Policy:Tips on Staying Neutral
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The reputation of Signal Cartel (SC) is built upon a foundation of neutrality embodied in our Credo, and that foundation MUST be preserved over and above any other interests.
From the perspective of the EvE-Scout Enclave, our alliance, "neutrality" means doing nothing that will benefit one group over another. This is not always easy to keep in mind and requires members to be mindful and deliberate in EVERY interaction with others, both "good" guys and "bad". The problems of others are not our problems; SC is under no obligation to be the "good guy heroes" ready to lend a hand to anyone at the drop of the hat. In reality, SC is a neutral entity, taking no sides in any conflict or situation that others may find themselves in, which provides a few well-defined services that are offered without prejudice to the community at large.
The following are just a few examples of actions that violate our neutrality:
- Delaying or avoiding submitting Thera connections to the Thera Wormhole Connections website in exchange for a bribe or simply in response to a polite request. This is unacceptable regardless of the reason it is being requested or from whom. This includes pleas from so-called "good guys" who want to get a freighter or some other expensive ship out.
- Reporting details of gatecamps to "nice guys" in a quid pro quo exchange of info or for any other reason. SC members should NEVER report gatecamp details to potential victims. That said, stating "watch for gatecamps a couple of jumps up the pipe" is okay. Just no details that might, for example, give other pilots enough intel to create an informed counter-fleet.
- Placing comments in the Corp Tripwire mask that request our members to not map chains to specific holes because the residents have been friendly, helpful, generous, or otherwise nice to Signal Cartel or have alts in SC. Such notes should be deleted without further notice or commentary the second they are noticed. Reciprocation of "favors" or perceived "debts of gratitude" relative to in-game activities does not jive with our neutrality and is to be avoided.
- Scouting PvP fleets through wormholes. This is a Credo violation that can get you kicked without notice. There is no explanation needed for why this violates our neutrality.
- Conducting wormhole searches for any pilot or group that intends to take up residence in the desired wormhole or is searching for a target-rich environment. Our alliance used to do this as a service at the corp level, but it became clear over time that the practice was potentially subjecting existing wormhole residents to eviction, assets of inactive groups to destruction, and travelers to grief. Therefore, this practice was abandoned as those things conflict with our Credo.
- Rising to the defense of aggressed pilots (even those marked blue) that are not already part of your in-fleet group. If a random stranger reaches out and asks for help because they are being attacked by others, just say no. Signal Cartel is not a defense force and may not respond to calls to help defend others. (However, assisting other pilots against NPCs in combat sites is fine.)
The main point is that often our instinct is to respond to others in a helpful manner because Signal Cartel is a service-minded organization. However, maintaining our neutrality as an organization is a much higher priority than any personal feelings an individual member may have. Therefore, when a pilot asks for help, the first thought needs to be "Would helping be a neutral act or would it benefit this person/group and disadvantage another?" If it would do the latter, then politely decline and state our requirement to maintain neutrality as the reason. No judgment of "good" or "bad" should play into the decision.
Bottom Line: Every situation is different, circumstances can be quite nuanced, and the myriad possibilities are too numerous to list. Neutrality is hard. Think it through, Signaleer. 🙂
Questions are always welcome. Please visit our 🗪credo-culture-discussions Discord forum channel.
Reference
Original forum post: PSA: Tips on Staying Neutral
