Posting Rules
Ethics, Morality & Justice
December 2, 2004
Ethics, Morality & Justice
December 2, 2004
Introduction
Welcome to Ethics, Morality, and Justice forum at Sciforums. It is our hope that you will find time spent here enjoyable and intellectually profitable. Toward that end, the following rules are in effect:
I. General Respect
We ask that posters show a certain basic respect for one another. Additionally, we recognize that some of the topics and issues discussed at Sciforums will be "close to the heart", and subject to some passion among posters. While we do not wish to stifle that passion, we must demand that even political, moralistic, academic, or other intensity manage to achieve a basic, decent respect for other posters.
II. Personal Comments and Attacks
Some issues discussed will bring rhetorical conflict and even resentment.
(A) Posts which attack a person directly rather than views, conduct, theories, &c., will be subject to moderation including but not limited to editing or complete removal of post.
(B) Posts intended to demean another according to group characterization may be subject to moderation, including but not limited to editing or complete removal of post.
(B) Posts intended to demean another according to group characterization may be subject to moderation, including but not limited to editing or complete removal of post.
III. Stereotyping and name-calling
Stereotypes and group generalizations are generally inappropriate.
(A) A stereotype is not a functional argument in and of itself.
(B) Asserting a group generalization is not prohibited outright. Evidentiary argument, considerations of general respect, and purpose of characterization are among the factors relevant to determining the propriety or impropriety of what might appear to be a stereotype or even simple name-calling.
(B) Asserting a group generalization is not prohibited outright. Evidentiary argument, considerations of general respect, and purpose of characterization are among the factors relevant to determining the propriety or impropriety of what might appear to be a stereotype or even simple name-calling.
IV. Flaming, Trolling, Goading
Posts which, in the moderator's opinion, serve no purpose other than to demean, provoke anger, or disrupt discussions will be deleted.
V. Hate and Threats
Posts that promote hatred should be avoided. Slurs, libels, and threats will be deleted.
(A) Slurs, libels, and threats will be deleted.
(B) Posters perceived as threatening another poster or group of people may be banned from posting at Sciforums.
(B) Posters perceived as threatening another poster or group of people may be banned from posting at Sciforums.
VI. Gratuitous Content
Obscene, sexually-oriented or violent material will, in most cases, be removed. This is particularly applicable in the case of images.
VII. Illegal Activity
Do not promote crimes against people or property. Sciforums has traditionally allowed certain communication reflective of "civil disobedience", but cannot tolerate the promotion of crimes against people or property, and will not tolerate the use of this board to communicate or undertake illegal activity.
(A) Examples include, but are not limited to:
(A.1) To admit, confess, or otherwise disclose one's participation in a crime is the poster's choice and risk.
(A.2) Using Sciforums as a tool toward committing a crime will result in moderator action including but not limited to moderation or deletion of post, possible ban from posting at Sciforums, and possible referral to appropriate law enforcement.
(A.2) Using Sciforums as a tool toward committing a crime will result in moderator action including but not limited to moderation or deletion of post, possible ban from posting at Sciforums, and possible referral to appropriate law enforcement.
VIII. Language
Profanity and vulgarity is tolerated. Excessive or pointless profanity will be subject to moderation including but not limited to edit or deletion of post.
IX. Cutting and Pasting, Plagiarism, Citation
How and what text a poster includes from various sources is important:
(A) Posting large verbatim extracts of text from other sites is undesirable for several reasons:
Therefore, we ask that posters abide by the following guidelines:
Posts which deviate from these guidelines will be edited or deleted.
(B) Quoting Texts
(C) Plagiarism
Plagiarism consists of copying another person's writings and passing them off as your own. If you post something somebody else has written, you must name the author, and preferably also reference the source. Posts which include material from elsewhere that is not properly acknowledged in this way will be deleted.
• It uses up storage space on SciForums.
• It duplicates information that is easily accessible elsewhere.
• It can disrupt the flow of a thread, because posters have to scroll through large amounts of text that they may not wish to read.
• It may breach copyright laws.
• It duplicates information that is easily accessible elsewhere.
• It can disrupt the flow of a thread, because posters have to scroll through large amounts of text that they may not wish to read.
• It may breach copyright laws.
Therefore, we ask that posters abide by the following guidelines:
• Quoted text should be restricted to a few lines or a paragraph unless the poster is quoting the text along with his or her, own detailed analysis (interspersed with the text).
• Avoid verbatim reproduction of entire posts of other posters (e.g. from earlier in a thread). If you want to dissect a post, it is fine to split it into different parts, but do not simply quote the entire post and then add a one or two line comment.
• Avoid verbatim reproduction of entire posts of other posters (e.g. from earlier in a thread). If you want to dissect a post, it is fine to split it into different parts, but do not simply quote the entire post and then add a one or two line comment.
Posts which deviate from these guidelines will be edited or deleted.
(B) Quoting Texts
(B.1) Long quotes from sources available online will be edited or deleted.
(B.2) All textual quotations require some form of citation; see IX(C), "Plagiarism".
(B.2) All textual quotations require some form of citation; see IX(C), "Plagiarism".
(B.2.1) Please provide a hyperlink citation for online sources.
(B.2.2) There are various "official" forms of citation, known by names such as "MLA", "APA", and "Turabian/Chicago". Sciforums is not so exacting as to require a specific form of citation, but the author at least must be acknowledged, and we also ask for titles when appropriate.
(B.2.2) There are various "official" forms of citation, known by names such as "MLA", "APA", and "Turabian/Chicago". Sciforums is not so exacting as to require a specific form of citation, but the author at least must be acknowledged, and we also ask for titles when appropriate.
(B.2.2.1) Famous and well-known quotations, such as those that can be found in Bartlett's, need only be attributed to the original speaker/writer. We encourage but do not require further information for this kind of quotation.
(C) Plagiarism
Plagiarism consists of copying another person's writings and passing them off as your own. If you post something somebody else has written, you must name the author, and preferably also reference the source. Posts which include material from elsewhere that is not properly acknowledged in this way will be deleted.
X. Off-Topic Posts
Posts determined by a moderator to be off-topic may be subject to moderator action.
(A) Posts determined to by a moderator to seek to disrupt a discussion with inane, irrelevant comments, will be deleted.
XI. Repeated Posts and Topics
We recognize that many topics in the EM&J forum are variations on a theme. That is to be expected in this kind of forum.
(A) Topics that merely repeat prior discussions may be subject to moderator action including but not limited to merging or closure of the topic.
(B) Cross-posting the same content without variation in multiple topics may result in moderator action including but not limited to deletion of the extraneous posts.
(B) Cross-posting the same content without variation in multiple topics may result in moderator action including but not limited to deletion of the extraneous posts.
XII. Moderator Authority
Moderators are entitled and empowered to change or delete posts as they see appropriate.
(A) Changing a moderator edit for any reason may result in immediate banning.
(B) If you disagree with a moderator's edit, do not attempt to override it. Posters may certainly inquire if they have questions regarding a moderator's decision.
(B) If you disagree with a moderator's edit, do not attempt to override it. Posters may certainly inquire if they have questions regarding a moderator's decision.
(B.1) Moderators will often offer explanations or advice regarding an action taken, but have never been obliged to do so, and are not currently obliged to do so.
XIII. Repeat Offenders
The moderators here are not paid for their work, and have limited time. We do not look kindly on posters whom we have to watch continually for breaches of the forum rules. If we find that your posts are requiring continual moderation attention, you will first be warned by personal message. If the inappropriate posts continue, you will be banned.
XIV. Freedom of Speech
You are free to post or not to post on Sciforums. However, posting here is a privilege, not a right. As such, by posting you agree to abide by the forum rules. Yes, this restricts your freedom of speech to a certain extent. If a poster bears a legitimate concern, we welcome consideration of the issue. Short of that, however, if you cannot accept the restrictions which are in place, our advice is to find an alternative forum which suits you better, or start your own site.
XV. Unwritten Rules
Moderators are empowered to employ their discretion in cases where questions of conduct do not have clear answers. As new problematic issues arise, moderators will attempt to adapt to the situation before installing new rules. Please refer to Section I, General Respect, for context. If a poster feels a moderator is being arbitrary, there may be a reason for it not yet included in the rules. Sciforums is a dynamic community, as well as asserting itself as an intelligent community.
XVI. Feedback & Response
Please be aware that you have various options for giving your feedback and perspective on Sciforums, its moderation and administration, and its rules. SciForums Open Government is available for proposed rules and procedures. Site Feedback is available for questions and issues concerning technical aspects or problems users encounter. The EM&J moderator is available via Sciforums Private Message.
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We hope that you will enjoy your time on the EM&J forum and at Sciforums. The quality of your posts make this forum what it is.
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