Gaia Health allows comments on articles, and is happy to be a forum for debate. However, that debate must be legitimate and fair. It must be understood that this is not a place where anything goes. It is not a place where bullies are tolerated. It is not a place where majority or mob rules. Those who don’t like these rules can simply not comment.

The simple fact is that trolls and shills can quickly overrun a comments section, making it unpleasant and even impossible for those who wish to be involved in genuine commentary. These rules of discourse are being offered to clarify what is and what is not acceptable:

1. No redirection: Anything that’s off topic is not acceptable. No redirection from the issues brought out by the author is allowed. Most rules are extensions of this basic one.
2. No ad hominem attacks: An ad hominem attack is defined here as making the author of an article the subject of discussion, rather than what the article stated. The purpose of this is to redirect attention from the points of the article. Itis not a legitimate method of discussion. It doesn’t matter what you think of the author. It doesn’t matter if you like the author. It doesn’t matter what the author’s reputation is. Except as the author makes it an issue, it doesn’t matter what the author’s personal history, training, appearance, or any other factors might be. They are not an issue for discussion.
3. No false dichotomies: A false dichotomy is offering—usually insisting—that one of two options be selected, as if they are the only possible choices. This is not legitimate debate, but rather an attempt to redirect discussion from the topic.
4. No comments that simply attack the article: Simply declaring that an article is rubbish, in whatever nasty terminology might be used, is not discussion. It’s pointless.
5. No lists of links: Lists of links do not add to the discussion. They do not provide a point of view. They are merely distractions, an attempt to suggest that the link congregator knows more than others—which is usually not true, or the link collector would be able to produce a cohesive argument.
6. No quick comments with a link to another point of view: This will be treated for what it is: spam. It does not add to the conversation.
7. No comments from trolls or shills are tolerated: If it walks like a troll or shill, and talks like a troll or shill, it will be treated like a troll or shill.

The amount of time it takes to moderate commentary that’s intended to disrupt conversation, rather than further it, is enormous. It’s a waste of time and energy. Therefore, these rules are set in place to clarify what will and won’t be tolerated.

Gaia Health will determine whether a rule has been broken and what action will be taken. Actions may include deletion of comments and banning of the commenters. Do not expect warnings to be given. They are not owed to anyone. There is no recourse on decisions.