[WikiEN-l] Delete IAR
Ray Saintonge
saintonge at telus.net
Mon Sep 19 23:24:26 UTC 2005
DF wrote:
>On 9/19/05, Sam Korn <smoddy at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>>On the contrary. IAR is crucial to Wikipedia,
>>because it allows us a "common sense override".
>>This means that we can always act in the best
>>interests of the encyclopaedia, even when it is not
>>directly allowed in policy.
>>
>>IAR is a vital part of the "Wiki" part of
>>Wikipedia, just as NPOV is vital to the "pedia".
>>
>>
>
>I agree with the principle that common sense should
>trump bureaucracy, etc., but I have never really liked
>the way that IAR is expressed. (When was the last
>time the average person read it, really?) The current
>text reads:
>
>If rules make you nervous and depressed, then simply
>use common sense as you go about working on the
>encyclopedia. Being too wrapped up in rules can cause
>you to lose perspective, so there are times when it is
>best to ignore all rules... including this one.
>
That seems well said. It's obvious that the rule is easily abused by
sysops with a POV. In that case the problem is not in the rule. It
might serve you better to develop a clear definition of "common sense"
>Maybe having the fluffy stuff is good too, but if IAR
>is going to be a core principle is should more clearly
>state when and why admins choose to ignore all rules.
>
>
That would be self-defeating.
Ec
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