The official
"Showcase" description includes:
This forum hosts those with the most controversial or unusual viewpoints, giving them an opportunity to showcase their ideas in discussion with selected EvC Forum members.
Your statement...
Mammuthus writes:
The Showcase is an interesting way to allow participation by those who cannot conform to the rules of the general forum while at the same time avoiding the resulting pile ons that such participants usually cause.
... essentially says the same thing, only in clearer, more straight forward wording.
(In my opinion of course) The "Showcase" is a hybrid of the "Bootcamp" (currently called "Limbo") and the "Great Debate" forums. It is essentially "Limbo" with admin + software defined limits on who can participate. Actually, the software capability was/is (sort of) there for "Limbo". The difference is, for the "Showcase" you have to be specifically designated "in", while at "Limbo" you had to be specifically designated "out". I did designate "out" SLPx at a John S. Davison topic in "Limbo".
Or it can be looked upon as "Great Debate" for "Limbo" type personalities, but with participation limits via using the forum software controls rather than being on the honor system.
Ultimately, as I understand it, someday the forum software controls will be such that a forum can be set up where specific topics can be designated for specific participants.
I am not sure why the columnist corner forum did so poorly in generating discussion.
IMO, the "Columnist Corner" is a repository forum for well written but exceptionally long and technical opening messages. Such would tend to attract only people interested and fairly knowledgeable in the specific area of the topic. Those with short attention spans (Moose raises hand) would not be attracted.
Per not getting much in responses - I think the "columnists" are preaching to the choir, writing with great precision and accuracy. Would the reader response be such as - "Interesting; No arguing with that; Nothing more need be said"?
Adminnemooseus