Member Standards & Expectations

# Member Standards & Expectations ## Welcome to ThinnestBook! As a member of reading circles, you're part of a community built on thoughtful discussion and mutual respect. ## Core Principles ### 1. Be Respectful 🤝 **What this means**: - Treat all members with dignity - Disagree gracefully - Welcome diverse perspectives - Debate ideas, not people **Good examples**: - "I interpreted that scene differently because..." - "What made you think that? I'm curious." - "I disagree, but I see your point." **Bad examples**: - "That's a stupid interpretation." - "You clearly didn't understand the book." - "Anyone who thinks that is an idiot." ### 2. Follow Circle Rules 📜 **Each circle has house rules**. You agreed to them when you joined. **Common rules**: - Spoiler tags for plot revelations - Stay on topic - Read before discussing - Be kind **If you disagree with a rule**: - ✅ Respectfully suggest changes to the host - ❌ Ignore the rule and complain ### 3. Use Spoiler Tags ⚠️ **Always tag spoilers** for: - Major plot twists - Character deaths - Ending reveals - Surprise revelations **How to tag**: Use the spoiler button when posting, or write: `[SPOILER] ...content... [/SPOILER]` **Gray areas**: - If the circle has read past that point → okay to discuss openly - If discussing in a chapter-specific thread → okay for that chapter - When in doubt → tag it ### 4. Stay On Topic 💬 **On topic**: - The current book - Reading experience - Themes and interpretations - Related books (if circle allows) **Off topic** (save for "The Lounge"): - Political rants - Personal drama - Unrelated recommendations - Self-promotion ### 5. Read Before Discussing 📖 **Don't**: - Discuss chapters you haven't read - Post plot summaries from Wikipedia - Pretend you've read when you haven't **Do**: - Mark yourself as "behind" if needed - Catch up at your own pace - Ask questions about passages you didn't understand ## Your Rights as a Member ### You Have the Right To - ✅ Participate without harassment - ✅ Have your opinions respected - ✅ Access all circle discussions - ✅ Leave at any time - ✅ Appeal unfair removals - ✅ Report rule violations - ✅ Privacy in your discussions ### Hosts Have the Right To - ✅ Enforce house rules - ✅ Remove rule-breaking posts - ✅ Remove disruptive members - ✅ Set reading pace - ✅ Choose books - ✅ Create circle culture ## What's NOT Allowed ### Platform-Wide Prohibitions - ❌ Hate speech or slurs - ❌ Threats or harassment - ❌ Sharing personal info without consent - ❌ Spam or promotional content - ❌ Impersonation - ❌ Ban evasion ### Circle-Level Violations Depends on circle rules, but commonly: - ❌ Spoilers outside tagged threads - ❌ Off-topic posts - ❌ Disrespectful arguments - ❌ Excessive negativity ## Consequences ### Circle-Level **Warning** → **Post removal** → **Temporary removal** → **Permanent removal** Hosts may skip steps for severe violations. ### Platform-Level **Warning** → **7-day suspension** → **30-day suspension** → **Permanent ban** Severe violations (threats, hate speech) may result in immediate ban. ## Disagreements & Interpretations ### Different interpretations are encouraged! Books are meant to be discussed. Disagreement is healthy. **Good disagreement**: - "I saw it differently. Here's why..." - "That's interesting! I didn't notice that detail." - "I interpreted X as Y because..." **Bad disagreement**: - "You're wrong." - "The author said X, so you're stupid." - "Anyone who thinks that is [insult]." ### The author's word is NOT law Death of the author is valid. Your interpretation matters. Defend it with text, but respect others' views. ## Reading at Your Own Pace ### Behind on Reading? - Use the DNF (Did Not Finish) button to mark yourself as "observer" - You'll still see discussions but won't get spoiled - Catch up when ready ### Ahead of Reading? - Don't post spoilers - Stay in past chapter threads - Be patient with slower readers ### Finished the Book? - Mark yourself as finished - Join the "Full Book Discussion" thread - Help others who have questions ## Reporting Issues ### When to Report - **Harassment**: Someone targeting you repeatedly - **Hate speech**: Slurs or discriminatory language - **Threats**: Any threat of violence - **Spam**: Promotional content or bots - **Rule violations**: Breaking circle house rules ### How to Report 1. Click "Report" on the post 2. Select reason 3. Add context (optional) 4. Submit **Goes to**: Circle host (for circle issues) or ThinnestBook (for platform violations) ### What NOT to Report - Someone disagrees with you - Someone gave the book a bad review - Off-topic post (just ignore it) - Minor typo or mistake ## Being a Good Community Member ### Encourage Others - Welcome new members - Answer questions - Share insights generously - Acknowledge good points ### Participate Thoughtfully - Read before posting - Think before responding - Quote specific passages - Cite page numbers ### Support the Culture - Follow house rules - Be patient with new members - Model respectful disagreement - Help moderate (report violations) ## Leaving a Circle ### You can leave anytime, for any reason. **How to leave**: Settings > Leave Circle **When you leave**: - Your posts remain (credited to "Former Member") - You lose access to future discussions - You can re-join if the host allows **Before leaving angry**: - Try talking to the host - Use the appeal process if you were removed - Email support@thinnestbook.com if host is abusive ## Appeals ### If you were removed unfairly: 1. Email the host (if possible) 2. If unresolved, email support@thinnestbook.com 3. Subject: "Appeal: Circle Removal" 4. Include: - Circle name - What happened - Why you believe it was unfair We review within 48 hours. ## Multiple Circles ### You can join multiple circles! **Tips**: - Don't overcommit - Mark yourself "observer" in circles you're behind in - Respect each circle's unique rules - Don't cross-post spoilers between circles ## Privacy ### Your privacy matters **What's private**: - Your email - Your reading history (unless you share) - Private messages - Which circles you're in (unless you share) **What's public**: - Your posts in circles - Your username - Circles you join (visible to circle members) **Don't share others'**: - Personal information - Private messages - Circle discussions outside the circle ## Updates to Standards We review member standards annually. Changes: - Announced 30 days before taking effect - Explained with examples - Open to member feedback ## Questions? - **Circle-specific**: Ask your host - **Platform-wide**: support@thinnestbook.com - **Technical issues**: help@thinnestbook.com ## Remember You're here to discuss books you love (or hate!) with people who care. Be thoughtful, be kind, and enjoy the conversation. Happy reading! 📚