[asg70]

Short thinks I'm "projecting" to suggest that he shouldn't be welcome here. I feel I speak for the majority, but let's find out, shall we?

[charmcitysking]

Yes.

I’ve indirectly learned so much about not only petroleum extraction and geology but the oil industry and economics in general because of Shortonoil.

His half-truths or incorrect statements are often corrected by very knowledgeable industry insiders (Rockman, Rockdoc) or other posters with wide breadth of knowledge about oil and other issues we discuss here. I’m more of a lurker than a contributor but I’ve read these forums daily for a number of years now and it’s immeasurable how my understanding of the world has developed because of it.

His contributions to this site produce a very valuable discourse in my opinion (although it is somewhat diluted due to the adhoms). But I still appreciate it and feel all the wiser for having these forums at my disposal.

I do think he should stop pretending he did not make a wager with KublaiKhan. Even if he doesn’t pay it, he needs to acknowledge he made the bet. It’s embarrassing.

[dolanbaker]

The idea of voting out (blackballing)a poster due to the fact that you disagree with his opinions is a very dangerous path to walk, it least to sterile "group-think" and suppresses opposing opinions from being debated.

There are so many discussion forums out there that have become like political parties where contributors have to tow the party line or leave.

Is that where this site is headed?

[Outcast_Searcher]

The idea of voting out (blackballing)a poster due to the fact that you disagree with his opinions is a very dangerous path to walk, it least to sterile "group-think" and suppresses opposing opinions from being debated.

There are so many discussion forums out there that have become like political parties where contributors have to tow the party line or leave.

Is that where this site is headed?

How about him paying his debt?

How about him acting somewhat an adult (as per the COC) instead of calling people names and making outrageous ad-hom attacks very frequently, as though he's a grade-schooler, or even pre-schooler?

I welcome differing opinions. I welcome various, strenuous arguments, when called for.

I don't welcome infantile behavior, which goes on for years, as various bans of folks like he and pstarr have verified, IMO.

Please, let's give the people willing to engage in thoughtful dialogue here on wildly disparate topics, even when we may totally disagree, some credit -- when the vast majority of the time they can behave in a reasonable manner. (We all get irritated and might briefly say something less than rational (including yours truly) -- I'm talking about systematic, frequent bad behavior here.)

[dolanbaker]

How about him paying his debt?

Well I say more fool the people who make and accept bets with randomers on the internet.

[Cog]

Onlooker paid off his bet with me. I could not have forced him to. But some have honor and some do not.

A guy who welches on a bet is a scumbag. No way around that.

[rockdoc123]

My view is he says incredibly dumb stuff, poorly researched and basically no background in most of the blather he goes on about.
That being said the value he brings is kind of like those old Disney episodes with Jiminy Cricket. Maybe you need to be my age to remember but there was a whole serious of "I'm no fool, no siree, I'm going to live to be 103" In those episodes, they always started out depicting some idiot doing something completely stupid and then corrected it. It's a learning experience....OK..here is an idiot, this is why, don't say the same stuff and you will be OK.

[Plantagenet]

I don't pay much attention to Short's posts so I'm agnostic on their quality.

However, I agree with Dolan that censoring or blocking posters due to their point of view would be contrary to the spirit of this site. I'm sure we all can think of other posters whose views we disagree with, but there are so few posters at this site now that I think a better approach would be for people to adopt a patient and tolerant attitude towards those benighted souls whose views don't mirror their own.

Cheers!

[Yonnipun]

I voted yes. I belive his theory needs some serious fine tuning but basically he is right about the situation we are in.

[dissident]

I voted yes. I belive his theory needs some serious fine tuning but basically he is right about the situation we are in.

Given the dearth of substantial theories in this field, all the personal attacks and "pooh pooh"ing are obscene. Let the critics offer up their own theories. If shortonoil is not welcome, then plenty of others are not either. The lynch mob does not get to decide.