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Wikipedia should be kept a neutral repository of knowledge, not a social ground for games. Once you take the path of creating a futile community, there is no way to talk about the long term goals of the WMF, the vision, the ethics, the humanity, the knowledge. You just have people who are here to have fun and to socialize. It would add noise, not signal.
Moreover, I think attracting readers is very different from attracting editors. I don't see how it would be positive to convince people to edit articles with superficial reasons in mind.
However external sites could use the content for games or comments (like Facebook does). This way, the site originating the "fun attitude" would be distinct from the site about knowledge. Wikipedia would get attention without being invaded.
On 19/06/2010 23:58, Sydney Poore wrote:
English Wikipedia has numerous contests during the year. Some people regularly participate in them and enjoy them.
Wikipedia:WikiProject Military history/Contest is an example of one that is ongoing.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:MILCON
Picture of the year is popular with some people on Commons.
While everyone does not want to be involved in contests, they appeal to some people and I see no problem with us introducing more of them in WMF projects to see if they will draw people into the movement.
I feel the same way about encouraging new ways to get different groups of people involved with WMF projects.
If gaming can be used to promote an interest in WMF then that is goodness. Puzzles, board games, and even more complex fantasy games using content might be a draw for some people. If someone wants to develop them I would not stand in there way.
Combining community service and socializing is very common in community organizations, and is appealing to many people. By adding more social components to WMF projects, we will most likely draw in people that otherwise would not volunteer. I see this as an important tool and one that should not be dismissed if we are going to broaden the base of our volunteers.
Sydney Poore (FloNight)
On Sat, Jun 19, 2010 at 5:29 PM, Marc Riddell michaeldavid86@comcast.netwrote:
on 6/19/10 4:58 PM, Keegan Peterzell at keegan.wiki@gmail.com wrote:
<snip>.
There was a great TED speech that I need to look up but don't have the
time
for at the moment. The premise of the presentation is that studies have shown time and time again that things like games, prizes, awards and
other
measures of gratitude are only temporary measures to increase motivation. The folks that work for you that are the truly motivated ones and
believers
in the process do not ask for these rewards. A pat on the back and a
"good
job, thanks for your work because I value it very much" occasionally is
the
only true recognition that is needed. The other fluff only inspires distraction from the goal because it's creating other little goals which,
in
turn, become more important than the end result.
Yes! Prizes denote direct competition as in sports or, more subtly, with the science & arts awards.
Person-to-person affirmation goes a very long way; and is what collaboration & community should be based upon. Give them the climate, and they will give you the culture.
Marc Riddell
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