UDWiki:Administration/Policy Discussion/Parody Pages

Disclaimer: I am not a wiki-lawyer, nor do I wish to become one. There are undoubtedly multiple rules that apply here about which I have no idea. I am starting this discussion to hopefully resolve the rules with the spirit of the wiki, and to appeal the reason of those who would edit the fun right out in favor of bureaucracy.

In two recent cases, a page created to support an in-game action were edited to essentially eliminate their efficacy as a tool for the in-game experience, or eliminate the humor associated with the page.

• The first was Rum's DK13 page. Now this directly supported a legitimate operation being pursued by that group. Certainly DK13 might not have enjoyed that operation, but the operation had a right to exist, as did the page. The page was roundly attacked, accused of impersonation, and so forth.

• The second was the Tommy Gun page. The humor of that page IS the fact that it looks like the real thing.

In both cases, the pages were clearly sub-pages of the Red Rum page. I do not think this wiki should support the creation of rules enacted to save the stupid from themselves. If you fall for it because you're not smart enough to look up, so be it. What's the harm in "falling" for something on a wiki anyway?

In both cases, sincere effort went into creating the page and the meta-gaming that surrounded the page. Is the wiki NOT meant to support exactly that? In response to objections to changes in both cases, all sorts of rules and regulations were cited. This policy or that policy made it legal to slap an NPOV line on something (which I'm also told that sub-pages are exempt from NPOV lines). In truth, smart people with the best interests of the wiki in mind clearly disagree.

With this in mind it is clear that we need discuss the creation of a special set of rules for parody pages. Here are my suggestions:

• Openly recognize that Parody pages have value in enhancing the overall experience of the wiki, and the meta-game of Urban Dead

• It must be clear in the http: address of the page that this page is a sub-page of the group creating the parody. NOTHING MORE! To say, "This is a parody!" kills it! It's akin to saying, "Shake my hand - but beware, I'm currently wearing a hand buzzer that will shock you." No one would shake your hand!!

• No direct or malicious impersonation should be tolerated. This should be defined rigidly such that it is still possible to create a parody.

• Parodies must adhere to the current standards of taste and whatnot on the wiki.

• Parody Pages could be registered in advance with an administration sub-page to be placed wherever those among you that decide such things decide it should be. Therein would be a list of all currently active parody pages, and an archive of all former parody pages. The more dim among us would therefore have a place they could visit to make sure that no one was able to pull any wool over their eyes.

• A time limit would be set on the parody page before it receives the NPOV notation across the top. In the case of the Tommy Gun example, it makes sense NOW that some notation be made that this was a hoax - but at the time it would have submarined the entire game.

• After the time limit, the page would get the notation either by the group writing the parody or the sysops. I don't see this as overly burdensome, nor that consequential should one go 'late.'

Is this a good compromise? I'm merely trying to make it worth it to do such things, and to have us collectively recognize the value of humor around these parts. Parody is a real part of the real world, and while folks may not always like it, it's an important component of free speech.

More importantly, for a good many of us, it's an important component to the enjoyment of the Urban Dead experience that should not be needlessly impeded or rendered ineffectual simply because some among us are missing the joke.

I am open to any and all constructive comments. Thanks for reading.