Dear community,
For a long time I have been thinking about ethical guidelines for the Terra Classic blockchain and community. I have done this because of historical events, discussions and governance fights. Yesterday, because of the discussion about the canonical website link, I have thought about it even more.
Introspection is important for everyone. I have many times looked back at my own behavior in certain situations. Emotions have overcome me, and often overridden my own core principals in how I act towards other human beings.
Therefore, I have looked into different kinds of ethical guidelines in different aspects of life and professional entities. I see great winnings in discussing an ethical framework for the chain and would like to start with arguing the positive outcomes of having a governance approved framework for this. Next, I will present these arguments, and thereafter present a suggestion for a starting point in eventual discussions about it.
Arguments
Ethical guidelines provide Terra Classic with a shared framework for responsible decision making. That means that we can use them to create governance stability, and long term sustainability when it comes to creating paths forward.
Ethical guidelines offer a shared reference point that helps evaluate proposals based on community values. This hopefully improves governance consistency and reduces conflict driven by personalities or factions. It should also improve the proposals themselves.
Guidelines like this also shows maturity, that we are open to accountability and stands for professionalism. They should reduce reputational risk and make Terra Classic more attractive to developers, infrastructure providers, and long term partners that may be interested in our blockchain.
Ethical guidelines can also reduce the risk of future treasury (if that ever happens) misuses, governance manipulation, and ill willed decision making, for example when it comes to entities managing shared funds. This could also be of great use if the community and chain ever wishes to explore creating a BORG for example.
These guidelines could also offer a way to uphold clear standards for communication and help manage disputes constructively, lower emotional based fighting and encourage respectful dialogue.
Ethical guidelines could also enable accountability through social consensus and reputation, rather than centralised enforcement of some sort. They also demonstrate responsibility taking that is both proactive and in real time, and that would likely improve Terra Classic’s external reputation and the perspective of the chain itself.
Suggestions for ethical guidelines for Terra Classic (a starting point)
1. Purpose
These ethical guidelines provide a framework for all participants within the Terra Classic ecosystem, including developers, validators, contributors, governance participants and community members.
The purpose of this framework is to strengthen the trust, supporting making ethical decisions, promote respectfulness, and preserve individual and collective interests in a decentralised environment.
These guidelines are not a legal framework, but a shared ethical reference for good and positive conduct.
2. Core Values
Human dignity and equal respect - All participants shall be treated with respect regardless of background, financial position, gender, sexuality, technical expertise or influence. Discrimination, harassment, and exclusionary behavior are discouraged.
Decentralisation - Terra Classic is committed to decentralisation as both a technical and cultural principle. Individuals and communities should be empowered to make informed, independent decisions.
Transparency and openness - Decisions, technical changes, and financial activities should be communicated clearly and openly whenever possible.
Responsibility and long term actions - All actions should be evaluated based on long term impact rather than short term benefit.
3. Ethical principles in practice
Professional responsibility - Participants should act within their competence, pursue continuous learning, and avoid misleading or manipulative behaviors. Risks and conflicts of interest should be disclosed openly.
Community centered approaches - Work within Terra Classic should prioritise collective well being, provide accurate information, and respect privacy. Greater influence carries greater ethical responsibility.
Objectivity and conflicts of interest - Personal or financial interests must not override ecosystem interests. Governance participants and project leaders should disclose relevant conflicts.
Responsible communication - Communication should be respectful, factual, and constructive. Harassment and personal attacks are unacceptable.
4. Ecosystem and societal perspective
Participants should be mindful of laws, regulations, and social impact, and contribute to a responsible blockchain ecosystem.
5. Ethical dilemmas and accountability
Ethical decisions require reflection and dialogue. When conflicts arise, priority should be given to trust, transparency, and long term Terra Classic health.
6. A living document
These guidelines should be reviewed periodically and improved through community discussion. Ethics is an on going process
As I have written, all of this is just to jumpstart the discussion. I believe we should have an ethical framework for the betterment of Terra Classic.
