Linguistics of the Internet Content Policy

Will Styler and the Class of LIGN 42

As we study and discuss memes and internet communication, which run the gamut from wholesome to edgy to ‘adult’ to pornographic to outright hateful, it’s important we stay on the same page. During week 1, we’re going to talk together about what we want to see happen and what we want to see here. But please remember our guiding principle:

We’re all here to talk about memes and language, and keeping it a kind, safe, welcoming, and intellectually open place is priority number one.

All other policies should be in service of that.

Non-Negotiable Policies

No illegal content, images, or files
- Obviously.
No hate speech, misogyny, anti-LGBTQIA+ content, or racism
- Remember that as we discuss and evaluate our conversations, the focus will be on the impact on an individual or group, not the intention or motivation of the speaker.
- There is a way to academically study the language and discourse of (e.g.) explicitly racist communities, which will themselves necessarily be racist, without condoning or amplifying the content. If this is something you’re interested in doing in a project, please talk to Will first for approval and guidelines.
Don’t Punch Down
- Memes or language description designed to be cruel to or make fun of groups of folks who are historically marginalized are not acceptable
Be very cautious with language involving ‘protected class’ issues
- Evaluate carefully memes and language which could be seen as ‘making fun of’ people’s race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disabilities, or citizenship status
- Your own identities and context play a role in the acceptability here, and you almost certainly shouldn’t post about one of these groups if you’re not a member of that group yourself, but again, we’ll be focusing on impact, not intent.
- The goal here is not to taboo all discussion of these issues, but make sure that discussion of these issues is generally positive, and nobody feels ‘attacked’
No depictions of or references to non-consensual sexuality and sexual violence
- This is an extremely common anxiety trigger for many, and frankly, the world of the internet is large enough that we simply don’t need to talk about rape or sexual assault to do our work.
- If there’s sexuality, and there’s not consent, it’s not allowed.
- Please give this entire topic a very wide berth.
No humorous depictions of or references to family or intimate partner violence
- Family and Intimate partner violence (‘DV’) is a serious problem and intensely triggering for many, and joking about DV is simply not welcome in our classroom.
- This doesn’t mean it can’t be discussed (e.g. ‘In memes and comics of the Baby Boomer era, humorous references to DV are common (see linked memes 1 and 2).’), but you shouldn’t needlessly bring it up or use it ‘for the lulz’, and should do discuss it in a compassionate way, with spoilers, links, and content warnings.
Talking about trolling is fine, but trolling as an activity is not welcome here. Please avoid…
- Courting controversy or baiting arguments by introducing sensitive topics not relevant to the discussion
- Trying to “get a rise out of” or “trigger” people by poking at sensitive issues
- Making controversial or hurtful statements and falling back on “I’m just joking! Don’t be so easily offended!”
Be kind and avoid abuse, anger, and personal attacks, just as you’d like your classmates to do with you.
- Even if you’re frustrated, make a conscious effort to be kind to your fellow students. If you can’t say anything nice, take a walk then come back to your post.
You are welcome and encouraged to make Will memes.
- I know I’m already a meme, and lean into it. Treat me with the same kindness and compassion that you’d offer anybody else in the class, but this isn’t off limits, it generally makes me laugh (and share with my wife), and you’re not going to hurt my feelings.
- Please check any memes about your IAs or classmates with the person pictured before posting them, and be prepared to not post if they’re not comfortable.
Please use spoilers if a particular item may be on the edge of the policy, or features content which some might find tough.
- … and ask yourself whether the value of the content for discussing the nature of memes is worth going there at all.
If you’re uncomfortable or unsure about something, please contact Will or one of the IA team members ASAP.

Consequences

Repeated failure to heed these policies can result in a variety of consequences based on the severity, nature, and existence of prior warnings. Although I reserve the right to adapt or add additional consequences as I see fit, they may include:

A Warning via email, Discord, Canvas, or in person.
Loss of participation or discussion points for the work in question
Loss of ability to participate in the course Discord, with alternative methods used for participation
Ejection from the course for the remainder of a session
Provision of alternative methods to complete the course outside of our community
Blanket reduction of your assignment or course grade

Defining the categories

Allowed - This type of content is allowed without restriction beyond the big non-negotiable issues (Click in as ‘A’)
Warning - This type of content is allowed but must be spoilered in Discord, linked (rather than embedded) in Canvas, and content warninged (Click in as ‘B’)
Reviewed - This type of content is allowed with exceptional relevance, but should be sent to a member of the team first for review (Click in as ‘C’)
Banned - This type of content should be banned, and should likely not be posted in LIGN 42 under any circumstances, but I can live with it if my classmates want to go there (Click in as ‘D’)
Hard Veto - I will be substantially uncomfortable and feel unwelcome or troubled in the classroom if this kind of content is allowed (Click in as ‘E’)

Community Policies for Winter 2024

As a community, we’ve chosen the following policies, which are also covered and superceded by the policies above.

Swearing

Allowed.

Drug use

Allowed, but be careful, compassionate, and spoiler if you’re unsure.

Sexual Innuendo (e.g. double entendres, or oblique references to sex)

Allowed, but be careful, compassionate, and spoiler if you’re unsure.
This refers only to discussion of it. You are not allowed to use innuendo in your discussions with your classmates, as this would violate campus sexual harassment policies

Explicit Sexual Discussion (e.g. outright discussion of non-violent, consensual sexual acts)

Must be spoilered or linked.

Nudity

No nudity directly depicted
- Exceptions are possible for art of antiquity, spoiler if unsure
No describing specific naked people or nudity situations, but you can talk about human parts non-explicitly
Shirtless people should be spoilered as well, and this is not contingent on gender expression

Politics

The ‘Be Kind’ rule should be important here
No Political Attacks
References to political events from Antiquity (e.g. Roman empire) is fine

Religion

The ‘Be Kind’ rule should be important here
No Attacks on people’s faith
We don’t differentiate between different religious movements, all are under the same rules

Discussion and Depiction of violence

Gore is banned
Reference to real world atrocities (e.g. wars, genocides, massacres) is banned
Be very careful with reference to real life violence, murder, etc, and keep it lighthearted
Non-Gory fictional (e.g. video game, movie, TV, or anime) violence is allowed, but be kind.

Mental Health discussions

Allowed, but be kind and use content warnings where needed

Pepe memes

Allowed, as long as no other policies are violated

Wojaks

Allowed, as long as no other policies are violated

Community Policies from Winter 2022

Here are the policies chosen from Winter 2022. We can make different choices, or mirror elements of this.