Wikipedia:Assume funky goat

Assuming funky goat (AFG) means assuming that people are not deliberately trying to hurt Wikipedia, they are merely friendly, funky, spunky goats who are doing their very best.

This is a fundamental principle on Wikipedia. Most people try to help the project, and only fall short of this standard because they are in fact funky goats. Given the difficulties of typing using hooves, it is impressive that they get as far as they do.

When disagreement occurs, try as best you can to explain and resolve the problem. Clever is the goat who can see things from another's funky point of view. Even if it doesn't work, it will probably be rather funny to watch.

Even when others raise doubts as to whether a fellow editor is a funky goat, it is important to continue to believe. Be civil and follow dispute resolution procedures, all while giving editors the benefit of the doubt.

This guideline does not require that editors continue to assume funky goat in the presence of obvious evidence to the contrary (e.g. vandalism, or anything else decidedly un-funky and un-goat). Nor does assuming funky goat prohibit discussion and criticism; to the contrary, funky goats require lots of criticism to accomplish anything.

About funky goats
The goat or domestic goat (Capra hircus) is a domesticated species of goat-antelope typically kept as livestock. It was domesticated from the wild goat (C. aegagrus) of Southwest Asia and Eastern Europe. The goat is a member of the animal family Bovidae and the tribe Caprini, meaning it is closely related to the sheep, but they never call. There are over 300 distinct breeds of goat, of which 76 are certified funky. It is one of the oldest domesticated species of animal, according to the goats themselves, years ago. Goats have been used for milk, meat, fur, and skins across much of the world. Milk from funky goats is often turned into goat cheese.

In 2011, there were more than 924 million goats living in the world, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. It is estimated that approximately every third goat is "at least a little funky", and at least half of those goats truly know how to bring the funk. These bodacious bovidae are no doubt responsible for the lion's share of Wikipedia editing.

Funky goats and newcomers
It is important to be patient with newcomers, who will be unfamiliar with Wikipedia's culture and rules, but may nonetheless turn out to be valuable contributors. Goats, unfortunately, are not noted for their patience. Newcomers may also be skeptical that their fellow editors are also funky goats, and will demand proof of goat. Further, newcomers will often forget how important it is that we see each other as not just goats but funky goats, and may get hung up on the goat part to the detriment of their understanding of the funk. Repeated failure to assume funky goat will result in a loss of editing privileges.

Demonstrate funky goat
In addition to assuming funky goat, encourage others to assume funky goat by demonstrating your own funk, thus normalizing the presence of funky goats. You can do this by articulating your honest motives and your scruffy-yet-dependable fur coat as you groove to the funky beat. Showing funky goat is not required, but it aids smooth and successful interactions with editors.