From: akessler@bernard.ma.utexas.edu (Adam Kessler)
Newsgroups: rec.games.abstract
Subject: Re: USENET-NOMIC
Keywords: Nomic, Usenet
Date: 11 Nov 92 19:43:48 GMT
Article-I.D.: math.1992Nov11.194348.19466
Organization: University of Texas at Austin Mathematics

In article <BxKF7q.9u5@knot.ccs.queensu.ca> colley@qucis.queensu.ca (Paul Colley) writes:
>
>Current rules:
>
>		    INITIAL SET OF RULES OF USENET-NOMIC
>			
>			I.  *Immutable Rules*
>
>
>1.  The current state of the game is represtented by a posting of the
>    following form, having always a "Current Rules:" section and
>    (optionally) a "Proposal by" and "Votes in favour" sections.
>
>	Current Rules:
>
>	<Old rules>
>	<Old rules>
>	<Old rules>
>	<Old rules>
>
>	Proposal by <name of proposer>:
>
>	<Proposed amendment/rule change/rule deletion>
>
>	Votes in favour:
>
>	<Name 1>
>	<Name 2>
>	[...]
>	<Name k>
>
>2.  A move consists of following up to a previous move (posting).  The
>    move must meet the following constraints:
>
>    It must be in the form specified by Rule 1.
>
>    The contents of the "Current Rules:" section must be identical to
>    the original.
>
>    The "Proposal by" section may be changed, but if so, no matter how
>    minor the modification, the "Votes in favour" section must be
>    absent from the new posting.
>
>    If the "Proposal by" section is unchanged, the poster may add their
>    name to the "Votes in favour" section.  No other changes from the
>    original are allowed.
>
>3.  This rule has precedence over rule 2.
>
>    When a move (posting) has the required number of votes in favour, a
>    new move (posting) may instead add the proposed rule to the list of
>    current rules as the next sequentially numbered rule, with no
>    "Proposeal by" and no "Votes in favour" sections.  At this point,
>    the proposed rule change takes effect.
>
>4.  Even when repealed or amended by a later rule, the text of a rule
>    stays unchanged in the list of current rules.
>
>5.  The person who proposes a rule may not add their name to the "Votes
>    in favour" section.
>
>6.  Each individual is only allowed to have their name once in the "Votes
>    in favour secton" of a posting.  However, an individual may have their
>    name in as many different postings as they wish.
>
>7.  Non-moves may be posted, for whatever purpose the person may wish.
>    Non-moves are postings that are not in the form requred by rule 1.
>
>101	All players must always abide by all the rules then in effect,
>	in the form in which they are then in effect.  The rules in the
>	Initial Set are in effect whenever a game begins.  The Initial
>	Set consists of Rules 1-7 and 101-116 (immutable) and 201-212
>	(mutable).
>
>102     Initially, rules with numbers less than 200 are immutable and
>	the other rules are mutable.  Rules subsequently enacted or
>	transmuted (i.e.  changed from immutable to mutable or vice
>	versa) may be immutable or mutable regardless of their numbers,
>	and rules in the Initial Set may be transmuted regardless of
>	their numbers.
>
>103	A rule change is any of the following:  (1)  the enactment, repeal,
>	or amendment of a mutable rule; (2) the enactment, repeal, or amend-
>	ment of an amendment, or (3) the transmutation of an immutable rule 
>	into a mutable rule, or vice versa.  (Note:  This definition implies
>	that, at least initially, all new rules are mutable.  Immutable rules, 
>	as long as they are immutable, may not be amended or repealed; mutable
>	rules, as long as they are mutable, may be amended or repealed.  No
>	rule is absolutely immune to change.)
>
>104	All rule changes proposed in the proper way shall be voted on.  
>	They will be adopted if and only if they receive the required number
>	of votes.
>
>105	Every person capable of posting in the required form is an eligible
>	voter.
>
>106     If a rule change is adopted as allowed by rule 3, it must guide
>        play in the form in which it was voted on.
>
>107     No rule change may take effect earlier than the moment of the
>        completion of the vote that adopted it, even if its wording
>	explicitly states otherwise.  No rule change may have
>	retroactive application.
>
>108	Each proposed rule change shall be given a rank-order number (ordinal
>	number) for reference.  The numbers shall begin with 301, and each
>	rule change proposed in the proper way shall receive the next suc-
>	cessive integer, whether or not the proposal is adopted.
>
>	If a rule is repealed and then re-enacted, it receives the ordinal
>	number of the proposal to re-enact it.  If a rule is amended or 
>	transmuted, it receives the ordinal number of the proposal to
>	amend or transmute it.  If an amendment is amended or repealed, 
>	the entire rule of which it is a part receives the ordinal number
>	of the proposal to amend or repeal the amendment.
>
>109	Rule changes that transmute immutable rules into mutable rules 
>	may be adopted if and only if they receive 24 votes.
>
>110	Mutable rules that are inconsistent in any way with some immutable
>	rule (except by proposing to transmute it) are wholly void and
> 	without effect.  They do not implicitly transmute immutable rules
>	into mutable rules and at the same time amend them.  Rule changes
>	that transmute immutable rules into mutable rules will be effective
>	if and only if they explicitly state their transmuting effect.
>
>111	If a rule change as proposed is unclear, ambiguous, paradoxical,
>	or clearly destructive of play, or if it arguably consists of two
>	or more rule changes compounded or is an amendment that makes no
>	difference, or if it is otherwise of questionable value, then
>	the other players may suggest amendments or argue against the 
>	proposal before the vote.  A reasonable amount of time must be 
>	allowed for this debate.  The proponent decides the final form
>	in which the proposal is to be voted on and decides the time to
>	end debate and vote.  The only cure for a bad proposal is to not
>	vote for it.
>
>112	The state of affairs that constitutes winning may not be changed from
>	achieving n points to any other state of affairs.  However, the 
>	magnitude of n and the means of earning points may be changed, and
>	rules that establish a winner when play cannot continue may be
> 	enacted and (while they are mutable) be amended or repealed.
>
>113	A player always has the option to forfeit the game rather than 
>	continue to play or incur a game penalty.  No penalty worse than
>	losing, in the judgement of the player to incur it, may be imposed.
>
>114	There must always be at least one mutable rule.  The adoption of rule
>	changes must never become completely impermissible.
>
>115	Rule changes that affect rules needed to allow or apply rule changes
>	are as permissible as other rule changes.  Even rule changes that
>	amend or repeal their own authority are permissible.  No rule change
>	or type of move is impermissible solely on account of the self-
>	reference or self-application of a rule.
>
>116	Whatever is not explicitly prohibited or regulated by a rule is
>	permitted and unregulated, with the sole exception of changing the
>	rules, which is permitted only when a rule or set of rules 
>	explicitly or implicitly permits it.
>
>
>
>			 II.  *Mutable Rules*
>
>
>201	All players begin with zero points.
>
>202	There is no rule 202.
>
>203	A rule change is adopted if and only if the rule change receives at
>	least 12 votes.
>
>204	There is no rule 204.
>
>205	An adopted rule change takes full effect when added to the list
>	of current rules as allowed by rule 3.
>
>206	When a proposed rule change is accepted, the player who proposed it
>	gains 5 points.
>
>207	Each player always has exactly one vote.
>
>208	The winner is the first player to achieve 100 (positive) points.
>
>209	At no time may there be more than 25 mutable rules.
>
>210	There is no rule 210.
>
>211	If two or more mutable rules conflict with one another, or if two
>	or more immutable rules conflict with one another, then the rule
>	with the lowest ordinal number takes precedence.
>
>	If at least one of the rules in conflict explicitly says of itself
>	that it defers to another rule (or type of rule) or takes prece-
>	dence over another rule (or type of rule), then such provisions
>	shall supersede the numerical method for determining precedence.
>
>	If two or more rules claim to take precedence over one another or to
>	defer to one another, then the numerical method must again govern.
>
>212     If players disagree about the legality of a move or the
>	interpretation or application of a rule, their sole recourse is
>	to post a non-move containing their argument, and to refrain
>	from posting follow-ups (moves) to the move they object to.
>


Proposal by adam kessler <akessler@math.utexas.edu>:

     Any rule which states that a rule does not exist is repealed,
     and no rule which states that a rule does not exist may be
     enacted.