of dust in the air).
 
Nothing to add but a thank you for existing. I have a sister who is scaring herself silly with chemtrail nonsense and I was looking for a site that could offer clear, well illustrated explanations that countered the chemtrail "evidence" she's seeing. Now I have something to show her. Thank you! You don't need to publicly post this—it's a personal thanks to those of you who founded the site.
 
I just joined this week and although I have to read more on it, it seems to be a good site to permanently bookmark.

In general when I read it, it reminds me of one thing:

The skeptic organization sometimes gets critized of being "too narrow" and only focus on easily to be debunked weird stories from obviously people who are at the sides of society, enough stories as background: http://www.skepsis.nl/s-frames.html

I've thought about it some time, and I think it is true:

- we have anti hoax sites and groups who debunk hoaxes
- we have skeptic organizations and sites who debunk everything that e.g. James Randi covers and more
- we have a gazillion atheist groups, sites, books, club in all kinds of formats (e.g. Dawkins / Dennet) that debunk religious claims
- we have customer "protection" tv shows and magazines that debunk commercial / marketing bullshit or false claims
- we have tv programs that debunk stuff of frauds and hunt people that fraud
- we have wikipedia...

All of these people hunt for the truth because they have a natural urge for justice. I think what unites them is philosophy: a way to categorize reality as opposed to myths, legends and a lot more alternative ways to describe reality.

And related, when I look at the goals stated I read:

"To develop and promote efficient methods of finding, exposing, and preventing bunk"

So I wonder, isn't this just philosophy? (with its leaves of the scientific method, etc...) as we would use the same as with all of these points above? Couldn't you just place "science" and "philosophy of science" here? To me it sounds like that should be the backbone.

But... let me explore more of the site now :)
 
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I think Mick's comments are refreshing. Yes, it's a narrow framework to work within (i.e. fact); but as Bill Clinton said "it depends upon what is, IS." I'm new here, but it also appears the site allows for some flexibility in members collaborating with a sound premise and only some supporting evidence of fact; so then the collective membership attempts/strives to bring the topic to a successful debunk status.

I like it and sounds like a properly defined strategic agenda, which IS (i.e. like) based upon my factual (honest) feelings/thoughts towards this site, which can not be debunked by anyone but me.
 
There is soon to be a presidential election.
Where can we post discussions, where politicians may describe or believe in bunk ?
I realize one pitfall is that such a topic can lead onto a trail of political debate, which can not be useful or pertinent, and derail the thread/topic.
Any recommendations ?
 
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There is soon to be a presidential election.
Where can we post discussions, where politicians may describe or believe in bunk ?
I realize one pitfall is that such a topic can lead onto a trail of political debate, which can not be useful or pertinent, and derail the thread/topic.
Any recommendations ?

If it's about a very specific claim that can be investigated and/or debunked, just post it in General Discussion.

If it's not, then don't post it.
 
Interesting rules of engagement you have here, they seem somewhat tyrannical, but then again, if one agrees to tyranny, it can't actually be claimed to be tyranny can it? i entered your domain because i dis agree with the statement by Mick concerning a comment that was in fact derogatory and sarcastic claiming that if someone holds that chem trails are harming their solar energy production, or their crops then they are grasping for something to blame, and before anyone sublimates this comment into the milling stream of De - Bunked BUNK for not using Capitis Diminutio against myself and performing a Grammar error, i am a living and free man and i do not indicate deceit as in JANE or JOHN DOE, therefore Grammar shall not apply to myself, it has become nothing more than a programming tool used for the purpose of training slaves to be slaves.
 
Interesting rules of engagement you have here, they seem somewhat tyrannical, but then again, if one agrees to tyranny, it can't actually be claimed to be tyranny can it? i entered your domain because i dis agree with the statement by Mick concerning a comment that was in fact derogatory and sarcastic claiming that if someone holds that chem trails are harming their solar energy production, or their crops then they are grasping for something to blame, and before anyone sublimates this comment into the milling stream of De - Bunked BUNK for not using Capitis Diminutio against myself and performing a Grammar error, i am a living and free man and i do not indicate deceit as in JANE or JOHN DOE, therefore Grammar shall not apply to myself, it has become nothing more than a programming tool used for the purpose of training slaves to be slaves.
rules of engagement? that sounds a little warlike?
Are you interested in truth or did you just come here for an argument?

It's very simple. Either a piece of evidence is real or it is bunk.
It does not depend on the existence or otherwise of other evidence.

For example, you mentioned Chemtrails.

If the claim is that a particular soil sample is abnormally high in aluminium, it does not matter whether a visible trail appears to turn on and off, or a certain person got to talk in front of certain other people about their beliefs or someone proposed something or someone patented something.
Either the soil sample is abnormally high or it isn't.
 
I'd also recommend you post your disagreement in the appropriate thread (per posting guidelines).

Freeman or not you've agreed to Mick's rules by signing up. They (generally) keep discussion civil, focused and grounded; while allowing those of different views to participate.

For the other kind of discussion there's YouTube. ;)
 
Following the Paris attacks I have added the following to clarify what generally happens following a major incident:

Major Incident Threads - following a major incident such as a mass shooting, large plane crash, or terrorist attack, a general discussion thread may be set up immediately after the incident to discuss it, and (optionally) to discuss conspiracy theories that spring up regarding the incident. Subsequent threads on the topic should conform to posting guidelines regarding specific claims of evidence.
 
Interesting rules of engagement you have here, they seem somewhat tyrannical, but then again, if one agrees to tyranny, it can't actually be claimed to be tyranny can it? i entered your domain because i dis agree with the statement by Mick concerning a comment that was in fact derogatory and sarcastic claiming that if someone holds that chem trails are harming their solar energy production, or their crops then they are grasping for something to blame, and before anyone sublimates this comment into the milling stream of De - Bunked BUNK for not using Capitis Diminutio against myself and performing a Grammar error, i am a living and free man and i do not indicate deceit as in JANE or JOHN DOE, therefore Grammar shall not apply to myself, it has become nothing more than a programming tool used for the purpose of training slaves to be slaves.
I think the rules of posting here have been made quite clear. This site is for like minded people. If you don't agree with Mick then this is probably not the proper forum for you. If your post is contradictory to Mick or the official story your input will be welcomed in the conversation. You will most likely be banned and labeled as just another conspiracy theorists and therefore your ideas must be BUNK.
 
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If your post is contradictory to Mick or the official story your input will be welcomed in the conversation. You will most likely be banned and labeled as just another conspiracy theorists and therefore your ideas must be BUNK.

Can you clarify this statement. This does not seem to be an accurate representation of the facts.
 
I think the rules of posting here have been made quite clear. This site is for like minded people. If you don't agree with Mick then this is probably not the proper forum for you. If your post is contradictory to Mick or the official story your input will be welcomed in the conversation. You will most likely be banned and labeled as just another conspiracy theorists and therefore your ideas must be BUNK.

Yeah, I have a little bit of a problem with this.

You state outright that the site is for like-minded people. To the extent that I have seen a consensus regarding the value of claims based upon evidence, then I would agree.

But you then infer that "like minded" means agreeing with Mick, which is flatly untrue. I have found an interesting diversity of expertise and perspective on this site.

People don't get banned for being contradictory to Mick. They run into trouble when they depart from logic and make discourse into a personal conflict.

Bunk is bunk. The facts determine the status of the statement.

If you are interested in testing the waters with an idea and some supporting evidence, have at it.

But please don't throw stones.
 
What are the laws , under which freedom of on-line information repeated...is allowed, (pics, comments, quotes) to be reproduced for educational or similar purposes ? Are they spelled-out in one place ?
(yeah, I've seen it here, but I'm having trouble finding the current acceptability.)


is it described by this ?.... http://www.forbes.com/sites/oliverh...-use-in-the-age-of-social-media/#e4ee77e26cd2

Essentially yes. In the the US it basically down to the "Fair Use" provision of the copyright act. However it is something of a grey area, and best to err on the side of caution if there's a question.
 
If it's for "nonprofit" use
Do you have a specific question/example you are wondering about?

"for nonprofit" is a minimal consideration of copyright.

PS. "comments" are not copyright protected. Copyright applies to "works". So for instance an OP debunk, or like Micks review of that book would be copyright protected. But what i'm saying here, now, is not.

Now using comments with names attached etc could fall under libel or defamation if you post them maliciously and knowingly out of context.
 
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Well, I was wondering about this for a couple of reasons.
1) for use in a public forum like this.
2) for my personal FB page, and to know the copyright rules if any.
I try to default to....giving credit if the source is available.
....given a reasonable effort is made to disclose a source.
 
for my personal FB page, and to know the copyright rules if any
it really depends on what you are doing with the "work". For ex photos can be (altered) used in parody or if you make a collage using multiple pics to express an idea that is considered "transformative".

But on Metabunk a good rule of thumb is don't quote large chunks of someone else's work.
 
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