-- Posted by boothy at 6:46 am on July 15, 2008 I'm really not sure I agree with this forum at all. To me it seems elitist and snobbishly exclusive. I know, this is here so the "common folk" don't spoil intellectual discussion with their sub-standard intelligence and pointless replies, right? That's as snobbish as Prince Charles in Grimsby, to be honest. Opinions? -- Posted by Amazingness99 at 6:47 am on July 15, 2008 Well you have to pass a test to get into the intellectual forum so it's not like it's unfair. -- Posted by boothy at 6:48 am on July 15, 2008 Quote: from amazingness99 at 2:47 pm on July 15, 2008 Well you have to pass a test to get into the intellectual forum so it's not like it's unfair. I'm sorry, explain your logic there, I'm not understanding what you're saying. -- Posted by roflfuckyou at 7:07 am on July 15, 2008 I agree with you to a certain extent.. I mean, it is being a little discriminatory, but at the end of the day it is just an internet site, and this forum is just for more serious topics and replies. It's not really trying to keep the 'common folk' out, it is more of keeping the people who will actually write intellectual things, and have intellectual conversations in. As far as I am concerned, if anyone is offended they can get over it, as there is heaps of other forums for them to post in. -- Posted by boothy at 7:10 am on July 15, 2008 Quote: from roflfuckyou at 3:07 pm on July 15, 2008 I agree with you to a certain extent.. I mean, it is being a little discriminatory, but at the end of the day it is just an internet site, and this forum is just for more serious topics and replies. It's not really trying to keep the 'common folk' out, it is more of keeping the people who will actually write intellectual things, and have intellectual conversations in. As far as I am concerned, if anyone is offended they can get over it, as there is heaps of other forums for them to post in. But that's easy for you to say, seeing as you can post in here. -- Posted by roflfuckyou at 7:13 am on July 15, 2008 Quote: from boothy at 12:10 am on July 16, 2008 Quote: from roflfuckyou at 3:07 pm on July 15, 2008 I agree with you to a certain extent.. I mean, it is being a little discriminatory, but at the end of the day it is just an internet site, and this forum is just for more serious topics and replies.    It's not really trying to keep the 'common folk' out, it is more of keeping the people who will actually write intellectual things, and have intellectual conversations in.    As far as I am concerned, if anyone is offended they can get over it, as there is heaps of other forums for them to post in. But that's easy for you to say, seeing as you can post in here. So, you can post in here as well? And for the record I use this forum least of any forum. I am just simply saying that if people wanted to write in here, if they had genuinely intellectual replies, then they should be able to pass the test, and if not then make a new topic in another forum where they can reply and whatever. This forum just ensures no stupidity and point-whoring. -- Posted by boothy at 7:15 am on July 15, 2008 Quote: from roflfuckyou at 3:13 pm on July 15, 2008 Quote: from boothy at 12:10 am on July 16, 2008 Quote: from roflfuckyou at 3:07 pm on July 15, 2008 I agree with you to a certain extent.. I mean, it is being a little discriminatory, but at the end of the day it is just an internet site, and this forum is just for more serious topics and replies.   It's not really trying to keep the 'common folk' out, it is more of keeping the people who will actually write intellectual things, and have intellectual conversations in.   As far as I am concerned, if anyone is offended they can get over it, as there is heaps of other forums for them to post in.    But that's easy for you to say, seeing as you can post in here. So, you can post in here as well? And for the record I use this forum least of any forum. I am just simply saying that if people wanted to write in here, if they had genuinely intellectual replies, then they should be able to pass the test, and if not then make a new topic in another forum where they can reply and whatever. This forum just ensures no stupidity and point-whoring. How intelligent you are should not dictate whether your opinion should be heard or not. I'm not trying to lead a campaign, it's simply something I feel about the forum. I'll probably still post here, which makes me a raging hypocrite. -- Posted by roflfuckyou at 7:21 am on July 15, 2008 Quote: from boothy at 12:15 am on July 16, 2008 Quote: from roflfuckyou at 3:13 pm on July 15, 2008 Quote: from boothy at 12:10 am on July 16, 2008 Quote: from roflfuckyou at 3:07 pm on July 15, 2008 I agree with you to a certain extent.. I mean, it is being a little discriminatory, but at the end of the day it is just an internet site, and this forum is just for more serious topics and replies.        It's not really trying to keep the 'common folk' out, it is more of keeping the people who will actually write intellectual things, and have intellectual conversations in.        As far as I am concerned, if anyone is offended they can get over it, as there is heaps of other forums for them to post in.     But that's easy for you to say, seeing as you can post in here.    So, you can post in here as well?    And for the record I use this forum least of any forum.    I am just simply saying that if people wanted to write in here, if they had genuinely intellectual replies, then they should be able to pass the test, and if not then make a new topic in another forum where they can reply and whatever.    This forum just ensures no stupidity and point-whoring. How intelligent you are should not dictate whether your opinion should be heard or not. I'm not trying to lead a campaign, it's simply something I feel about the forum. I'll probably still post here, which makes me a raging hypocrite. No I agree with you, we shouldn't discriminate based on our intellectual status. I am sure there are people who can't pass the test who really want to post here. But that is just how life is, it is like wanting a job really badly and knowing how to do it but still not getting the job. So so many of today's laws are like this too, and we can't do much about it. Those people who want to post, I advise them to make the same topic in another forum and say what  they want to be heard there. -- Posted by xoxo1234 at 7:30 am on July 15, 2008 It's a joke. I'm hardly intellectual, but I passed. This forum is a bunch of losers trying to boost their self esteem by using bigger words than other people. -- Posted by boothy at 7:34 am on July 15, 2008 Quote: from xoxo1234 at 3:30 pm on July 15, 2008 It's a joke. I'm hardly intellectual, but I passed. This forum is a bunch of losers trying to boost their self esteem by using bigger words than other people. Nail and head, I reckon. -- Posted by Event Horizon at 11:58 am on July 15, 2008 I don't think it is snobbish at all. If it weren't for this forum and the R&P forum I wouldn't come here. Its just an area where you can have an, at least semi, intelligent discussion without the overwhelming barrage of, "Lyk duH, U needz to haz not be a nOObz, !!1!11eleven!" Its not as if the topics are like, "God, its so cool how smart we are" or, "We are so cool, us intellectuals" Its just so the dick-tards that lurk the internet don't fuck up discussions. -- Posted by Event Horizon at 12:05 pm on July 15, 2008 Quote: from boothy at 7:15 am on July 15, 2008 Quote: from roflfuckyou at 3:13 pm on July 15, 2008 Quote: from boothy at 12:10 am on July 16, 2008 Quote: from roflfuckyou at 3:07 pm on July 15, 2008 I agree with you to a certain extent.. I mean, it is being a little discriminatory, but at the end of the day it is just an internet site, and this forum is just for more serious topics and replies.        It's not really trying to keep the 'common folk' out, it is more of keeping the people who will actually write intellectual things, and have intellectual conversations in.        As far as I am concerned, if anyone is offended they can get over it, as there is heaps of other forums for them to post in.     But that's easy for you to say, seeing as you can post in here.    So, you can post in here as well?    And for the record I use this forum least of any forum.    I am just simply saying that if people wanted to write in here, if they had genuinely intellectual replies, then they should be able to pass the test, and if not then make a new topic in another forum where they can reply and whatever.    This forum just ensures no stupidity and point-whoring. How intelligent you are should not dictate whether your opinion should be heard or not. I'm not trying to lead a campaign, it's simply something I feel about the forum. I'll probably still post here, which makes me a raging hypocrite. Also. 1. Did you TAKE the intelligence test? It HARDLY tests intelligence. It merely sees if the poster can put together an intelligent argument, and whether or not they actually want to discuss things, or just lurk and type "No0Bz" into every topic. 2. By allowing those who CAN NOT write intelligibly to post in this forum, you effectively destroy what the forum was set up for. If one can not put together a well-written paragraph and answer some multiple choice questions that would make a 5th grader laugh, then he/she will likely have nothing to add to any discussion had in this forum.. It doesn't make their opinion worthless, it just means they: 1. Are too young for the type of discussion 2. Don't care about the types of discussion 3. Can not bring themselves to sever their ties with "l33t sp3@k" In either of the cases, it makes the discussions run smoother and more productively if those people are excluded. -- Posted by Evolutionism at 12:32 pm on July 15, 2008 Quote: from Event Horizon at 12:05 pm on July 15, 2008   Also. 1. Did you TAKE the intelligence test? It HARDLY tests intelligence. It merely sees if the poster can put together an intelligent argument, and whether or not they actually want to discuss things, or just lurk and type "No0Bz" into every topic.   2. By allowing those who CAN NOT write intelligibly to post in this forum, you effectively destroy what the forum was set up for. If one can not put together a well-written paragraph and answer some multiple choice questions that would make a 5th grader laugh, then he/she will likely have nothing to add to any discussion had in this forum.. It doesn't make their opinion worthless, it just means they: 1. Are too young for the type of discussion   2. Don't care about the types of discussion   3. Can not bring themselves to sever their ties with "l33t sp3@k"   In either of the cases, it makes the discussions run smoother and more productively if those people are excluded. +1 It's only your mentality that can make this forum seem "snooty." But really, if people wanted to be snooty they could do it anywhere else. -- Posted by Uruz 7 at 8:46 pm on July 15, 2008 Quote: from Evolutionism at 3:32 am on July 16, 2008 Quote: from Event Horizon at 12:05 pm on July 15, 2008     Also. 1. Did you TAKE the intelligence test? It HARDLY tests intelligence. It merely sees if the poster can put together an intelligent argument, and whether or not they actually want to discuss things, or just lurk and type "No0Bz" into every topic.     2. By allowing those who CAN NOT write intelligibly to post in this forum, you effectively destroy what the forum was set up for. If one can not put together a well-written paragraph and answer some multiple choice questions that would make a 5th grader laugh, then he/she will likely have nothing to add to any discussion had in this forum.. It doesn't make their opinion worthless, it just means they: 1. Are too young for the type of discussion     2. Don't care about the types of discussion     3. Can not bring themselves to sever their ties with "l33t sp3@k"     In either of the cases, it makes the discussions run smoother and more productively if those people are excluded.   +1   It's only your mentality that can make this forum seem "snooty." But really, if people wanted to be snooty they could do it anywhere else. +2 - Pwnd I belive the readme clarifies pretty much there is to it. This forum is exclusive in teh fact that replies are assured to have at least the slightest bit of intellectual value. Take a look at the Dating forums and you'll see a hell lot of worthless posts. Its a place where you daon't say anything unless you really have something worthwhile to say. And my posts are far from gramatically correct haha. . -- Posted by dunebug at 12:50 am on July 16, 2008 Some people simply want well thought out and grammatically correct replies and having a segregated area is nice. If it was truly elitist, the test would be much harder. A trained monkey could pass it so anyone who isn't here, isn't here by their own choice. -- Posted by Tiroth at 9:14 pm on July 17, 2008 People just want to post in here because they want to be one of the "elitist" people and in the only exclusive forum here.  If the test was taken away so would the care about posting here. -- Posted by dunebug at 11:59 pm on Aug. 6, 2008 Not entirely true. I (and I'm sure a lot of other people) like this forum because the replies are generally longer, more well thought out and give care towards spelling and grammar. It's more centered around mature intelligent discussion than flame wars, 1337/ch4t5p34k or one-liner posts like a lot of the rest of LW is. -- Posted by nikki at 5:42 am on Aug. 7, 2008 It's not snobby. The intellectual test is hardly challenging, and if want to take the opinion that this forum is elitist, then they can always join and argue it. -- Posted by Majo at 5:34 am on Aug. 8, 2008 Quote: from xoxo1234 at 10:30 am on July 15, 2008 It's a joke. I'm hardly intellectual, but I passed. This forum is a bunch of losers trying to boost their self esteem by using bigger words than other people. Oh, fuck, that happens everywhere, online and off. And, what the hell? "Common folk"? We're not talking about royalty and a bum on the street, we're talking about the simple difference between someone who wants to take the time to read a thread/post and respond with something relevant and contributory and someone who just wants to aquire as many points as they possibly can. The Intellectual Test, IMO, is less about IQ and more about who wants to actually take the time to go through all that and , consequently, who is most likely to take the time to read a thread and think up a good reply. A lot of things in life have requirements...jobs, schools, clubs, etc. That hardly means all those things are elitist, they're just striving to pull together similar people. -- Posted by Blackadder at 6:29 am on Aug. 8, 2008 Imo, Its not hard enough... because at the moment people like you get to waste our forum space with bullshit topics like this (do you even realise your not the first to make this point?) and then have the audacity to tell us were snobs! well, fuck you.   I say you shouldn't be in here, nor should hispanics.... I dont like them either. -- Posted by person11988 at 10:41 am on Aug. 8, 2008 The biggest thing about this forum is that if you go through the trouble to pass the test, most people won't spam and will actually read a whole thread before posting, and usually post something that is worth time to read. Imagine if I'd posted "I don't believe in the stock market" on another forum, I wouldve been bombarded by so many people just saying I'm wrong and not explaining why, eventually people would not even be able to read it because there would be so much spam. -- Posted by person11988 at 10:47 am on Aug. 8, 2008 Quote: from Baron Samedi at 10:35 am on Aug. 8, 2008 I just blew my own mind... I seriously never noticed this until right now...   Ash Ketchum. Ketchum. Ketch um. Catch 'em. Catch them. Gotta catch them all. No one would post this. Not that it's stupid, because I thought it was kind of funny, well worth the second it took to read it. But it wouldnt belong in something titled "the intellectual forum" -- Posted by Wilder at 2:18 pm on Aug. 8, 2008 Is there something inherently wrong with snobbery of that kind? I mean, let's say that the Intellectual Forum actually did its job and kept idiots out. What's wrong with having a place for smart people to talk, even if it does exclude stupid people? Isn't that the entire point of upper and lower division classes in college? Also, I think that the diversity of LW's population is a major factor. It's not like we're taking a class of kids the same age from the same school and making a smart kid lunch table and a stupid kid lunch table. We're taking thirteen-year-old and putting them in the same online community as college students. In this case it's not a matter of snobbishly ignoring idiots, but simply acknowledging that a wide range in population will result in a wide range of education/ ignorance and trying to free some discussions from ignorance. -- Posted by Hosko at 4:47 pm on Aug. 8, 2008 I think it's a great idea, those who want a well thought out, detailed response that is likely to have a balanced and weighted argument behind it, without bias, will make an effort to become part of this forum and commence the discourse-age! -- Posted by Tiroth at 11:30 pm on Aug. 8, 2008 Edit: I already posted here.  This forum moves so slowly I forgot, sorry!   -- Posted by katjassidekick at 10:13 am on Aug. 10, 2008 Honestly, I agree/disagree with you. I do feel it is sort of snobbish, but I like how every reply is thought out (well, a majority of them). -- Posted by boothy at 8:19 am on Aug. 14, 2008 Quote: from Blackadder at 2:29 pm on Aug. 8, 2008 Imo, Its not hard enough... because at the moment people like you get to waste our forum space with bullshit topics like this (do you even realise your not the first to make this point?) and then have the audacity to tell us were snobs!   well, fuck you. I say you shouldn't be in here, nor should hispanics.... I dont like them either.     If it was harder, someone who completely misses the point wouldn't be able to post in my thread, and would be able to post without reverting to petty insults and vulgarity. So fuck off, cunt. -- Posted by libertine at 9:47 am on Aug. 14, 2008 I'd say it's elitist, sure, but I don't really see why elitism of this kind is at all a negative thing. For an example (inspired from my results today), if a university says they need someone with grades AAA for their course, it is elitism, but it is simply a minimum standard to suit the needs of the people involved. If livewire wants a forum where posts are (supposedly) of a higher quality, there needs to be a minimum standard, and I don't see why it is a bad thing. -- Posted by rokkin1 at 5:18 pm on Aug. 17, 2008 I just read the whole first page of arguement and realized, this is the perfect example! So far its been well thought out arguements and replies. If a topic like this was in another forum where ANYBODY could post, I really don't think it would be like that, its would be spammed with people just trying to gain points and posting like 5 words that make no sense at all. Anyway, I don't think the test was hard at all, if anything it just filters out lazy people that don't have the dedication to take a stupid test, which filters out the ignorant idiots of this site in the process. -- Posted by palepalepeach at 7:52 pm on Aug. 18, 2008 I don't think this forum is elite and snobbish except maybe in name.   I like the fact that people have to put in a little more effort to posting here than in the rest of the forum.  I didn't think the Intellectual Test was all that difficult, so most people should be able to post here if they try...