Hi Guys (and Gals):
The past few weeks (months?) have managed to illuminate some pretty serious problems on the board. So serious, some may argue, that they threaten the fundamental value and worth of this - what has been (arguably) *THE* - most valuable board for discussion of this topic anywhere on the internet.
As I've pondered my part (sadly, a significant one) in the development of these problems - and as I've resolved to improve my behavior on the board - I asked myself what led me here and what I might do to overcome those factors.
The result is - for me - a list of 'assertions' (some call them "affirmations") that I will read periodically to remind myself of my commitment to this board and her participants.
I do not delude myself into believing these are 'right' for everyone, but I thought it might prove worthwhile to post them here for others to see.
For one thing - through public display of my 'commitment' - I also ask for the support of others to keep me 'honest' if I should begin to stray from these principles (I won't).
I welcome your comments and am open to suggestions.
To deflect some of the expected initial reactions, I also offer the following:
1) As I developed the list, I had in my mind some of the assumed/purported incidents that have caused much grief and tension on the board. I don't want anyone thinking that merely because I assert that I will behave in a particular way in the future, means that I have behaved otherwise in the past.
2) There are, indeed, violations of several of these assertions that I am guilty of in the past. Frequent participants will quickly identify those. I am not guilty of them all.
3) The list was primarily developed for my own use, but I did give some thought as to what might constitute a 'generic' list that would be applicable (and useful) for others.
So . . . . with all those disclaimers out of the way, here is the list I've developed.
Suggested Guidelines for Ethical Posting:
* My principal reason for participating on this board is to make a contribution that genuinely helps others [alternative: My principal reason for posting here is to learn something]
* I will remain silent if I am unfamiliar with a topic or unable to make the time necessary to fully respond to a question/issue.
* I will refuse to participate in mud-slinging debates - period!
* Should someone take offense at something I write and become publicly offensive, I will refrain from engaging in a 'war of words' and will calmly re-state my position (hopefully in a manner that is entirely benign).
* I will NEVER engage in tit-for-tat posting tactics. State my 'piece' in as few posts as possible and move on. If the recipient doesn't 'get it' in 3 or 4 posts - then either they are closed-minded or I am unable to provide a suitable perspective. Either way - it is time to move on.
* I will refuse to respond to a troll post, except to merely identify it as a troll post.
* I will give people the benefit of the doubt and will make every effort NOT to 'read between the lines.'
* I will never post as anyone other than my principal board identity.
* I will never profess to be anyone/anything that I am not.
* I will not claim to have experiences/credentials/contacts/whatever that are false.
* If, as a result of the above, I find myself being duped - then I will remember that it is more a reflection of the perpetrator than it is on those whom they have duped.
There you have it. Comments welcome. If it doesn't go far enough - please make suggestions (non-inflammatory ones - - I'm still feeling my way --smile--).
Cheers!
- Dan
