>"do unto others as you would have them do unto you".
So a masochist can hit other people?
I'm joking, but it shows a general issue with that motto: that what a person finds acceptable might not be what others want in a project.
E.g. person X likes seeing cat pictures in HN, and wants other people to post cat pictures. But that doesn't mean that X posting cat pictures would be what the others want too.
You're taking a literal reading out of something that's not meant to be literal. "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you" means treat other people with respect and be nice to them because most people like to be respected and treated nicely. You're right it probably wasn't written 5000 years ago for the extreme case of a person who likes being treated badly. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Rule
For once I actually agree with you, coldtea. It is not enough to rely on everyone's unique instincts and preferences. This is why we need a Code of Conduct.
So a masochist can hit other people?
I'm joking, but it shows a general issue with that motto: that what a person finds acceptable might not be what others want in a project.
E.g. person X likes seeing cat pictures in HN, and wants other people to post cat pictures. But that doesn't mean that X posting cat pictures would be what the others want too.