Wikipedia:Ignore all consequences



Ignore all consequences! This must be done as it is the basis of Ignore all rules, with the exception of ignoring the consequences of ignoring all rules.

WP:IAR feigns a pragmatism that only serves to highlight its contradictory nature as pure idealism. When, presented with a rule that says one should break all rules, the contradiction between breaking a "rule" which requires one to break all rules, thus requiring one to follow rules in order to break the rule against rules, immediately stands out.

Additionally, when presented with a rule which advises one to take action regardless of the personal consequences of breaking a rule in order to achieve pragmatic goals (in order to achieve consequences), the personal consequences of breaking a rule are the first things that comes to mind. This is then amplified by WP:IAR's claim that one must always keep in mind the consequences for Wikipedia, but ignore the consequences for one's self.

Very few people are willing to put themselves at risk to achieve real life goals such as ending segregation or gaining women the vote, but it is hard to say whether more or less people would be willing to put themselves at personal risk to improve an online encyclopedia.

If Wikipedia has no rules, but instead a shifting slippery slope of ever changing policies and guidelines, then the "rules" need not be ignored, but the policies and guidelines require extra attention and vigilance.