User:Markworthen/sandbox/how-to-control

How to Control Article Content
If you want a Wikipedia article to convey the correct viewpoint or stance on a controversial topic, you can do so if you follow these recommendations.

Become a Wikipedia policies and procedures expert.

 * If you possess a superior understanding of WP:CITE, WP:MEDRS, WP:SCICITE, WP:BURDEN, and WP:SOURCES you can challenge many citations that would otherwise remain.
 * While you're at it, bolster the credibility of your favorite sources by explaining how they satisfy reliable sourcing criteria.

Persistence pays.

 * Wear down the opposition by relentlessly challenging edits that present an incorrect perspective on an issue. By "incorrect" I mean a perspective that you know is flawed even if it receives substantial support from scholars. Those scholars do not edit Wikipedia, so you don't have to worry about debating a genuine expert. You debate other editors who rely on the scholars' books or articles to support their perspective. Their perspective would likely prevail for the average article, partly because their citations to scholarly sources looks good. But you can eat away at those citations over time and thereby leech undesirable content from the article.
 * Most editors will give up in frustration if you keep pressing the issue--in a civil manner, of course.

Civility is a potent weapon.

 * Remain civil at all times. Master the art of using gracious, self-effacing verbiage to obscure your determination to crush the opposing editors' spirit.

Humiliate, demean, and disparage opposing editors.

 * Yes this one contradicts the previous tactic. But you will encounter opposing editors who will keep arguing with you--they understand the power of persistence. With these enemies you must launch a sustained campaign to humiliate, demean, and disparage. But you must do so in a manner that keeps you at the edge of acceptable behavior without blundering over the line into obviously improper conduct.
 * Fortunately Wikipedia policies will help you here. Although they probably did not intend it, the policy-makers created set of passive, goody-goody guidelines--they essentially encourage editors to turn the other cheek--that protect aggressive editors like me and you.
 * Learn how to veil passive aggressive attacks.

Take advantage of Bold, Revert, Discuss.

 * Revert edits that do not support your (clearly correct) perspective. If the other editor reverts, throw the WP:BRD policy at them. Imply that they are naïve noobs, immature malcontents, WikiOgres, or some other derogatory assignation, and you maintain the high ground, looking down at them. This one works like a charm!