[WikiEN-l] Re: HOWTOs/Recipes/Instructions and other imperative content

[Anthere]

Wikipédia really needs more mothers, with feet firmly set in the ground.




David Friedland a écrit:
> I just want to motivate this a little bit more:
> 
> Claim: Wikipedia should not include instructional material.
> 
> 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."
> 
> 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 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.
> 
> Resolved: HOWTOs, recipes, and similar instructional materials should be 
> located in wikibooks, and Wikipedia articles should contain only NPOV 
> descriptions and links to the relevant pages in wikibooks.
> 
> -- David
> 
> On preview, what Delirium said. And I love that we both use guacamole as 
> the example.