h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Is it?

If not, any indication when it will be? No more Uk troops on Afghan territory?



reading his way through the House Rules

I propose broadening this rule to last "during the Human Crisis," the on-going infestation of the earth by humans. It's not likely that the world will be free of conflicts or topics for people to take offense about, until sentient life (even including humans) dies out from the earth.

Seriously though, shouldn't other nations at war or "in crisis" be offended that theirs weren't important enough to get discussions censored extra carefully on h2g2? You can't hardly type the words "Israel" or "Palestine" on h2g2 without someone telling you how much your thoughtless words made them cry.

Oh wait, that's right. The conflict in Israel doesn't affect UK politicians very much. Carry on! Conflicts in Africa are especially safe topics for discussion -- no fear of Tony Blair taking umbrage at comments from "FrootLoup Fairy" or "Skywalker_37" when they're only discussing those interminable civil wars across the Southern Hemisphere.

I reckon it's probably over as far as we're concerned, so I'll remove them from the rules.

Though I'll miss Subcom using them as target practice. Pity!

Great!

BTW, thanks for keeping the rules accessible!

No worries. The election rules from 2001 are in there somewhere, too - <./>HouseRules-Election</.> I think. They're handy for demonstrating progress in rule development, if nothing else...

Rules, rules, rules! You should only worry about rules when you break them, that's my motto.

And since when did rules have to be kept up-to-date? Have you ever had a look at British by-laws? I must remember to remind taxi-drivers to make sure they keep that bale of hale for the horse...

Progress???

Bang!

Will the page about the guidelines during Afghan Crisis remain visible while no longer in effect? This is one of those things that would be nice to look back on and laugh at, when/if we get to the point where we can look back and laugh.

For the record, I have to admit that I never saw or heard of any political post getting censored based on this rule. Of course, how would anyone know it happened after all traces had been covered?

Still, whether or not it was used, the guidelines were at face value pure political censorship.

Bang!

Good to see that DNA's "welcome message" A157349 is back in effect --
"You can create your own Guide Entries containing anything you want, from your opinions of world events to a description of your home town..."
-- at least until the next election or worthy "crisis."

Ricochet!

"Will the page about the guidelines during Afghan Crisis remain visible while no longer in effect?"

Yep. They're no longer in effect (thanks to a prod from Tube - I'd clean forgotten about them to be honest!) but they're still visible, with a note at the top saying that they're no longer being applied.

"For the record, I have to admit that I never saw or heard of any political post getting censored based on this rule. Of course, how would anyone know it happened after all traces had been covered?"

I can't think of any either, but if we had removed something and it had really irritated the author, no doubt *everyone* would have heard about it.

"Still, whether or not it was used, the guidelines were at face value pure political censorship."

Maybe, but when we explained the logic behind the rules, most people understood them and could see where the BBC was coming from; the reaction was *far* less negative then when we introduced the election rules, which were a pain in the proverbials (but a pure consequence of a lack of resources at that time). Then again, when it comes to moderation, I'd be worried if you ever slotted into the category of 'most people', Subcom.

Ker-chow!

> "Ker-chow!"

I think I'm having that for Dinner...

There was one incident: some guy named OBL, remember? Of course, that took place before this page had been created, in another instance of needing telepathic powers to know what the rules are...

"I see... links to foreign sites being banned by a tall dark stranger.... and yes, here in the chicken entrails! It is fated that the rules on spitting shall be unenforced! But forsooth - beware the Hides of Perch."

-MRD