(Consider this thread an experiment, and not the final word. If it doesn’t work, I’ll go back to business as usual.)
The cutting room floor refers to the floor of the editing room used in movie making. When film editors edited a film in the early days of movie making, they would cut parts of the film out, leaving the unwanted scenes on the cutting room floor.
Some of UD’s authors may find certain comments distracting or unhelpful to the discussion. Previously, I deleted such comments from threads I started. On the other hand, if a comment is deleted, suspicions arise whether that comment had something deeply incriminating and therefore was suppressed.
In an effort then, to let the readers know that I or other authors had nothing to hide, but simply exercised editorial judgement as to what would or would not be the most informative and useful to the readers, I’m starting this thread as an EXPERIMENTAL repository for such comments.
That is not to say there aren’t comments deserving outright deletion such as those containing vulgarity, or extreme insults to other participants, some violation of privacy, or extremly bone-headed remarks, etc. But some comments which don’t violate those standards still may not quite fit with the kind of discussion the author had in mind, yet in some respects, given the time invested by the participants in composing their comments it would seem almost discourteous to dump such comments in the same category as those being outrightly deleted, especially if a lot of effort went in to the composition of the comment.
I’m trying to get better at treating the participants here more respectfully. I don’t want commentors to feel if they get a “letter of rejection” (so to speak) from me that I do not welcome their future participation. I hope participants who have their comments moved here simply consider it an editorial decision, and an indication that I still welcome their participation. In contrast, outright deletion of a comment, may indicate I thought the comment was so bad, it wasn’t even worth moving here.
Many from the other side of the issue raise questions which those on the sideline want answered. Furthermore, controversy attracts readers to this weblog. Consensus can be rather boring, but controversy exciting. And exciting translates into more readership! Thus I want to encourage participation by first rate critical discussion here at UD (versus the brainless banter I see at rival weblogs like Pandas Thumb and PZ Pharyngula).
I invite any of my fellow authors at UD to deposit any of the scenes which they think shouldn’t make the final cut but on the other hand should not be totally erased. Of course, if someone gets too annoying (like the kind of creatures that inhabit the comment section of Pandas Thumb and PZ Myers weblog) they can expect to be permanently shown the door…
Every musician has hit wrong notes in the course of his life. Consider this place a place where even the best participants can have their wrong notes deposited so that the best music is presented where it has the largest audience. Also, this place can be a place where people discuss whatever they want within reason.
I would hope UD will be a place the best and most well-known anti-IDers would occasionally feel comfortable making an appearance here. I certainly enjoy sparring with the best the other side has to offer. It makes for a great show.
Salvador