The Eldritch God - 03/10/2017
I'm creating this due to the fact that there have been disagreements about direction and purpose.

The over all goal is to give a place to discuss topics and debate them without creating an echo chamber. No topic is taboo, nor is any position of the matter, if you are willing to DISCUSS IT. Bringing up a topic for no other reason then to "shock" or cause suffering in others is out.

Now that can be some what subjective. If you are postings things or talking about things for a specific target in mind because you have a point, no matter how bad it is, that's fine. People have bad ideas. However, posting something offensive to "everyone" without having a point is the problem. The goal is to encourage discussion. If the only discussion is you laughing while others point out you are a colossal asshole, then you are defeating the point of this discord server and you are going to get bounced.

Trolling should have a goal. Shit-posting should have a point. There are reasons that freedom of speech exists. However that ends when you are using it for no other reason then to cause the suffering of others.

Another thing to avoid are lies. Deception is acceptable. Omitting details is acceptable. Asking leading questions is acceptable. Allowing others to jump to conclusions without correcting them is acceptable. Comedy is acceptable. Exaggeration is acceptable. Being wrong and making a mistake is acceptable, assuming you are willing to admit your mistake.

I'm talking about deliberate lies. I am talking about intentional falsehoods without a good reason. For example, I sometimes fudge details when discussing clients of mine in order to hide their identity. I don't want to have to enforce this and will take a liberal view of it, but in the end, you keep trying to push a lie, you're gone.(edited)
For example, You believe the world is flat. Well, if that's true, then by all means, promote your cause. But if you try to push "X is a Y" when it's clear that X is not Y and it's clear you have the agenda of causing harm to X, then it's time for you to go.

Can you say, "I hate all Niggers?" Sure you can. And be prepared to defend it. Make sure you are speaking to someone else and you allow them the chance to debate. Saying "All niggers must die", however, is a statement that is not based on your opinion, but a CLAIM of objective fact (which you must be prepared to defend). It is also a false statement that can easily be disproven. (I need only point to one nigger that need not die.) Such a statement is clearly without merit and as such has no place here. Furthermore, the brings us to the last rule.

DON'T BREAK THE LAW.

Inciting others to break the law also is violation of the rules of this discord server.(edited)
March 18, 2017
The Eldritch God - 03/18/2017
One last thing... Be Formal
March 19, 2017
The Eldritch God - 03/19/2017
RULES FOR DEBATE

Sooner or later there will be debate with others of radical opinions from your own. I wish to clarify how we handle things here. It's a little different.


1) STATEMENT OF INTENT TO DEBATE
I expect both sides to state upfront that the intent is to debate, not have an argument. An argument is when two people try to change each other's position on a subject. A debate may involve changing the other person's mind, but the goal is to present your side of a debate with enough clarity that to a theoretical unknown observer, they would be swayed to agree with your position. Yes, we all want the "knockout" blow of getting your opponent to agree with you. However, you should not be fixated on that outcome in a debate.

The goal is not to fight, but to win hearts and minds of the observers of your debate. Note, this means that your debate either needs an audience, or should be recorded for an audience. Even if that audience is one person. The only exception to this I can think of is when you are practicing your debate skills. However, I would encourage you to still debate in front of witnesses, even if it's "just for fun". Feedback is what improves your skills and you can't get that in an echo chamber.

If your goal IS to change the opinion of the other person and the audience does not matter, don't have your argument here. Go somewhere else if you want to record it, or have the argument in private without an audience. This is DEBATE discord, not an ARGUMENT ARENA.

I would encourage you to argue with others, but please take those elsewhere and have them in private, or in public somewhere else.(edited)
2) STATEMENT OF GROUND RULES

I expect both sides to agree on any ground rules before the debate starts. We have no suggestions here. That is up to you and your opponent to hash out. However, even if you have NO ground rules, you need to state up front that there are no ground rules. That way it is clear to both sides this is as down and dirty as it comes. Nothing wrong with a no holds barred debate, but you need to make it clear up front, especially to your audience.

If you cannot agree on the ground rules, then you are having an argument and not a debate. Go somewhere else.

This is the section where you state what you intend to prove in your debate. Your general position, on the topic, as it were. I am here to defend that Jello is the greatest food ever. You are here to defend that beer is the greatest food ever. Beyond stating your intent to prove, don't get into details, defend or debate the position at this point in the debate. That comes later.(edited)
3) STATEMENT OF ARTICLES OF FAITH

The third step before beginning a debate is for both sides to state any articles of faith that they have that may come up in the debate.

An article of faith is an axiom or "fact" that you accept without question. We all do this. I accept that the word "water" refers to liquid H2O. I have faith in this and I don't need to prove my position that Water is WATER. Arguing with me that water is brick is pointless. Don't even try.

Now, for most debates, there are many things we "just accept as fact". We don't need to state everything, only those things that may come up. People make mistakes and fail to consider key information, so there is no need for an exhaustive list.

The reason for this rule is so that you can say, "I don't believe in God." and the other side knows there is no point in arguing for the existence of god, with the intent of changing the other person's mind. "I just BELIEVE in X" is important to know to so all participants know what part of a discussion would be a waste of time. Because this is a debate, and not an argument, there is no problem with one side or the other flat out saying, "You will never convince me of X, no matter what." Because we aren't trying to change the mind of the other side. We're trying to change the mind of the observers, not the participants.(edited)
This does not stop you from debating the topic. It does mean you shouldn't bash your head against this wall. I can say "I don't believe in god" and you can say "I do believe in god" and we can argue those points in a debate. The point of statement of articles of faith is to give your opponent fair warning that this is a subject you cannot sway me on. It's so that the debate does not get bogged down in details when you should be getting to your point of contention.

Note, that this does not mean you have, or have no, reasons, for your article of faith. You may have a great deal of logic behind your belief. Do not DEFEND your belief. State it, as simply and directly as possible. If you have to take more than two breaths to explain your article of faith, you aren't stating a bedrock belief of yours, but making an argument.

That is what this section is about. Fair warning that there is no point in trying to change my mind about "this". You don't have to give fair warning. You don't have to respect what the other person believes. The point is to make it clear that if we lock horns on this subject, we're never going to go anywhere. And note, it isn't just about religion, but any subject you just "accept as fact".

An example would be if I was arguing with a Feminist and she said, "I believe the patriarchy is real." Okay. I will know that while I can make a case against the existence of patriarchy, I'm also not going to get upset that she isn't swayed by my facts and logic.

That's the point. Not to render a topic off limits (if you want a topic off limits, you set that up in the ground rules, not here). It's just a FYI to the other side that here is where the line in the sand is drawn and you will go no further with me.

And you should not care because you aren't here to change your opponent's mind, but the minds of the observers.(edited)
4) INCLUSION OF ARBITER (OPTIONAL)

An arbiter, if included, must be obeyed when the arbiter calls for a halt to any communication or exchange. An arbiter is not to take one side or the other. An arbiter is not to interject or make any conclusions. An arbiter is there to make sure that the ground rules are enforced and that both sides have a chance to speak. The arbiter is granted the power to stop the debate in the interests of keeping things civil.

The arbiter may repeat, clarify, and even "interpret" statements, in the interests of smoothing over the exchange. For example, an arbiter may stop a heated debate to say, "So, what Mr. X is saying is Y". However, if an arbiter does this, the arbiter must immediately stop and turn to the origin of said interpreted statement and ask "Does that sound correct?"

Blatantly false statements cannot be silenced, but the arbiter does have the ability to stop the debate then ask someone, "You stated X. Are you sure X is valid?" That's IT. The arbiter cannot make a case for or against said false statement.

Because the debate is for the hearts and minds of the observers, an arbiter who favors one side over the other will in fact be hurting the side he favors. During the debate, you live with the arbiter's actions. However, AFTER the debate, message your concerns to the head of the discord server and he will review your accusations. I do not want my arbiters taking sides. Any arbiter being found to take sides will be reduced to the status of debater.

Once included, an arbiter can only be removed from a debate by the UNANIMOUS decision of all participants. A position of "kinda, sorta, maybe, don't care" is not a vote to remove. All participants must state and agree that the arbiter is a problem and must go. If even one person says, "I don't care", then the arbiter STAYS.

This is the point you would have the debate. At the end...(edited)
5) STATEMENT OF CONCLUSION

At some point the debate must end. There are two reasons for this:

Poo occurs.

Real life gets in the way and people need to leave. Sometimes without any warning. It happens. However, in the case this happens, the remaining participants are allowed to make final statements then end the debate. Sorry. If you rage quit, you are done. You do not get back into the debate. The debate ends right then and there. The other side can say whatever they want in your absence and then the debate ends. However, do remember, there is an audience. Don't blow it now that you are unopposed.

The second reason is because both sides have made their case and the point seems to have been concluded. Anyone can state, "I've made my point." at which point you ask if the other side is done. If not, let them speak. If the answer is yes, then there are a few steps to take.

If the arbiter is present, have them make it official that the debate is over. Otherwise, just come to an agreement it's over.

Each side has a "reasonable" amount of time to make a summary of their argument. It doesn't matter who goes first, but what matters is you cannot argue the points or interrupt the other side. They make their statement. Done. You do not ask questions in your closing statements. You state your position. Done. Then the other side makes their closing statement. Again, these are STATEMENTS, not questions.

Assume that someone might chop out everything between the start of the debate to the end. This is your chance to make a short sound bite that can be used as a bullet point. Think of it that way.

Then, after both sides have made their concluding statements, end the debate. Stop recording. Turn off the mike.

You can keep talking in private, but don't continue the conversation in a public forum. This isn't a place to shoot the shit. This is a place to discuss and debate topics. Once you are done debating, well, you don't have to go home but you can't stay here.
March 25, 2017
The Eldritch God - 03/25/2017
I have been giving this a lot of thought the past week and I think the following needs to be said. I’m not calling anyone out. I’m just making this a formal rule.

THIS PLACE IS NOT SAFE.

You, by even logging into this discord, are making powerful enemies. There are people who if they ever discover this place will make every effort to destroy us.

I have noticed that YouTube’s informal rule of never “punching down” unless someone punches up first is being ignored more and more by those who would silence free-thinkers. Also, I am noticing that MSM and the satellite ahem “news” sources are increasingly willing to hit smaller and smaller targets.

Don’t think that because you are under a thousand subscribers that you will never attract attention. This place is far more dangerous then any youtube channel. This is a school. A training camp. A place where people are trained to be subversive and think for themselves.
If they do manage to sneak in here somehow, I want them to read the following: The only ideology I’m pushing is to have a critical view of your ideology. Think for yourself. Doubt your beliefs. Verify what you know. Seek the truth, no matter how horrible it may be. You want a summary, that’s it.

So you can see how very very very dangerous this place is to TPTB.

So, if you want to reveal personal information, you go right ahead. I don’t have a problem with self doxing. However, nobody should be guilted into giving up personal information. If anyone is pressuring you into giving up information you are even the slightest bit uncomfortable giving up, DO NOT GIVE UP THAT INFORMATION.

Also, I want you to bring it up to me and the admins. I want screen shots. I want logs. I want to know, NOW. I don’t care if they are a friend. I don’t care if it’s NO BIG DEAL. It may BE a big deal. There may be a pattern you don’t know. There may serious shit going down. It’s MY job to make the determination, NOT YOU.

Not just for your protection, but because you never know when we are going to attract attention and they will try to fuck with us.(edited)
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Which brings me to my next topic. Just heading off problems before they occur.

I have no problems with discussion about sex. I have a problem with sexualized discussions.

NO FLIRTING.

Basically, this is a place for formal debate, not a place to pick people up. You want to talk about sex (as in how it works), or how certain genders behave, fine. As long as it’s for purposes of debate and understanding, we’re all good.

You start asking penis size or asking for nude pics, you are SO GONE. So, again, I don’t care if YOU think it’s no big deal, it’s not up to you to make the call. You don’t know what’s happened to anyone else. You don’t know if this is the first time, or the final straw. You run into someone trying to cross the line, or you THINK someone is crossing the line, you log it. You screen shot it. You let me and the admins know. I will investigate and find out what’s going on.

I will give warnings when I’m unsure of what was going on, and bounce your ass the moment I hit 51% certain you’re ignoring this rule. And this applies off the discord. If someone STALKS you from here, you let me know. My job involves dealing with victims of all sorts and I have very little tolerance for this sort of bullshit. If you don’t understand this rule (or any rule), ASK.

So Just DON’T. Flirting isn’t formal. BE FORMAL.(edited)
The Eldritch God - 03/25/2017
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Finally, less a rule, and more of an FYI.

I’m not your friend, your buddy or your pal. I’m the guy running this Discord. I am here for everyone. Do not for one instant think that just because I like you that I will not come down on you like a ton of bricks. This place is important, not just to me, but to those who come here. It is a place of learning. It is a place where ideas are exchanged. It is more than the sum of it’s parts. I care about everyone and if you choose to go against what is good for everyone, don’t expect me to side with you against them. That doesn’t mean majority rules. It means what’s best for the discord server is my top priority and always will be.

I’m a very open minded and tolerant person… to a point.

Past that point I am a ruthless asshole with a vindictive streak a mile wide. I am nice, until it is no longer time to be nice. Then… well… let’s just say once when I was a bill collector this one guy pissed me off so bad, I (legally) had his dead mother dug up so we could repo the jewelry off her corpse. It took me over a year to pull that one off. I sent him a bill charging him for the backhoe rental.

Weaponized Autistic Cats have nothing on me.