Code of Conduct

The culture of Waterline is one where anyone curious will be able to participate in excellent conversations. This culture persists because of some strong underlying norms.

Codes of conduct are an awkward, hamfisted attempt to spell out the norms, so take them as subordinate to the culture, and not ends themselves. In other words, please don't try to be a smartass with rules lawyering; it will not save you.

Onward with the hamfistedness:

1. Don't be a jerk.

1a. Don't set out to intentionally insult or offend someone. Be excellent to each other. If you can’t manage that, at least be civil. Avoid insults and personal attacks, do your best to de-escalate conflicts, and consider the effect your words will have on others. Friendly banter and ribbing is just fine, so long as everyone’s enjoying themselves.

1b. Don't make sweeping, negative generalizations. Don’t make broad negative generalizations or disparaging comments about people on the basis of their identity, life circumstances, et cetera. A few examples: people of color, men, high school dropouts, trans people, white people, autistic people.

2. Be Intellectually Honest. During discussion, use a framework of "what can I learn from the other person?", rather than "how can I win this argument?". Engage in nuance, and whenever possible, steelman the other person's point. Consider following the Basics of Rationalist Discourse. (Despite the title, this is some pretty advanced stuff. Consider the conventions in the link to be what a level 10 rationalist dojo might operate at, while Waterline operates at something like level 3.)

3. Assume good faith. Some of us are awkward nerds with middling-to-bad social skills, and since we might be talking about controversial things, it's possible that at some point your sensibilities are going to be offended. When that happens, please interpret the other person's point in the most charitable light. (If someone genuinely seems like they're setting out to annoy you or worse, talk to the organizer about this.)