So,if you think threads like Dihydrogen Monoxide worth discussing while it's just a hoax from the beginning or the beginning of the teleport thread filled with kopitiam style chatting? I havent read the whole subforum but that my impression on it.

Theoretical physics isnt my field,btw.I dont think people need a degree in physics,maths,chemistry etc to post there.Just a bit serious and logical will do,IMO.The problem with this subforum is there is almost no serious discussion,except a few threads.Other than that,it's just fantasy or nonsense.

One thing im glad is,some of the thread actually started to have some serious discussion on it now.

I do think that section needs a regular mod there to lock those pointless thread.

This post has been edited by Cheesenium: Jun 17 2009, 05:57 PM

Someone like you may be suitable to be a moderator there.

Anyway I would like to suggest a QnA for SPM/STPM/A-levels students to post interesthing questions from the science subjects they take.

There are better forumers to be a mod there,like bgeh or ModularHelmet.

I think QnA section could come in later,when there are more forumers posting.

We'll see how it goes.

OT by the way,that subforum just make me feel like buying New Scientist or Discover again.I love reading Discover,especially the Darwin's Theory special issue.

Later on, i believe there will be more and more people come in to ask about their school homework.

We will have threads like

Biology homework discussion V3
Physics homework discussion v2

We should also set some regulations where students are NOT supposed to ask question directly.
Instead, they should show their working in attempt to solve the question.
At this stage, other member will try to guide the person to solve the question.

It is always good to have some imaginative science fiction discussion. The only problem is that to have the discussion in what manner? More towards serious technical, academic discussion or just some personal opinion?

Put me in the camp of less science fiction and more technical/academic discussions please. Or give science fiction some subforum within it.

e.g. the UFO topic. Does that really have anything to do with 'science'? Sounds more like something for science fiction buffs to make conspiracy theories out of more than anything else. I'd let it stand, but yes the forum is suffering from a lack of a defined purpose right now.

or say the 'Is exploration of space that important?' topic..... isn't a discussion of the practicalities of the exploration of space more of a real life economic issue regarding the distribution of resources, which is a political decision, and thus more suited for real world issues more than anything else? [that's the original post, if the question were phrased to ask 'what scientific achievements, etc, etc gained from this, and could it have been achieved if it were done from the ground alone?', it would be more relevant]

This post has been edited by bgeh: Jun 18 2009, 12:42 AM

I think the guideline should be:

Does it promote interest in Science and Technology?

Though i agree that we should have less conspiracy theory threads (i.e. the UFO one), there is merit in it, if we shape the discussion in the direction of one that is science based. Ie: Talk about the SETI project, Talk about Astronomy etc.

I disagree with bgeh that the topic of space exploration is of less value if we discuss the economic and political realities. I don't think we need to be so anal so as to say that because the focus of the discussion is less science therefore we should move the thread to Real World Issues. It is a science issue, and science shouldn't be thought about in a vacuum, the fact is political and economic realities shape a lot of the scientific research in today's world.

It isn't a matter of being anal or whatnot, because a thread with almost the same content in the original post exists in real world issues:

In science lab:

Title: Is space exploration that important ? [Billions were spent !!]
Post content:


Meanwhile, in real world issues:

Title: Exploration Of Space
Post content:



Don't they both just talk about why bother spending on space, and concentrate on making Earth better? Do they both not look like close twins of each other?

Besides, if I were being anal I'd point out that the science lab thread has absolutely nothing to do with astronomy at all (which is the tag), because it's trying to discuss why should the exploration of space get that much funding, etc. etc.

This post has been edited by bgeh: Jun 18 2009, 08:44 AM

Homework threads would be great,IMO.

I always prefer a more serious and technical manner.Now,it's mostly Kopitiam style with loads of nonsense.

Agreed,threads like teleport and UFO have almost nothing to do with science,other than some conspiracy behind it.

I just think that some people here are just taking the chance to rank up post counts in Science Lab while there isnt a proper mod here.

I still think Science Lab needs another better name.How about Adeptus Scientificus?

The Dihydrogen Monoxide (DHMO or H2O) thread is a good start albeit some less serious postings that I've made. Not many people knew the "unrecognised killer". I had my laugh with that thread though I admit it's a little veered off. I admit that we are the ones responsible for the thread regarding how and where we would want to steer it. I apologise for my behaviour.

As some of yu noticed, my style of composing replies or starting off a thread of my own, I think with "The Science Lab", it helps us to exposed and understand the wonders and drawbacks of SCIENCE.

I share the same sentiments as yu, "Cheesenium". Although (I'm applying this example upon my good self) I do not hold a science paper qualification, but I was a curious and science lover. After SPM, I enrolled in a Univ studying art based subject: HRM. Though I was a pure Science student during my years in Form4 & Form5, I still pursue my interest in science no matter what I'm majoring.

I've noticed some of the replies are good ones...mine also not bad, right? Albeit some of it are weird in context.

For my self, SCIENCE is not all SERIOUS MINDED, CRUNCHING FIGURES and FORMULAE FIXINGS.
SCIENCE can be FUN and ENJOYABLE.

WE need to cultivate, educate (I prefer the word "sharing" than educate) and instill in their hearts and minds when it comes to Science. I'm sure yu would agree this motion, right?

Regards, Joey

p.s: UFO, Aliens, Teleportation...these are fine threads provided they are well address upon. Anyway, I was a little suprised that "goldfries" closed the Dihydrogen Monoxide thread. Anyway, he has his reasons and I fully supported his standing. On another note, to have someone to manage/moderate the "The Science Lab", someone on the neutral side is preferred and has the ability to see which is good and which is nonsensical.

This post has been edited by Joey Christensen: Jun 24 2009, 09:43 AM

I never imply that anyone need a science degree to post there but the subforum is filled with many topics with little or no content to discuss.Im also very curious in science,especially in chemistry and water engineering related topics.

I would prefer if there is a little seriousness in it,than seeing it filled with science fantasy that we wont see it in our lifetime.I really doubt that stuff like teleportation,time travel or Star War style of space exploration would happen even in your grandson's son lifetime.It's just too far fetch and there isnt much science behind it or it would be too hard to understand for an average joe.

I think topics like Plane on a Conveyor Belt would be much better,IMO.Or stuff like nanotech(they start to appear around us now),electric power vehicle(Chevy Volt etc) or how a game actually works(there is whole lot of interesting stuff behind it,like why people buy a RM2000 graphics card just to calculate some matrix multiplication) would be much better for discussions.

It just feels everyone just take the science fantasy from their favourite movie,drama and games,hoping to get a discussion out of it.

Im not against science fantasy as im always a believer of what Steven Hawking said: " Today's science fiction is tomorrow's science".Just that those science fantasy would only be science in a very very far away tomorrow.

This post has been edited by Cheesenium: Jun 18 2009, 12:48 PM

Complaint: Posts like these shouldn't really be tolerated:

http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...post&p=26780891
http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...post&p=26719673
http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...post&p=26706687

I think we can use a project subforum, where members can post worklog of their science project. Project can range from scale model, prototype, poster, exhibition. We should welcome all academic project to post here, especially from EE subforum.

To prevent spamming, we could draw a simple project post guideline, like:
Project Title:
Category:
Academic Level: Primary/(lower or upper)Secondary/Tertiary
Problem Statement/Hypothesis:
Project Description:
Science Explaination: