ASH intro rationale

This document explains why the introduction faq was built the way it was. The motivation behind the faq as a whole and specific questions in particular can shed light on some of the answers and definitions which do not conform to intuitive notions ashers still use.

On top of this, the rationale is to be read by future maintainers who by understanding the reasoning behind the faq, will be able to modify it while retaining its original purpose.

The rationale also points out issues which we have not resolved, topics which were disagreed upon, and areas where more research is still needed in order to improve the faq. Future maintainers can use this to pick up from where we have left off.

Goals of FAQ

The shorter the introduction FAQ, the more likely that people will read it (this is especially important for do-gooders). Therefore only things which serve one of the goals below should enter the FAQ:

• To aquaint first time readers to ash
  • Explain what ash is and what ash is not.
  • Technical information about how to post and read ash.
  • Warnings about security and anonimity.
  • Pointers to more information.
• Increase the quality of posts on ash - explain what posts are not appropriate.
• Assert a more positive image of ash and ashers.

Obviously there are many other things which are of importance, but they are moved to other faqs. The goals above are the bare essentials.

Target audience

An introduction faq is read by different audiences some of the readers are ashers, others oppose ash, and others have candid questions about the motives of ashers and the legitimacy of the group.

Strategy

• Don't offend outsiders, even if they are trollers. People are not likely to be convinced by a document which offends them.

Organization

Sec. 1: Introduction: what ash is and what it is not.

Sec. 2: posting guidelines, contains instructions about what is and what isn't appropiate to post. This comes very near the beginning, since do-gooders would not bother to read all the faq.

Sec. 3: Mainly technical information which newcomers need. Such as how to read ash if your news server does not carry it, security and anonimity.

Sec. 4: Pointers to other resources.

Rationale of subsections

Before you start reading this, it is a good idea to open the intro faq in a new window, or even print the faq out. That way you can read the rationale of a subsection in parallel with the original text.

1.1) What is a.s.h? 1.2) What is the a.s.h subculture?

The definition seems long, but it is much more accurate than the previous definition used which defined ash by topics.

It may be tempting to define ash as "talk about suicide as a valid option" or something similar. But this doesn't work in reality.

For example, suppose a long time asher finds happiness (for example, by finding a significant other). She might post about it to ash, and people would be interested because they have known her for a long time and care about what happens to her. Such posts are not about suicide, but would be welcome on the group, since she is part of the subculture.

However, if she posted that suicide is not a valid option (since everybody can be happy by finding a girlfriend or boyfriend), then that would exclude her from the subculture (by definition) and her posts would not be considered appropriate.

The degree a post is fit for ash depends a lot more on what the person believes in rather than the specific topic the post talks about.

However, there are obviously many topics which are not fit for ash: for example, comparison between PC and Macintosh computers. Although if you are regulars even such discussion may be tolerated for a while, use your common sense.

Perhaps the definition of ash is too loose, allowing too many kinds of posts to fit in. However, since there are not many places like ash, it is better to be inclusive rather than exclusive.

Using the notion of "value-oriented subculture" to define ash provides a deep explanation to the motivation behind ash. Once values are mentioned it is obvious that our disagreement with society is fundamental, and we are not likely to be easily convinced by outsiders.

1.3) Who is an asher

The "formal" definition is provided since sometimes there are arguments on ash whether someone is or is not an asher to determine whether their posts are appropriate or not. The formal definition is such that as long as the poster is supportive of ash, it is OK.

There are some people (although probably not many) who are not suicidal or depressed but share the values of ash and may contribute many useful posts. It would be a waste to exclude them from our community.

The definition does not connect being asher to posting or reading ash. For example, someone may stop reading ash becuase of the trolls and spams. He could still maintain connections with other ashers via email or mailing lists. Perhaps he is not reading ash but he still belongs to the ash subculture.

Note that had we defined ashers as somebody who just reads/posts to ash we couldn't say anthing about their attitudes as some ash posters ( trolles and do-gooders ) disagree with the ash subculture.

2.2) Anti-suicide posts

Perhaps some might think this section is useless as most trollers and do-gooders wouldn't listen to the faq. Many don't bother to read it.

We hope that this manages to deter some people. However, it is even more useful as a resource for ashers in order to answer back to trollers and do-gooders.

3) Reading/posting to ash.

This is mostly technical information. Rather than providing a lot of links (which is difficult to keep up to date), only few links are provided to meta-resources.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.