Wikipedia:Don't create a Streisand effect: Difference between revisions
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{{nutshell|When dealing with undesirable behaviour, highlighting attention to it can draw unwanted consequences.}} |
{{nutshell|When dealing with undesirable behaviour, highlighting attention to it can draw unwanted consequences.}} |
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When Wikipedians get into arguments, there are sometimes things that have to be |
When Wikipedians get into arguments, there are sometimes things that have to be redacted out of the public record. Often this is done for good reason - libel, threats of harm or obscene vandalism don't belong here - but it's best done quietly and without making a big fuss over it. |
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The problem with openly putting a {{redact}} tag on a page - particularly a juicy [[WP:ANI]] thread - is it creates an unintended [[Streisand effect]]. Suddenly, everyone's desperate to know who said what, and why it was redacted, diverting the discussion ''away'' from the original topic and hence improving the encyclopedia. |
The problem with openly putting a {{redact}} tag on a page - particularly a juicy [[WP:ANI]] thread - is it creates an unintended [[Streisand effect]]. Suddenly, everyone's desperate to know who said what, and why it was redacted, diverting the discussion ''away'' from the original topic and hence improving the encyclopedia. |
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Latest revision as of 13:14, 15 June 2024
 | This is an essay. It contains the advice or opinions of one or more Wikipedia contributors. This page is not an encyclopedia article, nor is it one of Wikipedia's policies or guidelines, as it has not been thoroughly vetted by the community. Some essays represent widespread norms; others only represent minority viewpoints. |
 | This page in a nutshell: When dealing with undesirable behaviour, highlighting attention to it can draw unwanted consequences. |
When Wikipedians get into arguments, there are sometimes things that have to be redacted out of the public record. Often this is done for good reason - libel, threats of harm or obscene vandalism don't belong here - but it's best done quietly and without making a big fuss over it.
The problem with openly putting a (Redacted) tag on a page - particularly a juicy WP:ANI thread - is it creates an unintended Streisand effect. Suddenly, everyone's desperate to know who said what, and why it was redacted, diverting the discussion away from the original topic and hence improving the encyclopedia.
As the old saying goes - revert, block, ignore.