@@ -20,3 +20,88 @@ which is most useful for large and low-level changes.
2020Before contributing code, you should familiarize yourself with the
2121[Hoon style guide](/docs/learn/arvo/style). For a good example of preferred Hoon
2222coding style, see [ford.hoon](https://github.com/urbit/arvo/blob/master/sys/vane/ford.hoon).
23+
24+## Community Guidelines
25+
26+Urbit is both code and community. We have guidelines for the former, and we also
27+have guidelines for the latter.
28+
29+### Jurisdiction
30+
31+Urbit is a decentralized system, both technically and in spirit. This means that
32+no one, Tlon Corp. or otherwise, has the technical ability to police the entire
33+network. But we do admit that moderation is necessary; we just think that it’s not strictly a technical problem.
34+
35+What we can do, and what we propose to do in this document, is define how we
36+plan on moderating our little, but important, corner of Urbit. We define the
37+limits of our jurisdiction as the general-purpose discussion channel `/urbit-meta`,
38+our forum, `fora` and, adjacently, the GitHub issues on any of the [official urbit
39+repos](https://github.com/urbit).
40+
41+Our hope is that the system established here can serve as a model for other corners
42+of Urbit.
43+
44+### Use of these guidelines
45+
46+The goal of these guidelines is to provide clear principles which can be used by
47+moderators for the resolution of disputes in this jurisdiction. The hope is that,
48+by knowing the guidelines that will be cited in case of a dispute, users can have
49+clear expectations of how to comport themselves and how
50+a judgement will be made. The ideal is that, right before pressing "Submit" on an
51+inflammatory Fora post, the errant Urbiter will pause and remember the following
52+mandates.
53+
54+### The Pentalogue
55+
56+#### 1. Stay on topic
57+
58+Conflicts about the work, about building Urbit, are good conflicts. Conflicts about
59+haircuts, politics or sports are not productive and are best conducted in a DM or
60+a private circle.
61+
62+#### 2. Treat everyone like a person
63+
64+All of us have pre-loaded talking points against our preferred ideological and intellectual opponents. Unleashing them prematurely often impedes communication and sours otherwise productive dialogue. It is also not nice. So, instead of treating a human being as merely an avatar for an idea, treat them like a person.
65+
66+“Treating someone like a person” means responding to what people actually say, instead of what you think such a person would say.
67+
68+Before responding to something that seems objectionable, make sure that the other party is actually saying what you think they’re saying. Ask questions and be nice.
69+
70+#### 3. Skin in the game
71+
72+No one likes comments like "this sux" in a thread of otherwise serious commentary. If other people have something to lose (even if it’s just face), be respectful. And, ideally, put some skin in the game yourself.
73+
74+In general, establish yourself in a conversation or a subject area before you
75+start attacking anyone. Better yet: don't attack anyone.
76+
77+#### 4. Assume good faith
78+
79+If anyone has gone through the trouble of booting a ship, submitting an issue,
80+learning Hoon, reading through our docs or otherwise shown themselves committed
81+to our wild-eyed vision, they are to be assumed to be a friend.
82+
83+If you can choose to interpret a statement as a sneaky slight or a clumsy compliment, choose the latter.
84+
85+#### 5. Respect the mods
86+
87+We believe that all good governance terminates in a human relationship, and that moderators fulfill that role. All moderators will be forced to make judgments not covered by this document, and that will doubtless make some unhappy; maybe even you. Please respect the fact that someone took this responsibility on for the greater good.
88+
89+The flipside of this is that moderators are expected to act in accordance with the
90+dignity of that office. Abuse of power will not be tolerated.
91+
92+### Adjudication
93+
94+The body responsible for the hearing of and ruling on claims is the Council,
95+composed of moderators. Moderators are to serve for a term of one year.
96+
97+Any planet-holder on the network dissatisfied with the behavior of another
98+planet-holder must first send a complaint to the Council with a link to the
99+offending message or document.
100+
101+The case will be assigned a moderator at random, who will decide the
102+matter. The finding will include a punishment which can range from censure to
103+temporary or permanent blacklisting.
104+
105+If one of the parties in the case would like to file an appeal, the case can be
106+heard and ruled on by the entire Council. All proceedings of the Council are public and
107+all past behavior in the jurisdiction can be considered in the Councils’ decision.