Board Thread:Wiki Discussion/@comment-1073312-20140816013529

After discussion with Angrybirds, DrodoEmpire, regulars on IRC as well as other administrators, we have all to come the same conclusion, that the reality is, there are factions on the wiki. It is no-one's fault really, they likely begun under our noses, which grew out of user relations and groups of friends on the wiki (and an influx of new users), and differing methods of playing in the fiction universe. Its no surprise that over time, if the groups didn't integrate properly, they become mistrustful (I can think of real world correlations, maybe it is human nature).

Of course, eventually one faction is going to do something the other doesn't like. And once suspicion settles in, arguments become unresolvable (or won by the bigger faction, which makes the losers feel oppressed). No matter what anyone says, it could be misunderstood or misrepresented by either. Again, like we've talked about on my blog, something is lost in translation.

After a discussion betweeb Angrybirds and I, we eventually agreed that using faction-based motivations are a bad idea for making revolutionary changes on the wiki. Its only going to be considered an act of war by some, or unconstructive by others. Was the last incident an example? I have no clue, neither faction convinces each other or even convinces me. But one thing was missing, and that was thinking about how it effects the community at large. Maybe in-universe things shouldn't? The important reality is that it does.

So can anything be done? I think so, the wiki didn't always have this problem, Wikipedia doesn't when making a consensus. We have made tougher decisions than the Gigaquadrant conflicts, but its easy to spark anything now. In my opinion, community spirit has been forgotten. My idea is that we create some new projects, we get the whole wiki involved, encourage debate and contribution, and encourage idea that we are putting the wiki first. We must feel like we are on same footing, that we don't need to compete and are all at the same level. We shouldn't gang up on each other - if we have rival ideas, they should be argued on how they work better through public forums (rather than some silly poll). Maybe I'm wrong on this forum for example, rather than dismissing it or confusing my message, be bold in making a comment, and one which helps the goal. We could mention our feelings too, feelings and attitudes are playing huge roles in this horrible infection, and its horrible because we will NEVER be able to have community-wide projects (not just of the fiction universe) in the future, and it will lead to more bad feeling.

Factions are causing a great mess, we need to the dissolve them. Not by attacking factions through confrontation or retaliation (except maybe when they are causing too much disruption to everyone including those not involved). We need to kill the idea, otherwise, like Hercules and the Hydra, arguments will breed arguments (and mistrust). It will end up factionising the next generation.

I think we should not tolerate and reject faction-based motivations eventually. We have a better method of resolving problems and making decisions. 