Most communities publish rules after conflict arrives. The Raft begins with a positive operating code: what kind of behavior should the project reward, model, and protect?
1. Care for people before metrics
Follower counts, floor prices, volume, and engagement can be useful measurements. They are not a substitute for whether people feel respected, informed, and able to participate without coercion.
2. Disclose uncertainty
Say when a date is tentative, when a feature is experimental, when a claim needs verification, and when the team does not know. Trust grows from accurate uncertainty, not artificial confidence.
3. Welcome questions
A community that punishes questions becomes vulnerable to mistakes and manipulation. Skepticism can be an act of care.
4. Create more than you consume
The Raft should produce memes, stories, art, games, research summaries, tools, guides, and conservation support. Participation should not be limited to buying.
5. Never promise guaranteed returns
No moderator, creator, influencer, or holder should pressure others with claims of certain profit. Members should be encouraged to understand risk and make independent decisions.
6. Protect the inspiration
Sea otters and coastal ecosystems are not just branding material. Conservation should become a transparent practice with named partners, public receipts, and impact reports when the project can responsibly support it.
7. Use humor responsibly
Memes can release tension and make complex ideas memorable. They should never be used to hide losses, target vulnerable people, or manufacture fake urgency.
The Raft Code can become moderation policy, contributor guidelines, onboarding material, and a foundation for community rewards.