Post by JAFisher44 on Aug 19, 2017 15:02:52 GMT -7
Some topics in this forum deal with controversial topics and have led to heated disagreements. I am instituting the following rules in order to keep things civil.
The rules:
1)Discuss FACTS and IDEAS not PEOPLE.
This one seems pretty straight forward but I will clarify if people have questions.
2)Do not use deliberately insulting language.
Do not refer to people as morons, retarded, assholes, etc.
3)I will allow extremely limited use of ridicule or sarcasm.
I understand that ridicule and sarcasm are an important part of discourse but they lose their impact if they are employed in a scorched earth strategy. For example one might use "Magic Skydaddy" instead of "God" for impact to make a point, but when it becomes the defacto replacement in every mention it just becomes a pedantic insult. Every time you think you might want to use ridicule or sarcasm to make a point think twice. Is it really needed in that particular case to make the point? Because if I feel you are over-doing it I'll just take it away all together.
4)Treat other forum members with respect.
This does not mean you can't disagree. I must stress that attacking ideas is NOT disrespecting the person who holds those ideas, even if that person holds them dearly. However, I will no longer tolerate ANY disrespect toward the member. For example, you may not call a member stupid even if that is the conclusion you draw based on their statements/beliefs. Consider the following example:
Unacceptable response:
Acceptable response:
6)I will allow profanity as long as it isn't used to violate any of the above rules.
I think these rules should be enough to keep things civil and on track but if anyone thinks I should add other rules feel free to message me and suggest them. Each person will be allowed one mistake. If you cross the line I will edit the post to fit the guidelines or delete it if I can't salvage it. After that you will be asked to leave the thread. If you refuse to leave the thread I will temp ban you. If too many people are violating the rules I'll just lock the thread.
The rules:
1)Discuss FACTS and IDEAS not PEOPLE.
This one seems pretty straight forward but I will clarify if people have questions.
2)Do not use deliberately insulting language.
Do not refer to people as morons, retarded, assholes, etc.
3)I will allow extremely limited use of ridicule or sarcasm.
I understand that ridicule and sarcasm are an important part of discourse but they lose their impact if they are employed in a scorched earth strategy. For example one might use "Magic Skydaddy" instead of "God" for impact to make a point, but when it becomes the defacto replacement in every mention it just becomes a pedantic insult. Every time you think you might want to use ridicule or sarcasm to make a point think twice. Is it really needed in that particular case to make the point? Because if I feel you are over-doing it I'll just take it away all together.
4)Treat other forum members with respect.
This does not mean you can't disagree. I must stress that attacking ideas is NOT disrespecting the person who holds those ideas, even if that person holds them dearly. However, I will no longer tolerate ANY disrespect toward the member. For example, you may not call a member stupid even if that is the conclusion you draw based on their statements/beliefs. Consider the following example:
Clearly the world is flat! If the world were a sphere everything would fall off the southern hemisphere!
Unacceptable response:
Seriously? Are you fucking kidding? You're a moron! Only an idiot would use this stupid of an argument. The earth (and any other celestial body large enough to collapse under its own weight) is a rough sphere. Gravity pulls everything toward the local center of mass. This means that everything pulls toward the rough center of the earth. No matter where you are on the sphere "down" is toward the middle of the globe. This is why stuff does't fall off the southern hemisphere.
Acceptable response:
Your statement displays a disturbing lack of knowledge. We know, due to lots of evidence and experimentation, that the earth (and any other celestial body large enough to collapse under its own weight) is a rough sphere. Gravity pulls everything toward the local center of mass. This means that everything pulls toward the rough center of the earth. No matter where you are on the sphere "down" is toward the middle of the globe. This is why stuff does't fall off the southern hemisphere.
6)I will allow profanity as long as it isn't used to violate any of the above rules.
I think these rules should be enough to keep things civil and on track but if anyone thinks I should add other rules feel free to message me and suggest them. Each person will be allowed one mistake. If you cross the line I will edit the post to fit the guidelines or delete it if I can't salvage it. After that you will be asked to leave the thread. If you refuse to leave the thread I will temp ban you. If too many people are violating the rules I'll just lock the thread.