Community code of conduct
Part of the community has worked together to draft a code of conduct for the biohack.me community. This applies to the forums, slack, Grindfest, and other community endeavors and events.
This code is a written version of the behavior and support we already try to promote in the community. Everyone will be expected to abide by the code, to ensure the community remains and becomes the sort of place that underrepresented people feel welcome to participate in.
This code is a living document which we will update as the need arises and after receiving feedback from the community. You can submit feedback in this thread, or via github pull request.
Feedback is welcome, except feedback along the lines of "codes of conducts are pointless" or "group X doesn't need protection!"
Comments
I find it unfortunate that we need a code of conduct to detail what is, essentially basic decency.
I would request that that as part of the code of conduct we recognize that as part of a scientific discussion, things may be phrased in a way that makes individuals uncomfortable, and it is not necessarily an attack upon them.
For a simple example, if someone is considering taking a supplement or experimental drug, they will need to consider any potential interactions between it and any drugs or therapies they may already be on.
I hope people see this code of conduct and go on to comment in a thread they might otherwise just lurk. If this is what helps people open up and contribute, or just mingle with their community, then it is pure awesome. This code isn't hampering any innovation, and any innovation which contradicts this code would not be welcome in the first place.
@countseven, you are probably not someone who has to worry about violating these codes. Nearly everyone I have met on this forum has met these requirements, then they go the extra mile and they're nice folks. This gives us a board where we can point and say, "You are acting like a jerk to someone who doesn't deserve it. Stop your behavior or get out." I doubt you will ever need that.
I been lurking for more than 3 years, never really had anything to say, just enjoyed reading the topics dreaming of how to "improve" myself. From what I've seen as well, everyones a nice guy around here.
most people around here are super nice, and it might be surprising to learn how many aren't guys.
Ps I don’t care if u say u r whatever but I’m saying this can be abused and can be very dangerous/fatal for others
citation needed
While Jake there phrased it wrong and used a bad example, he's echoing my worry. If someone is, for example, discussing taking human growth hormone, it may be necessary to discuss how it would interact with any other hormone treatments they are taking, such as transition therapy.
I can see how that discussion could potentially make someone uncomfortable and yet it would be necessary, so I feel that the code of conduct should be worded to acknowledge that.
I don't think any of our current members would have an issue with it, as we all seem capable of understanding the difference between an uncomfortable but necessary discussion and harassment, but if this is being established as a just in case, that should be included as well.
I'm still not sure this is as big a deal as you claim- a trans person taking hormones probably won't have more of that hormone than a person who produces it in their own body. Many chemicals can interact, of course, but you don't seem to be worried about someone's use of aspirin or antibiotics interacting with other chemicals we talk about.
That's actually a real thing, by the way- did you know antibiotics make many forms of birth control ineffective? I have a friend who got a kid this way. Chemistry and biology are weird.
If you are being respectful, talking about drug interactions and dangerous practices won't be misconstrued as harassing behavior.
Just because someone is uncomfortable doesn't mean they were being harassed, but if someone tells you they are uncomfortable and you persist, then it becomes harassment.
Remember, the code of conduct has a clause for this:
The stuff I think should be valued in our community..
Don't bullshit.. don't pretend to know more or be more of an expert then you are. Don't bullshit your results. If you know something that someone else doesn't, share it in an educational way; not as an attack. Don't do things half ass. There is no excuse for doing a half ass job. The problem with these is that they're discretionary as well.. who gets to judge intent? This is all roughly shaping in values and always up for discussion.. but it seems like theoretical discussion misses the point. We won't have a perfect system. Maybe we should just run with it and fix issues as they arise.
Yeah, right now we just ask people to email [email protected] (which goes to four people, currently), which would trigger some mod co-ordination via slack, but we don't have any set rules past that point. And it's not really clear for a new person what to do at, say Grindfest- people who have been around for a while will probably know who to flag down, but we don't have a clear way to signal that to new people.
Defcon just posted their policy for dealing with violations of their own code of conduct. I like that more groups are being pro-active and open about this stuff!
I think that just straight up spamming and spammers can be blocked without being codified? Maybe I'm wrong.
the code of conduct lets us ban people from the forums etc for being assholes in more conventional racist/homophobic/etc trolling than it has anything to do with people doing bad science or any sort of hierarchy.
Yep. Saw them both in the same space, clicked on the wrong one. My bad. Carry on.
EDIT: removed comments as they are not on topic.