Hey everyone. We're introducing a semi-big change into the rules.
In further efforts to relax the environment while getting members to communicate with each other more, we've decided to flat out replace the "Respect the Staff" rule with this new rule that has a similar purpose:
5. The staff handles punishments.
Do not suggest, recommend, or demand punishments (especially bans) for members that you feel are breaking the PureZC rules. The staff decides on such punishments since that is part of what they were hired to do.
We also frown upon people using the staff as a threat with statements such as "you better stop or I'll report you to the staff!" or "I reported this! Have fun getting smacked by the staff!" If there is a problem and you feel the staff might need to step in, just go ahead and report it. There is no need to antagonize members with staff threats.
If you submit a report, keep in mind that the issue has been handed over to the staff. Reports do not give you clearance to join in on staff discussions on what to do with a member. If we're being slow on handling your report after a day or so and haven't contacted you, you can ask about the status of the report one time. Please do not continually pester the staff about a single report unless you have additional details you need to give us.
You may notice that we replaced the broad, subjective term "rent-a-modding" with more precise language.
Because of this change in the rules, we're also encouraging a change in how members can steer topics.
Topic Steering Etiquette
In a departure from previous sets of rules, we're allowing a bit of wiggle room on what was formerly called "rent-a-modding." If you feel something is off in a topic, you are free to bring it up so long as your post follows all of the existing PureZC rules (especially the harassment rule) and you are polite about it.
For example, suppose we have a topic about cheese that has somehow evolved into a heated debate on supermarket safety inspections. If you feel this tangent is detracting from the cheesy goodness of the original topic, you are welcome to redirect the topic's course or ask the descendent safety discussion be moved elsewhere. Something like "Hey. Maybe you all should take that supermarket debate somewhere else so we can get back to talking about cheese?" would do nicely.
This rule change is an ongoing effort to encourage open communication among members. If a member is uncomfortable with something and their concern is phrased more tactfully than "you're stupid; get off my lawn," then they should be allowed to express it. Of course, this isn't an excuse to maliciously pick apart someone's posting behavior just because you personally don't like it. The harassment rule is still in full effect. If the only reason you are barging into a topic is just to ruin someone's day, you should reconsider posting.
If you have any questions about this stuff, feel free to ask.