Wikipedia:In the apocalypse, there are no rules
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 | This page in a nutshell: Rules are made for the everyday, and cannot apply in exceptional circumstances |
"1. No More Rules in the Apocalypse"
— Raindance Film Festival, March 2020[1]
Why there are no rules
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Wikipedia:Ignore all rules says that "If a rule prevents you from improving or maintaining Wikipedia, ignore it"; rules can be ignored at large if they will prevent appropriate Wikipedia coverage and handling of a subject.
In unprecedented times, including but not limited to the apocalypse (other such Wikipedia-era times include the aftermath of 9/11, the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, and a possible Second American Civil War), following rules is just as unlikely as the situation is when compared to normal life. Editing Wikipedia in relation to the world-changing event cannot follow rules that were not designed for it.
In the same way, where possible, the policies and guidelines should be followed. But situations are likely if not very probable to arise where the rules do not account for the necessary edits, or where the rules would ask for something that is inaccurate or unknown. Further, events of impact often attract new editors. New editors don't know the rules. The event can also attract trolls. Trolls know the rules, and look to break them – and sometimes cleaning up after trolls involves breaking the rules if done expeditiously. If the new editors are acting in good faith, try to retain them, and teach them the rules for editing on other topics. And, in the interest of preventing misinformation (in an apocalypse, Wikipedia can be the front page of the Internet), ignore the rules to squash the trolls.
Okay, there are some rules
[edit]Although, this page doesn't advocate impoliteness, it is necessary to acknowledge that the apocalypse is stressful and that even ordinarily level-headed editors may lose their cool. Some people might turn hysterical, for those it is best to emphasize needing to pause between typing a panicked response and hitting 'publish'; in order to help everyone stay calm. Civility is important, and while some leniency might be reasonable when enforcing policy — it can't be ignored.
Fundamental rules about editing Wikipedia, like the need for reliable sources that are verifiable, are also non-negotiable; they're actually quite important in the apocalypse if we want ignoring other rules to be worth it.