Node's of Science Principles for Mutual Discussion

Our Principles for Mutual Discourse is a guiding document offering direction for our various forums across networks as well as for any other communities wishing to use these ideas for their own groups. While rules are typically binary and difficult to apply to diverse forums with unique cultures and purposes, principles offer a goal for which to aim. The principles in this document provide a foundation upon which those interested can have a shared basis for communication.
  1. *Strive to Improve Overall Discussion* Help keep quality high, build upon existing ideas, and stay tidy.
  2. *Focus on the Ideas Rather than the Speaker* Criticism of ideas is welcome, but personal attacks, abuse, and insults are likely to ruin discussion.
  3. *Support Factual Claims with Evidence* All members should take initiative in providing evidence for their own claims and requesting sources from others even if the conclusions are not disputed.
  4. *Give People and Ideas a Chance* Apply the principle of charity to the claims people make and give the benefit of the doubt to the people making the claims. Listening and asking honest questions prevents misunderstandings.
  5. *Show, Don't Only Tell* Sharing reasons and evidence supporting opinions, conclusions, and beliefs improves the quality of conversation because the community wants to know why people believe what they do, not only what they believe.
  6. *Reduce the Visual Noise* Unnecessary images, memes, and image macros clog and distract discussions. Infographics and educational videos, however, improve discussion.
  7. *Guide Discussion* Adding summary or explanation to posts, links, and images helps improve discussion because people will know what they are looking at and why.
  8. *Respect Other Contributions* Deleting threads where others have commented or comments that have become a part of discussion deteriorates discussion because people have contributed time and effort.
  9. *Be patient* Since our communities are for mutual discussion, conversation improves when people have a chance to speak and respond. Rapid-fire posting or flooding the forum decreases the quality of discussion.
  10. *No advertising spam, solicitations, or promotions without administrator approval*.