Kids, Would You Please Start Fighting
I showed &#x27;Crockers Rules&#x27;, after Lee Daniel Crocker, to my mum and my sister over Christmas, as I thought it might help all of us indicate the level of acerbic comment we are currently able to process.<p>&quot;Declaring yourself to be operating by &quot;Crocker&#x27;s Rules&quot; means that other people are allowed to optimize their messages for information, not for being nice to you.  Crocker&#x27;s Rules means that you have accepted full responsibility for the operation of your own mind - if you&#x27;re offended, it&#x27;s your fault.  Anyone is allowed to call you a moron and claim to be doing you a favor.  (Which, in point of fact, they would be.  One of the big problems with this culture is that everyone&#x27;s afraid to tell you you&#x27;re wrong, or they think they have to dance around it.)  Two people using Crocker&#x27;s Rules should be able to communicate all relevant information in the minimum amount of time, without paraphrasing or social formatting.  Obviously, don&#x27;t declare yourself to be operating by Crocker&#x27;s Rules unless you have that kind of mental discipline.<p>Note that Crocker&#x27;s Rules does not mean you can insult people; it means that other people don&#x27;t have to worry about whether they are insulting you.  Crocker&#x27;s Rules are a discipline, not a privilege.  Furthermore, taking advantage of Crocker&#x27;s Rules does not imply reciprocity.  How could it?  Crocker&#x27;s Rules are something you do for yourself, to maximize information received - not something you grit your teeth over and do as a favor.&quot;