It is quite normal for each generation, as they age, to yearn for the values of the past, in a rose-tinted spectacles manner. There probably never was a time of Wikipedian harmony, polite collegiality and happiness, but it's nice to think that there was, and to aspire to bring it back.

Some long-term editors have noticed that they've become increasingly grumpy and bad-tempered onwiki. This could be for any number of reasons, but the impact is that they are less happy contributors and the effects become a negative feedback cycle, drawing in more and more grumpy contributors.

By pledging to return to these Old Fashioned Wikipedian Values, perhaps your example will spread, making the whole environment more pleasant. But even if it does not, you can feel happy about yourself and the contributions you're making. After all, the high ground is a great place to be. But beware the high horse;^[1] it can be painful to fall off this animal!

I will:

1. Be unfailingly polite, even to vandals, let alone regulars with whom I disagree.
2. Take the mantra of assuming good faith to within a whisker of absurdity.
3. Apologise for perceived shortcomings, even on occasions when I think it is barely necessary.
4. Welcome other editors pointing out to me when I fail to meet the first three pledges.

This user pledges to return to Old Fashioned Wikipedian Values.

Some people like userboxes. If you sign up, feel free to add this one, if you fancy:

With grateful thanks to User:Diannaa, who provided the technical skills.

• Dweller (talk) 08:57, 4 April 2013 (UTC)[reply]
• The Rambling Man (talk) 16:47, 4 April 2013 (UTC)[reply]
• Bencherlite^Talk 08:03, 9 April 2013 (UTC)[reply]
• I think it's why I have been called naive recently, cloud cuckoo land was also mentioned, - I call it dream. (Look for Peace and Reformation on my user page) - Please let me know when I don't know enough of the "old" values, I still feel new here and learning.

Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:29, 9 April 2013 (UTC)[reply]

• Dianna (talk) 12:14, 9 April 2013 (UTC)[reply]
• I will try my hardest to do this in moving forward. <Ched resists the urge to yell at the kids playing on his lawn> — Ched :  ?  18:11, 9 April 2013 (UTC)[reply]
• Great idea —Cliftonian (talk) 10:49, 19 April 2013 (UTC)[reply]
• A much better idea than the proposed admin-oath. Lectonar (talk) 19:24, 30 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]
• Antidiskriminator (talk) 10:43, 28 July 2013 (UTC)[reply]
• Arrivisto (talk) 14:18, 10 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
• Dontreader (talk) 00:21, 5 December 2014 (UTC)[reply]
• Go Phightins!
• I'll trade you this Ritchie333 ^{(talk) (cont)} 11:55, 3 February 2015 (UTC)[reply]
• I never edited Old Fashioned Wikipedia, but I found my grandma's rose-colored spectacles in the attic. Good principles on- and off-line. FourViolas (talk) 03:39, 19 February 2015 (UTC)[reply]
• Absolutely. — Mr. Stradivarius ^{♪ talk ♪} 23:37, 26 February 2015 (UTC)[reply]
• A worthy goal. DocTree (ʞlɐʇ·ʇuoɔ) WER 23:28, 10 March 2015 (UTC)[reply]
• Hafspajen "nominated" me for this; see User talk:Joshua Jonathan#SPI. I'm honoured by his nomination, and I enlist. See also Bodhisattva and Guanyin. Best regards, Joshua Jonathan -Let's talk! 06:32, 19 March 2015 (UTC)[reply]
• Delighted to see such a group exists! Quinto Simmaco (talk) 04:35, 2 April 2015 (UTC)[reply]
• OlEnglish (talk) 09:50, 18 June 2015 (UTC)[reply]
• Sorry I didn't sign this four or five years ago. ϢereSpielChequers 10:22, 29 June 2015 (UTC)[reply]
• Looking at my own nine-year history on Wikipedia, I realize that as the years have gone by I have become somewhat more snarky and even on occasion uncivil. I am going to take the pledge, starting on 01 July 2015. I encourage others to call me on it if I fall short. --Guy Macon (talk) 03:20, 30 June 2015 (UTC)[reply]

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