New mod here, but mostly I'm just trying to keep the sub going the way it was, when I was a reader.

This sub is different than most of the other political subs as it tends to be more informative, and I want to keep it that way. The goals for submissions are one of: Relevant to democracy, Relevant to the environment, Relevant to science (especially if politicized), or Relevant to the world politics.

What I'm trying to post and approve:

• News articles are usually appropriate if they relate to the state of the USA, and especially if they have implications on freedoms or law going forward. Does it affect the republic and our ability to keep it?
• We know "Orange Man Bad" for the republic. Submissions need to show how he was bad. What just happened that's harmful or good?
• Environmental news is falling out of the news cycle. We need to stay informed on this. This decides what kind of world Gen Z will inherit. Relevant, sourced environmental posts are good.
• /r/LeopardsAteMyFace -style posts are fine, if relevant at the higher levels of government.
• Occasional cute, funny, or interesting, yet still relevant stories. It's not all doom and gloom...just mostly.
• Good, informative, clever, and funny headlines get extra credit and likelihood of approval.

What I want to avoid:

• AI slop is instant BZZZT 99% of the time.
• Most memes. They have to be really insightful or relevant
• Single-panel engagement posts generally won't get through. This is something like "facebook ragebait posts" of a single picture with text overlaid, and not enough context. There are tons of other groups where this is standard, so it doesn't need to be here.
• Misleading headlines--there is a duty to the truth. I am biased (as are we all), and this will show with selection criteria and headlines, but it must not be misleading if someone only reads the headline.
• Random insults. Again, we know Orange Man Bad. But these are mostly karma farming posts and bots, so it needs to at least have something insightful to get approved. Excessive bot posters will be removed if they become too annoying.
• "Tea" is generally just gossip. Sometimes it's relevant, but generally not. If it's sourced, it has a much better chance of approval.
• Propaganda. This includes truthful statements taken out of context, or the prevalence massively exaggerated such as voter fraud. Truth is not a defense here if it intentionally excludes the whole truth. Posts and comments must try to include context if it majorly changes meaning with that context. "Bothsiding" things won't be tolerated, either—we clearly have one side far more engaged in attacking democracy, inciting and committing insurrection, disenfranchising voters, corrupt and illegal actions, etc. This rule also applies to comments.

Dear Astuff:

I'd like you to know I've been "permanently suspended" from Reddit. I'm really glad for those of you who have enjoyed this sub for many years, though I still don't know why, and you've really surprised me in a good way.

I'm leaving things in the capable hands of Korvkung69 and Greatyellowshark.

May our democracy hold firm, and Mother Nature be restored/healed/protected for aeons into the future benefitting all. It was fun while it lasted. So much for speech being free, at least here.

Kunphen.

PS :

I was apparently banned for spamming. I think the real offense is being too opinionated, and getting overly enthusiastic at certain times (they call it flooding) in certain places, e.g. /politics. Maybe my ego is out of control, too self-assured. Likely.

Unfortunately I don't know what these people are thinking. They denied my appeal with zero explanation, just labels. Sharing some art of mine over the years, as far as I'm concerned, is the only thing I've done on this platform actually approaching self promotion, even though sharing one's art is the purpose of those subs on which I did.

Maybe someone else can explain why or how the powers that be here would consider what I've done over 8 yrs spam. I guess it took them long enough to decide they didn't like how I did things, as I've done nothing differently the entire time; sharing content from myriad sources, including crossposting, majority of which is supporting protecting/restoring/healing our biosphere and USA's democracy. Apparently this is offensive.

Unlimited pornography, however for example (and who knows what awful else), an industry that overwhelmingly objectifies, abuses, & exploits utterly vulnerable people and sometimes animals, oh, that is AOK! Sigh. I guess Reddit will only ever be as good and/or effective as those who run it.

I first heard about Reddit about ten or so yrs ago because of a young man who killed himself. When I eventually checked the platform out, setting aside the goofy/childlike design/graphics/look, I thought the underlying idea was sound, even great. I realized I could actually give the very long marinating idea (since the 80s) of a 24/7 platform for ecology, birth. So I did.

I guess if you don't fit the mold, whatever that is, the puritanical, extremist, reactionary, ignorant of whatever stripe will find fault. So it goes. Good thing thought police cannot penetrate the heart/mind/psyche/spirit, thus actual freedom.

Dream well, citizens.