Rule I
Attack ideas, never people
Sharp arguments, uncomfortable truths, and vigorous rebuttal are welcome here. What is not acceptable is sustained, targeted personal cruelty — the kind of repetitive, personalised meanness whose purpose is to make someone feel unwelcome rather than to engage their ideas. There is a real difference between an argument that stings and a campaign against a person. We will not pretend otherwise, but we will be honest about how carefully we intend to draw that line.
Rule II
Steelman before rebuttal
Before disagreeing, represent the strongest version of the other side. Low-effort caricatures are not accepted.
Rule III
State confidence with revision conditions
If you are certain, explain what evidence would make you less certain. Confidence without criteria is weak argumentation.
Rule IV
Use evidence proportionate to the claim
High-impact claims require stronger evidence. Link to sources when possible and distinguish fact from interpretation.
Rule V
No spam or advertising
Posts that are not arguments at all — spam, unsolicited advertising, automated content, and posts that exist only to disrupt rather than engage — will be removed. We acknowledge that this is censorship. There are places to advertise or maybe even to spam, but The Agorium is not that place.
Rule VI
Mind changes are part of winning
When your view shifts, say so clearly and explain why. Public updates improve the whole forum.
Rule VII
Wrong, unpopular, and heterodox views are not violations
Posts will not be removed because they are wrong, offensive to some members, unpopular, heterodox, or contested. We will not remove posts because they have been labeled harmful or dangerous by someone. If an argument is wrong, the answer is a better argument — not removal. Removing bad arguments doesn't make them go away; it just removes the opportunity to publicly dismantle them.