We are delighted you have decided to become a member of Cogito.org.
In the forums, you will find an online community engaged in discussions
that are stimulating, challenging, eye-opening and above all, fun. It
is sometimes easy to forget that real people who may have ideas and
opinions different from your own are at the other end of forum posts.
To ensure that the Cogito community is a place for fair, lively, and
open exchanges, we ask that you abide by these Cogito House Rules.
Please remember that all interactive areas of Cogito, including Private
Messaging, are subject to the same rules.
Think before you post.
Once your words are posted they can’t be taken back, so read what you’ve written before posting.
Assume goodwill. Don’t look for an offense when in all likelihood none was intended.
Most of the time, miscommunications are unintended and not meant to be
hurtful. Clear understanding online can be complicated by our inability
to get the nuances - to hear voice and tone, see body language and
facial expressions.
Criticize an idea or opinion, not the person.
The Cogito Forums are a place where you are encouraged to express your
ideas and opinions, even when discussions may get heated. It is important, therefore, to ensure that Cogito remains an open and constructive environment. If you find that you have been a bit overzealous in a response, admit it and move on.
It isn’t always about having to be right.
On Cogito you will have the opportunity to communicate with people from
around the world who may express diverse opinions. The trick to good,
civil discussion is to strive to understand another’s position without
feeling that you must always reach a consensus. Everyone doesn’t have
to agree with you.
Criticism of your work is not an attack on you.
Remember that criticism of your work is just that, criticism of your
work, not an attack on you. Assume it is an opinion offered with the
intention of being constructive. Take from it what is helpful to you.
Remember to keep your posts curse-word free.
If you wouldn’t use the word with a respected elder or a younger
sibling, please don’t use it here. We’re not using filters or other
means to control your language (other than to delete your post). We
expect you to know what is okay and what’s not.
Post only material that is legal.
Do not post libelous material, material that constitutes a copyright
violation, or links to sites that advocate illegal activities or are
contrary to the mission of Cogito. Discussion of one’s own
participation in illegal activities is also not permitted on Cogito.
Protect your personal information.
If you are under 18, posting personal information in the forums about
yourself, your family or friends that would allow others to identify
and locate you is NOT permitted on this site. This is for your safety
online. For example, you can share the region or metropolitan area where you live, but not the town or the name of your school. ("Seattle" is fine; "Gig Harbor" is not; "Silicon Valley" is fine, "Cupertino" is not.) If you are asked to disclose personal information, please report this to Cogito Administration at cogitocty@jhu.edu immediately.
Respect the decisions of the hosts.
Hosts are expected to be welcoming, encourage discussion, settle minor
disputes, and keep topics focused and the forums organized. What they
say goes. If you disagree with a host’s decision, send an email to cogitocty@jhu.edu.
Please be aware that attempts at hacking the site are a clear violation and will result in loss of member privileges.