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var(--border-color-base,#a2a9b1);background-color:var(--background-color-base,#fff);padding:0.3em 0.6em 0.2em 0.6em;text-align:center;font-size:85%}.mw-parser-output .module-shortcutboxleft{float:left;margin:0 1em 0 0}.mw-parser-output .module-shortcutlist{display:inline-block;border-bottom:1px solid var(--border-color-base,#a2a9b1);margin-bottom:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .module-shortcutboxplain ul{font-weight:bold}.mw-parser-output .module-shortcutanchordiv{position:relative;top:-3em}.mw-parser-output li .module-shortcutanchordiv{float:right}.mw-parser-output .mbox-imageright .module-shortcutboxplain{padding:0.4em 1em 0.4em 1em;line-height:1.3;margin:0}</style><div class="module-shortcutanchordiv"><span id="WP:SOP"></span><span id="WP:JWP"></span></div><div class="module-shortcutboxplain noprint" role="note"><div class="module-shortcutlist"><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Shortcut" title="Wikipedia:Shortcut">Shortcuts</a></div><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1126788409">.mw-parser-output .plainlist ol,.mw-parser-output .plainlist ul{line-height:inherit;list-style:none;margin:0;padding:0}.mw-parser-output .plainlist ol li,.mw-parser-output .plainlist ul li{margin-bottom:0}</style><div class="plainlist"><ul><li><span class="plainlinks"><a class="external text" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:SOP&redirect=no">WP:SOP</a></span></li><li><span class="plainlinks"><a class="external text" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:JWP&redirect=no">WP:JWP</a></span></li></ul></div></div> <p>This is a <b>statement of principles</b> from <a href="/wiki/Wikipedia" title="Wikipedia">Wikipedia</a> founder <a href="/wiki/User:Jimbo_Wales" title="User:Jimbo Wales">Jimbo Wales</a>, as updated by the community since then. The <a href="/wiki/Special:PermanentLink/409315229" title="Special:PermanentLink/409315229">original version of this page</a> was published on 27 October 2001.<sup id="cite_ref-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-1"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>1<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <meta property="mw:PageProp/toc" /> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Introduction">Introduction</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=User:Jimbo_Wales/Statement_of_principles&action=edit&section=1" title="Edit section: Introduction"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>As we move forward with software and social changes, I think it is imperative that I state clearly and forcefully my views on openness and the licenses. This page, like all Wikipedia pages, is a living, dynamic document, which I will update and clarify as legitimate questions arise. </p><p>I should point out that these are <i>my</i> principles, such that <i>I</i> am the final judge of them. This does not mean that I will not listen to you, but it does mean that at some ultimate, fundamental level, this is how Wikipedia will be run. </p><p>(But have no fear, as you will see, below.) </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Principles">Principles</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=User:Jimbo_Wales/Statement_of_principles&action=edit&section=2" title="Edit section: Principles"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <ol> <li id="1"> <b>Wikipedia's success to date is entirely a function of our open community.</b> This community will continue to live and breathe and grow only so long as those of us who participate in it continue to <i>Do The Right Thing</i>. Doing The Right Thing takes many forms, but perhaps most central is the preservation of our shared vision for the <a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Neutral_point_of_view" title="Wikipedia:Neutral point of view">neutral point of view policy</a> and for a culture of thoughtful, diplomatic honesty. </li> <li id="2"> <b><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Please_do_not_bite_the_newcomers" title="Wikipedia:Please do not bite the newcomers">Newcomers are always to be welcomed</a>.</b> There must be <a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:TINC" class="mw-redirect" title="Wikipedia:TINC">no cabal</a>, there must be no <a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:SENIORITY" class="mw-redirect" title="Wikipedia:SENIORITY">elites</a>, there must be no hierarchy or structure which gets in the way of this openness to newcomers. Any security measures to be implemented to protect the community against real <a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Vandalism" title="Wikipedia:Vandalism">vandals</a> (and there <i>are</i> real vandals, who are already starting to affect us) should be implemented on the model of "<a href="/wiki/Strict_scrutiny" title="Strict scrutiny">strict scrutiny</a>". "Strict scrutiny" means that any measures instituted for security must address a compelling community interest, and must be narrowly tailored to achieve that objective and no other. For example: rather than trust humans to correctly identify "regulars", we must use a simple, transparent, and open <a href="/wiki/Algorithm" title="Algorithm">algorithm</a>, so that people are <i>automatically</i> given full privileges once they have been around the community for a very short period of time. The process should be virtually invisible for newcomers, so that they do not have to do <i>anything</i> to start contributing to the community. </li> <li id="3"> <b>"<i>You</i> can edit this page right now" is a core guiding check on everything that we do.</b> We must respect this principle as sacred. </li> <li id="4"> <b>Any changes to the software must be gradual and reversible.</b> We need to make sure that any changes contribute positively to the community, as ultimately determined by the Wikimedia Foundation, in full consultation with the community consensus. </li> <li id="5"> <b>The open and <i>viral</i> nature of the <a href="/wiki/GNU_Free_Documentation_License" title="GNU Free Documentation License">GNU Free Documentation License</a> and the <a href="/wiki/Creative_Commons_licenses" class="mw-redirect" title="Creative Commons licenses">Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License</a> is fundamental to the long-term success of the site.</b> Anyone who wants to use our content in a closed, proprietary manner must be challenged. We must adhere very strictly to both the letter and spirit of the licenses. </li> <li id="6"> <b>Wikipedia is an <a href="/wiki/Encyclopedia" title="Encyclopedia">encyclopedia</a>.</b> The topic of Wikipedia articles should always look <i>outward</i>, not inward at Wikipedia itself. </li> <li id="7"> <b>Anyone with a complaint should be treated with the utmost respect and dignity.</b> They should be encouraged constantly to present their problems in a constructive way. Anyone who just complains without foundation, refusing to join the discussion, should simply be rejected and ignored. Consensus is a partnership between interested parties working positively for a common goal. We must not let the "squeaky wheel" be greased just for being a jerk. </li> <li id="8"> <b>Diplomacy consists of combining honesty and politeness.</b> Both are objectively valuable moral principles. Be honest with me, but don't be mean to me. Don't misrepresent my views for your own political ends, and I'll treat you the same way. </li> </ol> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="See_also">See also</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=User:Jimbo_Wales/Statement_of_principles&action=edit&section=3" title="Edit section: See also"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1257001546">.mw-parser-output .infobox-subbox{padding:0;border:none;margin:-3px;width:auto;min-width:100%;font-size:100%;clear:none;float:none;background-color:transparent}.mw-parser-output .infobox-3cols-child{margin:auto}.mw-parser-output .infobox .navbar{font-size:100%}@media screen{html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .infobox-full-data:not(.notheme)>div:not(.notheme)[style]{background:#1f1f23!important;color:#f8f9fa}}@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .infobox-full-data:not(.notheme) div:not(.notheme){background:#1f1f23!important;color:#f8f9fa}}@media(min-width:640px){body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table{display:table!important}body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table>caption{display:table-caption!important}body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table>tbody{display:table-row-group}body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table tr{display:table-row!important}body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table th,body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table td{padding-left:inherit;padding-right:inherit}}</style><table class="infobox" style="width: 210px; clear: right; float:right;margin:0 0 1.5em 1.5em"><tbody><tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-above" style="font-size:115%">External videos</th></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="infobox-full-data" style="text-align: left"><span typeof="mw:File"><span><img alt="video icon" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1b/Nuvola_apps_kaboodle.svg/16px-Nuvola_apps_kaboodle.svg.png" decoding="async" width="16" height="16" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1b/Nuvola_apps_kaboodle.svg/24px-Nuvola_apps_kaboodle.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1b/Nuvola_apps_kaboodle.svg/32px-Nuvola_apps_kaboodle.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></span></span> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.ted.com/talks/jimmy_wales_on_the_birth_of_wikipedia">Jimmy Wales: The birth of Wikipedia</a>, TED (conference), 2005.</td></tr></tbody></table> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Free_encyclopedia" title="Wikipedia:Free encyclopedia">Wikipedia:Free encyclopedia</a> – a 2004 statement by <a href="/wiki/Jimmy_Wales" title="Jimmy Wales">Jimmy Wales</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Role_of_Jimmy_Wales" title="Wikipedia:Role of Jimmy Wales">Wikipedia:Role of Jimmy Wales</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Administration#Human_and_legal_administration" title="Wikipedia:Administration">Wikipedia:Administration#Human and legal administration</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Core_content_policies#History" title="Wikipedia:Core content policies">Wikipedia:Core content policies#History</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Purpose" title="Wikipedia:Purpose">Wikipedia:Purpose</a></li> <li><a href="https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia_Governance" class="extiw" title="m:Wikipedia Governance">m:Wikipedia Governance</a> – an essay written in 2002 by Jimmy Wales</li></ul> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Notes">Notes</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=User:Jimbo_Wales/Statement_of_principles&action=edit&section=4" title="Edit section: Notes"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1239543626">.mw-parser-output .reflist{margin-bottom:0.5em;list-style-type:decimal}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .reflist{font-size:90%}}.mw-parser-output .reflist .references{font-size:100%;margin-bottom:0;list-style-type:inherit}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-2{column-width:30em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-3{column-width:25em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns{margin-top:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns ol{margin-top:0}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns li{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-alpha{list-style-type:upper-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-roman{list-style-type:upper-roman}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-alpha{list-style-type:lower-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-greek{list-style-type:lower-greek}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-roman{list-style-type:lower-roman}</style><div class="reflist"> <div class="mw-references-wrap"><ol class="references"> <li id="cite_note-1"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-1">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">According to the copy of the page at <a class="external text" href="https://nostalgia.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jimbo_Wales/Statement_of_principles&oldid=75340">the nostalgia wiki</a> the original version of this Statement of Principles was created at: 01:34, 27 October 2001. Find more history <a class="external text" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User_talk:Jimbo_Wales/Statement_of_principles&oldid=342503776#The_story_behind_this_SOP">here</a>.</span> </li> </ol></div></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Related_information">Related information</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=User:Jimbo_Wales/Statement_of_principles&action=edit&section=5" title="Edit section: Related information"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <div class="navbox-styles"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1129693374">.mw-parser-output .hlist dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist ol,.mw-parser-output .hlist ul{margin:0;padding:0}.mw-parser-output .hlist dd,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt,.mw-parser-output .hlist li{margin:0;display:inline}.mw-parser-output .hlist.inline,.mw-parser-output .hlist.inline dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist.inline 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style="width:5em;">   </td><td class="navbox-list" style="padding:0px;text-align: center;width:20%;"><div> <p><b><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Five_pillars" title="Wikipedia:Five pillars">Five pillars</a></b><br />Statement of our principles </p> </div></td><td class="navbox-list" style="border-left:2px solid #fdfdfd;padding:0px;text-align: center;width:20%;"><div> <p><b><a class="mw-selflink selflink">Jimbo's statement</a></b><br />Historic principles </p> </div></td><td class="navbox-list" style="border-left:2px solid #fdfdfd;padding:0px;text-align: center;width:20%;"><div> <p><b><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Simplified_ruleset" title="Wikipedia:Simplified ruleset">Simplified ruleset</a></b><br />Synopsis of our conventions </p> </div></td><td class="navbox-list" style="border-left:2px solid #fdfdfd;padding:0px;text-align: center;width:20%;"><div> <p><b><a href="https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Founding_principles" class="extiw" title="meta:Founding principles">Wikimedia principles</a></b><br 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