But they do help to form a sense of wikimedian
community which is good
for the wikimedia projects and helps further its goals.
Sorry, you may have noticed that I am arguing both sides of this
issue. I'm not trolling, I just see the arguments of both sides and
can't decide on a position. But then i'm like that on most issues.
paz,
-rjs.
==Who/what gets mocked?==
Let's say we say go for it and allow the creation of spoof news on April 1.
I honestly cannot imagine the depth of the flame wars when someone attempts
to spoof such news stories as Iraq, Bush, same-sex marriage, Christianity,
Islam, the execution of Saddam Hussein, sex crimes, tsunamis, 9/11, fake
obituaries, illegal immigration, female circumcision...
Of course the community would have to decide was is appropriate and was is
inappropriate humor - and why..
I'd rather somersault blindfolded through mine fields while juggling hand
live grenades than participate in any of those messes.
==Wiki-myopia==
In my near 2-decades as a professional journalist, one of the main problems
news teams had was of being too myopic in that they forgot that they were
creating product for use by others who didn't understand - or even disagreed
with - the prevailing opinions and attitudes within the newsroom community.
I think we need to remind ourselves that as Wikinewsies and Wikipedians we
are making something to be used by other people more so than by ourselves.
Are people really coming to Wiki* to read original fiction by amateur
humorists? I wouldn't bet money on it.
==Building vs. unnecessary strife==
In addition, I am not sure that the end result will be community-building
more than community harming inasmuch as "foolery" requires that there be
intentional mockery, insult or disrespect to some established cultural norm.
In my experience with writing humor, unless *all* of the participants are of
a similar culture/nationality or have similar socioeconomic/political
experiences, there will be negative conflict and much in-fighting and
fragmentation.
We've seen all-out wars among on high-profile entries when there is fact
against opinion. Imagine the battles of opinion against opinion when we
endorse the mockery of others.
--
David Speakman
http://www.DavidSpeakman.com
501 Moorpark Way #83
Mountain View CA 94041