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User:NoSeptember/Adminship is a big deal

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Note: In the essay below, my conclusion that Adminship is a big deal is based on the evidence as I interpret it, not a reflection of how I feel adminship should be perceived.

It is common to hear the 2003 quote by Jimbo Wales in reference to adminship (sysop is the technical name for adminship):

What adminship should be and what it is are two different things. The community's view of the importance of handing out adminships is shown daily at the WP:RFA page. Currently, it is clear from WP:RFA, adminship is a big deal despite the hopes of many that it would remain not a big deal.

Evidence:

  • desysopping and resysoppings.
  • People who have left WP (or threatened to) over adminship status.
  • RfA Oppose votes (reasons for)
  • Radiant's observation

Solutions:

  • Consensus should be for change in the status quo, so to desysop someone should require a consensus to desysop, not a consensus to sysop.
  • The ArbCom is not correct to say that they are giving the community the choice over a desysopped admin, because it is the ArbCom that has decided which sysops to subject to an RfA and who not to. (Well over a hundred of the current admins would fail to pass RfA if they had to go through it now)
  • One picks up enemies when engaged in any administrative position. The failure of past ArbCom members to be reelected shows that no one is immune. Failure to win a second time (in ArbCom or as an Admin) is a measure of your involvement (picking up enemies) rather than a measure of your suitability for the job.
  • Other sanctions can be applied. If adminship should be no big deal, then why not temporarily revoke it as a punishment, rather than require an unrealistic resysopping hurdle.