 | This is anessay. 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 the dramas prevent you from improving or maintainingWikipedia,ignore them. WithIgnore all rules being Wikipedia's firstrule to consider, this should be thezeroth rule. |
Conflict is as addictive ascocaine, especially in a mature online community with a long history of grudges and pettyvendettas; and as the encyclopedia ages, the articles mature, becoming harder and harder to improve. Conflict is the most usual substitute satisfaction, and it can become a source of easy entertainment for even the most long-term Wikipedians to watch the latest fights on thenoticeboards, checking back again and again for witty ripostes and put-downs. It's much harder to write an encyclopedia article than it is to look through the latest shabby contributor's edits for evidence of wrongdoing, and write an indignant post about it.
A corollary to this rule, and a slightly nastier one, is this: ignore all drama queens. In any community of this size, there will be those whose primary contribution is to create and extend drama, and thereby call attention to themselves. They are often the least self-reflective of people, and the least likely to know that they themselves are a problem; and the best way to handle them is with a politesilence. Remember that not every stupidity requires an immediate answer; not everyconspiracy theory needs immediate refutation; not every accusation requires a defense; and not every loud voice needs any more attention than does the barking of the neighbor's dog. Any pile of bullshit eventually decomposes naturally. (Naturally, linking to this essay in a discussion isnot silence and is therefore disregarding its advice.)
We're still anencyclopedia, and we still need your help. Meanwhile, therequests for punishment,suggestions for the pillory, andlists of troublemakers for public humiliation and shaming are already well-staffed by those who love such places. Say something there only if you can say it well and politely, and ithelps all concerned, causing no further harm.