Not discussing the current topic.

I understand the line for 'discussing a topic' is a bit fuzzy, and this is light grey, but I wanted to state that I like the selected topic. It's interesting.

no doubt this will cause some to complain the whole not discuss rule is like a religion to some and they don't care if the comment damages the game they will whinge regardless of if the game is really harmed.

I think ANY comment about the ongoing game should be avoided. It is EXTREMELY difficult to tell what comments can harm the game and not. Almost anything can disturbe the game. Good that someone like the topic, but why not simply wait until the round has ended to state that? Surely, it's not so important that it HAS to be said right away?

Oh, and for the record: I don't even know what the current topic is...

If the topic is one that could lead to potential negative consequence then I feel it is right to say something and abstain from answering and to point out what is wrong, before the game is finished.

The rules of empathy are clearly listed and unless they are changed, then some tolerance should be given to harmless posts that will have no impact on what someone chooses as an answer.

Anything not listed in the rule explicitly, is a custom and should be generally respected observed absolutely.

kob: you do deserve an headache by trying to discuss about:"is talking about an ungoiing game really harmful'?

Try to find out what 'no new information' can do:

http://bit.ly/ir9eMv

even if it would have 'new information', why is the impact 'negative'? If a larger number of people participate (because they got interested in the interesting topic or whyever), isn't that a positive thing?

Why is anything considered negative, no matter what it is? Even if I would post five good answers, or the ten answers I chose, why is this negative? All participants have that same information, and can react to it, if they care to?

It modifies the game, I can easily agree to that. But why is that negative?

And if you want to be more catholic than the pope, any forum entry anywhere modifies the game - it could influence what people vote as next topic, or even what they propose as next next topic (giving them ideas). So any post influences potentially any GoE game down the road.

Going further, we shouldn't think any thoughts actually. It might influence what we propose or vote for later...

Why is it negative? Because it alters the game, and the game thus becomes a different game. Is that necessarily negative? Well, to people who prefer to play the game as it is, without any comments to the game, it is. Would it be negative to play chess without queens? It's simply another game than chess, so if you just want to play a game, sure, it's a game. If you would like a game of chess, that would be negative.

Chess with no queens is against the rules of chess, but look at the empathy rules:

- Object of game is write 10 expressions which are in association with given expression. For succesful game you must use the same expressions as other players.

- There's is a new game every day.

- Every word will be scored. Word gets as many points as many players used the same word. Example

- Entries are processed every day at 23:00 PM

- Plurals and singulars are considered as the same word

Where is written discussing a current topic is forbidden? So I think Aganju's point is valid and he is right, it doesn't have to be negative, it's just a matter of opinion.

As played by most everyone except KOT, one can do one's best to win without monitoring all LG communication. The answer you submit when the game is first posted is everybit as good as the answer you submit as the deadline approaches. When discussion of the topic occurs, that's not true.

Just like playing chess without queens doesn't have to be negative, it's also just a matter of opinion. I'm not SAYING it is chess. I'm saying it's a different game, just like empathy becomes a different game once you start discussing the topic.

As for rules: There ARE noe rules on this site. However, as MOST empathy players prefer to play that game without discussing the ongoing topic, I think that's how we should play it. There are no rules against using computer aid, mitm, several accounts, getting help from others in your games or similar issues either. However, it's not difficult to see where the LG community stands on such issues. I think we, the LG community, decide what we want this site to be.

"there's a new game every day". See? Goe-rules are not complete. The full rule is:"there's a new game every day or three. And there should be no discussion about an ongoiing topic".

But seriously: I think the main question is: 'is 'freedom of speech' more important then 'freedom of a pure game'? I think we'd all agree in every-day-life. But: this is a game site. If 'pure games' would not be respected, the site would have no reason to exist. If I see 2 players play chess, i can send a message to both of them about what next move would be great. It's not the way it's done. It's not against the rules, but it's a snake eating its own tail.

Marius, I think I see your point.

The question is if it is really a majority that wants it that way. BUt probably yes.