# What rule changes would you propose to strengthen/improve GD? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [January 25, 2010, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-rule-changes-would-you-propose-to-strengthen-improve-gd/526440 "2010-01-25T23:20:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2011, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-rule-changes-would-you-propose-to-strengthen-improve-gd/526440/161 "2011-08-13T03:42:33Z")
> [@adhay](#): > > rnt u > > k? [Moderator Note] **adhay** , 1. As you know, modifying a quote within quote tags is not permitted. Do not do this again, even as a joke. 2. There doesn’t seem to be a point to raising this thread. You’ve received a previous warning for continually bumping an ATMB thread with inane comments; I hope this does not indicate your intention to start this kind of behavior again. Colibri ---
**Author:** ![adhay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecd19e/32.png) [@adhay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adhay)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2011, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-rule-changes-would-you-propose-to-strengthen-improve-gd/526440/162 "2011-09-24T02:41:36Z")
Miraculously available! Yes, one more time. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2011, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-rule-changes-would-you-propose-to-strengthen-improve-gd/526440/163 "2011-09-24T03:13:27Z")
…and there was much Doper rejoicing. ---
**Author:** ![bonitahi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7993a0/32.png) [@bonitahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bonitahi)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2012, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-rule-changes-would-you-propose-to-strengthen-improve-gd/526440/164 "2012-11-13T02:01:11Z")
> [@AHunter3](#): > > a) The existing standard GD thread type should continue to exist, unimpaired. Life as usual in those. > > b) A new thread type within GD should be supported in which a subject or topic is formally identified, a finite and specific number of partisans/participants are also formally identified, and the thread itself has one or more designated referees (who may be but need not be SDMB Moderators). The referee would rule on assertions being entirely off-topic, replies not addressing themselves to questions posed, on whether a question asked or a point raised has already been asked or raised, etc, but would NOT proclaim a “winner of the debate”. The referee would only serve to keep things steered to the agreed-upon subject matter. Aside from the identified participants, others could post their agreements or responses to what the participants have said, but would be asked not to reply _to each other_ or to introduce anything new. I _think_ I understand what you are saying. ---
**Author:** ![lekatt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lekatt/32/7269_2.png) [@lekatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lekatt)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-rule-changes-would-you-propose-to-strengthen-improve-gd/526440/165 "2013-08-08T14:35:50Z")
This is about the GD. I really don’t know how you would improve it without hurting it. In order to have a good debate there must be opposing sides that discuss an issue of life in a civil manner. The board is populated with science/atheist types who dominate and run off anyone opposed to their way of thinking with insults and name calling. There are very few theists, metaphysical, alien believers left so there are no real debates. Oh well, ---
**Author:** ![Condescending\_Robot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a183cd/32.png) [@Condescending\_Robot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Condescending_Robot)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-rule-changes-would-you-propose-to-strengthen-improve-gd/526440/166 "2013-08-08T21:59:39Z")
> [@lekatt](#): > > This is about the GD. I really don’t know how you would improve it without hurting it. > In order to have a good debate there must be opposing sides that discuss an issue of life in a civil manner. The board is populated with science/atheist types who dominate and run off anyone opposed to their way of thinking with insults and name calling. There are very few theists, metaphysical, alien believers left so there are no real debates. Oh well, There’s nothing to “debate” with people who believe in ghosts or whatever. Presumably the sane people want to discuss philosophical and political issues with reference to real-world facts without nutjobs intruding on it to try to prove that Harry Potter/bigfoot/Jesus is real every third post, and your version of “civility” in which you are being “dominated” by “science,” “atheists” and other reflections of reality because other people are smarter than you and not psychotic is not welcome in most of those threads. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-rule-changes-would-you-propose-to-strengthen-improve-gd/526440/167 "2013-08-08T22:16:28Z")
> [@Condescending\_Robot](#): > > because other people are smarter than you and not psychotic is not welcome in most of those threads. **Moderator Warning** **Condescending Robot** , this is ATMB, and insults and personal attacks are not permitted. This is an official warning. Keep this stuff in the Pit, don’t do it here. Colibri Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-rule-changes-would-you-propose-to-strengthen-improve-gd/526440/168 "2013-08-08T22:18:55Z")
> [@lekatt](#): > > This is about the GD. I really don’t know how you would improve it without hurting it. > In order to have a good debate there must be opposing sides that discuss an issue of life in a civil manner. The board is populated with science/atheist types who dominate and run off anyone opposed to their way of thinking with insults and name calling. There are very few theists, metaphysical, alien believers left so there are no real debates. Oh well, **Moderator Note** This thread is about rule changes that might improve GD. If you just want to complain about the board without making any constructive comments, this thread is not the place for it. ---
**Author:** ![lekatt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lekatt/32/7269_2.png) [@lekatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lekatt)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2013, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-rule-changes-would-you-propose-to-strengthen-improve-gd/526440/169 "2013-08-09T00:31:32Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > **Moderator Note** > > This thread is about rule changes that might improve GD. If you just want to complain about the board without making any constructive comments, this thread is not the place for it. NM ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2013, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-rule-changes-would-you-propose-to-strengthen-improve-gd/526440/170 "2013-08-09T01:22:31Z")
Given that this thread was started three and a half years ago, and that nothing constructive has been added for the past two years, I’m closing it. Anyone wishing to discuss possible rule changes in GD is welcome to start a new thread. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-rule-changes-would-you-propose-to-strengthen-improve-gd/526440.md?page=8)