Wikibooks talk:Be civil

What is civility
We now have a user strongly contesting that they have been uncivil when most people feel that he has. I would like to revise this policy to include a list of behaviors that many people find to be uncivil. Here is a list of behaviors I would suggest mentioning explicitly.


 * Belittling
 * Being judgmental
 * Taunting
 * Calling names
 * Making unfounded accusations
 * Using profane language
 * Publicly calling for punishment
 * Taking others' statements out of context
 * Misrepresenting others' statements
 * Hijacking a discussion with off-topic posts
 * Spamming
 * Defacing pages
 * Being disruptive to make a point
 * Assuming bad faith
 * Using ad hominem arguments
 * Making indecent suggestions
 * Using epithets or slurs
 * Threatening

I think that if we're going to be banning people for violating this policy it needs to state more explicitly what qualifies as uncivil. --xixtas 03:01, 8 February 2007 (UTC)


 * This policy was created specifically to avoid such a list. Lists are problematic for several reasons:
 * It preempts admins from using their best judgment in situations like this
 * Things that aren't on the list, but are still uncivil will be highly contested because they aren't on the list
 * The list will have to be continuously updated, which takes timely community discussion processes.
 * We all know that those things listed are uncivil, and we all know that there are more things besides what you have listed that qualify. It's a case of "I know it when I see it", and there is no sense trying to be too specific. --Whiteknight (talk) (projects) 03:21, 8 February 2007 (UTC)


 * Although I disagree that such a list would prevent admins from using their judgment. Such a list does not claim to be either comprehensive or exhaustive. Perhaps you are right that it is better left very simple. I may write a supporting essay and ask for it to be linked here instead. --xixtas 03:30, 8 February 2007 (UTC)


 * Now that is a very good idea, i think, and it's the approach that I wish more people would take to help clarify things. Personal essays are much more flexible then policy documents, and they don't have to be so restrictive. I would even offer to help author such an essay, if you were interested. --Whiteknight (talk) (projects) 03:37, 8 February 2007 (UTC)