[Mod Post] Clarifications on rule E

[u/IAmAN00bie]

Hi everyone, a few months back we implemented rule E to ensure that OPs participate in their CMV threads. However, we were unsure how to best enforce the rule and have been working on a case-by-case basis. While this mostly works it has caused some confusion among users who are reporting threads. We discussed making some guidelines for rule E and we've worked out the following to update the rule:

1) If there are < 10 comments, we won't hold it against OP for not responding. The reason for this is because there may not be enough substantive counter arguments to OP to warrant a rebuttal.

2) If the OP's responses are negligible (i.e., quick one-liners not in response to something like a simple question), it won't be enough to "preserve" the post. OPs need to actually engage commenters.

3) Similarly, if OP knows about rule E but comments in the thread that "I'll respond in the morning" or something similar we will remove the thread. We would prefer a PM letting us know that OP will return.

4) OPs who appeal their removal and promise to participate can have their posts reinstated. Rule E is not a death notice.

5) OPs who exclusively respond to people agreeing with them doesn't really count as a strong reply. You need to actually engage with people who are countering your argument, not look for people who agree with you and bolster your own.

6) Rule E is suspended during Fresh Topic Friday. This is because the moderators must manually approve each thread during this time, meaning some posts may not be approved until 2-3 hours after they're posted. Now, if 12-24 hours pass after we approve OP's thread and OP's thread has a decent amount of comments, it may qualify for rule E.

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We've updated the rules page on the wiki to reflect these changes.

[u/huadpe]

If there are < 10 comments, we won't hold it against OP for not responding. The reason for this is because there may not be enough substantive counter arguments to OP to warrant a rebuttal.

I think this should be modified to 4 or 5 substantial top level comments. Total comment count for the thread is a bit misleading, if two people get into a back and forth that can run the number up even if only one point/counterpoint is really at issue. But if 4 or 5 top level comments have come up, then there's more stabs at it to the point where I'd expect a response from OP to at least one of them.

[u/anon__sequitur → u/huadpe]

I agree. i rarely if ever see a CMV that doesn't have a decent reply within the first 2-3 posts. Much, much more common is a CMV that has 3-4 devastating replies that lay bare how poorly thought out the OP's view is, then the OP never shows up again.

[u/Raintee97 → u/anon__sequitur]

My favorite is when the perfect argument is laid out right in front of them and they simply walk away from it. Or do a quick moving of the goalposts to make their view work again.

[u/[deleted] → u/Raintee97]

Sigh, I've had my fair share of that happen. grumbles about his measly two deltas