This community started as a way to share what I found interesting and help promote the instance. I had no expectations of it growing to the size it is right now. As a result, the basic rules of the community are no longer seem to be enough to keep up with the activity. I’m grateful to people who post, comment and have honest discussions, but lately more and more discussions are going off into off-topic and leads to personal attacks.

I am of a strong opinion that discussions and disagreements on the merit lead to real conversations and stronger positions. But, all of that is lost, when conversations devolve into ad hominem attacks.

Likewise, I believe in evaluating each individual article or source on its own merit. As a result, all sources are welcome here, and each of you can evaluate what do you think about it. Voting and commenting should be used to express those thoughts, not report button.

Lastly, misinformation. The whole concept of misinformation is impossible to enforce. I’m just a single person, who is not a subject expert in every single field. Use your brain and do your own research, verify information with multiple sources. If you find something that can lead to immediate danger, report and include as much information as possible so that it can be appropriately evaluated.

New rules

  1. English only: Title and associated content has to be in English.
  2. No social media posts: Avoid all social media posts. Try searching for a source that has a written article or transcription on the subject.
  3. Respectful communication: All communication has to be respectful of differing opinions, viewpoints, and experiences.
  4. Inclusivity: Everyone is welcome here regardless of age, body size, visible or invisible disability, ethnicity, sex characteristics, gender identity and expression, education, socio-economic status, nationality, personal appearance, race, caste, color, religion, or sexual identity and orientation.
  5. Ad hominem attacks: Any kind of personal attacks are expressly forbidden. If you can’t argue your position without attacking a person’s character, you already lost the argument.
  6. Off-topic tangents: Stay on topic. Keep it relevant.
  7. Instance rules may apply: If something is not covered by community rules, but are against lemmy.zip instance rules, they will be enforced.

Thank you everyone who participates, and I hope you continue participating in the future.

  • BrikoX@lemmy.zipOPMEnglish
    1·
    3 days ago

    There is a bit of misconception of what this community is. It’s not really meant to compete with lemmy.world or anyone else really.

    Instead of creating just another identical community, I decided to create something more worthwhile. The focus of this community is to create a space where open discussions can happen. And while to many it might sound “great”, the reality is that people are used to ultra moderated communities where they only see their own point of view reinforced. So having some unpopular opinions expressed and when they report it, them not being removed, is controversial. But that’s what open forum looks like.

    The community has clear rules, and they are always enforced, but I don’t moderate opinions that don’t break any rules. Even if they are against my personal views or unpopular. That is reflected in the modlog, as I always point to the rule broken instead of writing unique reasons for different situations.

    I’m not familiar enough with !world@quokk.au to know their philosophy, but my DMs are always open. My Matrix handle is also available in the profile if more secure communications are preferred.