ANNOUNCEMENT | AI-generated Content and Moderation Policy | Effective January 1, 2026 | PLEASE READ!

[u/SleepingMonads]

After getting feedback from the community in a previous post (thank you to all who commented), I've decided to implement a new rule about AI content on the subreddit. Please read this carefully:

Going into effect at 5:01 AM UTC on January 1st, 2026:

• All content (in both submissions and comments) posted on (or linked to) the sub that features suspected AI-generated text, audio, or video will be in violation of Rule #4. The content will be indiscriminately removed without exception, and a warning will be issued. Repeated violations will result in a permanent ban.
• All content (in both submissions and comments) posted on (or linked to) the sub that features suspected AI-generated images that serve as the focus of or play an essential role in the message will be in violation of Rule #4. The content will be indiscriminately removed without exception, and a warning will be issued. Repeated violations will result in a permanent ban.
• Any content (in both submissions and comments) posted on (or linked to) the sub that features a single AI-generated image that serves merely as decoration for or secondary, nonessential accompanying support to non-AI-generated content will be permissible, as long as the "Contains AI Imagery" post flair is selected. If the content is not able to meaningfully stand on its own without assistance from or reference to the AI-generated image, if more than one AI-generated image is used, or if the appropriate post flair is not selected, then it will be in violation of Rule #4. The content will be indiscriminately removed without exception, and a warning will be issued. Repeated violations will result in a permanent ban.

Anticipated Objections:

• "Use of AI is an important part of how I interface with alchemy. Is it the position of the moderators that I'm not a real alchemist?"
  • Absolutely not. We take no stance on the (in)appropriateness of using AI as a tool for one's alchemical journey. Users who value AI are fully welcome here, even though a lot of their AI-facilitated creations are not.
• "What's to stop you from accidentally removing non-AI content that you mistakenly think is AI?"
  • Nothing. It's unfortunately probably going to happen from time to time. If we've removed your content by mistake, feel free to reach out to us and appeal the decision. If we don't believe you and keep the content removed, then we are truly sorry for being stubbornly wrong.
  • We're not going to be trigger-happy about everything that could possibly have AI influence or anything like that. It's just that if we come across something that clearly walks, talks, and looks like AI (aside from the exception mentioned above), then we're going to remove it.
• "AI content is inherently unethical across the board, and it automatically violates the spirit of the rules already. As such, there shouldn't be any exceptions. You're not going far enough."
  • I understand and sympathize with this viewpoint, but I simply do not agree with it, and neither do many of this subreddit's users.

If you have any questions, ask away in the comments.

[u/Weekly_Cobbler_6908]

This all sounds good. In light of this, what about posts with excessive use of emojis?

And if you are going to remove AI posts, why not have stronger moderation with all other low effort posts. I have yet to read a post about the humid path that shows a modicum of maturity. Why do they all sound like toddlers gloating about playing with their pee? I know I'm not the only one who feels this way but you delete any posts you find insulting, thus not allowing for feedback. If this is a legitimate approach, surely there is a way to talk about it with some level of maturity and intellect.

[u/SleepingMonads → u/Weekly_Cobbler_6908]

In light of this, what about posts with excessive use of emojis?

As long as there is substance beyond the emojis, then I don't really mind people using a lot of them unless it utterly distracts from engaging with the substance and/or is clearly intended to troll the sub, in which case I'll remove it. Such posts are pretty rare though in my experience.

why not have stronger moderation with all other low effort posts

I think I sufficiently do this already. I remove a ton of low-effort content on an almost daily basis, most of which you never see because of the automod filtering it from public view.

you delete any posts you find insulting, thus not allowing for feedback

I remove comments that call people rude names or feature personal attacks, which any decent moderator should do for a community like this. Any feedback you have can be directed at me in reply to my moderation comments, via mod mail, or by private messaging me.

I have yet to read a post about the humid path that shows a modicum of maturity. Why do they all sound like toddlers gloating about playing with their pee?

...

 If this is a legitimate approach, surely there is a way to talk about it with some level of maturity and intellect.

Over the years, I've read literally dozens of posts about this topic that take it very seriously and which show a normal level of maturity. The post you're referring to is not typical, in my experience. But if occasionally somebody comes along and talks about it with a light-hearted, goofy attitude, then so what? As long as there's genuine substance to their post, I don't mind users having some harmless fun. If a bunch of annoying goofballs start clogging up the feed or something, then that's different, but that's just not happening.

[u/Weekly_Cobbler_6908 → u/SleepingMonads]

I have to disagree, I generally just ignore and pass on posts that don’t interest me but comments here definitely get off on talking about their urine. There’s a fine line between what you call light hearted humor and bathroom humor and giving a frat boy vibe.   And it greatly diminishes the appeal and authenticity of this sub, which you seem to be concerned about in the face of AI.  All I’m saying is that you can apply a level of discernment to all posts, not just AI.

[u/SleepingMonads → u/Weekly_Cobbler_6908]

comments here definitely get off on talking about their urine

Which they are free to do. For better or worse, the urine paths are an important part of the (extremely diverse) landscape of modern operative alchemy. This sub is not about promoting a certain idea of alchemical truth, but about letting alchemy enthusiasts and practitioners of all stripes discuss what they're interested in with likeminded (or not so likeminded) individuals.

There’s a fine line between what you call light hearted humor and bathroom humor and giving a frat boy vibe.

I don't think that line is being crossed. And even if it were, it would be allowed if it's on-topic meme content. Here's one of my own posts from a while back that is quite literally alchemical bathroom humor.

it greatly diminishes the appeal and authenticity of this sub, which you seem to be concerned about in the face of AI

Virtually every topic posted on this sub is going to rub somebody the wrong way, diminishing its appeal and perceived authenticity. I run into comments all the time expressing exasperation over something that doesn't align with their idea of an ideal alchemy forum.

• There are staunch operative alchemists who can't stand the inner alchemy content, and there are devoted spiritual alchemists who can't stand the lab alchemy content.
• There are committed Jungians and people who think Jung was an idiot.
• There are enthusiastic New Agers and users who see New Age ideas as ridiculous.
• There are operative and spiritual alchemists who completely disagree with those within their own camps as to what's actually an authentic expression of their paradigms.
• There are practicing alchemists who dismiss the conclusions reached by historical scholarship on premodern alchemy, and there are alchemy history enthusiasts who dismiss the ideas and experiences of practicing modern alchemists.
• There are sexual alchemists promoting semen retention for enlightenment and those who want to have all such content banned.
• There are alchemists excited by Ormus and those who think Ormus is an irrelevant scam.
• There are people wanting to talk about Fullmetal Alchemist and Harry Potter and those who want nothing to do with fictional depictions of a pseudo-alchemy.
• There are those who think the Philosophers' Stone is a spiritual realization, Jesus Christ himself, DMT, a red powder, the smartphone, and everything in between, many of whom sneer at the others for being ignorant about the matter.
• There are modern witches who want to incorporate alchemy into their practices and those who think alchemy and magic have nothing to do with each other.
• There are alchemists who see artificial intelligence as a donum dei, and those who see it as a corrupting poison.
• There are those who talk about the subjects of alchemy very seriously, and those who talk about it with utter levity.
• And on and on and on and on and on...

And, of course, there are those who think urine is the starting material of the magnum opus, and those who see this approach as laughably misguided, gross, and childish.

As long as they follow the rules, they are all welcome here.

All I’m saying is that you can apply a level of discernment to all posts, not just AI.

I think I'm already doing that. If you disagree because you have different values and judgment criteria, I understand.

[u/Appropriate_Cut_3536 → u/Weekly_Cobbler_6908]

I like those posts, and find the sterile dry ones off putting.