User blog:Obi the LEGO Fan/Regarding the Policy

Recently, a series of events has occurred that impugns the community's (or at least part of it) understanding of the policy. Bear with me as I reiterate some guidelines that are logical corollaries of the rule requiring respect, and some others that are just common sense.

1. Be kind. Imagine if every one was kind to each other- not just "not breaking the rules", but actually kind. Maybe that sounds cheesy, but we need a little more kindness around here. No name calling, insulting or being rude.

2. Be constructive. A large part of being kind and respectful is being constructive. Don't tear people down, build them up. Don't post comments that deride people, instead be helpful — and don't give them criticism you know they can't handle.

3. Be positive, not negative. Oftentimes being negative is necessary; sometimes we need gadflies. But it gets to a point where everyone is so negative, that their negativity is in fact the problem. The complaining, not the object of complaint, becomes the issue.

4. Be proactive, not perfunctory. Everyone is willing to talk on and on about problems. But not too many are willing to do something. This is in large part a guideline for moderators, administrators and patrollers. Don't just do the least you can do, get out there and solve problems.

5. Don't be incendiary. Don't make comments that you know will press people's buttons or start a flame war. Don't "get under people's skins". Be a peacemaker, not a problem-causer.

6. Don't keep grudges. Although this is not an enforceable guideline, it is a logical one. Keeping grudges is one of the things that has done a lot of damage to this wiki. As horrible as you may think other users are, it doesn't excuse your own actions.

Yes, most of these rules are just common sense and shouldn't need repeating. But sadly, they haven't been consistently abided by by certain users. They all can be reduced to one rule, the "golden rule"- treat others how you want to be treated. This may be the internet, but that doesn't change morality. Chat and the rest of the wiki are much more peaceful and calm without extreme negativity. Also, if everyone abided by the maxim, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all", our behavior-related problems would be gone overnight.

It truly irks me how much people complain, dramatize, and fume about the problems, but thereby increase them! As Drew laid out in his blog, responding to melodramatic blogs or comments only increases the problem. But I am no longer going to tolerate the kind of negativity I've seen going around. Let this be a warning: I will be deleting comments, blogs, messages, and other forms of communication that are rude, disrespectful, unkind, unnecessarily negative, derisive, melodramatic, incendiary, etc. I will also be cracking down on such behavior on chat. I apologize to everyone on chat last night who had to deal with the arguing and drama; I should have been firmer and dealt out more kicks. But know that in the future, all parties involved in disruptive behavior will be punished. If you don't want a kick, ignore it. If it violates the policy, report it. Of course, kindly asking users to stop or any other constructive participation will not be punished.

Thank you.