# Community Standards Wusoup is about **quality over quantity**: - [[#Content standards|High content standards]] are expected of all community members. Folks not meeting standards *will* be [[Usage/Reputation#When to downvote|downvoted]]. - [[#Rules|Strict rules]] are enforced, including unusual rules against *dating/sexual* and *aggressive/hateful* content. Folks breaking the rules will be [[Usage/Reputation#Reporting users|reported]], and repeat/intentional rule-breakers banned. These standards help foster an unusual level of **trust**, **openness**, and **meaningful connection**. They won't be to everyone's taste, and *that's okay* - Wusoup isn't trying to appeal to everyone, and isn't afraid to challenge its community to embody [[About/Mission|its mission]]. > [!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/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 **meaningful connection** that Wusoup is about. This place isn't a *distraction* from life, it's an opportunity for the kind of increasingly rare connection that **makes life better**. 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 [[Usage/Reputation#When to downvote|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 Wusoup's rules are here to support [[About/Mission|its unusual mission]], and are **strictly enforced** by me ([[About/Development Story|Peter]]) and the community itself: ### 1. Adults **over 19** ONLY I know this sucks, but there's no exceptions - sorry!! 🙏 > [!example]- Motivation and details > > There are *many* communities that allow younger folks, but this is unfortunately **not** one of them. Wusoup is strictly for **adults over 19 ONLY**. > > I know this seems 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 younger folks on here would mean safety/legal risks and moderation needs that I honestly just can't afford. Allowing any children would put the whole community at risk. > > If you are under 19, please **do not attempt to join** - you **will be banned**. ### 2. No **dating** or **sexual** content This isn't Tinder. Wusoup is a refuge for those of us that want something *different*. So Wusoup has a **no tolerance** policy against **ANY** kind of sexual or dating content, including "harmless flirting", and engaging in dating/sexual talk **initiated by others**! > [!example]- Motivation and details > > There's nothing inherently wrong with dating or sexual content, but: > > - When you allow even a *little* dating or sexual content, **all interactions** get dragged in that direction. You attract a very particular kind of crowd, everyone's on the look-out for ulterior motives, and *all* other kinds of connection get trampled. > > - There are already **innumerable** other communities for that stuff! > > Wusoup's goal is fundamentally different. It aims to be a place: > > - Clean and safe for humans of *all kinds* to connect **without ulterior motives**. > - To learn about each others' lives, beliefs, and dreams. > - To build understanding and **bridge differences**, to find inspiration, to share joy. > > 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, mirror/topless/duckface selfies, etc. You're more than your figure, 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 intentions 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**. **Respectful disagreement** is totally okay (even encouraged), but please **be courteous**. Most people are doing their best to negotiate a complex world, and ultimately have **good intentions**. We start with respect here. > [!example]- Motivation and details > > You will meet people on Wusoup different from you, and with **different opinions**. That's part of the idea! This isn't meant to be an echo chamber. > > 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*. > > We will not judge nor condemn one another. It's okay to believe that someone's *completely* wrong about something important, but be nice. We challenge ourselves to reach beyond our bubbles and preconceptions. To **pursue understanding** and to try **build bridges** in good faith and **with patience** and **self-reflection**. > > We accept that real life is complex, and issues often more nuanced than they first seem. We may be wrong about things that we feel sure about. We may change our minds. That's part of life, and it's okay (even commendable). **Talking helps us figure things out**. > > If a conversation with someone has become consistently unconstructive (contrast: uncomfortable) 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! > > So 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. No **political content** on profiles Political labels offer no context or nuance, and tend to just act as rage bait - causing people to close up, and make assumptions about who you are and what you believe. That's **exclusionary**, and counter to the intention of this community: to **embrace differences of opinion**, to connect with each other on a human level, and to challenge ourselves to look **beyond our presumptions and prejudices**. You're more than your labels. Lead with that stuff. > [!example]- Motivation and details > > Wusoup intentionally encourage connections between *unexpected people*: people from different places, with different life experiences, with different values or world views. > > This community is **not** intended to be a monoculture, it's intended to be **rich cross-section of people** - in all their complexity, contradictions, and imperfection! We're all a little nuts in our own way. > > This is a place to **tolerate differences**, including notably **differences of opinion**. > > In everyday life we don't walk around with labels above our heads- "relationship status X", "sexual orientation Y", "religion Z", "political affiliation Q", whatever. > > That's not natural, and it's not healthy! People are *more* than 2-dimensional labels, and trying to squeeze them into labelled echo chambers **creates perverse incentives and outcomes** - both personally, and for society. > > Just because someone's a Democrat or Republican or Intergalactic Toad, doesn't inherently mean they're evil/stupid/smelly. If we stop talking to each other, and stop seeing each other as human - *where does that lead*? > > We can choose to see only the worst in those around us, or those different from us. Or we can choose to see the **fundamental commonalities in everyone**, existing for a blink on this little speck of dust floating around in space. > > Wusoup believes that the vast majority of people are **trying their best** and generally have good intentions. And even when it seems like they believe something insane, that's not a reason to tell them to shut up or to try shut them out. That's the time to bring them in for a cup of tea, and to **try learn about and understand each other**. > > Yes, this is difficult. And that's also why it's **worth doing**. Wusoup trusts its members to **see the value in this**. > > We need to keep talking, and we need to **decide** to look for the common humanity in others. The alternative is *not good*. ### 5. Don't **lie about who you are** Wusoup is a place **to be genuine**. Be yourself or be anonymous, but please **don't pretend to be someone you're not**. > [!example]- Motivation and details > > Genuine connection demands **sincerity**, so be yourself or be anonymous - but don't lead people to believe that you're someone that you're not. > > People here are asked to give everyone the benefit of the doubt, a rare and fragile opportunity worth nurturing! > > So please no pretending to be other members, celebrities (parody or not), or AI-generated folks. If you want to roleplay, please make that *super* clear. ### 6. Don't **spam** This is **not a place to market, sell, or solicit**. > [!example]- Motivation and details > > This is a place for real people to connect, not do guerrilla marketing. > > So please: no trying to find a job/client, ask for donations, or promote your Instagram, YouTube channel, or cryptocurrency/NFT. > > **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 or money 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. ### 7. Don't pressure people to use **other platforms** People are here because they *want* to be here. > [!example]- Motivation and 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. ### 8. Don't pressure people to share **personal details** People share the details they *want* to share on their profile. > [!example]- Motivation and 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]]. ### 9. Don't create **multiple accounts** This'll be interpreted as spam, or an attempt to circumvent a ban. > [!example]- Motivation and 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**. ### 10. Don't use **disposable email** addresses These'll be interpreted as spam, or an attempt to circumvent a ban. > [!example]- Motivation and 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 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 mission [[About/Mission|Wusoup's mission]] is rare, and worth protecting. We can make this a really special place, and _keep it_ special. But this only works if we **believe it can work**, and if we **make it work**. 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/Mission|Wusoup's 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]]!