[WikiEN-l] Reflections on the end of the spoiler wars

[Ray Saintonge]

Steven Walling wrote:
> You make your point well. Then, if the object is "figuring out ways of
> isolating idiocy that don't amount to iron fist control." then it seems to
> me that the best way of accoomplishing this is to make forum shopping a firm
> criterion for closure of discussion. Is it still an essay? Why don't we
> propose it as a guideline?
Framing the discussion in terms of "isolating idiocy" does not advance 
the governance issues.  The majority of editors are not so overtly 
idiotic.  The need is for an approach that recognizes that the decision 
of the day may still only reflect the majority of those who happened to 
participate within a prescribed time frame.  Many of us who may disagree 
with a given policy proposal may not even hear about it until the debate 
is closed.  That's the reality of a very large community. It does little 
good to tell these people, "Too bad, you should have been paying 
attention."  If the pro spoiler warning faction is indeed nothing but a 
tiny minority it needs to be made apparent to all just as any change to 
the situation needs to be made apparent to all.

If we have a good policy mechanism to reflect the clear will of the 
community, and that tracks subtle changes in the community's will, the 
idiots will soon find themselves on the long tail of opinion.

Ec