Rules, Integrity & Fairness

What is deb8tly?

deb8tly is a platform where the public nominates and votes on debates they want to see, and where ideas are challenged through open, moderated debate — not censorship or cancellation.

We don't decide what ideas are "allowed."
We decide how debates happen fairly.

How do debates get created?

• Anyone can nominate a debate between two people.
• The public votes on which nominations matter most.
• Popular nominations can be promoted into real debates.
• The nominated participants decide whether to accept.
• If both accept, the debate is scheduled and happens publicly.

No debate happens without consent from both participants.

Does money decide which ideas win?

No. Absolutely not.

Money can help signal interest in seeing a debate. It cannot:

• Decide who wins a debate
• Silence an opponent
• Censor ideas
• Change the rules of discussion

Debates are judged by the audience through listening and reasoning, not votes or money.

What are votes, really?

Votes are signals of public interest, not judgments of truth.

Why allow paid votes at all?

Because attention already costs money everywhere else — just without transparency.

deb8tly chooses explicit, visible rules over hidden manipulation.

Paid votes:

• Are capped per user
• Are limited (one vote per debate)
• Sit on top of free daily votes
• Do not replace free participation

Everyone gets a voice.
Some people choose to amplify theirs — within strict limits.

How do you prevent rich users from dominating?

Multiple safeguards:

• Everyone gets 3 free daily votes
• You can only vote once per debate
• No one can "buy" acceptance from a debater
• Debaters are never forced to participate

Money can suggest interest — it cannot force outcomes.

Are debates moderated?

Yes — but ideas are not censored.

Moderation exists only to enforce:

• Turn-taking (no speaking over)
• Time limits
• No personal attacks (appearance, threats, harassment)
• No doxxing or incitement to violence

Moderation is about process, not ideology.
Bad ideas are challenged with better arguments, not removal.

Who decides the rules of a debate?

deb8tly sets neutral structural rules, such as:

• Equal speaking time
• Equal rebuttal opportunities
• Clear debate format

The content of the arguments is entirely up to the participants.

Can debaters refuse to participate?

Yes. Always.

If a person is nominated:

• They may accept
• They may decline
• They may ignore the invitation

Declining has no penalty.

deb8tly does not shame, coerce, or force participation.

What happens if one person declines?

The debate does not proceed.

The nomination remains visible as a record of public interest, but no debate is scheduled unless both participants consent.

How are debaters paid?

Debaters may be paid through:

• Advertising revenue from the debate
• Sponsorships clearly labeled as such
• Platform revenue sharing
• Special event arrangements

Payment never affects:

• Debate rules
• Speaking time
• Moderation
• Outcome

Do sponsors influence debates?

No.

Sponsors:

• Cannot choose winners
• Cannot edit content
• Cannot influence moderation
• Cannot block participation

Sponsorships are:

• Clearly labeled
• Separate from voting
• Separate from moderation

Transparency is mandatory.

Does deb8tly host the debates?

deb8tly may:

• Host debates directly
• Embed debates via platforms like YouTube or Twitch
• Archive recordings for public viewing

In all cases, deb8tly retains:

• Editorial neutrality
• Debate rules
• Moderation standards

Is deb8tly political?

deb8tly is procedural, not ideological.

We do not promote:

• Left or right
• Conservative or progressive
• Popular or unpopular ideas

We promote debate as a method.

What happens to harmful or extreme ideas?

They are debated — under rules.

deb8tly's position: Harmful ideas are best defeated in the open, with reason, evidence, and scrutiny.

However, the following are not permitted:

• Direct threats
• Calls for violence
• Harassment
• Illegal activity

Can users report abuse?

Yes.

Users can report:

• Rule violations
• Harassment
• Impersonation
• Technical abuse

Reports are reviewed against process rules, not opinions.

Is deb8tly about "winning" debates?

No.

There are:

• No official winners
• No algorithmic verdicts
• No platform-declared "truth"

The audience decides what arguments were convincing.