[Wikipedia-l] Re: Trust metrics

[Michael Snow]

Jimmy Wales wrote:

> Michael Snow wrote:
>
>>Wikipedia could turn into a place where the content is largely a
>>tasteless, watery gruel because everyone is on pins and needles to
>>avoid provoking negative responses.
>>    
>>
>
>Well, that would make me very happy.  This is an encyclopedia, after
>all.
>
>BrilliantProse, good writing, need not be controversial or
>antagonizing at all.  A well written article can be lively,
>interesting, well-organized, etc., while at the same time in a very
>encyclopedic fashion present the facts in a sufficiently neutral
>manner that all sides to a dispute, if they are working in good faith,
>can agree that it's a good presentation.
>
>--Jimbo
>
I feel like my point is being misunderstood, or else taken out of 
context. (However, no offense is taken, and no apology necessary.)

A truly NPOV article on a controversial subject would present things in 
a neutral fashion, but it would not be "tasteless, watery gruel". And 
that specifically because people would contribute without fear of 
negative feedback. I consider that important because the perfect NPOV 
article does not suddenly appear, and does not spring fully formed from 
the head of its author. It results from a community process, and I 
believe that process would never take place if contributors had to worry 
about their feedback ratings. The danger is that we make the community 
so wary that people are too timid to even discuss certain subjects, 
leaving only the shallowest, definitely non-encyclopedic treatment of 
controversial topics.

--Michael Snow
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