User:RobertG/Sanguine eventualism

Eventualists are described as those who focus on the long-term quality of Wikipedia rather than its immediate value. I hold this view. I describe myself as a sanguine eventualist: one who believes that the long-term quality and utility of Wikipedia will be considerable, no matter what. Just another form of wikifaith you may think.

But I also think that it will reflect the mores and attitudes of the community that built it. In other words, I think that the Wikipedia we end up with will be the one its contributors deserved.

In particular, a prevalence of rancour loses (or has lost) the encyclopedia an indispensable resource afforded by potential contributors (or existing contributors) of a reflective or peaceful inclination.

Various long-term trends and recent episodes prompted me to reflect, that's all. I am not setting any group of Wikipedians above any other, nor seeking to direct the community. That would not be at all sanguine.

I know which sort of Wikipedia I would prefer to produce, though.

By the way, I do not imagine that I come close to my own implied ideal of a "perfect Wikipedian".