 | This is an essay on Wikipedia's concept of "notability" and how it differs from the more common English usage of the word. It is not policy, but is an attempt to help new editors understand that what may sound like a painful insult is not intended as one.. It contains the advice or opinions of one or more Wikipedia contributors. This page is not an encyclopedia article, nor is it one of Wikipedia's policies or guidelines, as it has not been thoroughly vetted by the community. Some essays represent widespread norms; others only represent minority viewpoints. |
It's not an insult edit
I have two parents. They've both accomplished amazing things. They've both overcome some big odds. I love both of them. I'm proud of both of them. They both have stories that deserve to be told.
Only one of them meets Wikipedia's definition of "notability." So only one of them could get an article in Wikipedia.
How can that be right? How can that be fair? Shouldn't I protest? Make a big fuss until Wikipedia says they are both notable?
Well no. How wonderful, brave, wise, good, interesting, intelligent, awe inspiring, beautiful, cool, loveable, or worthy you are has nothing to do with what Wikipedia calls "notability." It's not a comment on your worth as a person. Some people who I think are stupid jerks are notable. Other people who I admire beyond words will never be in Wikipedia. The same thing is true for organizations. There are beautiful vital groups that will never get into Wikipedia. There are groups I consider bad jokes that have complete articles.
So what does notability mean here? All that being "notable" means is that newspapers, magazines, books, or academic journals have written a whole bunch of stuff about you. The more of that sort of information that gets written about you or your topic, the more likely it is that Wikipedia editors will agree that you or your topic should be covered in an article. And of course if there is a lot of that kind of writing about you, then Wikipedia editors can use that writing as sources to create an article.