{"id":120,"date":"2006-03-15T12:01:00","date_gmt":"2006-03-15T17:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.simplykaren.org\/wordpress\/2006\/03\/15\/more-on-lambdamoo\/"},"modified":"2006-03-15T12:33:03","modified_gmt":"2006-03-15T17:33:03","slug":"more-on-lambdamoo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplykaren.org\/wordpress\/2006\/03\/15\/more-on-lambdamoo\/","title":{"rendered":"More on LambdaMOO and Civil Discourse in General"},"content":{"rendered":"

Just logged into LambdaMOO<\/a> for the first time, and someone immediately struck up a conversation with me. He offered helpful advice but also seemed to be flirting just a little, too. I’m not a particularly social person and am more interested in exploring the rooms and seeing how the MOO fits together but I chatted for a little while with him and another guest. She indicated that most people just go in as guests but I think I would like to get a “real” character, become more established. This, obviously, is an active MOO with 120 people logged in this morning when I got online. I never made it out of the stuffy Coat Closet so will try to go in later and explore.<\/p>\n

If you type “help manners” you get five pages worth of information about how to behave appropriately in the LambdaMOO community. Here’s the “general” information:<\/p>\n

“Although it is not technically against MOO law to harass people, it is suggested that you do not. The advice here is intended to make the MOO a better place for everyone, not to limit freedom of expression. However, the legal system on the MOO is evolving at this time, and it is not well understood just how some laws from the real world might apply. If you commit an act that could be considered a transgression against these manners it is possible you will be punished by anything up to and including permanent banishment from LambdaMOO. There is some disagreement in the LambdaMOO community about how much protection for free speech rights should be provided. This document, while not favoring censorship, encourages you to think about what you say and do.”<\/p>\n

There it is again…”think about what you say and do.” This is the same advice the MOOSECrossing gives to its users: “Think first.” Is it really that simple? And just what should they be thinking about? So, let’s start a list of frequently asked questions related to civil discourse. These are the questions to consider when you engage in discussions with people either online or off.<\/p>\n

1. What effect will my actions have on other people in the community?<\/p>\n

This is certainly the overarching question. While this question will not stop someone intent on mayhem, it might slow down the middle school prankster who just wants attention. Ask yourself: how would I feel if someone said that to me? The golden rule is often quoted in civil discourse guidelines: do unto others as you would have them do unto you.<\/p>\n

2. How can I disagree without being disagreeable?<\/p>\n

There are specific techniques that can help you challenge people’s ideas without attacking their characters:<\/p>\n