[Modpost] Questions and curiosities -- PART II. The Question Strikes Back.

[mumumugen.livejournal.com]

As was suggested on another thread, I should make this simpler, lest people gets the wrong idea about this community.

Through the day we've been getting a lot of interesting (and valid) questions. Questions which also enrich our community with discussions and education. I have to admit that maybe I was unnecessarily confusing in my response to those.

*deep breath* Alright then, let me repeat:

Questions and discussions are welcome here.

If they are Hetalia related, it's just fine.

If they are not Hetalia related, but historical, geographical, or in any way justified by the fact they have to do with education, it's okay too, but it's not bad either to try to throw in something to make them Hetalia-related in some way.

The reason why:
This to avoid subjects that stray too much from the actual fandom from popping up here. The reason for this is that the moment you let this happen, you run the risk of irrelevant material piling up, cluttering the community and drowning the actual Hetalia material. However, I must trust our members and their sense of context and pertinence. 'cuz you're really smart and I love you all, seriously.

And remember, we don't demand gifts. The discussion, interaction and general geekery that we all love to indulge in is also part of what we want in this community. We're just encouraging the sharing nature of the community, and trying to keep things Hetalia-related, but I could write this ten times and I still feel it would need to be said: we're here to have fun. That fun includes the talks we have, the conversations we may have, and the questions we may find an answer to here, because if we ban those, this place will truly become barren, no matter how many fanarts or drabbles you may throw in.

Explaining by example:

Very valid:

Hey guys. Why does Alfred wear a jacket? Is he in the air force?
Valid and tastes like candy:

Hey guys, I wanted to know about Swedish history. Did they really have a close relationship with Finland? Just to give you guys some stimulation, I threw in a (picture/translation/little drabble)!
Valid still!

Hey guys, I want to know a bit more about Spain. I'm sorry, but I don't have anything to share with you, however, I'm really curious about (...)
Think about posting in Nationslash or APH-Requests first:

Hey guys, I have this question about (non Hetalia country). I know they don't show in the series, but I'm very much interested in their history for a Hetalia-related project.
Goes to Nationslash or APH-Requests, as it's not really about Hetalia but we still like you because you know Knowledge is Power:

Hey guys, this has nothing to do with Hetalia, but I really am a fan of (non-Hetalia country) history. I feel it's a very fascinating country, and I'd love to discuss their culture! Can we do that?
Not valid.

My bike broke. Does anyone know how to fix a bike?

Oh, there is one more thing!

We haven't discussed the subject of payment. What I want from you is your voice.

What does this mean?

I'm not going to delete questions if they are valid Hetalia questions.

I'm not going to delete questions if they aren't supported with a little something for the community. (But remember, it's nice.)

Please, don't insult people who make questions. Remember, be nice.

If you feel a question doesn't belong in the community, let the mods be the ones to decide that. Don't shoo anyone away. You can always ignore a question that doesn't quite fit the community until a mod shows up to fix it. Edit for emphasis: please, if you think a post is wrong TELL A MOD but don't tell the person that posted. Just don't respond to it or look at it if you don't like it. Don't play mod.

If you don't get the prince to kiss you in three days, you will turn back into a mermaid and you will belong to me.




That said,
I also want to take this opportunity to apologize to rubashov who got a brief ban the other day during the whole holy freaking sparks, Hetalia is canceled situation we had. As was proven by intelligent, argumentative members of the community, I jumped the trigger whilst I was running about chasing everything offensive and unpleasant in that thread. I reverted the ban pretty fast, but it was a blunder.

This incident spawned the following jurisprudence:
* This mod needs to get a sense of humor.
* What may be considered general rudeness* will receive a warning. Insisting upon it will merit a ban.
* Racism and hate-talk* will get a hard, instant ban, along with deletion of the comment. I would very much like to maintain the right for a fair defense here, but this community functioning part on consensus, part on the laws of a treehouse, I'm afraid I have to keep a logical order of harshness. Such things, thus, will be dealt with without previous warning from now on.

* Rudeness:
Understood as "being a jerk", not "being adolescent." Frankly, if this community became Axis Powers G-RATEDLIA, I wouldn't like it either. In other words, people, have fun, don't be mean to one another, and that's about it. Simple as that. Don't hurt each other.
* Racism and hate talk:
Understood as saying things that imply demeaning, cruel or destructive feelings towards someone or some group based on their ethnicity, sexuality, religion, or any other criteria. Remember, that sort of thing has never done any good in history.