User:ThatPeskyCommoner/The Huge Benefits of OCD-for-Wikipedians
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In order to understand the enormous benefits that having (I won't say "suffering from", because it's a negative view) OCD, or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, one first has to understand the disorder itself. So click on that link.
To date, OCD has attracted almost-exclusively negative connotations. There is very little about it which is written from a neutral point of view.
Consider, first, its very name: Disorder. In order to be less negative, let us consider it not as a disorder, but as a specific talent, which, at what others might label "Severe" levels, we could instead redefine as genius levels.
The major criticisms of obsessive-compulsive behaviour are centred around the problems that it can cause when not correctly focussed and directed. These, however, are in fact extremely easy to cope with. All one has to do is to provide the required focus and direction.
Here in Wikipedia, we have numerous repetitive, boring, tedious, monotonous, thankless, and ceaseless activities which are ideally suited to those who have this particular talent.
Copy-editing articles for grammar and style where needed, researching for material necessary for adding citations (and then, obviously, adding them) to articles which need this work, correcting spelling and typographical errors, filling in bare urls, patrolling recent changes and new pages .... the list - fortunately for OCDers - is almost endless.
And we do it very, very well. Obsessively, compulsively, tirelessly, and perfectionistically well.
The huge benefits to Wikipedia are clear.
But there are also huge benefits to the OCDer. All these endless tasks give the OCDer a lifetime of enjoyment which:
- they are allowed - even encouraged - to do
- don't irritate other members of the family
- involve no self-mutilation
- are quiet and unobtrusive
- and don't waste the soap
Wikipedians who have discovered the endless entertainment which OCD can provide make excellent WikiGnomes, WikiElves, WikiFairies, and WikiWolfcubs seeking a hunting mission.