User:Ched/communication

Text vs. Voice
There have been many arguments generated over a POV, perceived insult, or even a technical issue when it comes to communications. Often the results of the edit wars end with someone admitting in some form or another "I didn't know", or "I didn't mean it that way".

After years of chat rooms, blogs, forums, IM's and various other e-Communication, I can safely say that while technology can be great in many areas, it does lack a certain personal touch. We can't see "WHO" is on the other end of (in this case) an edit. It may be a 12 year old girl who is growing out of webkinz and getting her feet wet in "Information Dissemination" - or it could be a 60 year old Vet taking his (or her) first "technology" shot at trying to leave some of the years of knowledge to those who follow.

We can't see a smile on someone's face as they type a cute (albeit sarcastic) reply. We can't see the 12+ hours of frustration on an administrators face as he/she tries keep vandals at bay, and keep the wiki-information relevant and tidy. We see the words that are written, the edit summary, and all too often jump to the wrong conclusions. Sarcasm isn't easily portrayed in the written word, and it's even less easily understood. Perhaps I'm lucky in that I have spent part of my life in both worlds ... both the old fashioned world of talking to a person face to face, and the wonderful new world of IT "type it now, it's on the web forever with a key stroke".

We can't know the experience level, the background, the age, or even the issues that are most passionate to the person who is reading what we write. I honestly feel that 80 - 90% of the people here (and on the Internet in general) are trying to make the world a better place. I know I've only been editing here (at wikipedia) November 2008, but I'd just ask that ALL editors (new and experienced alike) remember that there is no voice inflection in the written word. Sometimes the choice of a single word or phrase can catch an unsuspecting reader by surprise. Simply typing things like "Yea, right", "Whatever", or "Sure" can have a tremendous impact on a person you've never met that is reading through a reply, question, or statement. A computer screen can not convey "sarcasm", "joy", "frustration", "laughter", or "anger" ... but often a person reading the words will pull those emotions INTO what is being conveyed. THEY may have just had an argument with a friend or spouse, or just a bad day of a boss's sarcastic 'off-the-cuff' remarks. At wikipedia, your audience may be a 10 or 12 year old child doing homework, or a disabled war veteran that hopes to share his life experiences.

Sometimes being tired, or just bored with the repetitiveness of editing can cause a person to take a short cut in their comments. Instead of typing, "that is interesting or cute, but it doesn't fit the situation" - you'll get "LOL" and "whatever". I'll plead guilty to that myself. What is typed in a moment, the enter key commits to the web forever.

Age
Expanding on the "age" issue; time will teach all of us that our perspective on any given subject will change over the years. While some seemingly unimportant battle during WWII may seem to be not particularly notable to person who wasn't born until the 70's or 80's - to the people who lived through that period of time, it may well have been a turning point to a conclusion. By the same token, a person in their early 20's may see a song by an American Idol contestant as "breakthrough", while someone who grew up with The Beatles, Elvis, or Bing Crosby may not understand what all the fuss is about. It should be easier for an older person to remember what it was like to be younger, but we should keep in mind, that hopefully, one day we will be older.

Time
Time can be a great equalizer in this fast paced world. Time turns great mountains into small hills, streams into canyons, and hopefully time can turn us all into not only better editors, but better communicators. Another issue with text vs. voice is time. When we talk to someone, they hear what we say then, but a week later, it's not quite so fresh in their mind. A month later, they may remember the gist of the conversation, but it's not often they remember the exact words. When text is written out, 'especially on a wiki, the words don't go away. People read them again and again, and they are as fresh as the day you said them. Even if your position or opinion has changed, the words that are written on a wiki, last forever - and can't be taken back. You can try to explain what you meant, but the first impression is always the strongest.

Life
Another aspect of time, it how big a part the computer communications have become in the real world. That is to say, that for many people, a wiki, or computer related communication system, may well be a very big part of a person's life. It may be of choice, that they simply prefer to communicate in this manner, and don't care to relate to people on a personal level. It may also be that circumstances force them to communicate in this manner. They may be home-bound, invalid, or forced to use the computer and text to communicate with the outside world for some other reason. When this is the case, you should take into account that the wiki page or project, may well be as important to them as a garden or restoring an old car is to someone who is more active in the outside world

Writers and Communicators
Sometimes the people who are best at the written word, are not always the best communicators. Some people are more comfortable reading, researching, and writing than they are conversing with another person. People who spend more time immersed in editing and underlying principles of Wikipedia, may not always be the most friendly responders to an edit. A "that doesn't belong here" or simply "you're wrong" doesn't always inspire a conversation on reaching compromise.

We all have information and experience to share with the world. Perhaps we are not all as eloquent as Abe Lincoln, as inventive as Ben Franklin, or as well schooled as a Harvard English professor.

I've seen new users put off when they get told that "It doesn't matter if it's true, only if documentation can be verified" Good heavens - when you put it that shortly, it sounds like "It depends on what is, is". But I digress. We readers have even seen (that discussion tab is GREAT) administrators battle with one another. "Be Bold, Ignore All Rules and go forth and edit" - whoa ... wait a second, where is the citation, can you verify it? Original Research? ... don't even get me started on that one. It often seems that the community its self can't decide whether to "include" or "limit" what should be here.

Keep it simple, and assume it's your grandmother or grandson on the other end of what you are writing. The better we censor ourselves the less the ISSUE of censorship and edit reverts will even come up. Try to write using words that express a neutral tone of voice, write as though you have no emotion at all and your are putting your thoughts down the way a robot would.

Admins
There are admins who spend the better part of their time simply deleting, protecting, and blocking. Granted, there is plenty out there that does need to be deleted, but maybe the 'deletionists' and the 'inclusionists' could swap roles for a week, just to get a taste of how the other half lives. But, I guess that's another topic better left for a blog than a "Don't Bite the newbies" (or admin for that matter) article.

Admins are people too; sure, there are a few that are on some sort of ego-trip, power-hungry, "it's my wiki" little drama in their own minds. But most of them are as common as any other editor, they've just been here a little longer, know a few more links and policies, and have a couple extra buttons to protect the rest of wiki-dom. They question themselves as much or more than any other editor. Many aren't even out of their 20's yet, so it's not reasonable to expect them to be "all-knowing" and perfect in every way.

Summary
I guess it's too late to make a long story short; but it would be helpful if there were just one or two pages that addressed those two points. Briefly and in language that a 12 year old can understand, but clearly enough an 80 year old can appreciate. Point new users to those two pages first, and include links at the end to all the policy pages, 5 pillars, NPOV, etc. that is needed to keep the organization running smoothly. New users don't need to be flooded with page after page of policy right off the bat. They will get there, and they will learn. If you are here as an editor, you are bound to pick up on the finer points over time. It's better to take the extra 2 minutes to say hi to a new user, compliment their efforts, and suggest some other reading, than to just type WP:V, WP:NPOV, etc. If a new user has positive feedback early, they will enjoy adding to the wiki as they learn.

Tips To Remember
What comes to mind about the mis-understandings in the wiki world.
 * Start Easy ... Link To Detailed Policy, but explain why you're throwing that link out there. I can see a newbie being a bit overwhelmed with rules, do this, sign that, don't delete this, POV that, not notable this, 5 pillars that, assume good faith ... well ... anyway I could go on for a while, but most of you know what I mean.
 * 1) . Be Nice to the other editors.
 * 2) . Don't edit someone ELSE's text on the talk/discussion pages.
 * 3) . Assume other editors are nice too - even if you don't agree with them, or they have a sense of humor you don't understand.
 * 4) . And don't revert more than once without explaining why, or more than 3 times in any given day.
 * 5) . And don't automatically take what other people type as an attack or insult directed at you. It may be simply their opinion of the material.

Review
Wikipedia is a website. A free, non-paying website. While it is a wonderful place to spend time when you are on the web, it is only one site of the billions out there. No one is getting paid to do what they do here. The editors add, edit, and even delete things here because they love the idea of free information for all. But, at the end of the day, Wikipedia is not going to put food on your table, fix your car, or make you a cup of chicken noodle soup when you're not feeling well. Remember not to take all that is said and done here as a personal attack, or a threat to your way of life. Humans are passionate, but they are not perfect. I'm not saying you shouldn't stand your ground on a given subject, but sometimes if you can't make peace, walking away is more logical and productive in the long run. Perhaps 2 hours of argument and reverting on article A, is better spent on expanding and improving articles B, C, and D. Article A will still be there the next day, and in the end, is it really that important? Especially when you have 5 pages bookmarked that agree with your own personal point of view?

Don't let the written words (that change often here) work their way into your heart in a way that you feel hurt. There are vandals and trolls out there that don't have productive outlets and use their time here in what they see as funny, baiting, enjoyment. The regular editors and admins are aware of this, and they do try to keep it from the mainstream articles that you and I most often read.

Parting Words
Remember, Wikipedia is only a website. If you see something wrong, try to fix it. If someone changes it, don't worry about it. If you make every effort to state your truth as you know it, and it is not accepted - remember, at one time, our ancestors believed that the world was flat, and the sun revolved around the earth. Smile, secure in your beliefs and knowledge, and move on. Remember, Wikipedia won't pay your bills*, clean your house, fix your car, or make you a cup of chicken noodle soup if you're sick. Don't let it break your heart or your spirit. Time and history will sort it all out.


 * Unless you happen have a name like Jimbo Wales. =)

My best to all. Ched (talk) 15:33, 7 January 2009 (UTC)