for debate...
- If you say it's a fact, you need give a list of primary sources, don't be surprised if one isn't enough
- If it's an opinion from an expert... state all relevant affiliations such that someone can find out about this organization's work.
- If it's pure speculation, use phrases like, "there is no evidence of this, this is pure speculation"
- if you quote someone, include the context, especially a link to the article
- give people respect in the comments and in general
- ranting is OK, but don't think you can't be held to account for it... oooohhhh scary voice.
- it's just a blog, ideas, intellectual exercise... hmmm, actually, that's quite a bit, take your words seriously if others are supposed to (i.e. humor excepted)
UPDATE: from acbonin
- If you're going to enter a debate, stick around and respond to criticism.
- When you're wrong, admit it.
- If you have any personal associations which bias your point of view, err on the side of disclosure.
Also, good rules of thumb are being rated up in the comment. I'll put any that are this succinct and solid up here.
Is that about it? Surely I've missed a few.
Of course, I'm not ignorant of the underlying issues, should there even be such a thing as standards... there are many arguments offered for the notion that it would be manifest destiny and laissez-faire on the internet, in netroots. But all community blogs have SOME standards, some more arbitrary than others.