The whole point of raising a topic is to elicit opinions. If the opinions are of low caliber, you raised it in the wrong place.

@tendmote ... perhaps I failed to include the [sarcasm] and [/sarcasm] tags.

Just a few items of food for thought ...

1. Of all the places one might post a serious request for information and/or informed opinion on the web, what are the chances that a site dedicated to on-line gameplaying is the best place to post that request, regardless of the topic?
2. Considering the breadth of topics posted recently, which as far as I recall include climate change, diet questions, macro- and micro-economics, abortion, euthanasia, world cup soccer [sorry, football] and dating advice (along with a bunch of other stuff that I do not recall), what are the chances that the people replying to *all* of the above (you know who you are) actually have some level of informed opinion or "expertise" such that the goal of gathering information is served?

And as an aside, for those whose goal is persuasion rather than information gathering,
3. Why should anyone here accept your "credentials" for pontification?
4. What is it about this group of people that makes is worth your while to invest so much time and energy in convincing them to come around to the "correct" way of thinking?
... and perhaps more importantly,
5. Given that you chose *this* board as a platform for the above, what does that say about your overall level of judgment, and how does that generalize to the topic at hand?

I'm just sayin' ... maybe we should spend more time discussing Diplomacy, which at least has the advantage that there really ARE experts who can contribute to the discussion, and there really is a decent chance of becoming better informed about the topic.

I would hardly raise a question about complex support or convoying combinations on a website dedicated to celebrity fashion (for instance).

I actually have a degree in expertology.

@VirtualBob, our community is actually pretty well rounded, and is one of the most intelligent groups I've come across online. I've had a few problems with coding where I've been able to get am answer from the members when some of the top coding sites failed to help. The discussions on history, physics, etc are usually pretty accurate as well. In fact I believe we've had threads giving explanations of even quantum physics

kestas has done the forums a favor by designating all the experts with a little checkered flag for easy reference.

That "checkered flag" is in fact the "dunce cap" of webdiplomacy.net

You just don't understand.

I slept at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

You have my sympathies. I take it from the fact you're still alive that you avoided the breakfast?

@jmo ... I have noticed a few rather interesting posts, but the emphasis is on "few". And I would still suggest that there are better forums for discussion of history, quantum physics etc.

@others ... thanks for the hijack.

No, it's the colored dots we call coins that determine the level of expertise. None, bronze, silver, and gold. You'll not my gold. I know everything there is to know about most things and have forgotten more than most people ever learned.

@Bob

You're right, of course. However, I think there are very few places where you can have decent conversations about *all* these topics and more.

@VB - but what other forums will let you discuss *all* those diverse topics with people who actually are the cream of the crop (in many cases) intellectually speaking? This diverse group has expertise ranging from the ecumenical/metaphysical to mathematical to scientific to political to language and culture to... I may like to argue, but I respect this groups general expertise far above any other forum I participate in. Something about this game draws the inquisitive and intellectual person to it.

Damn it, abge, you beat me to it!

That's why I get the checkers and you don't.

What's wrong with Holiday Inn Express? Pretty much every major-chain motel in the USA is really, really adequate.

I grant the opportunity for diverse topics all in one place. What I fail to understand is how we have collectively identified ourselves as 'the cream of the crop". Really? The smartest people in the world spend all their time playing online strategy games? I'm not sure that premise holds.

Nobody said "cream of the crop" or "smartest", just "smarter than your average bear".

Ok, technically, I said "cream of the crop", but I didn't mean it literally as in the top IQs were here (whatever that means) just that we are not your typical poster on reddit or twitter or facebook (used to comment on a lot of news sites).

VB, I assure you that this is a very smart group. Not sartorially, for the most part, but in other respects yes. I am impressed by the native acumen (of many) and wisdom (of some) of those who post their insights on this forum, as well as by the diverse academic backgrounds represented.

I have spoken.

I agree wholeheartedly. Playing Diplomacy on the internet has given me a vast depth of knowledge about many--though not yet all--subjects and topics. I knew from the moment I created an account here that I was in the presence of greatness, and that eventually (by osmosis) I would be able to claim some of that intellectual prowess for myself. I hope that another few months here will provide me with the universal knowledge that so many others on this site seem to have. I hear that this forum is a go-to resource for anyone of influence because of the incredible stores of knowledge contained within.

It's definitely not just a bunch of people aping/plagiarizing stuff that they read online or offering up opinion unencumbered by fact and stroking each other's egos while doing it. Definitely not.