[ais523: still consider your role to be primary author if you want to take it from here. Just such a good idea wanted to help get it out].
Promises v0.2 [A fleshed-out version of ais523's idea. The Tree is a method of making pledges to all Agorans.] [Note: Does this have to be power-3 to get around R2170? Discuss.] Create a rule (power -2 or -3): A Promise is an asset created as described by this rule. Horton is an Office and the recordkeepor for promises; Horton's weekly report includes the text, author, liquidity, and owner of all existing promises. The Tree is an entity for holding promises. A Player (the promise's author) CAN create a promise by publishing the text of the promise with clear intent that this text is meant to be a promise. Optionally, the author CAN, in the creating message, specify that the promise is created in the possession of another entity that CAN own it, and that the asset is fixed (if not specified, the default is that the promise is created in the author's possession, and is liquid). Promises with the same text, author, and liquidity are fungible. The creation, transferring, cashing, and destruction of promises is secured. Create a rule called "cashing promises" (power -2 or -3): A Player CAN cash a promise in eir possession by announcing that e does so, unless the text of the promise makes it IMPOSSIBLE; e must clearly identify the promise and SHOULD publish its text. When a promise is cashed, the text of the promise is interpreted as if it were published by the author as a standalone statement; if that statement requires additional context, that context MUST be supplied within the body of the message indicating the cashing. Any player CAN destroy a promise in eir possession without cashing it, by announcement. If a transfer is possessed by the Tree, any player except the promise's author CAN transfer it to emself by announcement, if e cashes the promise in the same message in which e transfers it to emself. Notwithstanding other rules or other provisions of this rule, nested or circular promises, wherin the promise's text purports to create, destroy, or cash another promise, CANNOT be cashed. Horton CAN destroy any promise Without Objection. -------------------------------------------------------------------
