THE RULES
Ten short rules for the forum. They sit underneath the Charter and are applied openly by members, never by a staff moderator or hidden algorithm.
- 01
Open a thread with a question, not a verdict
A thread titled as a conclusion invites cheering. A thread that asks something real invites thinking. Say what you believe and say what would change your mind.
- 02
Upvote reasoning, not your own side
An upvote here means the reply moved the argument forward. Upvoting only what flatters you turns the forum into a scoreboard, and a scoreboard kills honest thinking.
- 03
Answer the strongest version
Reply to the best reading of what someone said, not the weakest. If you have to distort it to beat it, you haven't beaten it.
- 04
Own your words
One real person, one account, one public voice. Use your chosen public name, but no throwaways, sock puppets or manufactured consensus.
- 05
No hate speech, no incitement
Argue with anyone about anything. Do not attack people for who they are, and never call for harm. The pen is mightier than the sword — peaceful, lawful pressure is the route that actually wins.
- 06
Disagree in public, resolve in public
No quiet deletions of an argument you lost, no editing history to win. Change your mind out loud; it is the most persuasive thing anyone does here.
- 07
No moderators — juries
Staff do not decide what may be said. A randomly drawn jury judges alleged conduct breaches, not opinions. Evidence, votes and completed reasoning are transparent. Three upheld strikes remove an account.
- 08
Serve when you are called
Miss three jury calls in a row and you are out of the pool for a month. Do it again and it is six months. A third time and you never sit on a jury here again.
- 09
Evidence beats volume
Popularity is not proof. Bring evidence and reasoning. The loudest side does not win merely by being loud.
- 10
One appeal, on proper grounds
A verdict may be reviewed once for procedural error, undisclosed conflict, new evidence or material mistake. A fresh jury decides. Disliking the outcome is not grounds.
The full Charter has the twenty-two articles these rules rest on.