Is this a serious discussion site?

Most of the posters here are older. That doesn't mean they're any politer than the kids at yahoo, but generally there's not too much yelling.

There are some professionals in a variety of areas, and some people post from their life experience.

Welcome to A2k. I hope you find it a place that suits your interests and stylistic preferences.

We are a mixture of both, I think... maybe (hopefully) leaning towards serious and polite discussion. Actually all of us want to enjoy serious and polite discussion. We just don't always agree on what "serious and polite" means.

I have had many enjoyable discussions here with smart thoughtful people. I hope you enjoy it here.

ehBeth herself is well worth listening to on a variety of subjects.

Re serious? Sometimes we fool around. Or food around.

At base, this is certainly a serious site.

I have stayed all these years because of the guy who started this place: Robert Gentel.

a lot of people who show up here are very smart... or the opposite.

Before you cringe, a lot of us knew him by his stuff in the New York
Times Abuzz section. I think he was a teen then.

It has devolved into petty schoolyard sniping. Used to be a titan of discourse and dialogue.

A joke now.

However, if you don't mind a wait - there are interesting plans for a multi-level condo of formats.

There is a clique here, affectionately known as the "in-crowd" by those of us who aren't part of it. They have a set of beliefs that they don't feel should be questioned, and they can be a little insulting at times and sometimes abusive.

Usually they express their distaste by thumbing down posts. Often it is personal... there are certain people who get thumbed down for saying "hello". You might notice the thumbs for posts that aren't controversial in the least. You will occasionally see people forcefully try to shut down certain fairly mainstream opinions.

If you ignore this, or if you happen to have the "correct" opinions that let you fit in to the in-crowd, then this is a fine place to be.

Pour sap, as the old tv guy would say.
I close to never thumb down, years going by.
Actually, max, I've mostly avoided you.
Why are you trying to get an new and interesting person to not join us?

Tell me about the in crowd. Details, please.

They asked a question and deserve an honest answer.

They is a he, and I am interested. Right now, it seems we are running around a plain of fools.
Talk about annoying.

Intentionally thumbing down people for simply expressing an opinion different than one's own is pretty useless activity. This clearly was intentional. Moreover, it didn't help a newbie become acquainted with the site..in a positive way.

Above average but not alien...loads of humans around. So expect the web behaviour mixed up with some high value posts and opinions. If you ask me A2K is an odd mix. Worth staying ? Yes !

I suppose we have killed alex' interest.
Jesus, sometimes I despair.

<shrug>

Baffling

This new person is asking for an honest view of the site, and he or she is getting one.

Are you running for Site Asshole? In what county? most of us like the site.

Thank you Osso for making my point.

The questioner was asking for a taste of the site, I think you and I are giving him a good balanced view of how things are around here.

me also.

LOL. The truth is so irritating for some, eh?