If this isn't for experts, then who will answer the questions? – Blorgbeard Jun 9 '10 at 9:14

@Blorgbeard: good question but I think that such a forum (1) can play an important role in science popularisation, especially as a counter-pole to the constant misrepresentation in the media, and (2) experts might still be drawn to it, because of (1). Popularising science is a quite important (and interesting!) part of science, and unfortunately one that gets a raw deal. – Konrad Rudolph Jun 15 '10 at 8:27

I used to get annoyed at the extremely basic questions I'd find on Stack Overflow sometimes thinking "Why couldn't he have found this information in the first chapter of a book on X, or in the first hit from a google search on X". Then I realized that part of the draw of the experts is being able to act as teachers to even the most beginning students. I submit that if there were a 'SO for beginners' it would be almost deserted. I think this should be folded in with another science topic, instead of being a poor cousin where newbies are sent for asking 'dumb' questions. – Jherico Jun 23 '10 at 17:05