A slight dichotomy appears to me....

[Professor Tanhauser]

Notice the logo of the BAUT forum? It shows an astronaut with boxing gloves on.

Boxing gloves are very...confrontational in their nature, and therefor suggest a confrontational atmosphere ahywhere they're used as a symbol.

Yet it seems that if a poster here adopts even the mildest possible form of confrontational stance on any issue, he's swarmed with warning, threats, etc, and eventually banned.

So, if a confrontational attitude isn't going to be allowed here, even in the most mildest manner, then maybe the gloves need to come off the symbol.

It's rather a case of false advertising, after all, to use a confrontational symbol as the board's icon, then ban anyone who's simply living up to the same spirit.

[mahesh]

The gloves are to knock down bad, bad, bad, bad astronomy, Herr Professor!
If the participants don't get confrontational (personally-wise), no body gets hurts!

[Van Rijn]

Notice the logo of the BAUT forum? It shows an astronaut with boxing gloves on.

If you look closely, you can see "Plait" on the helmet, for Phil Plait, the BA of BAUT. You can see his avatar here:

http://www.bautforum.com/members/the...stronomer.html

which this is based on. And yes, he's well known for figuratively knocking down bad astronomy arguments which also is commonly done on BAUT. I think it's also a bit of a joke on the Buzz Aldrin/Bart Sibrel incident.

[EDG]

You want false advertising? Why is it called "Bad Astronomy" when in fact a good chunk of the discussion board is actually about "good" astronomy?

[mahesh]

It's like in cricket, EDG!
'Bad light' often stops play. More often, than you may think!

Some times 'good light' (crank of dawn) stops play ( of shooting the night skies)

We all know there is no such thing as 'bad' light / 'good' light.

[Gillianren]

Yet it seems that if a poster here adopts even the mildest possible form of confrontational stance on any issue, he's swarmed with warning, threats, etc, and eventually banned.

I disagree. "The mildest possible form of confrontational stance" seems to me to be raising propositions with which the others in the discussion disagree, and no one has ever been banned for that, claims from the "persecuted" to the contrary. If someone comes in with a respectfully confrontational stance, one in which they avoids personal attacks, I think they stand a good chance of a lengthy life here. Be polite and answer questions and all will be well.

[Fazor]

If someone comes in with a respectfully confrontational stance, one in which they avoids personal attacks, I think they stand a good chance of a lengthy life here. Be polite and answer questions and all will be well.

BAUT has numerous examples of posters that fit that description. Problem is, there's more that come here, quickly break the rules, then get das boot. Well, that's not a problem per se, but it leads some to feel that outsiders are quickly cast away if they don't agree. I certianly don't feel that way.

[01101001]

And note that fictional-astronaut Plait is wearing padded gloves, not going bare-knuckled -- though the reputed vacuum on the Moon might require some handwear (but since, of course, it's a soundstage, the gloves are really optional).

This artfully acknowledges that there are civilizing rules in effect here similar to those of the Marquess of Queensberry's for boxing (Wikipedia), applying equally to all participants.

[...] then get das boot.

No shoes or boots with springs allowed!

[Fazor]

No shoes or boots with springs allowed!

Bah! That's the same rule that kept me from ever being any good at basket-ball.

[HenrikOlsen]

Does Flubber count as a spring?

[mugaliens]

So, if a confrontational attitude isn't going to be allowed here, even in the most mildest manner, then maybe the gloves need to come off the symbol.

I agree, and recommend we replace it, without any further delay, with a depiction of two astronauts on the Moon sitting down for a spot of tea.

[Professor Tanhauser]

I agree, and recommend we replace it, without any further delay, with a depiction of two astronauts on the Moon sitting down for a spot of tea.

Well, that might be more accurate.

[mugaliens]

Well, that might be more accurate.

Provided it shows the tea boiling away...

[Swift]

I agree, and recommend we replace it, without any further delay, with a depiction of two astronauts on the Moon sitting down for a spot of tea.

Best I could come up with was this or this or this

[mugaliens]

The second one's pretty cool! Some different colors, but it's nice.

[gzhpcu]

The problem has to do with attitude: for some persons, the goal is to be always right, for others it is to learn and attempt to arrive close to the "truth". Unfortunately, some people identify themselves too much with their ideas, and when their ideas are challenged, consider it an attack on themselves, and react accordingly.

[Grashtel]

which this is based on. And yes, he's well known for figuratively knocking down bad astronomy arguments which also is commonly done on BAUT. I think it's also a bit of a joke on the Buzz Aldrin/Bart Sibrel incident.

I believe that it is also a reference to one of the Hoax Promoters saying that the Apollo astronauts would have not been able to do much on the Moon as their pressurised gloves would have been like wearing boxing gloves due to the lack of mechanical assistance (aside from the constant volume joints intended to alleviate just that problem, but that would have required actual research to discover).