No-Asshole Rule

[alextsakiris]

There's a great new business book that's become quite popular over the last year, Amazon.com: The No Asshole Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn't: Robert I. Sutton: Books.

The title kinda says it all, but here's more:
A few demeaning creeps can overwhelm the warm feelings generated by hordes of civilized people.
The abuse spewed out by just one jerk can ruin the experience for everyone. Remember that if you want to enforce the no-asshole rule in your organization, you'll get more bang for your buck by eliminating those folks who bring people down. Bear in mind that negative interactions have five times the effect on mood as positive interactions -- it takes a lot of good people to make up for the damage done by just a few demeaning jerks.

I received quite a few emails from folks who'd like to participate on the forum, but are turned off by some of the jerks that post here. So, I'd like to start applying the "no ass-hole" rule to our forum and try and create a more civil and constructive dialog.

If you want to vent, or be a jerk, go someplace else.

[Venom]

I've reply to this new rule there:

Violent discourse offputting, says new member

I'll just say here: I really hope this new rule is not really a "no skeptics rule" in disguise.

[alextsakiris]

Originally Posted by Venom

I've reply to this new rule there:

Violent discourse offputting, says new member

I'll just say here: I really hope this new rule is not really a "no skeptics rule" in disguise.

Skeptics are fine... as my podcasts demonstrates, I seek dialog with folks of different opinions, and enjoy talking to most of them... just don't be a jerk.



Contribute to the dialog

[David Bailey]

It is a good rule - there is absolutely no point in simply being rude to other people here just because you disagree with them.

I think we should try to behave here exactly as we would in a university seminar.

David

[SkepticalBry]

Originally Posted by Venom

I've reply to this new rule there:

Violent discourse offputting, says new member

I'll just say here: I really hope this new rule is not really a "no skeptics rule" in disguise.

Has anyone but me yet been threatened with the rule?

Despite what Alex says, Venom, I think you nailed it.

-Bryan

[David Bailey]

Originally Posted by SkepticalBry

Has anyone but me yet been threatened with the rule?

It is a new rule - so I guess you are the first. However, I remember commenting a while back when a non-skeptic wrote "Susan Blackmore sucks". What is the point in debating at that level - we might as well go all the way and simply swear at each other or others with whom we disagree!

David

[Mizzark]

At the risk of sounding too grandiose, I would like to applaud Alex for implementing the "No Asshole Rule." This is my first post on the skeptiko.com message boards, although I have been reading the message boards for quite some time. I have long suspected that some (though not all) skeptics use this type of violent and insulting discourse to try to drag open-minded people into the mud and exhaust them through a brawl. I know that politicians have used this tactic before, and I don't think it is entirely coincidence that many skeptics behave this way, as well. (Though, to be fair, some others probably behave this way because it's just their personality, unfortunately) I think that it is important to shield ourselves from this tactic as best we can, while still remaining open to criticism from polite, well intentioned skeptics. It can be a difficult balance to strike, but before now I though that this board was too far towards the side of acceptance of everyone, no matter how insulting or condescending. I signed up immediately after I found out about the new rule. Once again, I commend Alex Tsakiris and the implementation of the "No Asshole Rule."

[alextsakiris]

Originally Posted by Mizzark

At the risk of sounding too grandiose, I would like to applaud Alex for implementing the "No Asshole Rule." This is my first post on the skeptiko.com message boards, although I have been reading the message boards for quite some time. I have long suspected that some (though not all) skeptics use this type of violent and insulting discourse to try to drag open-minded people into the mud and exhaust them through a brawl. I know that politicians have used this tactic before, and I don't think it is entirely coincidence that many skeptics behave this way, as well. (Though, to be fair, some others probably behave this way because it's just their personality, unfortunately) I think that it is important to shield ourselves from this tactic as best we can, while still remaining open to criticism from polite, well intentioned skeptics. It can be a difficult balance to strike, but before now I though that this board was too far towards the side of acceptance of everyone, no matter how insulting or condescending. I signed up immediately after I found out about the new rule. Once again, I commend Alex Tsakiris and the implementation of the "No Asshole Rule."

Thanks. I've received a bunch of emails expressing the same opinion. We have a good following of intelligent, well-informed people who can collectively make a real contribution to answering some of the questions we've raised. Fiar-minded skeptics have a role to play dogmatists out for a game of verbal street fighting do not.

What's the deal on Skeptiko's Open Source Science?

[eyemsougly]

why shouldn't I say that Susan Blackmore sucks? She does. Alex, you aren't seriously gonna ban me for saying that, are you?

If she was posting here that would be something else but she isn't, so who cares? People need to lighten up.

[Chris Noble]

Considering that a large proportion of skeptiko podcasts contain a rant or a whine against the evil skeptics I find your posturing to be just a touch hypocritical..