About Us
iCivility is an online movement. It does not seek nor does it receive funding from any public or private source, corporate, foundation or individual. iCivility is designed to take advantage of the viral nature of online discourse, reversing the normal tone and culture of online debate.
iCivility was founded by Patrick Ross, a writer, journalist, think tank fellow, blogger and activist who has spent the last two decades in online debates. He first realized how "freeing" the Internet was for toxic disourse nearly two decades ago when he found himself under attack for a strong opinion he felt... on the true motives of "The Smoking Man" on the TV series "The X-Files." Those strong feelings are long forgotten, but what remained was the amazement at the vitriolic disagreement he encountered on a Usenet chat board dedicated to the cult show. (See the sidebar on Godwin's Law and Usenet discussions.)
Being called a Nazi or a pedophile for one's interpretation of a fictional character can be a source of amusement. But the culture that tolerates that behavior is the same that then poisons more serious discussion of real policy issues that impact our lives in significant ways.
iCivility.com is a personal project of Patrick Ross and is not in any way connected with any professional or other association he may have.
Nearly two decades ago, the poisonous nature of online discourse was already apparent. A frequent online discussant noticed this trend, and created a lighthearted "law" demonstrating the depths to which an online debate could devolve.
Mike Godwin coined Godwin's Law, which states: "As a Usenet discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches 1."
Of course, it is not always Hitler that serves as the bogeyman, but Godwin's Law points out both how unconstructive language frequents online debates while also noting an unfortunate trend; the longer a discussion continues online, the less productive it often becomes.
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