https://wiki.tachyony.co.uk/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Wikipedia%3AAvoid_the_word_%22vandal%22 2026-05-16T09:05:28Z Revision history for this page on the wiki MediaWiki 1.35.5 https://wiki.tachyony.co.uk/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:Avoid_the_word_%22vandal%22&diff=5137&oldid=prev 2021-12-19T16:52:29Z

<p>Imported page</p> <p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{essay|WP:ATWV}}<br /> {{nutshell|Vandals are people who deliberately attempt to damage Wikipedia, not those who make adverse edits.}}<br /> <br /> One problem newcomers and inexperienced editors have on Wikipedia is using popular terms in a wider variety of circumstances than is appropriate. One such word is &quot;vandal&quot;.<br /> <br /> According to [[Wikipedia:Vandalism]], vandalism is &quot;editing (or other behavior) {{em|{{strong|deliberately}} intended to obstruct or defeat the [[WP:5P|project&#039;s purpose]]}}, which is to create a free encyclopedia, in a variety of languages, presenting the sum of all human knowledge.&quot; This definition is excessively broad, even for the purposes of broad policy coverage. It goes on to restrict what constitutes &quot;vandalism&quot;, however, saying emphatically that &quot;[e]ven if misguided, willfully against consensus, or disruptive, any [[Wikipedia:Assume good faith|good-faith]] effort to improve the encyclopedia is {{em|not}} vandalism.&quot;<br /> <br /> Note that the definition does {{em|not}} mention:<br /> *[[Wikipedia:NPOV dispute#POV pushing|Edits that push a particular point of view]]<br /> *Edits you don&#039;t like<br /> *Edits contrary to your objectives<br /> *Edits that are &quot;clearly wrong&quot; (either according to you, or even in reality)<br /> *Edits that stop you from doing [[Wikipedia:The Most Important Thing Possible|The Most Important Thing Possible]].<br /> <br /> As a result, [[Wikipedia:Civility#Engaging in incivility|the word &quot;vandal&quot; should not be used]] in reference to any contributor in good standing or to any [[WP:AGF|edits that can arguably be construed as good-faithed]].<br /> <br /> Non-vandalism disruption may also occur. Instead of calling a person committing such disruption a &quot;vandal&quot;, you are better off discussing that person&#039;s specific edits with them. Comment on the content and substance of the edits or arguments, [[WP:NPA|not the person]].<br /> <br /> ==See also==<br /> *[[Wikipedia:Preserve]]<br /> *[[Wikipedia:Civility]]<br /> *[[Wikipedia:Assume good faith]]<br /> *[[Wikipedia:Assume the assumption of good faith]]<br /> *[[Wikipedia:No personal attacks]] – people may consider the term &quot;vandal&quot; an attack<br /> *[[Wikipedia:Don&#039;t call the kettle black]] ([[WP:KETTLE]])<br /> *[[Wikipedia:Don&#039;t template the regulars]]<br /> *[[Wikipedia:Witchhunt]]<br /> *[[Wikipedia:Passive Aggressive]]<br /> *[[Template:Uw-notvand]] A warning template for users who misuse vandalism warning templates.<br /> <br /> {{Wikipedia essays|civility}}<br /> <br /> [[Category:Wikipedia essays about civility]]</div>

Tachyony