You are browsing the forum as a guest. Please log in or register to access additional features.
Online reading group and book discussion forum
  HOME ABOUT BOOKS VIDEOS TRANSCRIPTS LINKS BLOGS DONATE CONTACT  

     Log in   Register 


BookTalk.org News
Have you ordered your copy of our next books?

Links & Resources

Community Rules & Tips
For Authors & Publishers
Link to our old forum
Our Amazon.com Statistics
Book Suggestions
Donations to BookTalk.org
BookTalk Forum Statistics
Games 170 FREE Games


Featured Videos

Robert Burton
"On Being Certain"


Robert Burton - On Being Certain

More Videos

Author Interviews


Featured Member Blogs

Ophelia's Blog
Lawrence's Blog
Penelope's Blog
Frank 013's Blog

- View all member Blogs
- See the latest Blog posts


Chat Room

Enter the BookTalk.org Chat Room

Enter our Chat Room

Donate to BookTalk.org

Please support BookTalk.org by making a small donation today!

Who supports us?


Related Links

Show us where you live!
BookTalk.org Member Map

Display Pagerank


Karma

Goto page 1, 2  Next
 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    BookTalk.org Forum Index -> BookTalk.org News & Feedback
Author Message
Mr. Pessimistic Mr. Pessimistic has been starred
Assistant Professor
Silver Contributor
Silver Contributor

Avatar



Joined: 16 Jun 2004


Posts: 3480
Gender: Male
Location: NJ - www.myspace.com/mrpessimistic
us.gif



PostPosted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 1:02 pm    Post subject: Karma Reply with quote
Whats all this Karma stuff and why do only certain people have it?
Back to top
Penelope Penelope has been starred
Stupendously Brilliant
Silver Contributor
Silver Contributor

Avatar



Joined: 02 Oct 2007


Posts: 735
Gender: Female
Location: Cheshire, England
ee.gif



PostPosted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 2:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Here, Here Mr. P. Well said that man - have a fruit gum!! What are those Karma Points?

I believe in Karma - you reap what you sow.....

Who feels adequate enough to endow points?

Mr P. We all have Karma! Let us all go sit in a corner and examine our motives.....or not.
Back to top
Ophelia Ophelia has been starred
Embodiment of Reason
Silver Contributor
Silver Contributor

Avatar



Joined: 25 Nov 2007

Posts: 1272
Gender: Female
Location: France
ee.gif



PostPosted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:04 am    Post subject: karma and Zimbardo's lucifer effect. Reply with quote
I just noticed that my BT karma had reached +2 today and I must say I've been feeling cheerful all day.

So, I went back to Zimbardo's Lucifer Effect, chapter 12: Creating Nazis in an American Classroom (p 281 in my copy).

In an experiment with school students (probably from the 70's, it would never have passed modern parents), blue-eyed pupils were told they were good (I'm blue-eyed, by the way), and brown-eyed pupils were told they were bad (with depressing effects, as always in Lucifer Effect).
Then, things were reversed, and they studied the results when brown-eyed pupils were given star status.


So, I suggest negociating the following with Chris ( God being always involved with things like karma):

For a given period of time, karma will be attributed in a purely arbitrary fashion (instead of the excellent method in use now).
Each BT member will appoint a member of his family to the task of studying the evolution of their moods (from despair to bliss) according to the karma they receive on their monitors.

At the end of the period, all data will be collected (and attribution of karma points will return to previous criteria).

The results will be analyzed by a study and writing committee.
Then the results of the Karma Effect Experiments will be published, and the money we get will go to meeting Booktalk running costs.

Expect a visit from your local policeman to tell you when things are starting.
Back to top
Penelope Penelope has been starred
Stupendously Brilliant
Silver Contributor
Silver Contributor

Avatar



Joined: 02 Oct 2007


Posts: 735
Gender: Female
Location: Cheshire, England
ee.gif



PostPosted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Ophelia - you deserve all the good karma available, in my book.

My Karma in reality must be good because I met you just when I most needed to.

Also a very kind and considerate Dentist!!!

Let's us two just finish off the fruit gums shall we Mr.P?
Back to top
Mr. Pessimistic Mr. Pessimistic has been starred
Assistant Professor
Silver Contributor
Silver Contributor

Avatar



Joined: 16 Jun 2004


Posts: 3480
Gender: Male
Location: NJ - www.myspace.com/mrpessimistic
us.gif



PostPosted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Penelope wrote:
Ophelia - you deserve all the good karma available, in my book.

My Karma in reality must be good because I met you just when I most needed to.

Also a very kind and considerate Dentist!!!

Let's us two just finish off the fruit gums shall we Mr.P?


I love fruit gum...Juicy Fruit, Fruit Strip Gum, Bubble Yum Tropical...

Mr. P.
Back to top
Penelope Penelope has been starred
Stupendously Brilliant
Silver Contributor
Silver Contributor

Avatar



Joined: 02 Oct 2007


Posts: 735
Gender: Female
Location: Cheshire, England
ee.gif



PostPosted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Ah No!! Not the same thing in England.

A Fruit Gum is a small hard jelly-type sweet for little kids.

Advertising Jingle went:- Don't Forget the Fruit Gums Mum!!! Very Happy
Back to top
Chris OConnor Chris OConnor has been starred
Rhodes Scholar
BookTalk.org Owner

Avatar



Joined: 05 May 2002


Posts: 6981
Gender: Male
Location: Florida
us.gif



PostPosted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 10:55 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
You all should be able to assign Karma points to each other at the rate of one point total per day. This is a new feature installed and how we use it has yet to be determined. Karma points = good. If someone assigns a Karma point to you they are saying you are making them happy in some way - perhaps they loved your post or contribution, but don't have much to say in a follow-up post about it. They can simply click the Karma button and assign Karma to you.
Back to top
Chris OConnor Chris OConnor has been starred
Rhodes Scholar
BookTalk.org Owner

Avatar



Joined: 05 May 2002


Posts: 6981
Gender: Male
Location: Florida
us.gif



PostPosted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 10:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
So help me test this system! You should only be able to assign one point total....not one point per person. I think. Test it out. Post the results here.

There are actually a ton of new features added that we have yet to start to use. While I am dealing with some personal issues I won't have the time to learn how to use them, but in time you'll seee all sorts of new stuff appearing.

Help me learn how this Karma feature works! I can change the settings, but I'd like some feedback before I try to adjust settings. Cool
Back to top
Mr. Pessimistic Mr. Pessimistic has been starred
Assistant Professor
Silver Contributor
Silver Contributor

Avatar



Joined: 16 Jun 2004


Posts: 3480
Gender: Male
Location: NJ - www.myspace.com/mrpessimistic
us.gif



PostPosted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 12:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Chris OConnor wrote:
So help me test this system! You should only be able to assign one point total....not one point per person. I think. Test it out. Post the results here.

There are actually a ton of new features added that we have yet to start to use. While I am dealing with some personal issues I won't have the time to learn how to use them, but in time you'll seee all sorts of new stuff appearing.

Help me learn how this Karma feature works! I can change the settings, but I'd like some feedback before I try to adjust settings. Cool


Well, yesterday I assigned Ophelia a +. She was the ONLY person I was able to assign anything. And before that and after that one time, everyone else seems to be 'greyed out', meaning I cannot assign either Karma to anyone.

I like the idea. So lets make it work. I think only ONE per day is too little and not worth it at that point. One per member maybe, or at least a few a day each.

Mr. P.
Back to top
Penelope Penelope has been starred
Stupendously Brilliant
Silver Contributor
Silver Contributor

Avatar



Joined: 02 Oct 2007


Posts: 735
Gender: Female
Location: Cheshire, England
ee.gif



PostPosted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 2:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I just did the +Karma thing. I think it is a good idea Chris and one a day is OK by me.

Can you click - negative Karma as well as +Karma? Not that I would want to give anyone negative Karma, but it might show one, if one had trodden on some one's toes.

I often wonder if I am offending anyone, but I still think it is important to be honest and upfront. So if I got negative karma points I would know to be a little less forthright.

A little less waffle!!! Did I hear you say?

<img src=http://www.asweetpea.btinternet.co.uk/smile/sterb.gif>
Back to top
Display replies from:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    BookTalk.org Forum Index -> BookTalk.org News & Feedback  
Goto page 1, 2  Next
Page 1 of 2


 
Recent Topics
» Ch. 4: The Classification of Mental States
by Saffron on Sat Oct 11, 2008 6:04 pm

» Ch. 13: Faith
by DWill on Sat Oct 11, 2008 5:51 pm

» Interview with Robert Burton
by Lawrence on Sat Oct 11, 2008 4:28 pm

» Control.
by Ophelia on Sat Oct 11, 2008 3:40 pm

» Can a person enter a war as an act of cowardice?
by imnosalinger on Sat Oct 11, 2008 3:22 pm

» Hello hello
by Ophelia on Sat Oct 11, 2008 2:59 pm

» Hello all!
by imnosalinger on Sat Oct 11, 2008 1:41 pm

» Sarah Palin: Good, Bad or just the wrong choice?
by imnosalinger on Sat Oct 11, 2008 11:16 am

» Wow...even I feel bad for McCain
by Ophelia on Sat Oct 11, 2008 11:14 am

» About the parking poll and handicapped spots.
by Penelope on Sat Oct 11, 2008 8:17 am




BookTalk.org Suggests


With Pythons & Head-Hunters in Borneo: The Quest for Mount Tiban by Brian Row McNamee

In a Time of War: The Proud and Perilous Journey of West Point' Class of 2002 by Bill Murphy Jr.

Imagine No Superstition: The Power to Enjoy Life With No Guilt, No Shame, No Blame by Stephen Frederick

Scheisshaus Luck: Surviving the Unspeakable in Auschwitz and Dora by Pierre Berg with Brian Brock

Beyond Reasonable Doubt by Geoff J. Henley

Additional Book Suggestions


Related Links

Poll
Do you think choosing Sarah Palin was a mistake for McCain?

Yes. She is way too inexperienced to potentially serve as President [9]
Yes, she may be inexperienced, but she has charm...and thats what counts. [0]
She has enough appeal to the masses to make her choice acceptable. [0]
No. She lives next to Russia, so has enough experience for me. [0]
Is it too late to get Tina Fey on the ticket? [2]
I think she was an excellent choice. [1]

You must login to vote


BookTalk.org is a book discussion group, also known as a reading group or book club. We read and talk about non-fiction books, as a group. Live author chats where book group members can interact with and interview authors are common. We often give away free books to our members in book giveaway contests. Our booktalks are open to everybody who enjoys booktalk.  Booktalk is a free online reading group that features quality book reviews, resources for readers and book lovers. Discussing books is our passion. Non-fiction chat, book forum, literature forum, or reading forum. Register a free book club account today. Suggest nonfiction books. Authors and publishers are welcome to plug their books or ask for an author chat or interview.

MAIN NAVIGATION

HOMEABOUTBOOKSTRANSCRIPTSOLD FORUMSLINKSBLOGSFAQDONATECONTACT

BOOKS WE HAVE DISCUSSED
The Things They Carried by Tim O'BrienThe Limits of Power: The End of American ExceptionalismLolitaOrlando by Virginia Woolf On Being Certain by Robert A. Burton50 reasons people give for believing in a god by Guy P. HarrisonWalden: Or, Life in the Woods by Henry David ThoreauExile and the Kingdom by Albert CamusOur Inner Ape: A Leading Primatologist Explains Why We Are Who We Are by Frans de WaalYour Inner Fish: A Journey into the 3.5-Billion-Year-History of the Human Body by Neil ShubinNo Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthyThe Age of American Unreason by Susan JacobyTen Theories of Human Nature by Leslie Stevenson & David HabermanHeart of Darkness by Joseph ConradThe Stuff of Thought: Language as a Window Into Human Nature by Stephen PinkerA Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled HosseiniThe Lucifer Effect: Understanding How Good People Turn Evil by Philip ZimbardoResponsibility and Judgment by Hannah ArendtInterventions by Noam ChomskyGodless in America by George A. RickerReligious Expression and the American Constitution by Franklyn S. HaimanDeep Economy: The Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future by Phil McKibbenThe God Delusion by Richard DawkinsThe Third Chimpanzee: The Evolution and Future of the Human Animal by Jared DiamondThe Woman in the Dunes by Abe KoboEvolution vs. Creationism: An Introduction by Eugenie C. ScottThe Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals by Michael PollanI, Claudius : From the Autobiography of Tiberius Claudius, Born 10 B.C., Murdered and Deified A.D. 54 by Robert GravesBreaking The Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon by Daniel C. DennettA Peace to End All Peace: The Fall of the Ottoman Empire and the Creation of the Modern Middle East Peace by David FromkinThe Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey NiffeneggerThe End of Faith: Religion, Terror, and the Future of Reason by Sam HarrisEnder's Game by Orson Scott CardThe Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark HaddonValue and Virtue in a Godless Universe by Erik J. WielenbergThe March by E. L DoctorowThe Ethical Brain by Michael GazzanigaFreethinkers: A History of American Secularism by Susan JacobyCollapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed by Jared DiamondThe Battle for God by Karen ArmstrongThe Future of Life by Edward O. WilsonWhat is Good? The Search for the Best Way to Live by A. C. GraylingCivilization and Its Enemies: The Next Stage of History by Lee HarrisPale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space by Carl SaganHow We Believe: Science, Skepticism, and the Search for God by Michael ShermerLooking for Spinoza: Joy, Sorrow, and the Feeling Brain by Antonio DamasioLies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right by Al FrankenThe Red Queen: Sex and the Evolution of Human Nature by Matt RidleyThe Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature by Stephen PinkerUnweaving the Rainbow: Science, Delusion and the Appetite for Wonder by Richard DawkinsAtheism: A Reader edited by S.T. JoshiGlobal Brain: The Evolution of Mass Mind From the Big Bang To the 21st Century by Howard BloomThe Lucifer Principle: A Scientific Expedition into the Forces of Nature by Howard BloomGuns, Germs and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies by Jared DiamondThe Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark by Carl SaganBury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West by Dee BrownFuture Shock by Alvin Toffler

OTHER PAGES
Baloney Detection KitBanned Book ListBook OrdersMassimo Pigliucci Rationally SpeakingOnline Reading GroupTop 10 Atheism Books

Copyright © BookTalk.org 2002-2008. All rights reserved.
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group
Website developed by MidnightCoder.ca