FMPC - Foundational Issues in Mathematics, Philosophy and Computer Science

Information Page, Rules and Procedures

Harvey M. Friedman, founder

BACKGROUND

FMPC is dedicated to the interactive discussion of Foundational Issues in Mathematics, Philosophy, and Computer Science.

The FMPC was founded in May, 2006 as complementary to the existing FOM = foundations of mathematics. The FOM was founded in 1997 by Harvey Friedman (jointly with S. Simpson) and is a moderated automated email list with an Editorial Board, dedicated to very wide participation, and carefully administered protection of rights and privileges.

The FMPC is a (normally) unmoderated Bulletin Board, where postings can only be made by members of a controlled list of highly regarded scholars who meet certain criteria. In the interests of simplicity and efficiency only, it is run as a dictatorship by the founder, with the essential help of the manager.

FMPC postings can be made only by FMPC members. Members must send postings by email to an address that is supplied to them.

To apply for membership in FMPC, please send your request to:

friedman AT math DOT ohio-state DOT edu

CRITERIA FOR FMPC MEMBERSHIP

  1. Members will have a substantial scholarly reputation to maintain, and so will act responsibly and be responsive to other postings as interactions arise. Nothing is more annoying than the spectacle of people going on and on without addressing, or even taking into account, or acknowledging, other viewpoints.
  2. Members agree to write, in a clear and transparent way, about topics of reasonably wide interest to the mathematics, philosophy, or computer science communities. There is no requirement that a member has already made definitive contributions to the topics they post on. The mere acquaintance at a basic level of topics of research from differing cultures, in an interactive setting, is already of the greatest value to members and all who read the FMPC.
  3. Members agree to make at least four 'substantive' postings per year. I may have to remind members of this commitment from time to time by email. Members are urged to engage in interactive discussions, without being concerned about looking ill informed, ignorant, or stupid. For instance, the founder is ill informed, ignorant, and stupid with some frequency.
  4. A 'substantive' posting does not have to resemble Journal articles in length or polish, or even that of Short Notes in Journals. It should contain several paragraphs, addressing a foundational issue or issues in mathematics, philosophy, or computer science, in a novel way, and/or with substantial guidance to the literature.
  5. Informative postings that are less than 'substantive' are also fully acceptable. A cumulative substantial participation in an existing thread on the FMPC is a worthy substitute for a substantive posting.
  6. The primary interest of members will be the furtherance of our understanding of fundamental issues, rather than the winning of arguments.

RULES FOR POSTINGS

  1. All postings must be sent my email to an email address supplied to the members.
  2. The subject line must be informative. For instance, the subject line 'Reply to John Doe' is not informative.
  3. All postings must be text only (active links are fine).
  4. All postings should be at the informal or semiformal level, and be of reasonably general interest to reasonably informed readers who are scholars in mathematics, philosophy, or computer science.
  5. Technical material is acceptable, provided that it is accompanied by a clear description of the main points in informal or semiformal terms.
  6. Mathematical proofs are generally not acceptable, unless the proposition being proved has been under prior discussion in FMPC. Instead, a pointer or invitation to obtain a document should generally be used.
  7. Multiple postings by a single member on the same topic should be combined, if the result is not too long. Otherwise, it should be divided into convenient parts, and labeled accordingly.
  8. When referring to earlier postings, you can either use its identifier or its url or both.
  9. Postings responding to an earlier FMPC posting, must avoid personal attacks, and take into account the other member's viewpoint and questions. Members must strive for true interaction in their postings.
  10. Postings can quote verbatim earlier FMPC postings, but only the truly relevant material. Avoid excessive quoting.
  11. All postings must contain substance. A response to an earlier posting merely asserting "I agree with Jon Doe" does not contain substance (it only contains opinion).
  12. The forwarding of messages written by others is not allowed. A summary or a link to the message is the preferred mode of communication. Recruiting the author to the FMPC should be considered, if appropriate.

HIGHLY UNLIKELY CONTINGENCIES

In case of an unacceptable posting, the founder will provide an explanation to the member, together with suggestions for revision. This is very unlikely to take place, and if it takes place, it is expected to be satisfactorily resolved. In particularly egregious cases, the founder reserves the right to remove a member from FMPC. This authority will not be abused, as the founder has his own reputation to maintain, which encompasses his Internet activity.

In the event that a member does not fulfill their commitment for at least four 'substantive' postings per year, as spelled out in the Criteria for FMPC Membership, the founder will initiate a private discussion to resolve the problem. If no resolution takes place, the founder reserves the right to remove that member from FMPC.

Harvey M. Friedman
founder, FMPC

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Current List of memebers

Started: May 24 , 2006

Last modified: May 24, 2006