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From: BRIDGE@rcgl1.eng.ohio-state.edu (JOHN BRIDGE)
Newsgroups: alt.aquaria,news.groups
Subject: Re: Call of votes - sci.aquaria (sort of moderated)
Message-ID: <3255@quanta.eng.ohio-state.edu>
Date: 17 Oct 89 02:56:16 GMT
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     Some people feel that a network providing a communication link
between people interested in scientific subjects is only "scientific"
if it concerns sciences of which they have an interest. I find that
somewhat selfserving. If the people who believe our discussions in
this group are not scientific enough for them were interested
enough to read along with us for a while and criticize the content
of the forum instead of the name I would have no argument with them.
The facts are that learning about the small ecosystem of an aquarium
is a great educational experience is an area of science much neglected
these days. When I compare our discussions with those in other sci.
forums such as sci. space (not to be confused with sci.space.shuttle)
or sci.physics.fusion this group has nothing to feel inferior about.
I don't expect technical papers in one of these forums, just serious
discussions about some aspect of the sciences. That we have now and
it would be to the advantage of all to know that we are interested
in scientific discussion in this group along with other friendly
conversation.
    If one reads some of the rec.pets forums for a while (as I have) you
will notice a great distinction in the topics discussed. They do
on occassion discuss disease problems, but mostly it is anecdotal
stories about the cat that does his thing on the couch instead of
the kitty litter box. I see nothing wrong with that as a topic for
that group. Our discussions are far more involved with the biological,
botanical, and ichthyological sciences. I don't want to insult
people for their opinions, but it is irritating when people present
pompous opinions of other peoples interests with a superficial knowledge
of the subject of their criticizm.     John