Community Rules

There are many communities that allow younger folks, but this is unfortunately not one of them. Wusoup is strictly for adults 19 and over ONLY.

I know this seems arbitrary or unfair, and I really (sincerely) am sorry about the restriction. But this community is a 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.

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 relationship status, sexual identity, or figure - focus on all the other stuff that makes you you!

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 to allow a "little bit of flirting", there's going to be an army of assholes that try to 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 is and 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.

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 downvoting, blocking, or 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 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?

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.

Wusoup intentionally encourages 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 a 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.

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.

What's wrong with just saying "hi"? Unfortunately it takes zero effort which means:

1. The recipient can't tell if you've even read their profile (and frankly, they'll assume you haven't if the best thing you can think to say is "hi").
2. The recipient can't tell if you're just spamming 200 different users with the same generic message.
3. You're putting ALL the onus on the recipient to actually start a conversation! Now the recipient needs to think of something to say, otherwise we end up with the infamous: "hi", "hi", <silence> exchange ^^

Wusoup is a community for folks that aren't afraid to spend a few minutes reading a profile before writing. And that aren't afraid to use their words!

You don't need to be a poet, but if you're hoping to actually connect with another human - it helps to show that you're sincere about that by taking a moment to really see people and to compose a greeting that recognises their unique presence.

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.

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 someone's hidden their age, gender, or location - it's because they wanted it hidden. Sending someone "m/f?" is no more than spam.

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 get reported if you're making people uncomfortable.

If you think that something may be wrong with your account, please 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.

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.

Wusoup's about authenticity, and trying to game its systems for fake internet points is not in keeping with the spirit of the site. It also spoils the fun!

When you see kudos on someone else's profile, isn't it nice to know that they're real - and took time and effort to earn?