Because too many comments are now contributing little new about wildlife, etc., that is, there is little information, analysis, or reasonable discussion. There are too many personal attacks. This is becoming a moderated forum, at least for a while.
If you send a comment, I will have to approve it before it appears. That might be quickly or take several days because I do enjoy the outdoors and I am involved with two conservation organizations.
I am also thinking of some other devices WordPress allows that might return the blog to a more reasoned discussion of these matters.
Ralph Maughan, webmaster
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Ralph Maughan
Dr. Ralph Maughan is professor emeritus of political science at Idaho State University with specialties in natural resource politics, public opinion, interest groups, political parties, voting and elections. Aside from academic publications, he is author or co-author of three hiking/backpacking guides, and he is past President of the Western Watersheds Project.
Ralph,
It is truely unfortunate that you have to resort to such measures. For the life of me, I don’t understand why folks have to get obnoxious and off the topic in a blog or forum. Perhaps they are emulating talk show hosts who think it is ok to bash everyone in sight. Hopefully, this tact you are taking will be successful. The other option would be to go back to the old format and there is no interactive format there.
Rick
Unfortunate but necessary and timely . . . it’s amazing to see the volume of comments on some threads, but truly disheartening to read the un-productive stereotyping, name-calling, and eye-gouging.
I visit this site to first, get a good news digest and Ralph’s perspective on topics near and dear; and second, to either witness or participate in a healthy exchange of views from people who don’t all think exactly alike.
Let’s reflect on this point by the philosopher Karl Popper:
“A discussion between people who share many views is unlikely to be fruitful, even though it may be pleasant; while a discussion between vastly different frameworks can be extremely fruitful, even though it may sometimes be extremely difficult.”
Ralph, maybe you should sort of come out of “retirement” and institute a required reading list (we could submit book reports to you on line) if we want to participate on this blog. Maybe some titles like Crimes Against Logic (Whyte, 2004); Personal Knowledge (Polyani 1958); some titles on the history and philosophy of science (eg., Popper, Feyerabend) . . . 😉
Maybe also some readings for those riding the high-horses of hubris and dogma . . . those who announce they have everything all figured out, and that they’re generously sharing their wisdom by posting here, so please don’t bother them with questions or challenges . . .