![]() | This essay contains the advice or opinions of one or more Wikipedia users. Essays may represent common ideas, or ideas that many users would not support. They are not rules. Think carefully about what they say before following them. |
We like to joke on Wikipedia every so often. However, when we do, there is certain stuff that must be done.
Humor used inappropriately without being noted can and often does result in blocks or other actions against editors. When it is used it must be clearly marked. ((humor)) is an example of one of the templates that helps with this.
No one wants to be the skunk at the garden party. But Wikipedia is no longer the small website it was back in the 2000s. It's now the world's main source of humanity's collection of knowledge, and with that privilege comes some custodial responsibilities. The benefits of humor in helping boost the number of people who stay on Wikipedia must be weighed against its potential for disruption. Consider:
There is no clear consensus when and how humor should be used in articles.
If humorous material is included in an article, it must be done in such a way as to meet all the usual article requirements, this includes:
Creating an article about humor or humorous subjects is not the same as adding humor to an article. One can create "dry" articles on humor, should that be considered alright.
Humor is often seen on Wikipedia pages outside of articles. The primary purpose of the Wikipedia project namespace and similar pages are to coordinate the mission of the building of the encyclopedia. Because Wikipedia's community is the people who change Wikipedia, humor often appears as well.
Humor can appear in many different ways, with considerable overlap. These ways include:
One should remain aware that what one finds funny, another person may find mean and hurtful. The use of humor does not override such core policies as Civility and No Personal Attacks.