[WikiEN-l] Could we use a chore wheel?

[Charlotte Webb]

On 10/15/07, Steve Bennett <stevagewp at gmail.com> wrote:
> IMHO that's a simplistic, very self-centered view of Wikipedians,
> prioritising immediate self-gratification over all else. Altruism is more
> complicated than that: If you've ever seen a good, functioning volunteer
> organisation, it's not "everyone, do whatever you feel like doing, we won't
> boss you around", it's "we can achieve something amazing if everyone pitches
> in. Team A, you will do X..."

No, I really believe that people prefer to help by doing things they
enjoy and which match their interests and skills. I also believe that
most people are better able to select appropriate work for themselves
(and subsequently perform it) than to select work for others (and/or
perform work selected for them by others). I don't believe I'm alone
in saying I would react with disinterest (or even umbrage) to
anybody's "you do this" list, whether it's hand-delivered or not.[1]
"Hobbyist" is, after all, a more comforting identity than
"uncompensated laborer".

> It's in the nature of people that we *do* like working, and being told what
> to do, if there is some reward.

There is always a slight reward, but it's usually a deeply personal
(and sometimes delicate) one.

Maybe you're doing something that you enjoy, so you have fun while
you're doing it. Maybe it gratifies your ego to behold the finished
product (be it a featured article, or a decent stub, or a compelling
edit count, or victory in a revert war, or Arbcom concluding that
you've done nothing wrong). Maybe you get recognized/quoted in a news
article about Wikipedia. Maybe you feel less lonely when random people
notice your edits, or expand a stub you created (the more obscure[2]
the topic is, the greater the reward!) Or maybe just the fulfillment
of whatever goals you have set for yourself, or the feeling that other
Wikipedians consider you a likable or trustworthy person (particularly
if "real-lifers" generally do not).

Or for some, the escapism is reward enough. Burst that bubble and
other pastimes could begin to appear more attractive than this one
(and obviously no less lucrative).

—C.W.

[1] Eh, I mean I seriously doubt I'd be alone in feeling this way,
even if I am alone in admitting it.
[2] (or "non-notable" if you must... grrrrrr)