Wikipedia:Old-fashioned Wikipedian values

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Background[edit]

Elderly Wikipedian with rose-tinted spectacles gazing longingly at the original paper copy of the encyclopedia

It is quite normal for each generation, as they age, to yearn for the values of the past, in a rose-tinted spectacles manner. There probably never was a time of Wikipedian harmony, polite collegiality and happiness, but it's nice to think that there was, and to aspire to bring it back.

Some long-term editors have noticed that they've become increasingly grumpy and bad-tempered on Wikipedia. This could be for any number of reasons, but the impact is that they are less happy contributors and the effects become a downward spiral, drawing in more and more grumpy contributors.

By pledging to return to these old-fashioned Wikipedian values, perhaps your example will spread, making the whole environment more pleasant. But even if it does not, you can feel happy about yourself and the contributions you're making. After all, the high ground is a great place to be. But beware the high horse; it can be painful to fall off this animal.

The pledges[edit]

I will:

  1. Be unfailingly polite, even to vandals, let alone regulars with whom I disagree.
  2. Take the mantra of assuming good faith to within a whisker of absurdity.
  3. Apologise for perceived shortcomings, even on occasions when I think it is barely necessary.
  4. Welcome other editors pointing out to me when I fail to meet the first three pledges.

Userbox[edit]

Some people like userboxes. If you sign up, feel free to add this one, if you fancy:

This user pledges to return to
Old-Fashioned Wikipedian values.

To include this userbox in your page, just copy the following template:
{{User:Pdebee/UBX/Old-Fashioned Wikipedia Values}}

With grateful thanks to User:Diannaa, who provided the technical skills.

Participants[edit]

  1. As author of the essay, Dweller (talk) 08:57, 4 April 2013 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  2. The Rambling Man (talk) 16:47, 4 April 2013 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  3. BencherliteTalk 08:03, 9 April 2013 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  4. I think it's why I have been called naive recently, cloud cuckoo land was also mentioned, - I call it dream. (Look for Peace and Reformation on my user page) - Please let me know when I don't know enough of the "old" values, I still feel new here and learning.
    Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:29, 9 April 2013 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  5. Dianna (talk) 12:14, 9 April 2013 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  6. reaffirming my commitment to this. — Ched (talk) 14:52, 6 May 2021 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  7. Great idea —Cliftonian (talk) 10:49, 19 April 2013 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  8. A much better idea than the proposed admin-oath. Lectonar (talk) 19:24, 30 May 2013 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  9. Antidiskriminator (talk) 10:43, 28 July 2013 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  10. Arrivisto (talk) 14:18, 10 November 2013 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  11. Go Phightins!
  12. I'll trade you this Ritchie333 (talk) (cont) 11:55, 3 February 2015 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  13. I never edited Old Fashioned Wikipedia, but I found my grandma's rose-colored spectacles in the attic. Good principles on- and off-line. FourViolas (talk) 03:39, 19 February 2015 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  14. Absolutely. — Mr. Stradivarius ♪ talk ♪ 23:37, 26 February 2015 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  15. A worthy goal. DocTree (ʞlɐʇ·ʇuoɔ) WER 23:28, 10 March 2015 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  16. Hafspajen "nominated" me for this; see User talk:Joshua Jonathan#SPI. I'm honoured by his nomination, and I enlist. See also Bodhisattva and Guanyin. Best regards, Joshua Jonathan -Let's talk! 06:32, 19 March 2015 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  17. Delighted to see such a group exists! Quinto Simmaco (talk) 04:35, 2 April 2015 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  18. OlEnglish (talk) 09:50, 18 June 2015 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  19. Sorry I didn't sign this four or five years ago. ϢereSpielChequers 10:22, 29 June 2015 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  20. Looking at my own nine-year history on Wikipedia, I realize that as the years have gone by I have become somewhat more snarky and even on occasion uncivil. I am going to take the pledge, starting on 01 July 2015. I encourage others to call me on it if I fall short. --Guy Macon (talk) 03:20, 30 June 2015 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  21. This looks so wonderful. Please count me in, I want to join your gang.--82.28.140.226 (talk) 22:26, 1 July 2015 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  22. It's the Canadian way. The Interior (Talk) 15:09, 8 July 2015 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  23. I've had this userbox for a while now on my user page, it's about time I signed up. Liz Read! Talk! 08:44, 24 July 2015 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  24. Sign me up. /wia /talk 01:49, 16 October 2015 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  25. Excellent list of principles; will do my best to meet them. -- Khazar2 (talk) 17:53, 26 October 2015 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  26. Looks a good idea. JRPG (talk) 12:20, 2 November 2015 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  27. I just came upon this, and I figure I am old enough in fish years. --Tryptofish (talk) 23:49, 4 November 2015 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  28. I am definitely joining now, before it's too late!
    With love & kindest regards; Patrick. ツ Pdebee.(talk)(guestbook) 22:16, 13 February 2016 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  29. Count me in! Mademoiselle La Souris (Squeak!) 04:25, 6 April 2016 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  30. I do so pledge. --Erick Shepherd (talk) 14:59, 13 April 2016 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  31. Disputes never accomplish anything. Acknowledging that we all screw up often and can learn from each other fosters a more constructive environment, and in any event is so much more enjoyable than bickering. My goal shall always be to leave every conversation better than I found it. —Compassionate727 (T·C) 14:30, 3 May 2016 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  32. Late again, but glad I have found this as I have found my patience disappearing somewhere.. I will try. Edmund Patrick – confer 15:04, 3 June 2016 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  33. I've been a member forever without realising it. Now I have no excuses. -- Jack of Oz [pleasantries] 21:29, 7 July 2016 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  34. Probably should have signed up years ago as I've had this page marked for quite awhile. Fyunck(click) (talk) 22:24, 7 July 2016 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  35. Way better than the drink! Miniapolis 21:39, 20 July 2016 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  36. That's a formula for life inside and outside Wiki. Ex nihil (talk) 09:37, 23 July 2016 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  37. Yep, that's the way. --A D Monroe III (talk) 16:29, 8 September 2016 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  38. This has always worked best for me. It doesn't work for everyone, and that's okay with me. - Dank (push to talk) 12:25, 16 September 2016 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  39. FInally feeling home. FkpCascais (talk) 17:43, 23 October 2016 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  40. That's a wonderful idea. Hope to have the ability to abide by all the points. --Mhhossein talk 12:07, 3 December 2016 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  41. If you're not old-fashioned, a few of these Old Fashioneds will calm you enough to be! :) Just make sure that you don't reach the WP:DRUNKEDIT stage, and remember that Wikipedia is not about wining.
    Just saw this thanks to your signature. I try to do all as this suggests already, and hope I succeed..and that if I don't, I recognize it and/or accept corrective comments from my fellow wikipedians. Can I use the image on the right instead of the bespectacled gent? :) --Hammersoft (talk) 00:48, 6 January 2017 (UTC)Reply[reply]
    Why of course! --Dweller (talk) Become old fashioned! 11:39, 6 January 2017 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  42. Nostalgia isn't what it used to be. But great ideas and The Dude abide. 7&6=thirteen (☎) 17:33, 13 January 2017 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  43. StevenJ81 (talk) 04:00, 15 January 2017 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  44. Mz7 (talk) 13:43, 17 February 2017 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  45. Need to slap myself in the face to temper the sarcasm that creeps in when dealing with constant little acts of vandalism (minor) and opinionated editors whos views are always 'right' (more major). Matilda Maniac (talk) 01:06, 18 February 2017 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  46. Yes, indeed.Junosoon (talk) 09:31, 18 February 2017 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  47. I was helped when I first joined Wikipedia by users who share these values, and I intend to do the same. Daylen (talk) 02:33, 17 May 2017 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  48. Well, I was about to bite some newcomers and start a few edit wars, but...*sighs* Fine. ;-) Cheers! Skyraider1 (talk) 01:16, 23 June 2017 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  49. Meh... Been doing that in real life since a long time. Should try it on wikipedia too. —usernamekiran(talk) 05:09, 28 June 2017 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  50. Well, absolutely yeah especially I'm sarcastic. KGirlTrucker81 huh? what I've been doing 20:26, 30 June 2017 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  51. -- MarcoAurelio (talk) 21:15, 6 July 2017 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  52. Might not be old enough to call myself old-fashioned, but this has always been my philosophy. ansh666 21:57, 5 October 2017 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  53. I'm already doing this!  — Mr. Guye (talk) (contribs)  03:23, 21 October 2017 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  54. ~ Amory (u • t • c) 19:01, 18 February 2018 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  55. Ladies and Gentlemen of whatever gender you prefer! Count me in! Interstellarpoliceman (talk) 18:44, 30 April 2018 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  56. I'm in. (Mobile mundo (talk) 14:34, 15 May 2018 (UTC))Reply[reply]
  57. I'm in... --Adamstraw99 (talk) 21:19, 29 May 2018 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  58. Lets go back to the days when everybody followed WP:AGF and WP:BITE, and administrators actually considered collateral damage when issuing blocks, like when the idea of long-term softblocking AOL dial-up was actually a big deal... PCHS-NJROTC (Messages)Have a blessed day. 02:49, 1 June 2018 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  59. All seems good, count me in! The Duke of NonsenseWhat is necessary for thee?. 21:04, 10 July 2018 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  60. Aye. -Ad Orientem (talk) 02:33, 14 July 2018 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  61. Can't believe I hadn't listed myself earlier. It's never too late. — JFG talk 14:23, 18 July 2018 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  62. Today I joined a cult.
    Regards, SshibumXZ (Talk) (Contributions). 10:45, 6 August 2018 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  63. Nope, just a group of people aiming to make wiki a better place! Seems a good set of principles to stick to!
    Greenleader (talk. 09:35, 11 August 2018 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  64. Definitely! Haven't always kept to the old values and will try harder everyday.  Paine Ellsworth  put'r there  10:13, 30 August 2018 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  65. Sign me up. GirthSummit (blether) 08:59, 15 September 2018 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  66. ME! ME! AdamFra (talk) 14:37, 24 September 2018 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  67. I just heard about it. Of course! Anna Frodesiak (talk) 12:49, 4 November 2018 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  68. Seems like a great initiative and meshes perfectly with my own mission statement. Hamster Sandwich (talk) 20:18, 2 December 2018 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  69. Wholesome and kind. Fred Rogers would be proud. Count me in :) DeniedClub❯❯❯ talk? 11:48, 16 December 2018 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  70. Sounds like a great idea to me! Mrspaceowl (talk) 12:07, 27 December 2018 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  71. I've read (and agreed) with this for years, happy to formally "sign". Best, Mifter (talk) 19:44, 29 December 2018 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  72. Of course. You get out what you put in. Thank you. Tony Holkham (Talk) 00:18, 8 January 2019 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  73. I'm in. HAL333 19:36, 13 January 2019 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  74. --Dctrzl (talk) 21:52, 2 February 2019 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  75. Love it! valereee (talk) 12:26, 12 February 2019 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  76. Where to sign up? I'm in! meloras (talk) 12:38, 24 February 2019 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  77. AGF to a whisker of abusdity? how about way past absurdity‽ Seriously though, I agree with this wholeheartedly. Gaelan 💬✏️ 04:15, 6 March 2019 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  78. I've long been a sucker for nostalgia. Benjamin (talk) 10:43, 6 March 2019 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  79. I think I already follow this, but no reason not to sign up formally. (Do I get cashback for getting others to sign up?) Nick Moyes (talk) 14:47, 12 March 2019 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  80. Deryck C. 15:33, 16 April 2019 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  81. KIM JONG UNDO | CONTACT 00:37, 15 June 2019 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  82. One of the best ideas I have seen in a long time. Count me in! Mgasparin (talk) 04:37, 5 July 2019 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  83. I'm all for this! Rexlikescheese (talk) 18:19, 13 July 2019 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  84. I agree, and I will do my best to keep following the guidelines. Thank you, warshy (¥¥) 15:06, 15 July 2019 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  85. I'm very happy to sign up for this estimable group. MarnetteD|Talk 22:22, 5 September 2019 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  86. This sounds like a great idea. I'm in. --Mazewaxie (talk • contribs) 11:34, 15 September 2019 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  87. Wonderful Idea, I'm in Hochithecreator (talk) 14:46, 1 October 2019 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  88. This makes a lot of sense, I will join this cause as a self-proclaimed SGYT (Sophisticated Gentleman YouTuber). MK8 Master (talk) 7:52pm, 5th of October 2019 (AEST)
  89. Renewing after all this time. – SJ + 22:17, 8 December 2019 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  90. Marvellous - have subscribed! Kilbosh talk 14:29, 14 January 2020 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  91. I absolutely agree. please sign me up. thanks for posting this here!!! --Sm8900 (talk) 18:48, 16 January 2020 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  92. Markworthen How did you drag me to this page?! I resent you calling me old and grumpy! You must not be assuming good faith—am I right? (I know I am.) Anyone who joins this club must need help.   - Mark D Worthen PsyD (talk) (I'm a man—traditional male pronouns are fine.) 21:37, 16 February 2020 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  93. This is much-needed. Cleisthenes2 (talk) 16:37, 5 March 2020 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  94. Why haven't I found this before? The author should have told me! --Silverije 22:21, 14 March 2020 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  95. (March 28, 2020 less corny comment) I think this is a WP movement that should gain more traction, because it sure would make this site a better place. I think this will also help how I interact with others in the future. StrangeloveFan101 (talk) 22:25, 28 March 2020 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  96. I've just stumbled across this group. SethWhales talk 02:00, 10 May 2020 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  97. Eddie891 Talk Work 14:46, 14 May 2020 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  98. Count me in! – MonAll t·c 14:35, 3 June 2020 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  99. This is actually how I experienced Wikipedia when I was a newbie, thanks to some wonderful people here. Count me in! ἀνυπόδητος (talk) 08:31, 4 June 2020 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  100. Fits in nicely with the essay I've just written. Wholeheartedly support. Naypta ☺ | ✉ talk page | 13:23, 12 June 2020 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  101. I was bullied a lot & wronged so many times when I joined this project in 2016 so today I hereby solemnly swear to abide by this 'doctrine'. I’m In! Celestina007 (talk) 07:48, 9 July 2020 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  102. Sounds like a plan. Used to be Wikipedia welcomed good edits. These days, far too many people act as if they own public articles and summarily reject good, even outstanding edits with poor excuses. Clepsydrae (talk) 23:44, 23 July 2020 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  103. This should be part of everyone's editing philosophy. Scorpions13256 (talk) 04:35, 4 September 2020 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  104. H e l l o t h e r e. I know, your dahhhling is late and somebody did the wrong note before I came so HAHAHA we love everyyyone here ;) VincentLUFan (talk) (Kenton!) 18:45, 9 September 2020 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  105. I wholeheartedly endorse the above. PiRSquared17 (talk) 15:18, 14 September 2020 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  106. Well, as the essay says, "there probably never was" but, even so, it's always a worthy goal to put people first and treat them as people. Will add the userbox to my collection and hope any visitors will notice and adopt it. No Great Shaker (talk) 05:43, 24 September 2020 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  107. I'm in! Firestar464 (talk) 02:09, 10 November 2020 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  108. I'm in! Thanoscar21talkcontributions 19:39, 3 January 2021 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  109. Very much in keeping with my latest plea :) I'm in! --Neopeius (talk) 04:01, 8 February 2021 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  110. Always felt like a traditionalist, so count me in Knightoften 03:06, 14 February 2021 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  111. I'm a believer! Liz's userbox display brought me here. Consider myself pledged! Thumbs up icon Savvyjack23 (talk) 03:21, 20 February 2021 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  112. I confess to Almighty God and you here present that I also hold Old Fashioned Wikipedian Values --Whiteguru (talk) 06:54, 24 February 2021 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  113. If everyone followed these the Wikipedia community would be so much better βӪᑸᙥӴ • Talk • Contribs 20:09, 18 March 2021 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  114. It is exciting to learn about people who have these values. Count me in! Many thanks! MDW333 (talk) 09:46, 9 April 2021 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  115. I'm old but I try not to be grumpy. Tercer (talk) 09:13, 16 April 2021 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  116. I probably already abide by these principles, but I'll sign this for future reference. Crazymantis91 (talk) 20:17, 22 April 2021 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  117. A good thing this is. Those rose-colored glasses are for deciphering the hidden hints, yes? ;-) --RainerBlome (talk) 08:50, 6 May 2021 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  118. audreyw (talk) 04:50, 8 May 2021 (UTC) is in!Reply[reply]
  119. Civility is very, very important to me.--TrottieTrue (talk) 00:50, 17 May 2021 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  120. The concept of this is pretty much aggregable. -- Tame (talk) 11:58, 30 May 2021 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  121. Becoming old-fashioned! — The Most Comfortable Chair 12:40, 10 June 2021 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  122. Hear! hear! All in favor of this. Editing Wikipedia should be an enjoyable experience (naive, I know).  JGHowes  talk 14:14, 10 June 2021 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  123. I may be a relatively new Wikipedian but I am becoming old-fashioned --Rexh17 (talk) 22:57, 10 August 2021 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  124. I'm in. Good idea. --Bduke (talk) 01:23, 12 August 2021 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  125. Good idea. Other participants may also be interested in wp:gentle editor. Andrewa (talk) 02:59, 6 September 2021 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  126. Totally in-line with how I normally operate, so I'm down. Should be required reading for all Wikipedians! I had a thought about "Old-fashioned" which I will add to the talk page. SteveChervitzTrutane (talk) 06:26, 18 October 2021 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  127. With hopes that practice on wikipedia makes perfect in life. LookOnMyEditsYeMighty(talk) 18:13, 4 December 2021 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  128. I firmly believe in trying to "bring back" (if it ever was) a temperament of politeness and congeniality. I love the encyclopedia, and I love other people that do too! I try to give out lots of the digital "cookies", "barnstars" and the like... I think there was a sense that we should not "dilute" their meaning by giving out too many, but this seems to me to have turned into not giving out enough! Please give generously to all around you, and I will try to do the same. Happy editing! ♥Th78blue (They/Them/Their • talk)♥ 02:06, 8 December 2021 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  129. I screwed up on this site. Least I can do is set a good example. elijahpepe@wikipedia 21:16, 27 December 2021 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  130.  ― Qwerfjkltalk 18:03, 5 January 2022 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  131. Fair to say these principles are types of those principles that I would like to hold tight onto 東霄長熊 (talk) 10:55, 7 January 2022 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  132. This is the way! ☆☆☆ interstellarpoliceman ☆☆☆ 10:59, 13 January 2022 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  133. I have benefitted from other editors acting on these values; this is the Wikipedia I wish to pass on.--Verbarson talkedits 15:52, 15 January 2022 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  134. I am new, but I feel nostalgic about the old customs of Wikipedia, a time in which I didn't even know what Wikipedia was, but which I am very passionate about. You can say, I am in a state of Anemoia. Trulio Drulio (talk) 10:09, 2 March 2022 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  135. I'm in. Sounds a marvellous concept. -- The Emperor of Byzantium  (talk) 15:37, 05 March 2022 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  136. — B. L. I. R. 01:54, 3 May 2022 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  137. Well, this is jolly nice. If only it were universal (HG) (talk) 11:10, 03 August 2022 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  138. I shall follow. --RockstoneSend me a message! 05:28, 4 August 2022 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  139. This is excellent. A great concept that all Wikipedians should follow. JML1148 (talk) 05:46, 27 August 2022 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  140. Me too good 4 U. Cheers,67.181.32.32 (talk) 08:55, 15 January 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  141. Yup Crazynas t 19:52, 11 February 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  142. RadioactiveBoulevardier (talk) 06:31, 12 February 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  143. EPIFANOVE(TALK) 12:27, 13 February 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  144. I'm going to hang this article in my house for all to see. resijade (talk) 22:07, 22 February 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  145. Me too! NW1223<Howl at me•My hunts> 01:11, 4 April 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  146. You know, I've basically been trying to observe these without even knowing this essay existed. Count me in! Skarmory (talk • contribs) 21:08, 10 May 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  147. Where are those good old fashioned values?? GoldenBootWizard276 (talk) 17:29, 12 May 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  148. I'm there! Love these. IstBhrung (talk) 05:30, 18 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  149. 20WattSphere (talk) 13:51, 10 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  150. — Sadko (words are wind) 23:22, 12 August 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  151. Yes indeed Volten001 ☎ 13:16, 27 August 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

See also[edit]

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