User:Kingsindian/Guide to discussions on WP

Here is my guide to discussions on WP. In a nutshell:
 * 1) WP:TLDR
 * 2) WP:TLDR
 * 3) WP:TLDR
 * 4) Everything else.

Remember that WP is a hobby. 90% of everything is crap. Even your biggest enemies are doing you a huge service by simply reading your comment. Respect them, and take the time to shorten your comment, in line with Pascal's insight.

For discussions involving admins, the guideline is triply important.
 * Admins are uninvolved; reading about an uninteresting subject is a chore.
 * Admins have seen it all before; your comment is likely to be useless.
 * Admins have narrowly defined powers and functions; most of your comment will be useless to them.

Rest of this document is about "everything else".

General comments

 * 1) Patience: The world will not stop turning if the WP:WRONGVERSION stays up a few more days.
 * 2) Cite wikipedia policies and guidelines: They are distillations of common arguments.
 * 3) Avoid appeals to emotion, ethics or politics: Nobody changes their mind about political or moral matters based on internet debates with strangers.
 * 4) Take a short break (or even count to 10) or sleep on it: Decrease your comment size by 50-100%.
 * 5) Editors have pride: If you have a superior argument, don't taunt, bludgeon or belittle others. Simply state the argument; if possible, understate it. Leave a ladder for the person to climb down the tall tree she may find herself on, without losing face.
 * 6) You are not required to respond or listen to every comment: Give your arguments just once or twice.
 * 7) Don't argue forever: Apart from being useless, it increases chances of WP:TLDR for observers. WP:3O is an under-appreciated tool. Other venues are given here.
 * 8) Last but not least, learn how to lose.

WP:AE

 * 1) If you are defending yourself, say as little as possible. The burden is on the person bringing the complaint to show her case. I have seen plenty of people punished based on their response to the complaint, and not on the complaint itself.
 * 2) Avoid responding to non-admins. You are wasting your time: admins will not read it. Also, it will increase chances of WP:TLDR.

WP:ANI

 * 1) Don't.
 * 2) See WP:ANI Advice.