-- Philosophy of this Forum

Kip Carter - Jan 7, 2003 5:05 pm
Edited by Dec 21, 2003 3:43 pm

This forum is for mature people of any age who want to discuss Harry Potter. That means that all folks are welcome and that just about any topic is acceptable, but not all folks and not every topic.

Here's what I mean by that. Folks who are not welcome are those who come here just to cause trouble. It is my experience that tolerance of these trolls isn't helpful either to them or to the group, so they will be removed as politely as possible.

Other folks who are not welcome are those who aren't mature in their approach to the subject at hand. That means that there really isn't a place here for discussions of which character is "hot." There are other places online for that kind of discussion, and if those types of discussion are started, they will be politely removed.

Another example of an immature approach to discussing Harry Potter is to use a lot of Netspeak. There is no such word as "prolly" except among kids on the Net. There is no such phrase as "N E 1" either. The word "you" has three letters, not one. I think you all know what I'm talking about here. That kind of speech is appropriate in some places and inappropriate in others. This is one of the places where it's inappropriate.

If someone insists on using that kind of immature form of expression, they will be asked politely to change their mode of speech. If they find a mature mode of expression too limiting for their style, they will have to find another forum.

As for topics, the rules are simple. First of all, stick with Harry Potter. Off-topic threads will be removed. Secondly, stay away from the topics of religion and politics in our world. It has been my experience that such dicussions are not only off topic but also very divisive and hurtful. Third, remember that there are people of all faiths, all philosophies, all ethnic groups, all genders and orientations, etc. in this group. If you want to say things which insult or belittle someone else's choices or beliefs, you will need to find another forum to express yourself in. There is no room for intolerance here.

Okay, I think that's it. Play nice, share, gaze in wonder, laugh a lot (even at yourself), and be willing to be wrong and to learn, and we'll do just fine.

Steve The Lexicon

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