User blog:Obi the LEGO Fan/Janitors, Power Structures, and the Cogitations of a Dwarf

Let me preface this by saying I don't have much time, so this will be a hastily-written blog. However, I think there are some important ideas and discussions going around on this wiki that need to be discussed. To be clear and efficient, I will make a few points.


 * Friendships and healthy communities are more important than policies regarding wiki administration. Ultimately, there are only a few things that matter on an online wiki like this. One is the spread of ideas and knowledge. However, because of our topic, significant ideas or invaluable knowledge are usually not spread through our articles. Another, however, is friendships. Even online friendships can be good for getting support, advise, exchanging cool ideas, discussing important topics, etc. This is really the thing that matters most. Because of this, we should always be irenic in our discussions, and never incendiary. Don't let arguments get in the way of friendships.


 * Power structures are bad, because they hurt friendships and healthy communities. When we create a power structure, a system in which some people have power to enforce their wills on other people, a hierarchy in which some are viewed as "superior" to others, we often create a situation very deleterious to friendships and healthy communities. Why? Because they create a gap between the power-holder and the non-power-holder. Now, often friendships can and do continue to exist despite this power gap, and there are many examples. Other times, however, friendships are destroyed by these power gaps. I have witnessed both the destruction of friendships by power gaps, and the reconciliation of friends when the power gap was closed. Also, these power gaps tend to create an "us versus them" mentality, in which both sides blame each other for problems, even leading to dehumanization (not in a huge way, but as in people become concepts in arguments instead of friends). This is why I am so passionate about having a democratic system—because I hate power structures. I could go on and on about why power structures are bad, but this is just a brief analysis.


 * Janitors and role models are not mutually exclusive. Some users have expressed disagreement with the idea that admins should be viewed as janitors, because they want admins to be role models and people which are trusted like older siblings. However, these two definitely can work together. We can have both. This is already happening. Many of the admins are highly respected, influential, and trusted. However, we are pretty much "janitors" now, already. So, I fail to see why we should bemoan the loss of the ability to enforce our will on the community.


 * Conclusion: Having democratic policies is important precisely because it is conducive toward friendships and a healthy community.

That's all. :)