User:Orphan Wiki/Thoughts

I often find myself asking, 'Why do I persist in being a part of this Wikipedia community?' Well, it's a hobby. I enjoy making edits here and there, working on articles, reverting vandalism, keeping articles tidy and putting my thoughts out at RfA. I'd like to think what I am doing is appreciated and acknowledged, but I have a good time anyway.

I also have a life. Therefore, I very rarely spend a large amount of time on Wikipedia. I may amass a large number of edits rather swiftly whilst on RC Patrol, but if you look closely, I'm not one of those who sits patrolling for hours on end. To be frank, I just can't be bothered. And I have things to be doing in the real world, and people to be seeing in the real world. The real world is better than this place, and I'm unwilling to let myself get drawn further into this computerised and fake environment.

There are many problems with Wikipedia. The community is corrupt in many ways. This is most evident when it comes to dealing with requests for adminship. It is in that crippling, choking, hell-hole that the full extent of all bad things about Wikipedia are unveiled. I have seen hopeful candidates blasted for being honest, for displaying a userbox which identifies them as a certain religion, or atheist, or even for being gay! This is draconion. And very, very uneducated. Where's the democracy here? Where's the celebration of diversity?

I have also seen people getting pulled up for being humorous!!! For having a sense of humour! What would the world be like if no-one laughed, if we weren't allowed to smile? Why do some people, especially over at RfA have so much against laughter, which does nothing but serve to make others happy? Maybe happiness isn't allowed here. And that stinks.

Over at RfA, I've seen people get tossed by the wayside, stamped on, spat on, discarded by the "community" as worthless. I've seen better respect from vultures. Infact that sums RfA up - vultures surrounding and picking at a helpless animal's carcass. Even at the Help Desk, I have seen new users with queries treated dreadfully! By admins! You can't get more awful than that.

I don't hesitate from voicing my own opinion on things. In which case I won't back away from being honest on things that I disagree with completely, and which I think are wrong in the ways I've stated. I want to see a place where everyone is loved, where less experienced and new editors are welcomed with open arms, where experienced editors can get on regardless of what their userboxes and opinions define them as. I want to see a place where we're not sarcastic and rude to each other, but help each other, especially when we all make mistakes. I want to see only good things, laughter and happiness - THAT is a more constructive environment to work in and create than a hostile, severe climate.

Things have got a long way to go. Many Wikipedians are people that I respect, whereas there are others that do nothing for me, in the ways that I've mentioned above.

Right, rant over, go off and do something good here. Go and put a welcome template on a new user's talkpage. Go and support an RfA. If you oppose an RfA, put some kind words of encouragement, so they don't feel deflated. Go and crack a joke somewhere, providing its not completely inappropriate to do so. Share a virtual pint with someone you enjoy working with. Just exist to create a happy working environment. That's all. Orphan Wiki 13:05, 24 February 2011 (UTC)