Wikipedia:Wikipedia does not need you

This is a humorous essay.

It contains the advice or opinions of one or more Wikipedia contributors and is made to be humorous. This page is not 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 essay isn't meant to be taken seriously.

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This page in a nutshell: Get over it.

Be cautious when referencing this page, particularly when involved in a dispute with another editor, as it could be considered a personal attack.

“

The light is good, and those that will come are good.
Their words and deeds are also good.
And we hope all will go well. But
Argos can manage without Atreidas.
Houses are not eternal.
Many, of course, will have much to say.
We'll listen. But we won't be deceived
by the Indispensable, the Only, the Great.
Some other indispensable, only, and great
is always instantly found.

”

— Cavafy (tr. Aliki Barnstone),
"When the Watchman Saw the Light"

You need the

Jimbo Wales

—but the wiki does not need you.

Should it happen that a

AN/I, manages to block you on an invented charge, the world will continue to turn. The grass will grow, the birds will lay eggs, the number of Pokémon-related articles

will still double every 1.7 weeks, and articles on weathermen will be brought to AfD. Sure, it won't be done as smoothly and as elegantly as when you did it, but it will be done. The wiki will continue to turn. Sad, but true.

So if things are too stressful—take a break. Or leave. The latter would be especially sad, but Wikipedia will still be here tomorrow. It's bigger than me, bigger than you, possibly bigger than Jimbo. So if you start to think you're untouchable because you're indispensable to the project, just remember: you're not. However, there's a good chance that a deep breath and a cup of tea will resolve the problem that has you stressed, and then you and the Wiki can spend more quality time together.

See also