1.1) Thread title and content.

1.1.1) All threads must have a valid, proper title that pertains to the essence of the topic. For the sake of clarification, question marks should be used when the title of your thread is meant as a question, not a certain statement. When you create new threads, they should be in the right sub-forum section.

1.1.2) When you create a thread, cite sources properly, using the quote function to wrap up the text you wish to cite, and please do provide the URL/source/book/reference you found the information from.

1.1.3) In order to stimulate discussion, when you create a thread (with the exception of link-threads), don't just cite a source and copy/paste what said source says. Make sure you also include your own questions and/or speculations, which will set the tone for other members what exactly, more specifically, you want to discuss in your thread. Otherwise, your thread might become an OT-magnet. Threads not conforming to the 1.1.x rule might be closed, or moderators may encourage you to include your own questions.

Illustrative example of a Thread Start (TS) conforming to 1.1.3: [1]

1.2) Stay On Topic.

1.2.1) For the sake of order and coherence, discussions in all threads should be to the best of your ability, On Topic (OnT). Posting something Off Topic (OT) in a thread where it doesn't belong, is allowed as long as the major part of your post is On Topic, but it's preferable that you start a new thread instead of going OT in a thread with a different topic. Completely Off Topic posts may either be removed or split into a new thread (if there's enough interesting Off Topic material to warrant a new thread). Excessive Off Topic abuse may lead to infractions and possibly also suspension or ban, depending on how often and how much you go Off Topic in a minimum amount of time.

1.2.2) Do not discuss with moderators why they removed a certain post or moved a thread, in the actual thread or any other thread. Moderation decisions should be discussed with the actual moderator you have a disagreement with, through Private Messaging (PM).

1.3) No cross-posting.

Do not submit the same posts and threads in different sections of the forum. Once is enough.

1.4) No offensive avatars, usernames or signatures.

1.4.1) All avatars and profile pictures, must not be offensive. Pornographic avatars are not allowed, even less so, avatars displaying paedophilia, zoophilia, paraphilia and similar perversions.

1.4.2) Try to register with a unique username in order to avoid confusion with established members registered with a similar username. A username that is blatantly trying to copy the username of an established member, to the point where it suspiciously looks like harassment, your username might be changed and you may be banned. Usernames will not be changeable, so make sure you choose a username you're satisfied posting with.

1.4.3) Signatures are not allowed to link to offensive paraphilia websites and should not be used to attack other members' integrity and privacy.

1.5) No false rumours.

Do not spread false rumours about other members you cannot support with evidence. For example, accusing someone to be of different ancestry, sexual orientation and/or religious creed than what said member has acknowledged about himself, is a false rumour, and may lead to infractions or even ban.

1.6) No advertisement and spam.

You are not allowed to advertise on this forum, nor are you allowed to use this forum as a place for economical trade with other members. However, it is allowed to mention commercial genetic companies if the topic of your thread requires it and if your thread has enough potential for a serious discussion. You are also allowed to link to your personal blog, even though it may be commercial. Blatant advertisement and spam, will be deleted and if that's all you're here for, you will be banned.

1.7) No hate-crimes and organised violence against racial groups.

This forum will by the very nature of its main theme (anthropology), feature discussions related to race and ethnic groups. As such, some personal and controversial opinions from some forum members, may and probably will be expressed here. Freedom of speech is allowed and encouraged, because this forum is protected by the rights of the 1st amendment.

However, you are not allowed to use this forum as a tool to stir up and organise violent racially motivated attacks against other ethnic groups, and similar hate-crimes.

1.8) Members' right to privacy and anonymity.

1.8.1) All members have the right to be anonymous if they wish to be. Breaching this right, whether it be posting images of certain members on the forum, their address (be it IP, home address or email) or any personal information, will inevitably lead to a ban.

1.8.2) Outing someone publicly for having multiple accounts (and abusing them in threads), will lead to infractions. If you suspect a member for using sockpuppets, report it to admin. Don't out the member in question, on the forum, because this will backfire on you.

1.8.3) If you share your personal pictures with other members outside of this forum, and they spread it to other members, we here at Forum Biodiversity cannot guarantee what will happen with the member who breached your privacy. Anything that happens outside of this forum is out of our control, and it's your word against his/hers, unless of course, you can prove it, which might be difficult in some situations.

1.8.4) If your identity is already well known from before (as in, if you've already revealed personal information about yourself), no actions will be taken against members who post it.

Take responsibility for whatever personal information you wish to share with certain members, in order to minimise the risks of being outed.

1.9) No sockpuppet accounts.

1.9.1) It is allowed to have multiple usernames, if you for whatever reason wish to occasionally debate with another name. However, if you register more than one account and use them simultaneously in the same thread(s) to make it appear like you're winning an argument by having someone agreeing with you, you will be banned without a warning.

1.9.2) Whatever infractions and suspension history you've managed to acquire with your personal account, also applies on your other accounts.

1.9.3) You are not allowed to use your other usernames while suspended or banned.

In order to make things easier for yourself and the forum administration, please stick to one account per user.

2.0) No severe personal attacks, harassment and threats.

It is allowed to use personal attacks like "idiot", "dumbass", "asshole" and similar derogatory terms, when discussing, against moderators and other members. However, severe personal attacks of a very objectionable nature and excessive harassment, is not allowed. It will lead to infractions, and worst case scenario, ban. Threatening someone will immediately lead to ban.

For the sake of a serious and interesting discussion climate, try to avoid personal attacks as much as possible. No one is interested in your lame flame wars. Threads with a lot of personal attacks may be either closed or moved to the Mordor-section (which is the waste-basket for anti-intellectual threads).


Please do your best to follow these rules and guidelines so that we can make this forum a serious place with high quality discussions. Do also report posts not conforming to these rules, using the Report Post (RP) function, so that moderators can take action quicker where it's necessary, making things easier and smoother for them to clean up posts in violation of the rules.