Wikipedia:Don't waste your time in Wikipedia
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This is an essay. It contains the advice or opinions of one or more Wikipedia contributors. This page is not an encyclopedia article, nor is it one of Wikipedia's policies or guidelines, as it has not been thoroughly vetted by the community. Some essays represent widespread norms; others only represent minority viewpoints. |
Wikipedia is a difficult editing environment. This is for a number of reasons.
- Editing on-wiki leads to development of addiction and stress. No, this is not a joke. If you wish to contribute, please take it easy and remember about more important things in your life.
- Wikipedia is not really an encyclopedia because it takes no responsibility for its content. However, this is the most important educational resource on the internet. A lot of people contribute here to glorify their country, make other people aware of social and historical injustices, to support their personal beliefs, earn a few bucks or to promote products, rather than to contribute to encyclopedia. This is one of the reasons leading to the scorched earth in numerous subject areas, outing and real life consequences.
- This place has no editorial boards. There are no efficient dispute resolution procedures beyond simply explaining and discussing your edits and asking for 3rd opinion. Avoid contentious community discussions and editing any subjects that are controlled by outside political organizations or individual activists. Otherwise, you will be eaten by wikitigers, beaten by wikigangs, identified by wikispies, defamed on external websites, and possibly restricted and banned.
- This is the place where everyone can edit. Everyone. Do you really want to collaborate with users X,Y,Z? This is a serious concern given that collaborating with people who intentionally disinform readers or suppress undesirable information is akin to scientific misconduct or worse. It well may happen that you strongly despise some contributors. If that happens, it will be best to avoid them or stop editing contentious subjects.
- Finally, this place is full of chronophages. Do not let them waste your time, and do not be a chronophage yourself.