 | This is anessay on theDisruptive editing guideline. It contains the advice or opinions of one or more Wikipedia contributors. This page is not an encyclopedia article, nor is it one ofWikipedia's policies or guidelines, as it has not beenthoroughly vetted by the community. Some essays represent widespread norms; others only represent minority viewpoints. |
 | This page in a nutshell: If a debate has died,don't revive it. |
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There comes a point in everydebate where the debate itself has come to a natural end. You may have won the debate, you may have lost the debate, or you may have found yourself in a long, drawn-out draw. At this point, you shoulddrop the stick and back slowly away from the horse carcass.
If a debate, discussion, or general exchange of views has come toa natural end through one party having "won" or (more likely) the community havinglost interest in the entire thing, then no matter which side you were on, you should walk away.
If you don't, if you continue toflog the poor old debate, if you try to reopen it, if you continually refer to old news, if you parade your triumph in the faces of others ... you're not reallywinning friends and influencing people. Instead, you are annoying everyone nearby.
So, the next time you find yourself standing over the body of a clearly deceased horse: please don't beat it. It won't help. There is no way to beat a dead horse back to life. Let the poor animal rest in peace.
