Website Guidelines Discussion

Submitted by Tim Bourke on Fri, 11/02/2007 - 2:42am.

 

Hi all,

I can see some moves again towards publishing guidelines for the website.  Would people like to consider the draft guidelines below produced a little earlier (see John's earlier journal entry at http://www.philosophyoffreedom.com/node/2176) as a starting point?

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Etiquette in the Philosophy of Freedom Community = second draft
 
This website enables individuals throughout the world to come together freely to explore the writings of Rudolf Steiner and the development of anthroposophy in a manner that promotes the truly free human being. Through our continuing activity of thinking, listening and communicating we seek for ever new aspects of truths that are available to all devoted seekers. Any truth that becomes rigidified into dogma immediately dies into untruth.
 
You are respectfully requested to follow the advice here for contributing journals and responding to the posts of other members.  We invite all serious and playful exploration of perspectives in our global learning environment where all participants are simultaneously teachers and pupils.
 
We encourage plurality of perspectives so that we may transcend barriers such as nationality, language, education, locality and individual opinion.  A person can represent many points of view. It is better to have one person representing a point of view here than having no representation at all.  Please make an effort to support others in their learning and development.
 

  • Freedom of expression carries personal responsibility in the context of our common work toward the ideals of ethical individualism. Please accept responsibility for your writing on this website, warts and all, and refrain from making accusatory or derogatory personal remarks.
  • Remember that all contributions are public, even those that specifically address another member. If there are issues that are of a private nature, email the member personally through their contact page.
  • Online communication is a craft where countless pitfalls of misunderstanding have to be negotiated. Readers come from parts of the world where your culture of language may be unfamiliar. What is understood may be different from what was intended, even between people fluent in the same language.
  • Humour may be mistaken for a serious remark, so make it clear to readers when you are joking. If you are unintentionally responsible for a misunderstanding, be honest and open about the mistake.
  • Take time to write offline and make your contributions as clear and unambiguous as possible.  Be aware that genuine misunderstandings may occur so be patient in understanding and explaining. 
  • If you read a contribution that evokes a strong emotional response, try to empathise with alternate points of reference before making a thoughtful and balanced response. This community often acts like a mirror: when you write from a true place, your message will get through. At other times what you receive may only be your own reflection.
  • There may be disagreements in spiritual endeavour, but there is no need for rivalry. There is room for all. Striving for a deeper understanding may become heated at times, which can be exciting and positive as long as it does not become personally disparaging. If you believe a contribution to be misguided, offer advice and examples of how to do better. If your advice is not taken up, acknowledge the freedom of others to choose differently.
  • If you encounter a problem, it may be helpful to reflect on your own contribution in working towards a resolution in yourself. In the conversation groups, contact the manager privately through the contact page if you encounter an irreconcilable issue.

If you read a contribution that you believe conflicts with the advice here, you may respectfully refer the writer to this document.

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Any thoughts on where to take this from here?

 

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Updated Version 3

Submitted by John Ralph on Fri, 11/02/2007 - 2:59am.

 

Just a reminder that version 3 of the above is now incorporated into the site User Guide. You will find the link top left on the Home Page.

Version 3 was posted, after incorporating discussion on the Staff Group. It was promoted to the front page - I think - and Tom took it further.

Thanks Tim for acting promptly.

 

Add a bit?

Submitted by sdaj on Fri, 11/02/2007 - 3:11am.

Perhaps we could add a bit?  Something along these lines:

These regular contributors ...list of who they are... have editing permission for all journals posted on the site.  As regular contributors our policy is to not edit other people's journals.

S-)

A Police State?

Submitted by Carl Flygt on Fri, 11/02/2007 - 3:58am.

Whoa! If there are people here who have retained the editing power, and others such as myself to whom the editing power has recently been denied, then we're heading into something formally equivalent to a Police State. That would be a ridiculous situation. The self-contradiction in the moral framework here would be so conspicuous that it wouldn't be possible to take the website seriously. Is this what has happened, Sebastian?? If it has, it needs to be corrected.

do mind sharing with us why

Submitted by Jeffrey on Fri, 11/02/2007 - 7:17am.

do mind sharing with us why your editing power was denied and by whom? This site has a policy, it just isn't stated.

Jeff

New administrators removed

Submitted by Tom Last on Fri, 11/02/2007 - 9:19am.

The new administrators have been removed due to website member concerns. At some point in the future perhaps new administrators will be proposed for the approval of others.

Version 1.3

Submitted by Tim Bourke on Fri, 11/02/2007 - 5:19am.

Etiquette in the Philosophy of Freedom Community (October 2007 version 1.3)

This website enables individuals throughout the world to come together freely to explore the writings of Rudolf Steiner, particularly the Philosophy of Freeing Spiritual Activity, and the development of anthroposophy in a manner that promotes the truly free human being. Through our continuing activity of thinking, listening and communicating we seek for ever new aspects of truths that are available to all devoted seekers. Any truth that becomes rigidified into dogma immediately dies into untruth.
 
The advice here is offered for contributing journals and responding to the posts of other members.  We invite all serious and playful exploration of perspectives in our global learning environment where all participants are simultaneously teachers and pupils.  These are not house rules, only a reminder that this site intends to be a civilising forum where respect for the freedom of others is implicit in a philosophy of freeing spiritual activity. 
 
We encourage plurality of perspectives so that we may transcend barriers such as nationality, language, education, locality and individual opinion.  A person can represent many points of view. It is better to have one person representing a point of view here than having no representation at all.  Please make an effort to support others in their learning and development.
 

  • Freedom of expression carries personal responsibility in the context of our common work toward the ideals of ethical individualism. Please accept responsibility for your writing on this website, warts and all, and refrain from making accusatory or derogatory personal remarks.
  • Remember that all contributions are public, even those that specifically address another member. If there are issues that are of a private nature, email the member personally through their contact page.
  • Online communication is a craft where countless pitfalls of misunderstanding have to be negotiated. Readers come from parts of the world where your culture of language may be unfamiliar. What is understood may be different from what was intended, even between people fluent in the same language.
  • Humour may be mistaken for a serious remark, so make it clear to readers when you are joking. Strong language that is acceptable in your culture may be offensive to others. If you are unintentionally responsible for a hurt or misunderstanding, be honest and open about the mistake.
  • Take time to write offline and make your contributions as clear and unambiguous as possible.  Be aware that genuine misunderstandings may occur so be patient in understanding others and explaining. A generous apology is worth ten excuses.
  • If you read a contribution that evokes a strong emotional response, try to empathise with alternate points of reference before making a thoughtful and balanced response. This community often acts like a mirror: when you write from a true place, your message will get through. At other times what you receive may only be your own reflection.
  • There may be disagreements in spiritual endeavour, but there is no need for rivalry. There is room for all. Striving for a deeper understanding may become heated at times, which can be exciting and positive as long as it does not become personally disparaging. If you believe a contribution to be misguided, offer advice and examples of how to do better. If your advice is not taken up, acknowledge the freedom of others to choose differently.
  • If you encounter a problem, it may be helpful to reflect on your own contribution in working towards a resolution in yourself. In the conversation groups, contact the manager privately through the contact page if you encounter an irreconcilable issue.

Editing of Postings

<<Suggestion from Sebastian: These regular contributors ...list of who they are... have editing permission for all journals posted on the site.  As regular contributors our policy is to not edit other people's journals.>>