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I can't put my finger on why it is that I don't edit enwiki or [[Wikimedia Meta-Wiki]] anymore, but it might simply be that I have similar sentiments to what MZMcBride expressed at a debate about an unrelated matter about which, having done no research to ascertain the merits, or lack thereof, of the arguments put forth, I can render no well-informed opinion, [[Meta-Wiki:Meta:Requests_for_bureaucratship/MZMcBride]]: "I'm much more disappointed in the . . . votes here from users I respect . . . . As I've watched this discussion unfold over the past day, I find myself wanting more and more to disengage . . . as I no longer want to be as closely associated with many of those who have become the regulars here. A wiki's culture is certainly expected to change over time, but it's becoming clearer to me that . . . the culture isn't improving. . . . This request was my attempt to volunteer to help out, but the vindictiveness, hypocrisy, and stupidity of some of those who have posted here make me question my overall involvement here." In my case, the disappointing votes were those cast by ArbCom members and certain of those who weighed in at [http://childwiki.net/wiki/Miscellany:Leucosticte's_account_of_his_5_March_2014_block_from_Meta-Wiki a March 2014 request for help], but the principle is the same. | I can't put my finger on why it is that I don't edit enwiki or [[Wikimedia Meta-Wiki]] anymore, but it might simply be that I have similar sentiments to what MZMcBride expressed at a debate about an unrelated matter about which, having done no research to ascertain the merits, or lack thereof, of the arguments put forth, I can render no well-informed opinion, [[Meta-Wiki:Meta:Requests_for_bureaucratship/MZMcBride]]: "I'm much more disappointed in the . . . votes here from users I respect . . . . As I've watched this discussion unfold over the past day, I find myself wanting more and more to disengage . . . as I no longer want to be as closely associated with many of those who have become the regulars here. A wiki's culture is certainly expected to change over time, but it's becoming clearer to me that . . . the culture isn't improving. . . . This request was my attempt to volunteer to help out, but the vindictiveness, hypocrisy, and stupidity of some of those who have posted here make me question my overall involvement here." In my case, the disappointing votes were those cast by ArbCom members and certain of those who weighed in at [http://childwiki.net/wiki/Miscellany:Leucosticte's_account_of_his_5_March_2014_block_from_Meta-Wiki a March 2014 request for help], but the principle is the same. | ||
Some people will put up with a lot of what they regard as mistreatment on these wikis out of the belief that they shouldn't give in by letting people drive them out; they should instead try to turn the tide or at least do what good they can within the framework of the existing system and culture, flawed as it may be. I'm not sure what makes people finally change their minds and leave. It may be that other alternative forums and venues have opened up on the Internet for people to share information (e.g. Quora, third-party wikis, even Facebook), and so Wikipedia doesn't seem as important as it used to. On the other hand, Wikipedia remains a top-ten website and one of the most effective ways of sharing information with the world, for those who are willing to put up with the BS; the same usually can't be said of those alternatives. | Some people will put up with a lot of what they regard as mistreatment on these wikis out of the belief that they shouldn't give in by letting people drive them out; they should instead try to turn the tide or at least do what good they can within the framework of the existing system and culture, flawed as it may be. I'm not sure what makes people finally change their minds and leave. It may be that other alternative forums and venues have opened up on the Internet for people to share information (e.g. [[wp:Quora|Quora]], third-party wikis, even Facebook), and so Wikipedia doesn't seem as important as it used to. On the other hand, Wikipedia remains a top-ten website and one of the most effective ways of sharing information with the world, for those who are willing to put up with the BS; the same usually can't be said of those alternatives. | ||
It could also be that enwiki and meta's cultures have become less forgiving of mistakes, misbehavior, and even dissent, and the prospects of those cultures' becoming more tolerant in the future have become ever dimmer (due, I think, to [http://meta.inclumedia.org/wiki/Sanger%27s_Law Sanger's Law]), so that there is less incentive to contribute. If you know that there is no path to redemption in which one could, by establishing a recent track record of good contributions, having the same opportunities as other editors for achieving respect and the other rewards of being an editor, then there is less incentive to come back. But I'm not sure how much people care about those rewards; wiki editing always was mostly thankless, but people did it anyway because it was addictive and they were obsessed. | It could also be that enwiki and meta's cultures have become less forgiving of mistakes, misbehavior, and even dissent, and the prospects of those cultures' becoming more tolerant in the future have become ever dimmer (due, I think, to [http://meta.inclumedia.org/wiki/Sanger%27s_Law Sanger's Law]), so that there is less incentive to contribute. If you know that there is no path to redemption in which one could, by establishing a recent track record of good contributions, having the same opportunities as other editors for achieving respect and the other rewards of being an editor, then there is less incentive to come back. But I'm not sure how much people care about those rewards; wiki editing always was mostly thankless, but people did it anyway because it was addictive and they were obsessed. | ||