Lorric has PM'ed me (and apparently Goober) a lengthy post he would like added to the thread. I'm not going to add it to the thread without admin/moderator permission, but I will briefly summarize the ideas presented in it and give my take on them. If people disagree, then we can discuss further and add them as necessary.
The suggestions are as follows:
1. Split up the rules and post them in their most relevant locations. Some of the points apply more to certain areas than others.
2. It appears he is also suggesting that section-specific FAQs be rolled into the guideline posts in those areas.
3. Split up General Discussion into a section devoted to debate/politics/religion/etc, and a separate section devoted to everything else.
4. There is a lengthy section on his own behaviour, but a salient point that he brings up is that, the current system of moderation which we are apparently now finally on the way to changing has formalized responses to behaviour, unclear guidelines, and a definitive prohibition on community moderation. This is problematic because people report people like Lorric, get no feedback, and see nothing happen, but are forbidden from engaging in more informal moderation - public disapproval, basically - that would set him on the right path. This creates MORE problems, not less.
My response:
1. While I can see posting the Gudelines in multiple areas, I think they need to remain a single cohesive document.
2. More section-specific FAQs for help/advice are not necessarily a bad idea, but should be written by the people most knowledgeable in those areas. That, I think, is a discussion for another day.
3. Firmly opposed to further splitting the Off-Topic boards. People can either learn to debate in a meaningful way - which is frankly nothing but educational and a self-improvement exercise, which is GOOD for them - or refrain from posting in debate-style discussions when it becomes clear they have no idea what they're talking about compared to everyone else. As with all things in life, there are times when it is better to remain silent and thought a fool than speak up and remove all doubt. IMHO, the formula for the Off-Topic boards is fine; what has been lacking is a cohesive and comprehensive approach to actual moderation there.
4. I actually agree with this point quite firmly, though I don't think it necessitates a change to these guidelines, but rather the internal mechanisms used by the moderators. In point of fact, the present guidelines do not prohibit community self-moderation, but rather emphasize the reporting function and that responses are to be respectful and in the form of debate if they are made. Personal attacks are, as always, out... but there is nothing stopping one community member from reminding another that they are misbehaving in this proposed set, and I think it's important that it stay that way. Furthermore, I think the ability of the community to self-moderate respectfully should be codified in the new moderator guidelines kara is proposing to write.
If Goober is away and one of the other admins OK's it instead, I'll post Lorric's whole writeup.