User:Gracenotes/Wikiphilosophy

The below is what I was going to post to here, but it really doesn't belong there. So here is basically my Wikipedia editing philosophy, stated vaguely and not in terms of any groups (like deletionist or exopedian). It may change soon, and may be one day organized to become an essay.

I believe, basically, that the diversity of Wikipedia is what makes it successful. I'm not referring to the content; rather, to the functions that users choose to take. My goal is to revert vandalism and to add substantial content, of course wikignoming whenever possible. I can never make Wikipedia perfect. I do have a hard time walking away from mediocrity, but that doesn't make me entired deletionist. Yet.

On Esperanza and Wikipedia in General
I would be gladder, perhaps, if Esperanza was a philosophy and not, essentially, a club. (This is oversimplifying a lot.) That's why I joined Esperanza: because I agreed that Wikipedia should be a... well... I'm not sure if there's a word to describe it. Home? Family? Community? Geez; I'm getting into emotional fuzziness. Perhaps an intelligent family. However, you do not know how much I appreciate an orange box at the top of a page whilst browsing (see my my talk page for evidence). I've come to the conclusion that by going for hardcore research, adding to Wikipedia constructively, and doing things other than reverting vandalism in a quiet corner, that sort of "interacting socially" goodness is what Wikipedia is. The same sort of stuff associated with making an FA.

If I may use an analogy: It's not merely the fact that people are engaging in conversation while standing around in esoteric circles. It's that they're engaging in conversations while running, in the same direction, towards some-thing. Esperanza is a good place to relax and not have your heart beating at 180 bpm (intellectually) all the time, although some people can get too cozy. There is nothing wrong with games and fun, and the balance between relaxing and running is exigent.

Of course, Wikipedia is not a maximum-efficiency organization. Unless you're literally employed by Wikimedia, Wikipedia can only be a hobby; albeit a serious one.

The Role of games on Wikipedia
A while ago I understood neutrally, but did not hold, the position that games on Wikipedia could possibly be distracting. Sadly, I zoomed out from viewing Wikipedia locally to see the whole picture, and this is what I beheld. I'll eventually be guilty of any wikicrime I can dream up. (Emphatically: besides vandalism.) No user is indebted to give anything to Wikipedia. The relaxing/running balance is important.

Wiki Compass
Suggestion, before I forget: make a Wikipedia policy test (similar to Political Compass) To classify people under editing philosophies.