 | This is a humorousessay. It containshumorous advice or opinions of one or more Wikipedia contributors and isn't meant to be taken seriously. This is not an encyclopedia article or one ofWikipedia's policies or guidelines and may not representcommunity consensus. |
 | This page in a nutshell: It's not justany BS that makes the world go 'round – it's the BS werespect that makes the world turn. Respect for Wikipedia from the outside is growing each day, day in and day out! |
R-e-s-p-e-c-t – it's not justanyBS that makes the world go 'round – it's only BS werespect that makes the world go 'round. It takes a lot of time and work to earn respect, and just one foolish act can cause the loss of respect. As editors, we generally respect this encyclopedia; however, what about outside Wikipedia?
Would you hold a paper clip with your bare fingers and insert it into an electrical wall outlet? If you do, the odds are much better than fifty-fifty that you will receive a very nasty electric shock. It is likely that you are aware of this fact – youknow what would probably happen. So you don't insert a paper clip into a wall outletnot because you "fear" electricity, but because yourespect it. Yeah, I know, not what you expected. Well, fuck it. There, okay?
I don't get no respect – no respect at all. I told my doctor I wanna stop aging. He gave me a gun.
IfWikipedia could speak, it is just witty enough to upstage the late, illustrious Dangerfield and might in fact say...
There is little respect for me in the academic world. I am edited and improved by a vast community that comprises anyone and everyone who wants to do so, regardless of background, who they are, or where in the world they may be. Little respect for me in academia?Big surprise!
Now, we all know that respect is not easy to come by. It can be earned only through long periods of trusted behavior and can be extinguished overnight by one untrustworthy act. No matter how we might measure respect, the one thread that weaves itself in and out of the fabric of philosophical time and study is that there can be no respect from others unless and until there is self-respect.
So, the question arises... is the product of a reference-work project such asWikipedia capable of such a thing as self-respect?
I can win an argument on any topic, against any opponent. People know this, and steer clear of me at parties. Often, as a sign of their great respect, they don't even invite me.
One contributor toWikipedia asks...
By an unconscious self-parody I mean a poem or a passage in which the author is both characteristically and unintentionally absurd. I regret it has not been possible to include anyCarlyle because, when I came to look through that fulgurating prose again after a happy lapse of thirty years since I had to read it in Freshman English at Yale, I discovered it wasall self-parody.
— Dwight Macdonald,Parodies, p. 474
While Macdonald's trenchant style seems to rival Carlyle's, KW makes a good point. Often I read on some talk page from another editor howWikipedia just isn't respected out there in "polite society". A whine is a whine, and perhaps the problem is that we don't have any cheese to go with that whine? ...that we don't just focus on improvement ofWikipedia and stop whining about how it (we) "don't get no respect"?
Another aspect of self-respect on Wikipedia is how Wikipedians communicate with each other. Article readers can easily see this by clicking on the Talk page link. Too many discussions on subjects large and small are frought withincivility, the ignoring of afundamental principle on Wikipedia and evenmild to strong personal disrespect. When readers see this on an article's talk page, what must they think? What would YOU think in their shoes? The key to the construction of a powerful, lasting andrespected reference work is civil communication among editors, particularly since there are so many of us all over the world.
Recently, while I helped a new contributor, RQ, who wanted to do the best job they possibly could on an article, they all of a sudden reared up and blurted, "What if I'm just wasting my time? What if we're all just wasting our time?" The following ensued...
So it does appear thatWikipedia continues to gain respectability among the young students who will shape the coming world. And if that thought keeps you awake at night, try some Carlyle or Macdonald. Sweet dreams!
Some really good BS can be found atWikipedia:Department of Fun and atWikipedia:Expect no thanks. So here's a gentle reminder that even though as editors we are not expected to show nor receive gratitude, it's just a lot of f u n to do so! (and might just have a good effect on us)