- Joined
- Apr 18, 2002
- Messages
- 34
I assume I'm not the first, but I've decided to tackle all the various Fortean articles on Wikipedia.
Well, perhaps decide is a bit generous -- I got addicted to the platform and after making a few edits, moving things here and there, creating a new Fortean stub, and looking at category issues, before I knew it I have found myself entrenched in a fairly ambitious effort to bring all Fortean topics under the umbrella category of Forteana. Today, from a Fortean perspective, it's kind of all over the place.
So, before I continue down a cavalier path (or at least, before I proceed further without a plan) I decided to create a WikiProject. This is in sandbox, so you won't see it just yet, and I am seeking input on the following areas:
Scope
My personal vision is to designate the Forteana category I just created as a parent for Paranormal phenomena, Cryptozoology, Occult and Legendary creatures (may have missed others). Should I also propose qualitative changes to Fortean articles (e.g. style guide) at this juncture? Should any other considerations be built into the project right from the start?
Justification
Here is where I could use the most input, especially from the Fortean veterans. I'm sure it hardly needs to be said here that the Fortean perspective is focused on the bigger picture and almost rewrites the book on this kind of material. Yet parapsychology enthusiasts, conspiracy theorists, occult experts and perhaps especially skeptics may not see it quite the same way. Therefore the language of the project goals and justification needs to be just right.
Risks
Are folks here -- or might Forteans elsewhere be -- concerned about creating bad feelings on the Web by proposing these sorts of categorical changes?
Other
Any other perceptions, inspirations, suggestions, complaints...?
Incidentally, this also presents an opportunity to consider creating a Forteana article that is not imbedded in the existing article about Charles Fort -- today going to Forteana simply redirects you to Fort. (Some talented writing is needed there, however, and I would rather defer this honor to one of the Fortean Masters in this community).
Well, perhaps decide is a bit generous -- I got addicted to the platform and after making a few edits, moving things here and there, creating a new Fortean stub, and looking at category issues, before I knew it I have found myself entrenched in a fairly ambitious effort to bring all Fortean topics under the umbrella category of Forteana. Today, from a Fortean perspective, it's kind of all over the place.
So, before I continue down a cavalier path (or at least, before I proceed further without a plan) I decided to create a WikiProject. This is in sandbox, so you won't see it just yet, and I am seeking input on the following areas:
Scope
My personal vision is to designate the Forteana category I just created as a parent for Paranormal phenomena, Cryptozoology, Occult and Legendary creatures (may have missed others). Should I also propose qualitative changes to Fortean articles (e.g. style guide) at this juncture? Should any other considerations be built into the project right from the start?
Justification
Here is where I could use the most input, especially from the Fortean veterans. I'm sure it hardly needs to be said here that the Fortean perspective is focused on the bigger picture and almost rewrites the book on this kind of material. Yet parapsychology enthusiasts, conspiracy theorists, occult experts and perhaps especially skeptics may not see it quite the same way. Therefore the language of the project goals and justification needs to be just right.
Risks
Are folks here -- or might Forteans elsewhere be -- concerned about creating bad feelings on the Web by proposing these sorts of categorical changes?
Other
Any other perceptions, inspirations, suggestions, complaints...?
Incidentally, this also presents an opportunity to consider creating a Forteana article that is not imbedded in the existing article about Charles Fort -- today going to Forteana simply redirects you to Fort. (Some talented writing is needed there, however, and I would rather defer this honor to one of the Fortean Masters in this community).