David Friedland wrote:
I believe that instructional material is inherently opinionated: an instruction comes with the embedded assumption that the method described is somehow "correct". People only make imperative statements if they believe that the action they are directing is the "correct" action. By making imperative statements, Wikipedia is asserting the opinion that the instructions themselves are correct. NPOV policy clearly stands against this: "assert facts, including facts about opinions--but don't assert opinions themselves."
This is a bizarre extension of NPOV policy. :-D If your that concerned maybe we should have a disclaimer attached to recipes. Results may vary.
Let's take the example of recipes. There can be disagreements about how different dishes are to be prepared. How do you neutralize disagreements without changing the mood from imperative to indicative?
Example of an instruction from a guacamole recipe:
Add all the avocado to the bowl, then add the other ingredients. Mix well.
vs.
Add half the avocado to the bowl, then add the other ingredients. Mix well, then gently stir in the other half of the avocado.
Is either one of these correct? Or should we say "Some chefs suggest setting aside half the avocado before mixing all the ingredients together, then gently stirring in the remaining avocado, to ensure the guacamole has a chunky texture, whereas other chefs prefer the smooth texture of mixing everything together all at once."
I prefer the simple instructions to the circumlocutious avoidance of purported POV.
I believe it is the intent of the NPOV not to take sides, even if there is only one side. Imperative language inherently takes the side of the instructions, and so should be avoided. Since HOWTOs and recipes use imperative language, they shouldn't be on the Wikipedia. Much of the content can perhaps be modified for inclusion on the Wikipedia, but it has to be rephrased so that each step is not only in the indicative mood, but is contextualized and/or justified.
Where there is another side an alternative recipe can also be given.
Ec