Commenting Policy Updated: These Are TTAC's Six Rules of Civility

Mark Stevenson
by Mark Stevenson

Colin Chapman is given credit to an infamous line overused by today’s automotive cognoscenti: Simplify, then add lightness.

We’ve applied Mr. Chapman’s philosophy to our commenting policy, which will now be rigorously enforced.

These are TTAC’s Six Rules of Civility.

The rules are simple and they come without explanation. Why? Because the B&B is smart, and also because you should always operate well on the right side of the rules. Pushing the boundaries of the rules and our patience will result in being removed from the conversation without warning or explanation. It is your responsibility to conduct yourself accordingly.

  1. No personal/ad hominem attacks.
  2. No racism, sexism, or bigotry.
  3. No spam/unwarranted self-promotion/advertising.
  4. No flaming/ trolling.
  5. No political campaigning/hackery.
  6. TTAC reserves the right to take away commenting privileges for any reason, even those not listed in the guidelines. We provide the comment section as a service, not a right. Treat it as a privilege that we can remove at any time.

These rules are effective immediately without exception.

Mark Stevenson
Mark Stevenson

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  • Seth1065 Seth1065 on Jul 18, 2016

    This really sounds like everyone is on secret probation, I respond to btsr rants cause I think they are dumb but I try not to offend, I skipped the cafe article because I did not expect much from the B&B regarding Cafe in the comments sounds like I was right.

  • Paragon Paragon on Jul 18, 2016

    Mark, I've noticed that more than a few of the frequent posters do seem to intentionally push the boundaries - the limits that have been set - though in most cases it seems to be done in a playful, not really mean-spirited way which even still could cause a complainer to be upset about. Not sure about everybody else, but I don't have the time to read every article, nor every post on every article. Can say that there was one posting by someone I choose not to name that was a blatant violation of previous policy, and it was in no way cute nor funny; nevertheless, I don't get my shorts in a bunch over every little thing and send off a complaint. I just move on. More than a little sad that more stringent rules and definitions of the rules is needed. It would seen that the offended and/or the complainers are forcing you to make changes which are further changing this truly great site. Will wait and see what develops. I do come to this site daily and read all the articles that interest me, or that I have time for. As I said recently, have been coming here for many years and only recently was motivated to set up an account in order to comment.

  • Geozinger Geozinger on Jul 18, 2016

    FWIW Mark, no one can make everyone happy all of the time. Set your rules, do your best to enforce them. As for the discourse around here, we seem to have several cliques and a few extroverts getting their 15 minutes of fame on this blog. I was part of a clique on here too, for a while. Nothing new and give it some time, the clique will change. Hopefully folks will remember to treat each other with respect. At one time we did have some very well connected commenters on here, but the Caveman Contingent (B&B) managed to irritate them into leaving, along with a couple of female writers. Sometimes the Best and Brightest don't live up to their names. It's way too easy to say sh!t on the 'net that you wouldn't say to the person's face. Too bad, because I think those people could have really enlightened us. I've not always agreed with all of the EICs (especially BS), but I've been guaranteed that I will be refunded my membership fee if I ever decide to leave.

    • Sportyaccordy Sportyaccordy on Jul 19, 2016

      I feel like the B&B descriptor has been tongue in cheek for a while, almost to the point of cynicism. The fact that we cannot self-moderate and as you said have run quality people off speaks to how B&B we are, collectively.

  • -Nate -Nate on Jul 19, 2016

    "Like you claim your midsize pickup selection is *cheaper*, except you forget to mention they’re regular cabs, stripped to the frame “cab-n-chassis” pickups, without pickup beds." . As soon as once gets out of Urban / Suburban areas to where pickups are actually sold primarily as work vehicles , cab and chassis pickups on dealer lots becomes very common in America , along with nearby trailer manufacturers who'll have stacks of ready to install flat beds (mostly with headache racks) in a variety of configurations as well as the ability to make you up a custom work bed on order . . Not all pickups in America are sold for passenger use only , just most of them . . -Nate

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