GNU Kind Communication Guidelines

GNU Kind Communication Guidelines

IF
	Redditors present code or text as their own work,
		accept it as their work.
	Redditor criticizes
		a statement
			recognize that criticism of your statements is not a personal attack on you
		you
			DO NOT
				“hit back” with another personal attack.
					INSTEAD
						respond privately, politely stating your feelings as feelings, and asking for peace, may calm things down.
						write it, set it aside for an hour, revise it to remove the anger, and only then send it.
	you are criticizing
		do not criticize people for wrongs that you only speculate they may have done; stick to what they actually say and actually do.
		go out of your way to show that you are criticizing a statement, not a person.
	Redditor made a mistake
		be especially kind when saying the Redditor made a mistake.
		show Redditor that being imperfect is normal, so I don't hold it against the Redditor and I appreciate the Redditor's imperfect contribution though I hope the Redditor follows through by fixing any problems in it.
	Redditor brings up a tangent to the topic at hand
		IF you think the tangent is an important and pertinent issue
			bring it up as a separate discussion AND consider waiting for the end of the current discussion.
		ELSE keep the discussion on track by focusing on the current topic rather than the tangent.
	a decision for some other course has already been made
		don't argue unceasingly for your preferred course of action.
	Redditor complains about the way you express your ideas
		make an effort to cater to them.
		find ways to express the same points while making others more comfortable.

DO
	assume Redditor is posting in good faith.
	treat other participants with respect.
	respond to what Redditor actually said, not to exaggerations of Redditor's views.

DO NOT
	assume Redditor's gender.
		INSTEAD call Redditor by name.
	take harsh tone.
	make personal attacks.
	presume typical desires, capabilities or actions of some demographic group.
	try to have the last word
		INSTEAD look for the times when there is no need to reply:
			- you already made the relevant point clear enough.
			- the other player's move is not strong enough to require a direct response, it is advantageous to give it none and instead move elsewhere.
	arouse ire about secondary things.
	raise unrelated political issues.