Wikipedia:Don't drink the consensus Kool-Aid

This essay contains the advice or opinions of one or more Wikipedia contributors. Essays may represent widespread norms or minority viewpoints. Consider these views with discretion. It is not a Wikipedia policy.

Shortcut: WP:KOOLAID

This page in a nutshell: Editors who feel strongly to speak against consensus are encouraged to do so.

An event at this AFD discussion has prompted some thought. In this discussion, an editor (and apparently a Wikipedia Admin) took a position that at least one editor should be viewed as being "disruptive" to the process.

Wikipedia is run largely by consensus and established policies. However, speaking out against consensus and policy is not disruptive if it is done with civility. It's not "disruptive"—consensus can change, and the only way it can change is if someone speaks against it.

So don't "Drink the consensus kool-aid" all the time, and if someone is civil and speaks out against consensus, they're not being disruptive—they're just having a conversation.

[edit] See also

• Wikipedia:Follow the leader
• Wikipedia:Don't be ashamed

v · d · eEssays on Wikipedia civility The basics How to be civil · Compromise · Accepting other users · Duty · Enjoy yourself · Honor system · Thank you · Apology · Truce · Forgive and forget · No vested contributors · Staying cool when the editing gets hot · Overzealous deletion · Content removal · Divisiveness Philosophy An uncivil environment is a poor environment · How many legs does a horse have? · You can't squeeze blood from a turnip · Wikipedia is not about winning · The Last Word · The grey zone · You are probably not a lexicologist or a lexicographer · Writing for the opponent · There is no common sense · Not everyone who disagrees with you is a vandal · Chunk o' text defense · Nobody cares · Witchhunt · Shadowless Fists of Death! Dos Adopt a quiet role · Assume good faith · Assume the assumption of good faith · Assume no clue · Assume clue · Avoid personal remarks · Avoid rancor · Avoid the word "vandal" · Award barnstars · Call a spade a spade · Candor · Drop the stick and back slowly away from the horse carcass · Deny recognition · Encourage full discussions · In praise of 1RR · Revert only when necessary · Get over it · Go ahead, vandalize · How to lose · Mind your own business · Discussing cruft · Keep it down to earth · Revert, block, ignore Don'ts Arguments to avoid in edit wars · Don't be inconsiderate · Please do not bite the newcomers · Don't call a spade a spade · Don't call the kettle black · Don't take the bait · Do not insult the vandals · Just drop it · Don't edit war over the colour of templates · Don't be ashamed · Don't drink the consensus Kool-Aid · Don't feed the divas · Don't stuff beans up your nose · Don't spite your face · Don't revert due to "no consensus" · Do not call things cruft · No angry mastodons · Don't be an ostrich · Don't template the regulars · Don't be a fanatic · Don't accuse someone of a personal attack for accusing of a personal attack · Don't fight fire with fire · Don't be prejudiced · Don't remind others of past misdeeds Wiki relations WikiLove · WikiHate · WikiCrime · WikiBullying · WikiPeace · WikiLawyering · WikiHarassment About essays The value of essays • The difference between policies, guidelines and essays  • Essays are not policy • Don't cite essays as if they were policy • Quote your own essay Essays