User:Yukichigai/Viewpoints and Arguments
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This is not an essay. It is also not a policy or guideline. It expresses the opinions and ideas of one Wikipedian and may or may not have wide support, but it's easier to just post the link below rather than make the same points over and over again. Feel free to quote this non-essay as needed, but please use my discussion page to propose major changes. |
This is where I put some of my opinions, ideas, viewpoints, and arguments I have made or adopted on (mostly) various Wikipedia-related topics. Many of these are my opinions with regards to discussions which seem to crop up frequently, usually in relation to interpretations of policy and guidelines. If I linked to this page in the course of a talk page discussion,
Original Research: Collection of Information
I've heard a number of arguments that, in essence, boil down to the assumption that the mere act of collecting information from multiple sources is the same as synthesis of information with an implied/explicit conclusion, and thus counts as
- A collection of information is what Wikipedia is. If the simple fact that an article (or section of an article) uses more than one source to compile a more complete and detailed offering of information makes that section Original Research, then round about 99% of Wikipedia falls into that category.
- A "synthesis" violation of WP:NOR.
Fair Use: Images in Lists/Multiple Images in Articles
I'm hardly alone in arguing over this, but there are some issues being raised of the use of multiple
WP:FUC #3
(b) Minimal extent of use. An entire work is not used if a portion will suffice. Low- rather than high-resolution/fidelity/sample length is used (especially where the original could be used for piracy)."
First and foremost, this is not a
If we're talking about minor, one-time, or throw-away charcters/etc. then there's little justification for using a Fair Use image to help describe such a marginal aspect of the larger work. (much less devoting a section to something that trivial) If the section's subject is relatively important or recurs then we're on firmer ground.
Another important consideration is whether or not there is one image which can accomplish the task of many. In many cases important subjects (main characters, etc.) will be shown/drawn/rendered together by the originating work such that they are all (or mostly) identifiable. In such instances it is recommended (if not required) that the "group shot" be used; not only will it cut down on the number of Fair Use images in an article, (good) it will also make the image in question that much more "bulletproof" against removal since it identifies not one but several important (or semi-important) aspects of a larger work. (better)
It should be noted that the above specifically excludes "montage" images; just because you've combined several images into one file doesn't mean they aren't still separate images as far as copyrights are concerned.
WP:FUC #8
This is one of the more hotly contested sections of WP:FUC, or rather the effect it has is contested. You can find discussions of the matter
This is where we get into one of those "well, it depends" situations. Consideration must be given to how important the visual representation of the subject is; if a simple text description can adequately convey how a subject looks or appears then the image is likely unnecessary, but for more complex or visually confusing subjects a picture may not only improve the article dramatically, it may be necessary to understanding the text. What determines whether or not a text description is "adequate" is, of course, something that must be evaluated for each use.
It's also worth pointing out that it has been farily well established that using images for unadorned lists (such as an episode "grid") is not okay. Fair Use images are meant to support article content, not replace it.
Verifiability: Citing the Primary Source
I'm all for making sure that articles on Wikipedia meet the requirements of
In the absence of a secondary source, we use a primary source for uncontroversial claims about the subject. Such primary sources can't establish importance, but they can be used for simple, uncontroversial claims in the absence of any alternative secondary source.
What some editors forget is that for works of fiction the work itself is the primary source. There is nothing at all wrong with using it as a source, and in most cases it can be directly inferred that an assertation about plot, characters, or other specifics which bears no overt citation (e.g. <ref> tags) is sourced from the work itself. For groups of fictional work such as television shows it is still recommended (if not required) that the specific episode be cited in some way; however, statements like, "in episode X, character Y lost their leg," qualify as a form of citation.
Regardless of the use of primary sources in articles about works of fiction, every article still requires some form of
Notability and Verifiability: Sexual Terms and Related Articles
I have noticed that articles about sexual terms, sexual practices, and other such articles seem to be increasingly vulnerable to
The issue with sex-related articles,
Notability of Articles
Verifiability and Reliable Sources
Notability: Lists and Other "Sub-Articles"
From time to time the
Minor characters (and places, concepts, etc.) in a work of fiction should be merged with short descriptions into a "List of characters." This list should reside in the article relating to the work itself, unless it becomes long, in which case a separate article for the list is good practice.
Though this is specifically about those articles (and list articles) which discuss works of fiction, many "list" articles are created for the same reason: inclusion of the information in the "main" article would make that article far too long, would disrupt the flow of the article, and other such primarily aesthetic considerations. In these cases notability of the "list" article overall is asserted by the "main" article; if the "main" article is notable, then the "list" article is notable.
Notability of the individual pieces of information within the "list" article must also be considered, however. If a piece of information would provide a significant or useful purpose were the list placed inside the "main" article (with no consideration given to issues of article length, etc. in this hypothetical situation) then it is suitable for inclusion in the "list" article, and otherwise should be removed. If sufficient amounts of information are removed from the "list" article it may then be appropriate to reintegrate it with the "main" article, but the size of a list does not constitute its notability or warrant its deletion; if moving a "list" subsection to its own article serves to make the "main" article better then that alone is justification for the continued existence of the "list" article irrespective of its size, issues with the information itself notwithstanding.