Please do not argue in the poetry threads

[wasellajam]

a small (very small) matter of confusion that has risen amongst the poetry loving masses (not myself who is just an agent for their demands) but, and really this is just a triviality, is it ok to argue in threads requesting we not argue inthe poetry threads (and this is not foreshadowing in any way so I don't want you to take it that way)

At this current point in my existence, I really don't care much what is happening as long as the majority of the long-term members are having fun and are feeling like this is where they want to be and that they are safe here. 

If by "argue" you mean good-natured banter, discussions and digressions sprung naturally from the wellspring of opposing views, or other innocuous human interactions, then, yes, there is some wiggle room for that. Within reason, and with caveats.

If by "argue" you mean trolling, mocking, bullying, or any similar heated altercation where both parties are likely to become genuinely upset and every post is a larger stick with which to hit the opponent over the head eventually leading for calls to ban or threads being moved to the sewer, then no, you may not argue in that way anywhere other than the sewer. There are many reasons, but the one that is most relevant is that it stresses me out and also requires a lot of effort from me because I have to stick around and monitor the whole thing. These inevitably end in the sewer, so I see no reason why they can't start there as well and save me the trouble. 


 If you want to argue in the threads, I won't stop you.  
However, the rules (here and anywhere outside the sewer) are: 
1. The three poetry workshops remain sacred. If this rule goes, so do I.
2. The definition of "arguing" must fit the first definition, not the second.
3. If the OP is not part of the digression, I reserve the right to split the thread. 
4. You should try to also give comments on the topic of the original post. I think of threads like someone's private living room.  You shouldn't ignore the host if you want to enjoy the party.
5. Not all members want their poetry threads to be derailed into someone else's improv or comedy or philosophical questions.  Some members prefer their threads to focus on their poem. If the OP doesn't like the digression, the digression will be deleted or split. 
6. I don't mind if you chatter on my information/announcement posts, if that is the question, but I don't want an announcement to end up in the sewer.  I want it to be wherever I put it.  So try to keep the banter to above-the-arse things.   
7. You can't bully people outside of the sewer. I know it was allowed in the old days, but it stresses me out more than you can possibly imagine. 



TL;DR: banter is fine, bullying is not. Workshops are off limits, other threads require OP's blessing. 

I would be curious to hear feedback from members on this topic.  Who doesn't mind if their thread is derailed?  Who does mind?  What should the parameters be for acceptable chat vs digression that should be moved? And any other thoughts.  I never know for sure how the members feel on this topic.  Do they think the chit chat makes it feel friendly and like a home? Do they think the chit chat takes focus away from the poem?  Other thoughts?

Does anyone who missed Quix"s question want to add their two cents?