Discussion Guidelines
We do have a few guidelines here on The FISH! Philosophy Network
regarding discussion, whether it's via the forums, blog comments,
or chatter wall.
Our discussion guidelines are intended to foster the development of an online environment where ideas, information, and opinions are exchanged in an atmosphere of civility, trust, fun, and respect. It is best if you bring your spirit and language of inquiry with you when you visit and leave behind your desire to promote a point of view that is already formed.
GENERAL BEHAVIOR, TONE
Be responsible, be respectful, and be within the law. We assume you do not need a laundry list of no-nos to know what is covered by "be responsible, be respectful." However, we do have two unusual guidelines in this area.
1) Avoid sarcasm.
2) Avoid addressing a person indirectly when disagreeing with them.
Here is an example of both: "John seems to think that all our problems would be solved if we would only embrace his wisdom."
These two behaviors are probably more responsible for online discussions degenerating into nasty places than outright flaming or namecalling. You may think this is overkill, but you will just have to live with it if you want to participate here.
PERSISTENT AND UNIQUE IDENTITY
Be who you are IRL "In Real Life." Do not impersonate anyone else. It may be cyberspace, but in this instance, it is just like the neighborhood or community where you live, or the organization where you work.
ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES
Do not engage in them here. 'Nuff said.
CONTENT STANDARDS AND OWNERSHIP
Post only what you own. 99.99% of the time, what we want is not your formal publication-type writing but the conversational writing from your brain that travels through your computer keyboard to our network. Conversation, please, not lectures.
YOUR WORDS ARE PUBLIC
We might highlight your comments on the weblog on our web site. Or put it in a newsletter. Or package it up with the comments of others into a document for others to review. Reporters/bloggers might quote you. Most discussion comments are/can be archived on the web so anyone can read them and search engines can index them.
NOT FOR COMMERCIAL USE
The FISH! Philosophy Network is collegial in nature, the opposite of a mall or flea-market. If you might financially benefit from your post, it is probably inappropriate.
ENFORCEMENT
We have a virtual dungeon full of tools, tricks, and techniques at our disposal to mete out to offenders. We will try to find the punishment to fit the offense, but this is not a court of law, nor high school, so do not expect perfect consistency.
That's it!
- The FISH! Philosophy Network
Our discussion guidelines are intended to foster the development of an online environment where ideas, information, and opinions are exchanged in an atmosphere of civility, trust, fun, and respect. It is best if you bring your spirit and language of inquiry with you when you visit and leave behind your desire to promote a point of view that is already formed.
GENERAL BEHAVIOR, TONE
Be responsible, be respectful, and be within the law. We assume you do not need a laundry list of no-nos to know what is covered by "be responsible, be respectful." However, we do have two unusual guidelines in this area.
1) Avoid sarcasm.
2) Avoid addressing a person indirectly when disagreeing with them.
Here is an example of both: "John seems to think that all our problems would be solved if we would only embrace his wisdom."
These two behaviors are probably more responsible for online discussions degenerating into nasty places than outright flaming or namecalling. You may think this is overkill, but you will just have to live with it if you want to participate here.
PERSISTENT AND UNIQUE IDENTITY
Be who you are IRL "In Real Life." Do not impersonate anyone else. It may be cyberspace, but in this instance, it is just like the neighborhood or community where you live, or the organization where you work.
ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES
Do not engage in them here. 'Nuff said.
CONTENT STANDARDS AND OWNERSHIP
Post only what you own. 99.99% of the time, what we want is not your formal publication-type writing but the conversational writing from your brain that travels through your computer keyboard to our network. Conversation, please, not lectures.
YOUR WORDS ARE PUBLIC
We might highlight your comments on the weblog on our web site. Or put it in a newsletter. Or package it up with the comments of others into a document for others to review. Reporters/bloggers might quote you. Most discussion comments are/can be archived on the web so anyone can read them and search engines can index them.
NOT FOR COMMERCIAL USE
The FISH! Philosophy Network is collegial in nature, the opposite of a mall or flea-market. If you might financially benefit from your post, it is probably inappropriate.
ENFORCEMENT
We have a virtual dungeon full of tools, tricks, and techniques at our disposal to mete out to offenders. We will try to find the punishment to fit the offense, but this is not a court of law, nor high school, so do not expect perfect consistency.
That's it!
- The FISH! Philosophy Network
© 2012 Created by ChartHouse Learning.
