Wikipedia:Do not make problems to prove something
Talk about the possible problem; Do not create a problem to show the possible problems
Talking about problems is better than showing the possible problems that could happen by making problems yourself.
Some people may sometimes get annoyed or angry, muchly when something that is important to them has not been done properly in their oppinion. The person may point out other similar situations which were done better, and this would mean there was an "inconsistency" with Wikipedia, which is a bad thing, because it is a contradiction.
When this happens, the user who is angry may sometimes try to prove their point by showing the problems with the system by making problems happen. This is usually disruptive.
Normally, these edits are seen as a bad thing by people who think they are not very good at helping persuasion. Some people think the edits are spiteful, and that people can get hurt by this. This is why talking about something is better than "proving a point".
Types of problem-causing
Using policies badly
Sometimes, to make a point, people use policies badly.
Some examples include
- "Wikilawyering"
- Using policies to contradict other policies (Using one policy as a defense of breaking another policy)
- Pretending the actions of other editors editors are bad, when they are not
- Using only certain parts of a policy, but ignoring other parts
- Viewing the policy in your own opinion, and not as it was supposed to be understood
- Making false consensus
- Stopping discussion from getting anywhere, on purpose
- Commonly breaking policies in a small way, so that it is hard to prove they are breaking policy
Not all wrong use of policy is on purpose. Some users may not know all the policies, or may forget about them, so those users are not breaking the rules.
Refusing to listen
Sometimes, people cause arguments by trying to put something on wikipedia, evern though it has been proved wrong. They may arguing about it, without listening to other users.
Wikipedia works with good faith edits, and consensus. When people refuse to listen, even after other people, administrators, etc, explain things to them, then the person is making a point.