Crocker's Rules

From DoWire Wiki

To declare oneself as operating by Crocker's Rules is to declare that one authorizes others to optimize their communications directed to oneself for information, not for preservation of feelings. Such rules assume that rudeness is sometimes necessary for effective communication, if only to signal patience lacking or the limits or tolerances of the speaker - if you are angering someone, that is important knowledge.

By invoking these Rules, the recipient declares that s/he does not care about, and some hold that s/he gives up all right to complain about and must require others not to complain about, any level of emotional provocation, flames, abuse of any kind. Regardless of what etiquette or code of conduct or other social sanctions might apply.

Whether this applies beyond the limit of libel and slander and uttering threat and other criminal justice and civil sanctions is unclear. However, some hold that it does - see sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me, a related idea.

Those who impose or accept imposing some interpretation of Crocker's Rules on others will normally be called "trolls". Because factions always differ in their regard for etiquette or what they think is offensive, a political web service is usually best off attempting to be troll-friendly.

Crocker's Rules are named for Lee Daniel Crocker who apparently originated them at Wikipedia after numerous arguments with trolls.