Wikipedia:The essence of Wikipedia

The essence of Wikipedia is the harnessing of the collective intelligence and collaborative efforts of editors who hold opposing points of view, in an attempt to preserve all serious contributions which are reliably sourced. The aim is the progressive building of more and better neutral point of view (NPOV) encyclopedic content.

Collective intelligence


Wikipedia is based on the idea that "No one knows everything, but everyone knows something," and when editors get together and collaboratively bring what they have to the talk page "negotiating table", a fuller picture emerges, much greater than any one of them could envision. Editors should seek to merge their content with that of others. The editor and article will benefit from this process. This is the only way we can approach Wikipedia's goal of documenting "the sum total of human knowledge", as it is found in reliable sources (RS). Historical growth of concept networks in Wikipedia has been analyzed in the journal, Collective Intelligence.

Collaboration
Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy "Jimbo" Wales has stated that "The essence of wiki is a collaborative editing process,..." Collaboration between editors who hold opposing points of view (POV) is essential to a healthy editing environment and the development of good NPOV content. When all is said and done, proper content will likely tend to offend editors (and readers) on the extreme ends of the POV spectrum, and that is a good sign. If the editors understand NPOV, they will resist the temptation to change that delicate balance. If content is reliably sourced, then they should be very careful not to carelessly delete it. The best content is developed when editors who hold opposing POV come to the talk page and bring their best evidence (RS). Since each will be familiar with sources unknown to the other, all significant POV will be represented and have a chance for inclusion.

Preservation
We are trying to build, not break down, the encyclopedia, so rather than remove reliably sourced content (such removal is often seen as vandalism), try to frame it better. When in doubt, do not just delete it, but instead take it to the talk page for discussion. By following WP:PRESERVE, we honor the efforts of all editors who are trying to do their part. Failure to do so denigrates other editors' efforts, discourages them, and violates the spirit of Wikipedia.

As we each do our part, even though we may not see the merits of why someone else added something, we should try to see things from their perspective and try to preserve it (unless it grossly violates policy). Often it just needs better framing or a better source. The whole is much greater and larger than the part we add or can see, and Wikipedia is made less when we remove what others have added. Try to imagine that your best efforts were being trashed; then apply the Golden Rule and honor others' efforts as you would want them to honor yours.