A slight change in rules

The entire FES staff has agreed that as of late, behavior on this site has become largely unacceptable and it sadly has harmed the perception of the Flat Earth Society as an organization promoting respectful discussion and tolerant accepance of others regardless of their views. As a result, the mods and admins have agreed that a change in rules is what is needed to bring FES back to its peak activity by allowing new members to feel more welcome and unafraid that their threads will turn into flame wars by old time members.

The site administration has final say over the interpretation and enforcement of these rules. These rules are subject to change without notice.

Any queries about the rules or their enforcement should be directed to the Suggestions & Concerns board. Please note that individual boards within the forum often have their own board-specific rules, which must be adhered to in addition to the Forum Rules.


The Forum Rules


*Racism and Hate Speech
-DO NOT post anything ironically, satirically, humorously, or blatantly racist in nature. Hate speech of any kind is forbidden.


*Explicit Content
-DO NOT post, link or make available anything explicit, obscene, indecent, lewd, violent, gory, pornographic, illegal, etc.


*Multiple Accounts  
-DO NOT create alternate accounts ('alts').


*Advertisements
-DO NOT create threads/posts, send private messages, or use your profile to advertise items or information.


*Flaming and Harassment
-DO NOT use insulting or denigrating personal attacks against other members. Harassment or bullying of other members is forbidden.


*Profanity
-DO NOT use excessive profanity, or create threads with profane titles.


*Troublemaking
-DO NOT post or behave in a manner obviously intended to start a fight, get a reaction, or cause problems (e.g. making facetious complaints, adjusting/creating a profile so as to impersonate other members, etc.).


*Low-content Posting/Derailment
-DO NOT make spammy, non-contributive or low-quality posts. Also, don't derail threads by deliberately dragging discussion away from the original topic.


*Abuse of Forum Features
-DO NOT abuse the forum features or systems. This includes the quote function (no excessive quote pyramids), the report system (to be used only for genuine problems/concerns), and posting or messaging in general (no giant posts or private messages).


*Disputing Moderation and Memberating
-DO NOT attempt to dispute (or interfere with) moderation anywhere other than Suggestions & Concerns. Any concerns or problems you have with moderation should be taken there. Moderating other members (aka 'memberating') is also forbidden.


Finally, please note that the Flat Earth Society Forum reserves the right to remove any and all illegal content, or prevent any and all illegal activity, even if that content/activity is not explicitly forbidden as per the above rules.

These are the rules before the update.

With the new rules, profanity will now only be allowed in random musings. This also includes sexual innuendo. This will hide the worst of behavior from potential new members and give our site an extra boost of civility and hide the less refined activities of others from the public. Anyone caught swearing outside of RM will be banned accordingly with multiple instances leading to longer bans.

A new enforcement that the admins have personally set forward is prohibiting the use of the r-word on the entire website. This includes RM. This word unfairly attacks a certain group of the population and is quite frankly, disgusting. So please keep in mind that calling someone "retarded" is a lot more damaging than a simple name-calling instance.

Finally, Gayer, Roundy and I all propsed an antidrug rule that  has been agreed upon by the entire staff. Discussions on legalization or arguments on the policies currently in place (for drugs) is of course welcome, but any post detailing the illegal use and/or consumption of drugs by a user personally is strictly forbidden. We feel it is important that FES never becomes associated with drugs and shows that we have different philosophies but breaking the law is not a part of anyone's philosophy here.

These changes will not happen right away. Everyone has a week and a half to familiarize themselves with these new rules before we will start enforcing them. I know some will not be happy with these changes but we beileve it is best for tFES is the long run.

~Ichi

Let me be clear: these updates are not negotiable. These updates are not subject to negotiation. If any member does not comply with the rules, the site administration will impose consequences. The rules will be enforced through administrative action.

Finally, Gayer, Roundy and I all propsed an antidrug rule that  has been agreed upon by the entire staff. Discussions on legalization or arguments on the policies currently in place (for drugs) is of course welcome, but any post detailing the illegal use and/or consumption of drugs by a user personally is strictly forbidden. We feel it is important that FES never becomes associated with drugs and shows that we have different philosophies but breaking the law is not a part of anyone's philosophy here.

What a heinous insinuation! I never broke any laws while doing, or not doing, drugs.

Quote from: Ichimaru Gin :] on April 01, 2011, 01:53:46 AM

Finally, Gayer, Roundy and I all propsed an antidrug rule that  has been agreed upon by the entire staff. Discussions on legalization or arguments on the policies currently in place (for drugs) is of course welcome, but any post detailing the illegal use and/or consumption of drugs by a user personally is strictly forbidden. We feel it is important that FES never becomes associated with drugs and shows that we have different philosophies but breaking the law is not a part of anyone's philosophy here.

What a heinous insinuation! I never broke any laws while doing, or not doing, drugs.

If you are in doubt Beorn, just don't bring drug habits up or you will be warned and then banned.

Quote from: Beorn on April 01, 2011, 02:54:17 AM

Quote from: Ichimaru Gin :] on April 01, 2011, 01:53:46 AM

Finally, Gayer, Roundy and I all propsed an antidrug rule that  has been agreed upon by the entire staff. Discussions on legalization or arguments on the policies currently in place (for drugs) is of course welcome, but any post detailing the illegal use and/or consumption of drugs by a user personally is strictly forbidden. We feel it is important that FES never becomes associated with drugs and shows that we have different philosophies but breaking the law is not a part of anyone's philosophy here.

What a heinous insinuation! I never broke any laws while doing, or not doing, drugs.

If you are in doubt Beorn, just don't bring drug habits up or you will be warned and then banned.

And if you admit to illegal drug use or distribution, your IP address may be forwarded to the appropriate law enforcement officials.

Quote from: Ichimaru Gin :] on April 01, 2011, 05:47:21 AM

Quote from: Beorn on April 01, 2011, 02:54:17 AM

Quote from: Ichimaru Gin :] on April 01, 2011, 01:53:46 AM

Finally, Gayer, Roundy and I all propsed an antidrug rule that  has been agreed upon by the entire staff. Discussions on legalization or arguments on the policies currently in place (for drugs) is of course welcome, but any post detailing the illegal use and/or consumption of drugs by a user personally is strictly forbidden. We feel it is important that FES never becomes associated with drugs and shows that we have different philosophies but breaking the law is not a part of anyone's philosophy here.

What a heinous insinuation! I never broke any laws while doing, or not doing, drugs.

If you are in doubt Beorn, just don't bring drug habits up or you will be warned and then banned.

And if you admit to illegal drug use or distribution, your IP address may be forwarded to the appropriate law enforcement officials.

So we can talk about legal drug use?

Quote from: markjo on April 01, 2011, 06:05:05 AM

Quote from: Ichimaru Gin :] on April 01, 2011, 05:47:21 AM

Quote from: Beorn on April 01, 2011, 02:54:17 AM

Quote from: Ichimaru Gin :] on April 01, 2011, 01:53:46 AM

Finally, Gayer, Roundy and I all propsed an antidrug rule that  has been agreed upon by the entire staff. Discussions on legalization or arguments on the policies currently in place (for drugs) is of course welcome, but any post detailing the illegal use and/or consumption of drugs by a user personally is strictly forbidden. We feel it is important that FES never becomes associated with drugs and shows that we have different philosophies but breaking the law is not a part of anyone's philosophy here.

What a heinous insinuation! I never broke any laws while doing, or not doing, drugs.

If you are in doubt Beorn, just don't bring drug habits up or you will be warned and then banned.

And if you admit to illegal drug use or distribution, your IP address may be forwarded to the appropriate law enforcement officials.

So we can talk about legal drug use?

No. All admissions of drug use are bannable and will result in prosecution.

I tried to stay away from this but I can hold my tongue no longer, despite the moderations threats of bans.  Its sickening how bad you are making me look and how foolish and naive I feel by my support of you tyrants in the past.  I expected this out of the globs, James, but et tu?

Whats worse is the decision, which I adamantly fought btw,  to try to hide it until people were comfortable with being complacent in this matter.  

Even you James have talked of using Phosphorus to help clear your mind and revitalize your body.  This kind of speech should not be squelched by fools like you.  You have lost all respect and dignity in my eyes and should be ashamed of yourselves.

Shame on all of you.  Just shame.

I'll be taking this directly to Daniel.

No. All admissions of drug use are bannable and will result in prosecution.

But James. What if your love is my drug?

This thread was clearly created by someone that is intellectually disabled.

That's it?
"Don't talk about using drugs"?  That's what you're pissed about John? You need a life.

That's it?
"Don't talk about using drugs"?  That's what you're pissed about John? You need a life.

Drugs, sex, sexual innuendo, profanity and when you read the finished rules a whole lot more can be thrown under that umbrella to include anything the administration happens to feel is "uncivil" or "uncouth" that particular day.

I'm not pissed about not being able to talk about using drugs.  I'm pissed about the bans on free speech on a site built around the principle of open discussion and discourse and expression.

And not one word about addressing the real issue here, which is Crustinator who has again and again caused serious and unrepairable damage to this site and to the Flat Earth Society with his childish antics.

Its spitting in the face of everything that is true and right and noble about this fine website, and its disgusting.

I'm sure the warning will come soon for me to stop telling you their plans or face ban, but whatever.   

April 1

April 1

'Stop being an asshat' doesn't seem like much of a prank.

Quote from: Lorddave on April 01, 2011, 12:24:37 PM

That's it?
"Don't talk about using drugs"?  That's what you're pissed about John? You need a life.

Drugs, sex, sexual innuendo, profanity and when you read the finished rules a whole lot more can be thrown under that umbrella to include anything the administration happens to feel is "uncivil" or "uncouth" that particular day.

I'm not pissed about not being able to talk about using drugs.  I'm pissed about the bans on free speech on a site built around the principle of open discussion and discourse and expression.

And not one word about addressing the real issue here, which is Crustinator who has again and again caused serious and unrepairable damage to this site and to the Flat Earth Society with his childish antics.

Its spitting in the face of everything that is true and right and noble about this fine website, and its disgusting.

I'm sure the warning will come soon for me to stop telling you their plans or face ban, but whatever.   

Meh.
Needs some civility.

But frankly, this site has a terrible reputation anyway. These rules will do nothing.

Quote from: Lorddave on April 01, 2011, 12:24:37 PM

That's it?
"Don't talk about using drugs"?  That's what you're pissed about John? You need a life.

Drugs, sex, sexual innuendo, profanity and when you read the finished rules a whole lot more can be thrown under that umbrella to include anything the administration happens to feel is "uncivil" or "uncouth" that particular day.

I'm not pissed about not being able to talk about using drugs.  I'm pissed about the bans on free speech on a site built around the principle of open discussion and discourse and expression.

And not one word about addressing the real issue here, which is Crustinator who has again and again caused serious and unrepairable damage to this site and to the Flat Earth Society with his childish antics.

Its spitting in the face of everything that is true and right and noble about this fine website, and its disgusting.

I'm sure the warning will come soon for me to stop telling you their plans or face ban, but whatever.   

How dare you! Crustinator is the most eminent flat earth scientist of the UK. He hasn't even heard of you.

I dont post for a bit and look what happens.

Will there be a list of topics and words we can and cant use?

I dont post for a bit and look what happens.

Will there be a list of topics and words we can and cant use?

in fact, we've been working together recently to come up with just such a list.  It's unfinished as of yet, but here is a partial list of "watchwords" we've already decided are no longer to be tolerated on these forums:

[list available upon request]

  Please note that once the rule is in effect, anyone using any of these words anywhere outside of RM will be immediately banned, without exception and without warning, and as has already been stated, there will be no negotiating.  Also, please keep in mind that this list is incomplete; more words will be added as they occur to us, but if you use a word that's clearly profane you will be banned, even if it's not on the official list.  In addition we feel that since the offense is such an obvious and unassailable one, anyone making an alt to contest their ban will be given a longer ban, again without any notice or hope for negotiation.

We do want to be understood that we realize some words have multiple meanings.  So keep in mind, we won't ban you for talking about cocking a gun.  But remember what George Carlin said: you can prick your finger, but you better not finger your prick.  And if anyone uses the phrase "pussy shaving", they'd better be talking about the time they got drunk and shaved their cat.

Please do not swear.

I didn't swear once.

The entire FES staff has agreed that behavior on this site has harmed the perception of the Flat Earth Society as an organization promoting respectful discussion. As a result, the mods and admins have agreed that a change in rules is what is needed to bring FES back to its peak activity.

Really?  I lol'd hard.  You guys need to rethink this.

lol@disthread

So we can't call a stuck-up jerk a prick anymore? That doesn't seem like much of a bad word to me. I've never been yelled at for calling someone a prick in school, and that includes our ******* lunch aids who'd give you detention for putting your elbows on the table (not literally, but you get what I mean).

Edit: No, you can't.

I still don't know it's 1 april, why god why

And yet Holocaust denial is still allowed. How disappointing.

As it is now 2am on the 2nd, I should let everyone know this was an April Fools joke, for those that haven't figured it out.

A much better April Fool's prank would have been telling us you guys settled down on one model, gathered undeniable evidence for it, and were currently awaiting peer review by some of the world's top scientists.

As it is now 2am on the 2nd, I should let everyone know this was an April Fools joke, for those that haven't figured it out.

Hurray, I can talk about my illegal drug activities again.

As it is now 2am on the 2nd, I should let everyone know this was an April Fools joke, for those that haven't figured it out.

Terrible joke. I have lost some respect for this forum.

Although the joke is over, remember that the (old) rules about keeping the upper forums civil are still in effect and will be enforced.