Guidelines for Participation

Here are some guidelines for being involved in the Javul.org project. Most of them involve how to work with other people. These are numbered so they can be referenced in discussions:

1. Become familiar with Solving Complex Problems
2. Have a constructive and positive attitude. This doesn't mean that you are discouraged from pointing out issues. Just be constructive.
3. Strive for improvement, not perfection. Dont reject a solution because its not perfect i.e don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.
4. Stay open-minded. Develop the ability to evaluate/consider multiple solutions/ideas at the same time so you can compare pros/cons and see what can be improved. Maybe we have to mix ideas in order to arrive at the next stage of a solution.
5. Be open to new ideas. Often new ideas are criticized in various ways because a mental effort is required to understand the idea and this mental burden makes a person uncomfortable because they have to make an effort. It may also be uncomfortable to realize that people may have to change their ways or thinking because change is often resisted.
6. Work together with others on a common goal
7. No one is perfect and everyone has certain imperfections in their ideas or communications. We should be forgiving of people and try to see the kind of contributions a person can make and not disagree with all the opinions and actions of a person because of a few issues. Also, people can disagree on some things and thats ok. We all can agree that there are serious problems in the world that need to be solved. We have to find ways on how to improve the situation. Please find the area of your interest on this website and raise your concerns.
8. Do not support a viewpoint only because that's the way it has been done in the past. If thats the only defense for supporting that viewpoint, the defense of such a viewpoint is invalid. Defending something only because thats the way it has been done in the past is the least intellectually demanding and least desired.
9. Use logical and rational arguments
10. Do not engage in any kind of ad hominem while talking to others. This weakens your argument
11. Respect subject-matter experts and the research and data they have created and compiled. If you disagree with their findings, be sure to find alternate research/data to support your claims. Realize that as an arbitrary person on the internet, your subjective opinions can be challenged by anyone and if you provide references to back up your claims, you will strengthen your argument.
12. The Javul.org is under development. All of its documentation can be revised at any time. A lot of material in the documentation is only a suggestion. Anyone can contribute new ideas and new content to the documentation. Just be sure that if you add something, you add it to the right place.
13. Dont jump to conclusions without looking at the complete argument. Dont misrepresent others.
14. One solution doesnt have to fit everything. Often we need different solutions for different situations. Solutions can also be implemented partially.