User:Winkelvi

This user has Asperger's.

If you're here because of an editing issue or a revert I've made to one or more of your edits and you feel I've made an error, please leave me a civil message on my talk page.

Because being on the Autism Spectrum uffects everything I do (typo intentional), think, and say, whether it be in real life or on the internet, and since the reason why most people come to an editor's user space is to find out more about 'em, (typo intentional) I ask that you read the "The Autie Pact". Written beautifully by long-time editor User:ThatPeskyCommoner, the pact should be read by all neuro-typical Wikipedia editors in order to better understand how to work well and peacefully with non-neurotypical editors (such as myself). The pact is very complete, however, there are a couple of things I would add to them thar words frum Pesky (typos and grammatical errors intentional):

• Because those of us on the Spectrum are unfailingly "rule-followers", we are also honest to a fault. When we are accused of lying or intentionally being disruptive or not acting in good faith, it's quite hurtful.
• Because many of us on the spectrum have considerably higher-than-normal IQs and our brains often times run at break-neck speed, we can become "over-loaded" with data-input and information.
  • When that happens, we can either "snap" due to the stress and say or do something our normally logical brains wouldn't allow us to do;
  • or, we may implement coping strategies, one of which could be disengaging for a time from what is overloading and stressing us. This gives us time to analyze and work out what to do/say/think next.

When both the latter and former are employed, we appreciate it when those "around" us demonstrate patience while we may regroup. If we have only employed the former and have forgotten to be socially gracious, a gentle reminder to apologize to those we may have lashed out at is not a bad idea - if that apology is warranted. In the meantime, please don't pressure us while we are taking that time out. It only adds to our data overload.

Those of us on the spectrum who enjoy editing Wikipedia want pretty much the same thing the neurotypical editors want: to add to Wikipedia and have fun doing it. And to edit in peace. Because unwanted drama and the stress that goes with it sucks.

-- Winkelvi ● ✉ ✓

I'm noticing more and more a very disturbing and encroaching trend among editors -- mostly newer editors and young editors: no one seems to understand what an encyclopedia is, what encyclopedic tone is, what makes for encyclopedic content and what doesn't. It seems to me that with most reading outside of school being done on the internet these days, people under 30-or-so have no concept of the difference between tabloid content and true encyclopedic content is. More and more, new and/or younger editors think because it's sourced, it should be included in Wikipedia. Some believe (and this includes editors who have been here a while and know better) because it's news, it's article- or inclusion-worthy. Anything in the news belongs in Wikipedia. Anything that is quoted from an online source or a celebrity is reliable. They think anything found in a reliable source is automatically trustworthy and inclusive. This is what will continue more and more to be a real problem with Wikipedia and keep its reliability factor in the toilet. And all because some folks just don't know the difference between a true encyclopedia article and People Magazine.

An almost robotic recitation of "We only go by what the reliable sources say" when the reliable sources are really, really wrong. This, in part, is due to "news" being available anywhere on the internet and each news group vying to scoop the other. In the rush to post that news scoop, investigation for completeness and truth is lacking. That's on the news agency, of course, but it is also up to the Wikipedia editor to realize that just because a source is deemed reliable for Wikipedia purposes, they aren't infallible. This indicates not only a lack of common sense but a lack of honesty in editing. One would hope that with talk page discussion a compromise could be reached with the common sense solution prevailing. That is happening less and less in Wikipedia from what I can tell. Political agendas, personal agendas that are about opposing editors at any cost... the integrity of content in Wikipedia is forgotten or intentionally set aside for these purposes. It's disturbing, to say the least. Especially when, in the course of doing so, the importance of BLP guidelines are completely set aside.

Regarding Wikipedia's Good Article and Featured Article status': Before feeling all giddy that you have nominated an article for GA or FA status and such status was granted, remember it's a "distinction" that is contained solely within Wikipedia. In other words, no one's getting a Pulitzer or other journalistic prize with a GA/FA stamp of approval. GA and FA only mean that a Wikipedia editor who likely has no writing, journalistic, or editorial training had an article they have created/contributed to gone over, judged, and evaluated by another Wikipedia editor who likely has no writing, journalistic, or editorial training. Further, it's important to remember GA/FA is a within-Wikipedia "award". Which, in the real world means...

...nothing whatsoever.

Remember that next time you think you're all that because you have a (or another) GA or FA notch on your Wikipedia belt.

The following is taken from a talk page message left by a wise administrator following an editor block for continued and escalating personal attacks as well as incivility and battleground behavior. I find what he has to say to be the best explanation yet of why remaining civil and cooperative in Wikipedia is the imperative gold standard:

"Wikipedia is an encyclopedia created not by any one individual, but by a cooperative community. It is mandatory that you cooperate with the community in editing Wikipedia. Attacking people and insulting them incessantly, as you have done, serves no good purpose. It disrupts the community, it drives people away from the discussions, and in the long term degrades the value of your own contributions."

Another administrator quote that contains more truism and sage advice:

"...administrators don't care about your content dispute. Administrative tools are intended to prevent disruption."

Not an administrator who wrote this, but it's some of the best and most completely accurate analysis of how difficult Wikipedia can be and what one can do to survive it:

"It's time to start building bridges and coalitions composed of editors who will no longer stand idle while others are being attacked and denigrated. Just be mindful of...how the opposition will stalk and target your articles, try to get you involved in an edit war, and make up a rationale for blocking you. Don't be fooled by this game. To avoid falling for this trap, don't make any reverts and use the talk page to engage in calm talk. If you must revert, do so only once a day, if at all. Don't respond to incivility with incivility, respond with kindness and a polite reminder about the civility policy. Understand that some editors have antisocial attitudes, others are drunk or on drugs, and still others have psychological problems that we can't address. Above all, remain true to yourself and stay above the fray. If you can't avoid conflict, reach out to likeminded editors and admins for support. Find allies and make friends, and stay positive."

And finally, more great advice that I will refer back to from time to time, no doubt:

"...do not respond here or elsewhere to accusations about behavior; keep playing the ball, not the man. It's all about the bass--the rest is just so much treble."

(Yeah - damn that signal-to-noise ratio, anyway!)

Regarding edit warring: Not always so cut-and-dried. For example, if you are repeatedly reverting someone you point a finger at and accuse of being an edit warrior - guess what? You're being an edit warrior, too. Duh.

Wikipedia is all about teamwork. It's not about winning or delivering a "Checkmate!". Editors must work together to build a reliable encyclopedia, not try to prove themselves to be "better" than others, not to show off grammar and writing skills and knowledge of language. Just to improve the encyclopedia with others who are here to do the same.

In the spirit of teamwork and Wikipedia working as much like a well-maintained engine as possible, I believe administrators should be a good example and here to help -- sadly, this isn't always what happens. I've seen some administrators who are kind, patient, and bend over backward to retain good editors. I've also seen some administrators who behave disruptively and treat Wikipedia's volunteer editors with unbridled disrespect and animosity, even when undeserved. That's not how cooperation is modeled or encouraged.

Prevention, not punishment. Working together, not winning. Respect, not revilement. Resolution taken into your own hands rather than running to noticeboards and talk pages whining and posting a laundry list of reversion diffs or record of past infractions, errors, and perceived wrongs. Keep the long-term goal in mind. Do your part to make things better and the rest will fall into place. Divas and chronic victims need not apply.