DefaultTrust (DT) — The Inner Circle

DefaultTrust is the curated set of accounts whose trust feedback is visible by default to every viewer. Understanding DT is understanding how trust actually propagates on the forum.

The mechanic

When you click any user's Trust tab, you see:

1. Trust feedback from people in DT-1
2. Trust feedback from people in DT-2 (trusted by someone in DT-1)

Anyone outside this web is invisible by default.

Who's in DT

DT membership is curated by existing DT members. Each DT member maintains their own trust list. A user is "in DT" when enough DT members include them.

There's no application process. There's no theymos-anointed list. It's emergent — long-tenured, well-judged accounts vote with their trust lists.

Some DT members joined in 2013 and never left. Others rotate in and out as the community's judgement shifts.

What DT trust means

Positive trust from a DT member: A small but real signal of vouching. After 5-10 positives, you become a credible counterparty.

Negative trust from a DT member: A large signal. Often corroborated by other DT members reviewing the case. Effectively caps your earning capacity until resolved.

Distrust on a DT member: Possible. If enough DT members distrust someone, that person leaves DT.

How to think about DT as a newcomer

You won't be in DT for years (if ever). What matters:

1. Don't earn DT red trust. Be careful in trades, don't lie about anything material, don't wear scam signatures.
2. Build a public record of clean transactions. Successfully complete small trades; earn organic positive feedback.
3. Read the Reputation board weekly. That's where DT decisions play out publicly. You'll learn faster from one hour there than any guide.

Common misconceptions

"DT is a cabal that decides who succeeds." DT influences trust visibility, not whether you can post or trade. Plenty of users earn well outside DT view.

"theymos appoints DT." He doesn't. DT is self-electing among long-term members.

"I can complain my way out of red DT trust." Almost never works. Evidence-based resolution does.

When DT gets it wrong

DT is imperfect. Sometimes a DT member leaves bad feedback in error or with insufficient evidence. The path:

1. Reply in the reference thread with your side + evidence
2. Post in the Reputation board calmly, with full context
3. Let other DT members evaluate and weigh in
4. Bad DT feedback gets challenged + sometimes removed

This is slow. Days to weeks. Don't expect instant fixes.