# SDMB rules 9/12/2023 **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [September 12, 2023, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-rules-9-12-2023/990013 "2023-09-12T20:29:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2023, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-rules-9-12-2023/990013/41 "2023-09-15T20:09:57Z")
That’s because i said it in a very different context. I said it to point out that one advantage to referring to punching up and down, rather than majorities and minorites, is that it covers situations where the majority has less power. You said it in a way that implied women are more powerful than men, at least collectively. Also, you grossly misinterpreted my statement. I didn’t say that it’s okay to be bigoted towards those in power, i said there’s a qualitative difference between punching up and punching down. It is wrong to be bigoted towards the powerful, but it’s much less damaging than it is to be bigoted towards the disempowered. That’s an important difference. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2023, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-rules-9-12-2023/990013/42 "2023-09-15T20:35:45Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > Also, you grossly misinterpreted my statement. I didn’t say that it’s okay to be bigoted towards those in power, i said there’s a qualitative difference between punching up and punching down No, you didnt. Not at all. But other people use the “punching up” thing as an excuse to be bigoted. That’s why it should not be used at all. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2023, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-rules-9-12-2023/990013/43 "2023-09-15T21:08:39Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Oddly when **puzzlegal** said the same thing, you did not call that statement “very misleading”. That’s because **puzzlegal** made the opposite point than you. There are more women than men in America, but women still face many of the same issues that other minority groups do (and some other issues as well). > [@DrDeth](#): > > The issue is when we say 'that group holds a majority so it’s okay to be bigoted towards them", but as he pointed out here. When has somebody said this? I have never seen anyone say “it is okay to be bigoted towards the majority group”. Maybe you can provide some examples of this widespread issue? > [@DrDeth](#): > > So bigots like to toss around “majority” as if it excuses their bigotry. What I _have_ seen is people pointing out real and present issues in our society, and people who don’t want to lose their privileged place in society alleging that these valid criticisms are in fact anti-white/anti-male/anti-christian bigotry. I’ll fullheartedly agree with you that bigotry against white christian males is wrong. But I would guess that you would label things that I think are valid criticisms as bigotry. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2023, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-rules-9-12-2023/990013/44 "2023-09-15T23:20:42Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > . There are more women than men in America, but women still face many of the same issues that other minority groups do (and some other issues as well). Nor did i say otherwise. > [@Babale](#): > > I have never seen anyone say “it is okay to be bigoted towards the majority group”. Of course they dont say that. They just do it. Hey it’s punching up, so it’s not bigotry. They dont think what they are doing is bigotry as they are “punching up”. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2023, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-rules-9-12-2023/990013/45 "2023-09-15T23:56:00Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > > [@Babale](#): > > > > . There are more women than men in America, but women still face many of the same issues that other minority groups do (and some other issues as well). > > Nor did i say otherwise. I didn’t say you did. I just pointed out that simply declaring: > [@DrDeth](#): > > However, in America, Females hold the majority. is misleading, because while it is true that there are more women then men in the United States, women as a group face many challenges that are shared with other minority groups. > [@DrDeth](#): > > Of course they dont say that. They just do it. Hey it’s punching up, so it’s not bigotry. They dont think what they are doing is bigotry as they are “punching up”. In the absence of any examples, I guess I’ll have to take your word for it. Like I said, I don’t doubt that it occassionally happens; but I’d caution you not to confuse criticism of the way the majority group wields its privilege with persecution. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2023, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-rules-9-12-2023/990013/46 "2023-09-16T11:30:42Z")
I really think even this is dangerous, in that hateful people will be hateful regardless of their targets, and some people really want an excuse to hate someone in public. We don’t want any kind of bigotry here, even if it’s directed against the “right” people. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2023, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-rules-9-12-2023/990013/47 "2023-09-16T11:33:07Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > It is wrong to be bigoted towards the powerful, but it’s much less damaging than it is to be bigoted towards the disempowered. This is still a bad, dangerous notion, because hurting individuals is wrong. You aren’t insulting an abstract group, you’re insulting an actual human being. Don’t do that. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2023, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-rules-9-12-2023/990013/48 "2023-09-16T14:49:31Z")
**Moderating** This is a good discussion to have, but which rule specifically are we discussing, or is there a proposed change that should be made? This seems to have drifted into a more general discussion which would probably be better suited to a new thread. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2023, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-rules-9-12-2023/990013/49 "2023-09-17T01:30:41Z")
I wouldn’t have chosen alphabetical organization, nor would I have put it all in one post, but you do you. Also it is entirely possible to create intra-post hyperlinks, for example [this one](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/draft-restatement-of-sdmb-rules-9-12-2023/990013/49#end-of-post-section-anchor-1) goes to the end of my post. Anyways, here are my opinions on the draft, > [@Ed\_Zotti](#): > > **Registration.** Registration is required to post messages on the Straight Dope Message Board (“the SDMB”). Registration is free. We don’t request personal information other than your e-mail address (although you may include such information in your user profile if desired). I think this paragraph is a good place to add, “please do not register more than one account. Your account is for you individually and is not to be shared with family or friends. Contact [insert email address] if you are having trouble registering, trouble accessing your account, or suspect your account has been compromised.” > [@Ed\_Zotti](#): > > **Forum-specific rules.** Many forum moderators post rules for posting in their forums. These are generally elaborations on the overall SDMB rules and may include tips on forum etiquette, FAQs, and other guidance. Please familiarize yourself with these rules and abide by them. In particular, please note the _ **Pit rules.** _ If you are doing away with forum-specific rule threads, then this section should be removed. If not, optimally you should include a list of links to forum specific-rule threads. - Site Feedback - [no forum-specific rules thread] - About This Message Board - [no forum-specific rules thread] - Cecil’s Columns/Staff Reports - [Cecil’s Columns Forum Rules](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-read-forum-rules/322298) - The Quarantine Zone - [QZ Rules](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forum-rules/849673) - Factual Questions - [FQ Rules](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factual-questions-rules-faqs/447561) - Great Debates - [GD Rules](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rules-for-great-debates-and-elections-january-2020/845726) - Politics & Elections - [P&E Rules](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rules-for-politics-and-elections-january-2020/845727) - Café Society - [CS Rules](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forum-rules-please-read/329913) - The Game Room - [Game Room Rules](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forum-rules-and-faq-read-this-first-updated-october-3rd-2014/438452) - Thread Games - [Thread Games Rules](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-the-thread-games-forum/711006) - In My Humble Opinion: - [no forum-specific rules thread] - [How to Create Polls](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-polling-feature-is-enabled-heres-how-to-use-it/511109/69) - Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share: - [MPSIMS Forum Rules](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forum-rules-for-mpsims-please-read-before-posting/438786) - [Special Rules for Breaking News Threads](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-political-religious-jabs-in-breaking-news-threads-in-mpsims/740558) - The Marketplace - [Marketplace Rules](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marketplace-rules/563403) (in limbo as subscriptions have been disabled for 3 years) - [Special Rules on Images in the Marketplace](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-images-in-your-posts/563319) (Obsolete) - The BBQ Pit - [Pit Rules](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/revised-forum-rules-for-the-bbq-pit-read-this-before-posting/487209) > [@Ed\_Zotti](#): > > Hate speech – that is, racial epithets and other pejorative remarks about groups _that in our opinion are clearly racist_ – is prohibited in all forums. Emphasis mine. This definition of hate speech is unnecessarily restricted to racism, contrary to the preceding statement which implies the rule is intended to cover sexism, etc. Consider reorganizing the sentence like so, > Hate speech – that is, racial epithets that in our opinion are clearly racist and other pejorative remarks about groups – is prohibited in all forums. Or using a less specific word word like “hateful”, > Hate speech – that is, racial epithets and other pejorative remarks about groups that in our opinion are clearly ~~racist~~ hateful – is prohibited in all forums. > [@Ed\_Zotti](#): > > 1. Not all pejorative comments about groups rise to the level of hate speech or, in our judgment, are clearly racist. We recognize there are differences of opinion on what constitutes racist speech. We leave it to the SDMB community to debate such questions. If you believe a post is racist, you are free to say so, provided you abide by our rule against insults – see point #10 below. Others are free to disagree with you. The belief that the truth will emerge from the clash of views in open debate is a cardinal principle of this board. I recommend replacing “racist” with “hateful” or “hate” as appropriate, like so: > 1. Not all pejorative comments about groups rise to the level of hate speech or, in our judgment, are clearly hateful. We recognize there are differences of opinion on what constitutes hate speech. We leave it to the SDMB community to debate such questions. If you believe a post is racist or otherwise hateful, you are free to say so, provided you abide by our rule against insults – see point #10 below. Others are free to disagree with you. The belief that the truth will emerge from the clash of views in open debate is a cardinal principle of this board. I also recommend revising this paragraph so it is clear: 1. Whether you prefer users report the post and await moderator judgement before resorting to open accusations in-thread, and 2. that while the community is free to debate whether a post is racist, [moderators who review a flagged post will not take a community vote](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-of-rule-against-hate-speech/964634/45). > [@Ed\_Zotti](#): > > We reserve the right to prohibit topics of which we have grown weary – for example, claims that some group is better or worse than others for reasons that can be objectively demonstrated, also known as scientific racism. (For a complete list of tired topics, see “New Rules for Great Debates” at the top of the Great Debates forum.) Please copy the actual list of site-wide prohibited topics into the text of the post. That goes with the whole objective of having all the site-wide rules in one place. The Great Debates rules thread says they apply only to that forum. > [@Ed\_Zotti](#): > > To summarize, hate speech and other remarks that in our opinion are clearly racist are a violation of SDMB rules. However, we do not wish to rule preemptively on every comment that could possibly be construed as racist. We leave such judgments to the collective wisdom of this board. As above, this summary implies that all hate speech is racist (therefore sexism and gay slurs are not hate speech). I recommend revising it: > To summarize, posting hate speech is a violation of SDMB rules. However, we do not wish to rule preemptively on every comment that could possibly be construed as hate speech. We leave such judgments to the collective wisdom of this board. Furthermore I recommend revising or clarifying the last sentence. As currently written, it is reasonable to conclude that moderators will let the community members decide (vote on) whether or not any given post should be _sanctioned by moderators_ as hate speech. > [@Ed\_Zotti](#): > > **Inaccuracy and other posting defects.** We do not mod posts based on inaccuracy, illogic, lack of cites, etc. We leave it to other posters to point out such defects. If a poster demonstrates a pattern of deliberate misrepresentation, lying or other uncivil behavior, we may tell them to stop and expect them to do so. We do not warn posters merely for expressing views or starting threads on topics others find disagreeable. I recommend adding, “however, see the rule prohibiting hate speech.” > [@Ed\_Zotti](#): > > **Insults.** Do not directly insult or personally attack other posters. The general rule when disagreeing is to comment on the post, not the poster – that is, focus on the argument rather than the poster’s personal shortcomings. This rule applies to all insults, including those meant as jokes and quotes from books and movies – we don’t wish to draw fine distinctions between joke insults and real ones. The rule against insults doesn’t apply to off-board individuals, nor does it apply in the BBQ Pit, where you can insult anybody, including other posters, subject to some limitations – see _ **Pit rules** _. I recommend adding that hate speech is always prohibited, including racial or ethnic slurs and cheap shots - see the hate speech rule. > [@Ed\_Zotti](#): > > **Jabs in breaking news threads in MPSIMS.** Breaking news threads in MPSIMS can be a valuable resource, with links from many sources and occasional eyewitness accounts or local insight. However, since these threads commonly involve hot-button issues, they often fall prey to _ **hijacks** _ and _ **rants** _. Please refrain from such commentary in breaking news threads. If you wish to use such a thread as a springboard for commentary, please start a new thread in Great Debates, Politics & Elections, or the Pit with a link to the breaking news thread. This is a forum specific rule not only for MPSIMS, but also QZ. > [@Ed\_Zotti](#): > > **Minimum age.** Minimum age for registration on the SDMB is 13 years. Registrants found to be younger than 13 will have their posting privileges revoked. This should be moved to the registration paragraph. > [@Ed\_Zotti](#): > > If you are pitting another poster for a specific post or posts, please include links thereto. Similarly, if you’re posting a thread parody, please include a link to the thread being parodied. Apropos, it is currently bad form to include a link in the Trolls 'R Us thread. The reason being that the software creates a backlink in the original forum which reads “Trolls’R Us”, essentially accusing them of being a troll in the original forum. > [@Ed\_Zotti](#): > > **Pornography and potentially offensive material.** […] Any user who feels a posted message is objectionable should flag it or contact the moderators of the affected forum by e-mail. I don’t believe moderators make their email addresses public, with the exception of @engineer_comp_geek. Should “e-mail” be replaced by “private message”? > [@Ed\_Zotti](#): > > **Screen names.** We reserve the right to refuse postings from screen names we find objectionable. See also _ **Sock puppets** _. I recommend moving this to registration because you choose the screen name at registration. > [@Ed\_Zotti](#): > > **Sock puppets.** Only one screen name is permitted per user. Use of multiple screen names (“sock puppets” or “socks”) is grounds for revocation of your right to post under **any** screen name. If you have been banned from the SDMB and register under a different name, you will be banned again without notice. Same as above. > [@Ed\_Zotti](#): > > Agreed, “minorities” is a sloppy usage. I’ll remove it. Rather than list every possible category, I’ll make it “based on someone’s race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, gender orientation, or other group identity other than political affiliation or leaning.” This rules out blond jokes but allows japes against Republicans, Democrats, liberals, conservatives and what have you. Not sure if this distinction will work but let’s give it a try. It seems you forgot to edit in the “other than political affiliation or leaning” part. ~Max ## End of post section anchor Hover to the immediate left of the section header and you will be able to copy an invisible link. I used this to produce the section anchor: > ## End of post section anchor And this is the link used at the top of the post: > [this one](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/draft-restatement-of-sdmb-rules-9-12-2023/990013/49#end-of-post-section-anchor-1) ---
**Author:** ![Ed\_Zotti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/fbc32d/32.png) [@Ed\_Zotti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ed_Zotti)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2023, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-rules-9-12-2023/990013/50 "2023-10-03T20:26:14Z")
> [@Max\_S](#): > > Anyways, here are my opinions on the draft, Your suggestions were good ones and I’ve incorporated most of them in the draft, the chief exceptions being those that would lengthen an already overlong document. A case in point is your suggestion regarding intra-post links. From what I can tell, the link anchor function you describe works only with headers, which must be on a line by themselves. For example, a section like this: > **Deletion of posts.** We reserve the right to delete any message for any or no reason whatsoever. … would have to be reformatted as: > **Deletion of posts** > We reserve the right to delete any message for any or no reason whatsoever. This would add 50 or so lines, which I don’t want to do. If there’s a way to avoid this - I profess no expertise in the fine points of Discourse coding - pls advise. ---
**Author:** ![Ed\_Zotti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/fbc32d/32.png) [@Ed\_Zotti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ed_Zotti)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2023, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-rules-9-12-2023/990013/51 "2023-10-04T15:45:05Z")
I’ve made a couple last tweaks to the rules draft. If there are no further comments, I’ll consider the draft final and post it to the appropriate locations in the next day or so. Thanks to all for the many helpful suggestions. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-rules-9-12-2023/990013/52 "2023-10-06T03:19:27Z")
> [@Ed\_Zotti](#): > > The SDMB home page at [boards.straightdope.com](https://boards.straightdope.com/) describes the intended use of each forum. This is not true for all users as Discourse lets you customize the home page when signed in. You probably want to use this link: [https://boards.straightdope.com/categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories) > [@Ed\_Zotti](#): > > 1. _No slurs or cheap shots._ Do not post slurs or other cheap shots based on race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, gender orientation, or other group identity except for political affiliation or leaning. I don’t visit the Game Room very often but could you clarify that this doesn’t affect cheap shots directed at fandoms. i.e. calling Louisiana State “[corndogs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bama-lsu-2012-final/639820/5)” or in baseball, the Atlanta Cowards or Boston [Red Sux](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/149) etc. or for television, i.e. “[Hell no, I randomly answer poll questions to mess with you Trekkie nerds!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polls-only-no-discussion/953642/1728)” (For those who live under a rock, [“Trekkie” isn’t hate speech](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-trekkie-hate-speech/247891).) ~Max ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-rules-9-12-2023/990013/53 "2023-10-06T08:32:18Z")
> [@Max\_S](#): > > For those who live under a rock, [“Trekkie” isn’t hate speech](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-trekkie-hate-speech/247891) Even if that were true (and a 2004 cite might as well have been cuneiformed into wet clay with a reed stylus, for all the currency it has,) it doesn’t mean it isn’t a cheap shot. If I were a mod, I’d mod that last one, at least. ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-rules-9-12-2023/990013/54 "2023-10-06T10:40:05Z")
To me the “you” in that example is where it crosses the line. And it looks like trolling (and could be modded as such even if the poster intended it as a joke). ---
**Author:** ![Max\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-rules-9-12-2023/990013/55 "2023-10-06T17:20:50Z")
“Trekkie” can definitely be used as a cheap shot. Just like the other examples I gave. But I wouldn’t say any of them are hate speech, because in my opinion not all cheap shots are hate speech. But it’s not my opinion that counts. I’m pointing out that under the draft rules, it seems all cheap shots of non-political nature are moddable as hate speech. ~Max ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-rules-9-12-2023/990013/56 "2023-10-06T19:57:03Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > it doesn’t mean it isn’t a cheap shot. If I were a mod, I’d mod that last one, at least. I myself am one, and have several friends who are, going to conventions, etc. It is not in any way shape or form a “cheap shot”. It is what we call ourselves, altho some use “Trekker” which outside of context leads to confusion. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-rules-9-12-2023/990013/57 "2023-10-06T20:06:09Z")
Let me be more clear, since it seems I wasn’t - “Trekkie” isn’t the cheap shot. “you Trekkie nerds” is. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-rules-9-12-2023/990013/58 "2023-10-06T21:06:33Z")
Technically, all cheap shots can be moderated under the meta-rule “Don’t be a jerk.” This is an argument with no basis. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-rules-9-12-2023/990013/59 "2023-10-06T22:56:49Z")
Yes, i wouldn’t say, “that’s hate speech”, i would say, “don’t insult other posters”. ---
**Author:** ![Ed\_Zotti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/fbc32d/32.png) [@Ed\_Zotti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ed_Zotti)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-rules-9-12-2023/990013/60 "2023-10-09T18:54:24Z")
> [@Max\_S](#): > > I don’t visit the Game Room very often but could you clarify that this doesn’t affect cheap shots directed at fandoms. I recognize that the rule as written is broad and includes fan groups and such where slurs seldom rise to the level of hate speech. However, rather than spend a lot of time trying to distinguish light-hearted slurs from hateful ones, I’m inclined to let this run for a while and see what kind of problems, if any, it creates. Meanwhile I’ll consider this draft final for now and post it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-rules-9-12-2023/990013.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-rules-9-12-2023/990013.md?page=4)