User:Enquiring

I am relatively new to this. I would like to contribute in a way that is conducive to people co-operating to give a balanced content in articles (is that the correct term?) I have quickly learnt to check out the discussion pages to find out how the content of articles are being edited, as it often seems there is an ongoing conflict regarding them. I would like to see the nature of this move more towards 'interested discussion' rather than debates which seem sometimes to get rather competitive or even aggressive. Also, it seems sometimes the 'average joe' feels moved to add a comment (talk pages) and can quickly recieve a scathing retort, which i find unnecessary. I would rather see a climate in which if someone makes a contribution they are responded to with understanding and a desire to provide explanation in a neutral manner without, for example, the derogatory or sarcastic criticism, i have sometimes observed. It sometimes seems to me one might need to be either rather courageous, or else highly unbendingly opinionated in order to dare to do so. My concern is that this might deter people of, for example, a gentler disposition from becoming involved even while they may have much of value to offer. I guess at this time i'd say i'd value a 'meeting of minds' rather than a 'battle of the minds'. Perhaps this view will alter as my experience continues. Enquiring (talk) 15:27, 4 August 2009 (UTC)