Is it just me or do the new forum “rules” regarding topics that are deemed flogged to death seem stifling and a block on open discussion?
It's not just you.
I think more active moderation in any forum does tend to reduce discussion.
Members new and old are free to restart discussions no matter how much they may have been discussed in the past, prompting open talk and new ideas.
Where the only point of a Forum is discussion, that certainly does no harm.
Perhaps that should be the only point of this Forum. I'm open to being persuaded on that score.
The alternative view is that the discussions here can turn up information that is worth having. If so, freewheeling, repetitive discussions tend to bury those treasures--especially if I turn on the purge routine, which would simply throw away posts older than a certain threshold.
What I object to is statements such as “I see no reason to run in circles on this topic any longer. This topic will now be closed and if someone has any new verifiable details to offer, contact an admin or mod.”
You see no reason but what about others who do?
They can ask for the topic to be re-opened--
if they have some new information.
This would not be new information: "I agree with Gary" or "I agree with Andrew."
This makes me wonder what level of poster do I need to be to initiate fresh discussion or instigate a new topic? Do I need a doctorate or other such qualification?
You need to be a registered member of the Forum.
If it is a new topic, it will be allowed to follow its course.
If it is a rehash of an old topic, it should get merged with the old thread.
What credentials does the moderator have to be able to say that a topic is closed until new and starter ling “smoking” evidence is available?
It's a judgment call. There is no Ph.D. in moderation. People learn how to moderate by moderating.
This is solely my opinion based on how I feel and doesn’t involve any fancy academic ideas, principles or philosophies. I don’t expect change unless my minority becomes a majority but as a democracy? I am stating my opinion.
The Forum isn't set up to be a democracy. It is a service provided to those who wish to register to use it by TIGHAR.