We have many different views, perspectives, opinions, and backgrounds, sometimes varying widely. Treating others with respect is key to collaborating effectively. Carbon Talks stands up for its readers and itself, we expect disagreement to remain civil and we decline to publish unacceptable content. Please use common sense about working together: be friendly and flexible ! We are about dialogue, not debate.

Here are some principles for commenting that were inspired to us by a well-known feminist blog:

 

General rules

  • Be at least one of: knowledgeable, friendly, amusing, or perspicacious. Two is even better!
  • Our blog, our discretion. Your right to free speech is protected by your freedom to set up your own blog, just like us.
  • Playful shenanigans are encouraged, but obnoxious or vexatious shenanigans will be squelched.
  • Commentors are welcome to rationally express divergent views, just:
    • don’t drown out other voices
    • don’t threadjack to ride your own hobbyhorse
    • don’t be a bully

Specifics:

  • We strongly prefer that you use a valid email address.
  • Comments perceived as abusive, threatening, libelous, defamatory or knowingly false will not be tolerated, and may be reported.
  • Initial trollacious remarks will be disemvoweled and the commentor may be placed into the moderation filter.
  • Repeated trolling and/or abusive comments may be summarily deleted, or perhaps edited.
  • Paid advertising links and/or SPAM (Stupid Pointless Annoying Messages) may also be summarily deleted, or perhaps edited.

 

 

Dissent

If you find yourself inspired to dash off a critical comment, there are a few things you can do which make it more likely that your criticism will be engaged rather than dismissed:

  1. Read the whole post, and the links.
  2. Check your privilege:
    • Could you be missing something?
    • Is yours the only valid viewpoint here?
    • Could your interlocutor have more experience with the matter at hand?
    • Are you only here to dispense wisdom from your high horse?
  3. Ask at least one (and preferably three) good-faith clarification questions, and listen to the answers before unleashing your denunciation.
  4. Don’t assume the bloggers are ignorant.
  5. If it’s a climate change thread:
    • are you adding anything new to the discussion?
    • Could your argument be reduced to two, three, or more of the statements on this bingo card?
    • If your answers are “no” and “yes” (be honest with yourself here), you might want to reconsider your comment.
  6. Remember, just because you don’t see it, doesn’t mean it isn’t there.

We will do our very best to be fair with our commentors and maintain a friendly environment open to discussions on this blog.