[b]The Basics:[/b] Don’t be a jerk. [b]More than the Basics:[/b] Here on the Eclipse Phase forums the moderators and the Posthuman Studios owners are working as a team to build a community dedicated to sharing ideas about the Eclipse Phase roleplaying game. We are all interested in RPGs, science, science fiction, transhumanism, posthumanism, exhumanism, social sciences and social political structures. As such it is only natural that we have very diverse outlooks and opinions, there needs to be a unifying factor of respect despite whatever differences of opinion there might be. [b]General Conduct:[/b] [list] [*]Please consider the intent of the thread's creator when replying, and focus on the main topic -- do not drag threads in rogue directions based on tiny factoids or pet causes. [*]If a thread has not been posted to for several weeks or more, please start a new one as opposed to continuing it unless you are asking specific questions or following up on comments from it; if you want to talk about the same or related subject, a new thread may be the better place. [*]Please refrain from recycling memetic content, making "+1" posts, or other short posts that do not add content or context to a thread, including "fixed it for you"-style posts. If you really feel the need to "+1" something, say "thank you" instead! [*]Aggressive behavior should not be used. Please debate facts; do not attack other posters. [*]As a roleplaying game, Eclipse Phase sometimes contains NSFW ("Not Safe For Work") content. This may relate to sexuality, violence, or other adult themes. Please be courteous in tagging threads you create as such if you think it is necessary. [/list] [b]Topics:[/b] While forbidden on many forums, discussion of religion, politics and current events is acceptable as long as it relates to Eclipse Phase. This means that discussions of “you should vote for green and not for purple” will be forbidden, but discussing how to incorporate the feeling that a green vs purple political battle is taking place on setting location XYZ is perfectly acceptable. As is using religions, politics or current event topics to extrapolate ideas into the setting. We will even allow “Explain it to me like I’m five” style threads to promote understand of various ideas, if posters are willing to cite their sources and expertise. Just remember that these threads are watched carefully for “This is what I think and anyone who disagrees is XYZ.” kinds of comments. Those will not be tolerated. [b]The “Strike” System:[/b] Any user can be warned by a moderator for an action that is detrimental to the forums: intentionally derailing threads, trolling or baiting, harassing another user, etc. If a user accrues 3 warnings, they will be banned for a period of 3 days. After returning, they will be allowed 2 more warnings before being banned for a week. After that, they only have one warning allowed before being banned for a month and then permanently. In table-style, that is, [list] [*]3 warnings, then 3 day ban [*]2 warnings, then 7 week ban [*]1 warning, then 31 day ban [*]1 warning, then lifetime ban [/list] Over time, previously -warned and -banned posters who contribute to the community in good faith will have those warnings stricken from the record. [b]Instant zero tolerance bannable offences: [/b] [list] [*]Harassment [*]Impersonation [*]Identifying as a MRA or as a fascist [*]Posting the contents of any private communications without permission from all parties involved [*]Posting personal information of others [*]Sock-puppet accounts or duplicate accounts intended to evade bans. [*]Extenuating circumstances. [/list] [b]Regarding free speech:[/b] For those of you who feel that your free speech rights are being infringed on by our forum moderation the short answer is: it isn't. Free speech is necessary for a democratic system to work because it gives the right to disagree with government policies without getting arrested. It does not give you the right to spew insulting bullshit all over the internet (or in real life for that matter) nor should it. You may argue for whichever position you want but you may not argue for it in whichever way you want.