Participation Guidelines
Literary 1984 is meant to be a curious and welcoming space where people can think seriously, react honestly, and enjoy literature together. You do not need to agree with everyone, finish every reading, or arrive with a perfectly formed interpretation. You do need to treat the people around you with care.
respect people, challenge ideas
Disagreement is welcome. Disrespect is not.
You are encouraged to question interpretations, criticize arguments, challenge the politics of a text, and disagree strongly about what we read. Keep that disagreement focused on the idea, argument, or work (not the intelligence, character, identity, or worth of the person expressing it).
Please:
- allow others room to speak and avoid repeatedly talking over people
- listen to an interpretation before responding to it
- avoid dogpiling, mockery, personal attacks, or deliberately hostile questioning
- do not treat academic knowledge or literary vocabulary as a measure of someone’s intelligence
- remember that confidence and volume are not the same as being correct
harassment and discrimination
Harassment, bullying, threats, discriminatory behavior, and targeted hostility are not permitted.
This includes, but is not limited to:
- racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, religious discrimination, or other identity-based hostility
- unwanted sexual comments or advances
- repeated personal contact after someone has asked for space
- deliberately humiliating, intimidating, or isolating another member
- encouraging others to target or exclude someone
- using private or personal information to threaten, embarrass, or control another person
Literary discussion may involve disturbing ideas, prejudiced language, or morally difficult material. Discussing those elements in a text is different from directing them toward another member.
sensitive subjects and personal boundaries
Many of the works we read deal with violence, abuse, sexuality, racism, mental illness, suicide, oppression, and other difficult subjects. please keep in mind that subjects of this nature may be discussed during meetings and in club spaces.
members are responsible for making informed decisions about their own participation and doing what they need to remain comfortable. you are always free to step away from a discussion, mute a channel, skip a section or meeting, or return later. you do not owe anyone a personal explanation for doing so.
when practical, we will provide brief content notes for especially graphic or unexpected material. however, content notes may not anticipate every subject or individual response. members should exercise their own judgment while reading and participating.
personal responsibility does not override our responsibility to treat one another with care. no one should be pressured to discuss personal experiences, remain in an upsetting conversation, or tolerate harassment or disrespect.
privacy and consent
What is shared in private club spaces should remain private unless the person who shared it gives permission otherwise.
Please do not:
- repost screenshots, messages, writing, photographs, or recordings from private club spaces without permission
- share another member’s personal information
- publicly post private meeting addresses or access information
- record meetings, voice chats, or events without everyone’s knowledge and consent
- photograph or post images of members who have asked not to be included
- invite additional guests to a private or in-person event without first checking with the host or organizers
Meeting locations and other sensitive logistical information should remain in members-only spaces.
spoilers
Use spoiler formatting or clearly label major spoilers when discussing material beyond the current reading checkpoint.
Once a meeting is specifically designated as a full-book or full-section discussion, spoilers for that assigned material should be expected. Members who have not finished are still welcome to attend, but should enter knowing that the assigned portion may be discussed freely.
participation and communication
Participation is flexible and low-pressure. Read what you can, join when you can, lurk when you need to, and return when life permits.
You are welcome to participate by:
- attending meetings
- joining remotely
- posting thoughts, questions, quotations, memes, or resources
- voting in polls
- helping with an event or project
- simply listening until you feel comfortable contributing
If a scheduling poll or question affects whether you can attend, please respond when possible. We can only accommodate conflicts we know about. If you do not respond by the stated deadline, organizers may assume that you have no preference and proceed using the available responses.
Members who show no activity for several months or through several complete reading cycles may occasionally be removed during server cleanup. This is not a punishment, and former members are welcome to return whenever they are ready to participate again.
in-person meetings and events
Respect the host, the space, and the other people attending.
Please:
- follow the host’s household rules
- communicate before bringing an additional guest
- respect stated start and end times
- clean up after yourself
- do not pressure anyone to drink, participate in an activity, discuss a personal subject, or remain longer than they want
- arrange safe transportation when needed
Anyone whose behavior makes an event unsafe or seriously uncomfortable may be asked to leave.
raising a concern
If another member’s behavior concerns you, makes you uncomfortable, or appears to violate these guidelines, you may contact any moderator privately.
You do not have to confront the person yourself before speaking to a moderator. You also do not need to present a perfectly organized case before asking for help. Screenshots, dates, or other context can be useful when available, but you may begin simply by explaining what happened.
Moderators will try to handle concerns discreetly and share information only with the people necessary to address the situation. Complete confidentiality cannot always be guaranteed, especially when immediate safety is involved, but we will avoid unnecessary disclosure.
Depending on the situation, moderators may:
- check in with the people involved
- clarify expectations or boundaries
- facilitate a conversation when appropriate and mutually desired
- issue a warning
- limit someone’s access to a channel or event
- temporarily remove someone
- permanently remove someone from the club
Severe behavior may result in immediate action without a prior warning. A moderator who is personally involved in a concern should not be the only person deciding how it is handled.
moderators: niah, shyam, brianna (bri), malik, vyshu.
the general principle
Be curious. Be honest. Be strange. Be kind.
Books may be cruel, narrators may be deranged, and discussions may become impassioned. The people sharing the room with you should still be treated as people.
for more information, please see our code of conduct.