RationalWiki:Blocking policy
From RationalWiki
As sad as it may seem there will always be users who will find in necessary to break the rules set out in the RationalWiki guidelines. The solution for these problematic editors will be blocking, the method users with administrative powers use to suspend the editing privileges of users. Blocks will only be used to prevent serious disruption of the wiki.
[edit] Formula for blocking
Blocks on RationalWiki follow a recurrence relation commonly known as the Fibonacci sequence, where xn+1=xn+xn-1, where n = number of blocks, x>2, and x ⊆ ℤ. Terms x1 and x2 are defined as 1. These are given in hours; if they were in minutes, then at low values of n, they would be negligible, and by the time they were large enough to make a noticeable difference, they would be too late.
The Fibonacci sequence resolves to (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21...) for those who don't want to do the geek work outlined above.
Blocks may also follow a sequence of increasing numbers of digits of pi or e (or even c), prefacing a similar time increment. This silliness is all at the blocking janitor's discretion.
[edit] Offenses Warranting Blocking
No user will be blocked unless they violate our Community Standards, although minor violations do not necessarily mean that the user will be blocked. RationalWiki sysops are encouraged to exercise lenience.
Vandalism is split into three categories, as defined here.
- Funny vandalism (self-explanatory, but it must be deemed funny by consensus of RationalWikians; as 'funniness' is a subjective quality, this is necessary)
- Not funny vandalism (vandalism that tries to be funny vandalism, but fails. Aww.)
- Unfunny vandalism (bigotry, abuse, libel, and other needlessly offensive content).
The first two cannot be used as grounds for blocking; unfunny vandalism initiates the above sequence, possibly after a posting of this.
Being annoying (i.e., constantly requesting demotion to bureaucrat on user talk pages) may result in petty one-second blocks; this does not contribute to the value of n in the above sequence.
If a sockpuppet commits vandalism, then all usernames that that person has created will be blocked - and all run together on the same sequence.
[edit] Transparency
Block comments should explain clearly and fairly why the user has been blocked. If more elaboration is needed, a note can be left on the talk page of the user in question. If questioned on a block they have implemented, a sysop must be able to reasonably support their actions. Basically, as with the rest of the wiki, the history and reasoning behind all blocks should be easily traceable, without having to search through the users contributions for apparent offences.
[edit] RationalWiki and the law
Under special emergency measures called by User:Interpreted, violations of the ICPR are also blockable offences. This comes into effect immediately. This can also be applied to highly inappropriate user names.
[edit] Requesting blocks
If you consider that an editor is perpetrating unfunny vandalism you should contact a sysop to request their blocking.
An editor may, for whatever reason, ask to be blocked; this is usually in order to get a life, i.e. an editor who feels that RW is taking up too much of their time may request a (say) two day block.
Some people also request that their IP address be blocked, to force them to remember to log in when editing.
(Contact a sysop by inserting the request into your own talk page and including SYSOP WANTED in the edit summary.)
[edit] Help! I've been blocked!
If you believe that you have been unfairly blocked, either whine about it discuss it on the forum, or email one of the sysops - ideally one who seems to have been active recently (To do this you must have email enabled in your preferences).
Alternatively you can make a formal complaint here.
[edit] Gigantic loophole
...none of this applies to Bohdan.
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