I realize that we're getting a lot of increased traffic this week because of Camping and his predictions for May 21st, but I want to address the way that we talk to each other here.
I have seen several cases where people jump to conclusions about the motivation of people asking questions. In fact, it is easy to write off someone asking the same question that we've seen a dozen times before as a 'troll' or 'sock-puppet'. In fact, it is too easy to do so, and it's very close to being a 'cop out'. Slap a label on someone and then dismiss them. I have to commend bikenbeer2000 for consistently pointing to previous posts as a way of addressing these issues.
As with any other forum, no matter how many times you encourage someone to use the search feature, people will still arrive here and ask the same question that the last guy did, over and over and over. Just check out Yahoo! Answers on the subject of 2012 for an excellent example of this.
So, my request is that people answering questions would not make assumptions about people's motivations. It's fine to ask for clarification, but don't assume that the 'guest' who asks this week is the same as the 'guest' who asked last week. Sometimes that will be the case, and yes, I think that some people come here to try to stir up trouble. That's a known factor. Learn to live with it.
Also, I'd like to see less 'piling on'. If someone else has already given an adequate answer, then let it go. Unless you have a different tactic or argument to make, then let it go. I've seen many threads where several people make one-line arguments such as "that's just a woo site" or "he's a nutbar" (and I've probably been guilty of this also). These don't serve to forward the discussion. This doesn't mean that if you have something to say that is substantive and a bit different than the other people, that you shouldn't say it, but please, address the questions or comments, instead of just slagging off the poster.
I have a feeling that some trolls come here just to provoke a reaction, so that they can point and say: "See how mean they are over at 2012hoax.org?" Don't give them the satisfaction.
And finally, to all you first-time posters:
1) Use the search features. There's one at the header of the page, and there's a different one at the top of the menu (just above the 'Google Translate' tool).
2) Ask relevant questions. We have a page on the rules, please read it before you post. This site isn't about UFOs or Crop Circles or alternate theories of physics, it's about the 2012 doomsday hoax.
3) Don't take it personally. We get lots of people through here who are just trying to provoke people. If you want to be taken seriously here, then try to ask your questions calmly and without accusation.
"Do you ever think about things you do think about?" - Henry Drummond to Matthew Harrison Brady in Inherit the Wind
