# Community Standards [[About/Manifesto#7. Wusoup is about **quality over quantity**|Quality over quantity]] is one of Wusoup's [[About/Manifesto#Core values|core values]]: - [[#Content standards|High content standards]] are expected of all community members. - [[#Rules|Strict rules]] are enforced, including unusual rules against *dating/sexual* and *aggressive/hateful* content. These standards help contribute to an unusual level of **trust**, **openness**, and **meaningful connection**. But they won't be to everyone's taste! > [!warning] Please read: > - Folks not meeting content standards may be [[Usage/Reputation#When to downvote|downvoted]] by the community, reducing their visibility. > - Folks breaking the rules may be [[Usage/Reputation#Reporting users|reported]], and repeat/intentional rule-breakers may be banned. > [!info]- Don't like these standards/rules? > Wusoup is an experiment to see if it's possible to create a **safe space free of toxicity** and of the exhausting crap so common on and off the internet everywhere today. > > It's a place intended for a **niche audience** aligned with [[About/Manifesto#The mission|a very specific mission]]. The mission *won't appeal* to everyone, and _that's okay_! There are a million other communities *without* such strict standards/rules. > > If you don't want a taco, you don't go to a taco stand 😊 > > So an appeal to you: if you aren't 100% on board with what Wusoup's about, **please respect the members of this community** and let them have their space - there's _so few_ places like this for them to go. > > Thank you!! 🙏 > > \- Peter Taoussanis ([[About/Development Story|"The Wusoup guy"]]) ## Content standards Lazy, low-effort content isn't welcome here. It wastes everyone's time, and doesn't enable the kind of [[About/Manifesto#6. Wusoup is about **meaning**|meaningful connection]] that Wusoup is about. So users are expected to **put in some effort** by: - Setting up a **proper profile**, and writing at least a little about themselves. - Avoiding 3-word or generic copy-paste/AI messages. "hi" or "m/f?" isn't an invitation to connect, it's a red flag that you've found yourself in the wrong place. These'll get you downvoted _very_ quickly. > [!info] More info > - [[Usage/Messaging#How to start great chats|How to start great chats]] > - [[Usage/Your Profile#How to create a great profile|How to create a great profile]] > - [[Usage/Reputation#When to downvote|How downvoting works]] ## Rules ### 1. Adults **over 19** ONLY No exceptions, sorry! > [!example]- Details > Wusoup is strictly for **adults over 19 ONLY**. There are *many* communities that allow younger folks, but this is **not** one of them. > > If you are under 19, please **do not attempt to join**. You **will be banned**. > > I know that this may seem arbitrary or unfair, and I really (sincerely) am sorry about the restriction. But this community is a [[About/Development Story|1-person operation]] and allowing children on here would open the community up to real safety/legal risks and moderation needs that I can't afford. ### 2. No **dating** or **sexual** content This includes "harmless flirting", and engaging in dating/sexual talk **initiated by others**! > [!example]- Details > Wusoup has a **no tolerance** policy against ANY kind of sexual or dating content. > > This is NOT a community for dating, and it's NOT one of the innumerable bullshit dating apps that claim to be "not for dating" and then go on to promote dating at every turn. > > Dating content **will get you banned**, and members are **actively encouraged** to report folks breaking this rule. (Members actually **earn karma** by helping keep the community clean). > > All of the following are **strictly prohibited**: > > - Flirting, and sexual comments or compliments. No, you're not "just being friendly". > - Asking for nudes, hookups, or sexting - *even if the other person initiated*! > - Any profile content that'd typically be found on a dating app, including "single" tags, tags about your sexual orientation or preferences, suggestive photographs or text content, etc. You're more than your relationship status or sexual identity, focus on all the other stuff that makes you you. > - Any of the above, *even if the other person initiated*! > > But isn't this stifling? THOUGHT POLICE ANYONE!? > > So here's the thing: drawing precise lines in the sand is actually really difficult. Wusoup's mission isn't to squash freedom of expression. > > But let's face reality: if you try allow a "little bit of flirting", there's going to be an army of assholes that try push the line and ruin the space for everyone. > > So the deal is- *this stuff just isn't allowed here*. Is that a bit stifling? **Yes**, and that's okay. It's a conscious trade-off to help prevent Wusoup from degenerating into yet another internet cesspool. > > Not everyone will be on board with this, and **that's okay**. Wusoup isn't for them, but the other 12 of us looking for respite from the "hEY bby u so beutiful mmm". > > Hah! But what about nude art? WHY DO YOU HATE ART!? > > Look, the Wusoup community is ultimately in control of what and what isn't allowed. Everyone here is an adult, and can use common sense to judge what is and isn't in line with the [[About/Manifesto#1. Wusoup is not a place for **dating** or **sexual** content|intention]] behind this rule. > > Just beware that if you're trying to skirt the line, there's a good chance you end up tripping over it and getting banned. People aren't stupid, they can tell the difference between someone being genuine, and a troll trying to justify their nonsense. ### 3. No **aggressive** or **hateful** content Wusoup is a place to learn about each other, to connect, and to **offer kindness**. Disagreement [[About/Manifesto#3. It's okay to **respectfully disagree**|is okay]], but **be civil**. > [!example]- Details > You will meet people on Wusoup different from you, and with different opinions. That's [[About/Manifesto#2. Wusoup is not a place for **aggressive** or **hateful** content|part of the idea]]. > > Feel free to disagree with folks here, and to talk things out. That's constructive, even when it's difficult. Just **be respectful**. Insulting people, threatening them, or swearing at them - that's *not okay*. > > If a conversation with someone has become consistently unconstructive and you really can't see any way to build a bridge - consider [[Usage/Reputation#When to downvote|downvoting]], [[Usage/Blocking|blocking]], or [[Usage/Reputation#Reporting users|reporting]] them if appropriate, then *move on* - don't take the bait and let things turn hateful. > > Even if you believe that someone is *obviously wrong* about something important - will it convince them to turn to insults or condemnation? Or is that likely to cause them to double-down? > > People are weird, and we can be emotional about the things we believe. Changing minds often takes both exposure to new ideas *and time*. Maybe your discussion had planted a seed. Don't undo that for the temporary satisfaction of slinging insults! > > Please start by **assuming good faith** and by **offering respect**. You won't always be rewarded for doing that, but my hope is that you may be rewarded more often than you expect. And wouldn't that be a worthwhile surprise? ### 4. Don't **impersonate** others Wusoup is a place [[About/Manifesto#4. Wusoup is a place to be **genuine**|for sincerity]]. Be yourself or be anonymous, but please **don't pretend to be someone you're not**. > [!example]- Details > This includes pretending to be other members, celebrities (parody or not), or AI-generated folks. If you want to roleplay, please make that *super* clear. ### 5. Don't **spam** This is **not a place to market** your Instagram, YouTube channel, or cryptocurrency/NFT. > [!example]- Details > **If** you've established a relationship with someone and it happens as **a natural part of getting to know each other** - then feel free to share links to other platforms, social media accounts, and projects / channels / products of yours. > > But beware: if your motive is actually to fish for channel followers and you're chatting to people under pretence - most folks won't fall for that kind of BS. You're not being clever, you're being an asshole - and you're going to get banned. This isn't the place for "guerrilla marketing", please take it elsewhere. ### 6. Don't pressure people to use **other platforms** People are here because they *want* to be here. > [!example]- Details > If folks wanted to be on Instagram, Snap, or anywhere else - that's where they'd be. > > These kinds of solicitations are almost always a transparent attempt to get around other rules, so they're seen as scammy, spammy, or pushy. > > **If** you've established a relationship with someone and it happens as **a natural part of getting to know each other** - then feel free to share links to other platforms. > > But beware that this is an easy way to [[Usage/Reputation#Reporting users|get reported]] if you're making people uncomfortable. ### 7. Don't pressure people to share **personal details** People share the details they *want* to share on their profile. > [!example]- Details > If someone's hidden their age, gender, or location - it's because they wanted it hidden. Sending someone "m/f?" is no more than spam. > > And pressuring people to share details they aren't comfortable sharing is an easy way to [[Usage/Reputation#Reporting users|get reported]]. ### 8. Don't create **multiple accounts** This'll be interpreted as spam, or an attempt to circumvent a ban. > [!example]- Details > If you think that something may be wrong with your account, please [[About/Contact|contact me]] to ask! Trying to "fix" the problem yourself by creating another account is a quick way to get all your accounts **permanently banned**. ### 9. Don't use **disposable email** addresses These won't work on Wusoup, you'll lose access to your account. > [!example]- Details > Disposable email addresses are used almost exclusively by spam or trash accounts, and are often used by folks trying to circumvent a ban (not allowed) or to create multiple accounts (not allowed). > > Even when not ill-intentioned, these accounts don't see message notifications so tend to just go dormant and then waste everyone's time. > > So Wusoup will **regularly verify email address ownership**, and any accounts failing (re)verification will be suspended to prevent abuse and noise. ## YOU protect Wusoup's values [[About/Manifesto#Core values|Wusoup's values]] are rare, and worth protecting. We can make this a really special place, and _keep it_ special. Please **don't tolerate sketchy behaviour**. That just attracts more. If we want this place to be a refuge from the usual internet garbage, we need to jointly decide to **set high standards** and **hold people to them**. - Does someone appear to be underage (even if well-meaning)? - Has someone asked for nudes or hit on you? - Has someone lashed out at you without provocation? - Is someone's behaviour not aligned with the spirit of [[About/Manifesto#The mission|this mission]]? Then please help the community by [[Usage/Reputation#When to downvote|downvoting]] or [[Usage/Reputation#Reporting users|reporting]] poor behaviour. Thank you!! 🙏🙏 ## Anything unclear? Anything above unclear, or not sure if something (else) is/not allowed? Feel free to [[About/Contact|ask me]]!