Hello, all you lovely people who have just joined! We are happy to have you here with us. We're very pleased you could join us here on these boards which we all uncritically love with sterling devotion (and even when we don't we have mad respect for Tom Coates for making them and keeping them running for us. Everyone wave hi to Tom!)
Here are some things you already know because you have been lurking and reading the wiki.
The Head Shop is a place for theoretical discussion of philosophy, cultural studies, identity politics, epistemology, and possibly branches of study as branches of study. The culture of the Head Shop is analytical, and things which don't invite, or which end, analysis don't make good Head Shop threads. (Actually this is generally true, but even more true in Head Shop.)
The Laboratory is a place to talk about science, technology, mathematics, medicine, and related theories of knowledge as they apply to the disciplines. (Philosophy of Science as it Affects the Study of Science is a Laboratory thread; Philosophy of Science as a Branch of Philosophy is a Head Shop thread. In my opinion.) The culture of the Laboratory is generally analytical and you will be expected to back up any assertions you would like to make with hard science references. Fringe science is generally okay as long as it is thoroughly defended. Also, people occasionally post threads about a new technology which is just plain neat, and exclamations of general coolosity followed by why you personally find it so neat seem to be okay there.
The Switchboard is for discussion of current events, politics, activism, etc. The Switchboard, it has been noted, as Barbelith is in general, is slanted toward the Left. Many of us like it this way and do not see "correcting" this bias as necessary on its own merits.
The Temple is for discussion of religion, mysticism, and (magic). Non-analytical philosophies often go here by default. "Jesus was the greatest philosopher evar" probably goes here, because much of the philosophy of Christianity is revealed rather than the product of analysis, whereas "The New Testament as the Foundation of Modern Western Ethics" would probably go in Head Shop. Here as elsewhere on Barbelith, totally incomprehensible moronic babble is not friendly! It makes people sad, and when Temple people are sad, some of us might make you turn purple with green spots with our minds. We can. Assertions that you are Most Powerful Majykiun Evar and everyone should follow your One True Majykiul Stylee Revealed By The Almighty Lorax do not make Temple people sad, they make us laugh, a lot. And then the mods move your thread to Conversation because it has become a joke.
Art, Fashion, and Design is for talking about other people's art, fashion, and design. Creation is for showing off, working on, discussing/pimping your own.
Books, Criticism, and Writing is for written media, typically published on paper and either bound between two covers or folded and sometimes stapled. Again, for the most part, actually talking about your own creations goes in Creation.
Comic Books covers comics and graphic storytelling. The atmosphere here is rife with geek, as might be expected, and the comics people consider themselves extreme conoisseurs of fine geekery. Here is a warning: Many people here on Barbelith have been here for years and are tired of talking about how great Grant Morrison, Neil Gaiman, Warren Ellis, Dave McKean, etc. are. So tired, in fact, that this has become a running gag of which you may run afoul. I have fallen prey to wanton fanthingishness recently and it is likely to get you laughed at; try not to take this personally. (A warning from someone who did.)
Film, TV and Theatre contains far more Big Brother than David Ives' latest one-acts. The atmosphere here can be vey irreverent, for all that genuinely thoughtful criticism is the usual standard. The Big Brother thread is a time-honored exception to all that is holy.
Games and Gameplay is new. This is for all the things you play. Analysis is desired here. We like to hear that games are fun, but we really like to hear WHY they are fun, what makes them fun, and how they could be improved.
Radio and Music is the best place ever for finding out about obscure bands you've never heard of.
Conversation is the place where most people start, because the usual standards of intellectual analysis are relaxed here. It can also, however, be full of people sharpening their biting wit on others, which is a favorite Barbelith pastime. Nonetheless, if you need huggles, don't be afraid to ask for them here. We are kind and happy people. Welcome to Joycoretron! We are here to serve all your mindnumbingly psychoentertainological needs. Please be sure to have fun! Keep your hands and arses inside the vehicle at all times!
(Are you guys back with the candles yet? This is getting exhausting.) |
