User:MichaelMaggs/Trivia explanation
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- Hi xxxx. If you have a look at MOS:CULTURALREFS, you'll see the requirements for a cultural reference to be significant enough to include within the encyclopedia. This is part of Wikipedia's Manual of Style, a formal Guideline which sets out best practices that are supported by editor consensus. Editors must attempt to follow guidelines, though there may be occasional exceptions.
- As you'll see, cultural mentions – such as the one you added – should not be included merely because they exist. Secondary sourcing is required, and if nothing is available other than a brief mention, and then the cultural reference should not be included in the article at all. We don't aim for comprehensiveness in the way that a fan site might; rather, we are looking for items that contribute significantly to an encyclopedic understanding of the main topic.
- You've no doubt noticed that we have many articles with trivial references that don't comply with these guidelines. That's partly because in the early days of Wikipedia lists of trivia were quite common, and it is only more recently that standards have been tightened up. With millions of articles to be curated, and the continual addition of trivia by new editors who may not yet be aware of the guidelines, there is indeed quite a lot of material that, strictly speaking, should not be here. However, the fact that some articles contain problematic content cannot be used as an argument for supporting the addition of similar content in other articles - see WP:OTHERCONTENT. Gradually, trivia is being weeded out and articles improved.
- I hope that helps. Do ask if anything isn't clear.