Community Guidelines
Civic Forge is a place for people to examine difficult questions, challenge ideas, evaluate evidence, develop proposals, and work toward constructive action.
Disagreement is expected. The goal is to make that disagreement useful.
1. Challenge ideas, not people
You can strongly disagree with an argument, proposal, or piece of evidence. Criticize the reasoning, claims, assumptions, or consequences rather than attacking the person who made it. Do not use harassment, threats, slurs, or personal attacks.
2. Make arguments honestly
Present your position clearly and explain why you hold it. Do not deliberately misrepresent another person's argument, impersonate someone else, or present speculation as established fact.
3. Treat evidence carefully
When using evidence, represent the source accurately and provide enough context for others to evaluate it. A source being cited does not automatically make a claim true. Community members should be able to question the relevance, reliability, interpretation, or limitations of evidence.
4. Distinguish facts, opinions, and proposals
Be clear about what you are claiming.
- Facts: claims that can be supported or checked.
- Opinions: judgments, interpretations, or values.
- Proposals: suggested changes or actions.
5. Challenge constructively
Challenges should identify a meaningful weakness, unanswered question, contradiction, missing context, or alternative consideration. Do not use challenges simply to insult, provoke, or derail another contribution.
6. Participate in good faith
You do not have to agree with other participants. You should, however, engage honestly and be willing to consider relevant evidence and counterarguments.
7. Do not manipulate the community
Do not spam, flood discussions with repetitive contributions, coordinate fake engagement, deliberately mislead participants, or otherwise manipulate assessments or discussions.
8. Respect privacy
Do not post another person's private or sensitive information. Avoid sharing personal information that is not necessary for the discussion.
9. Report problems instead of escalating them
If you believe a contribution violates these guidelines, use the reporting system rather than turning the discussion into a personal conflict. A report does not automatically mean that content will be removed.
10. Moderation
Moderators may take action when content violates these guidelines or when necessary to protect the integrity of the platform.
- Dismissing a report
- Removing content from public view
- Issuing a warning
- Taking other appropriate moderation action
Moderation decisions are separate from whether an argument is correct, whether evidence is credible, or whether a proposal should be adopted.
11. Disagreement is allowed
Civic Forge is not intended to eliminate disagreement. Arguments can be controversial, unpopular, or strongly opposed by other participants while still being legitimate contributions. The standard is whether people can examine and challenge them constructively.
12. Help keep Civic Forge useful
Before submitting something, consider: Is it relevant? Is it honest? Is it constructive? Can someone meaningfully respond to it?