The Biosphere

1:13 AM

@MadScientist @WYSIWYG @Chris have you seen my meta post?

2 hours later…

2:47 AM

@TanMath Our laughter answers are 'much of a muchness'. @rumtscho came at it from a different , interesting, angle. Do you think I went a bit overboard in the comments criticizing philosophical thought experiments on @rumtscho's laughter answer?

2 hours later…

5:15 AM

@GoodGravy probably.. But again, I feel your answer answers the actual question less than mine does.. But of course I may be biased ..

@GoodGravy thing is, there is nothing like We laugh because ....

5:36 AM

@TanMath Ah I see! I've rejigged it and added an intro line. I think my answer has the meat, but as you say, it's lacking that punchy answer feel, so thanks for the tip. Your answer is fine, and it was a nice touch referring to Provine. I haven't mentioned him directly, I only link to articles that are based on his research.

I think one thing my answer does better (again, v. biased) is build a case for why laughter is primitive by detailing that it's not unique to humans and has nothing to do with word-based language.

6:32 AM

@GoodGravy Ah ok.. I will add about the primates.. I wanted to add that too, then I forgot!

6:51 AM

@GoodGravy Sure, but you don't have evidence.. I was saying that as well.. with more evidence,cand more detail...

7:16 AM

@TanMath Are you referring to my opening line? "The consensus in the community of researchers seems to be that we laugh because it strengthens human social connections." I could reference that. Bare in mind that it is taken as common knowledge in the literature. The real question is more specific.

Chris

@TanMath I do have now.

7:32 AM

@Chris then what do you think?

@GoodGravy I don't know, I just don't find it detailed.. Anyway, you got a lot of upvotes, good job! as @AliceD said, being the first answerer is important, and I was the last.. Though, I still expected more than 1 upvote! But of course quality is more important than rep... I however feel that quality does need to be rewarded...

@GoodGravy Simply put! I don't like your answer (and you probably don't like mine!) but you win!

7:46 AM

@TanMath Being first is super important unfortunately. I think I will keep working on this answer because I don't like it either yet. I think a nice succinct well referenced answer would be ideal, but laughter research is so few and far between that one has to connect the dots themselves! I like your answer. I'm one of the up-voters :)

@GoodGravy my only upvoter? thanks man!

@GoodGravy actually, there were two upvotes, then one downvote, so really, you and some other person liked my answer...

Chris

8:37 AM

@TanMath I think the usage of chat is nothing that we can force. And especially nothing, what the mods can do about (except when the athmosphere would be hostile, which it not is). So if users have no time (or whatever reason) to use the chat, you will not get them in there.

3 hours later…

skill patrol

11:54 AM

2 hours later…

Resonating

1:40 PM

Well, that actually kind of makes sense. American english is like british english but with the letter u deleted in a couple of key places.

2 hours later…

Faheem Mitha

3:15 PM

@Chris Well, we could make it more welcoming. Put out a spread.

Chris

But this is something any user can do.

terdon

@skillpatrol That's brilliant! Did you post that on ELU chat?

4 hours later…

7:03 PM

@terdon That was posted by Johan in ELU's chat.

7:51 PM

@Ϻ.Λ.Ʀ. hello

Chris disagrees and somebody downvoted my meta post

Don't bother yourself with the downvotes.

Do you think my chat idea is a good idea? I don't think anybody supports my idea...

@Ϻ.Λ.Ʀ. I don't think people care

@TanMath Part of it is because you proposed a chat description yourself.

You should've said instead: "What should our chat description be?"

7:56 PM

@Ϻ.Λ.Ʀ. really?

Realistically.

Should I change it?

Delete it and write something else.

If I were you, my first meta post would've been "How can we improve our chat?"

@Ϻ.Λ.Ʀ. meaning? I have already proposed two ways... I want to know whether people support it or whether they have other ideas

"I want to know whether . . . " That's not terribly clear form your meta post.

Well, writing a meta post is an art. I was clumsy too with my first meta posts and flags.

8:01 PM

@Ϻ.Λ.Ʀ. no?

@Ϻ.Λ.Ʀ. yes... I don't know how to write a meta post!

You say "maybe we should change" while you should say "what do you think it should be?"

@Ϻ.Λ.Ʀ. meaning?

The most stressed query should be the first to be drawn from deck.

Your biggest question should be your first question.

Same goes for suggestions, proposals, commitments etc.

@Ϻ.Λ.Ʀ. why didn't you tell me yesterday!

Because!

8:08 PM

I guess I should delete the question now

@Ϻ.Λ.Ʀ. once I delete it, what question should I ask?

11 mins ago, by Ϻ.Λ.Ʀ.

If I were you, my first meta post would've been "How can we improve our chat?"

@Ϻ.Λ.Ʀ. what should I write in this post?

Your thoughts.

@Ϻ.Λ.Ʀ. my thoughts is that we need to have a more active chat..

@TanMath You should express that moderately, not in an extremistic way.

8:14 PM

@Ϻ.Λ.Ʀ. example?

If you want an apple, you shouldn't demand one, but ask for it nicely.

@Ϻ.Λ.Ʀ. idk, I will try....

You want me to send you a draft? Maybe we should make a separate room...

@TanMath No, not today at least. I'm going to sleep soon.

@Ϻ.Λ.Ʀ. today, you are sleeping early... I will anyway create a room for us and you can come next time...is that fine?