[Fuzzybear]

This is my personal opinion, having been on pc and also a couple of other forums for a while.... too many rules can kill a forum. Not literally necessarily, but if people hesitate too much to post, to create a thread etc... to censor themselves too much (apart from obvious, existing rules which everyone tries to observe)...Maybe it's along similar lines to my thread I posted here a while back re how much a hug or a kind thought can help someone in distress. I just had this thought tonight having been reading a bit...

I suppose the issue also is what is ''too many rules''....

Hugs and respect to all

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by Fuzzybear

This is my personal opinion, having been on pc and also a couple of other forums for a while.... too many rules can kill a forum. Not literally necessarily, but if people hesitate too much to post, to create a thread etc... to censor themselves too much (apart from obvious, existing rules which everyone tries to observe)...Maybe it's along similar lines to my thread I posted here a while back re how much a hug or a kind thought can help someone in distress. I just had this thought tonight having been reading a bit...

I suppose the issue also is what is ''too many rules''....

Hugs and respect to all

not sure but wouldn't this be an administrative issue? I mean that's who makes the rules here, the admins and moderators. so when I have a problem or question about the rules/guidelines here that's who I contact.

suggestion maybe you can pm a mod or admin and talk with them about which ever rule/ guideline you are having a problem with here on psych central. they might be able to help you find a way that will let you post with out running into too many rules stopping you from posting what you want to post.

[Wild Coyote]

Hey there, Fuzzy!

I agree. A middle ground serves the majority well!

How do we find a middle ground?

It's important we honor mutual respect.
We consider the goals of the site, as well as the goals of each forum. It helps to realize different forums may have different goals.
(An example: The goals/purpose of a BP or a Depression "Support Forum" is likely different from a community social/communication or a "Coffee House" type of forum.)

We'd do well to also employ "common sense" and all we learn from experience.

Just my very humble opinion.

Much Love to All ~

[seesaw]

What's that old adage? 90% of the rules are made because of 10% of the people?

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by seesaw

What's that old adage? 90% of the rules are made because of 10% of the people?

Exactly!
Thank you for the chuckle!

[seesaw]

Originally Posted by Wild Coyote

Exactly!
Thank you for the chuckle!

FYI, I'm part of the 10%. (J/K!)

[DocJohn]

I'd also add that something like 99.99% of our members follow the rules we have and have never been contacted by a member of the community support team. For the few who have been contacted, it's been a one-time thing, or something they just weren't clear about. Most members are very respectful and are here for the right reasons -- to give or get emotional support and information for a mental health or related concern.

We rarely have added new rules, and most additions have been because of a single incident or a misunderstanding expressed by multiple members. I think it's been over 2 years since the last update to the community guidelines.

Just for the record, I'm not a big fan of rules either. But I do believe a set of flexible guidelines (where we can and do make exceptions all the time) work well when they are kept fairly limited (as we've tried to do), and straight-forward.