View source for Vero - Wikipedia:Wikipediholic

{{For|the WikiProject|Wikipedia:WikiProject Addictions and recovery}}
{{For-text|an example of a psychiatric paper about the real addiction this page is unfortunately making fun of (or is it?)|[https://doi.org/10.4103/0972-6748.196054 DOI:10.4103/0972-6748.196054]}}
{{not to be confused with|Wikipedia:Editing Under the Influence}}
{{Humorous essay|WP:HOLIC|WP:ADDICTED}}
{{Infobox medical condition (new)
| name          = Wikipediholism
| synonyms      = Wikiaddiction
| image         = Grown_Up_Wikipetan_Putting_Piece_Together.png
| width         = 250px
| alt           = 
| caption       =  According to some research, people with Wikipediholism often experience hallucinations and dreams about [[Wikipedia:Wikipe-tan|Wikipedia in human form]], for example as seen in this picture.
| pronounce     =  
| field         = [[Psychiatry]]
| symptoms      = 
| onset         = 
| duration      =  
| types         = 
| causes        = Wikipedia.org
| risks         = Having registered a Wikipedia account, preexisting [[computer addiction]], too much free time, occupation (computer programmer, academic, tertiary education student), [[gender bias on Wikipedia]]
| prevention    = 
| treatment     = Incurable, though possible to alleviate partially with the [[metawiki:Wikipatch|Wikipatch]]. Putting your laptop in another room.
| medication    = Turning off [[wifi]]. Going on holiday.
| prognosis     = 
| frequency     = Unknown; often found in [[Wikipedia:Seven Ages of Wikipedians|WikiChildren]].
| deaths        = Unknown, none confirmed. Due to the lack of information about Wikipediholics, expert estimates vary wildly. Probably a couple dozen.
}}
{{Speciesbox
| name               = Wikipediholic
| image = Wikipediholic.jpg
| image_alt = 
| image_caption = One of the few confirmed photographs of Wikipediholics in the wild. The disease is dangerous and probably incurable.
| status = 
| status_system = 
| status_ref = {{citation needed|date=}}
| genus = Homo
| species = wikiaddictus{{efn|Some maintain that ''H. wikiaddictus'' is a subspecies of ''[[H. sapiens]]''; disputed}}
| authority = 
| synonyms = 
| synonyms_ref = {{citation needed|date=}}
}}

A '''Wikipediholic''', '''wikiholic''', '''Wikipediaholic''', '''Wikipath''', '''wikiaddict''', or '''wikimaniac''' (in [[binomial classification]], ''Homo wikiaddictus''{{efn|A correct Latin term for ''Homo wikiaddictus'' would be ''Homo wikindulgens''}} or ''Homo wikidependus''), (considered by some to be a subspecies of [[Homo sapiens|''Homo sapiens'']]), is someone who suffers from Wikipediholism, or obsession (addiction in some cases) with [[Wikipedia]] or other [[wiki]]s. One of the most common characteristics of the condition is the victim reading or editing Wikipedia articles with much more frequency than the average person. Another common characteristic is having a [[web browser]] window constantly open to the [[Special:Recentchanges|Recent Changes]] section of Wikipedia and/or other wikis (or in the condition's slightly milder form, one's [[Wikipedia:Watchlist|Watchlist]]), and pressing the "Reload" or "Refresh" button with a high frequency (sometimes leading to [[carpal tunnel syndrome]]) (or using the live updates feature to avoid having to refresh). Others have a bottle of [[Wikipedia:Wikipedihol|Wikipedihol]] tablets by their desktop. Others click the "random page" button instead. Still others endlessly edit pages, and/or endlessly track and monitor the edits of users with whom they have become obsessed. This disorder can lead to a serious decrease in productivity in all other areas of the victim's life, like any other [[addiction]]. That is why they're called Wikipedia abusers, after all. Do not taunt their lack of significant others; it is but a mere illusion.

* [[Wikipedia:Wikipediholism test|Official Wikipediholism Test]]: If you think you are a Wikipediholic, please take this test for proper diagnosis. Note: This is quite long; set aside at least 15 minutes to take this test. Or just procrastinate taking it and then forget to take it (as Wikipediholics all do).

This is a recent phenomenon – having been made possible by the creation of Wikipedia in [[January 2001]] – and particularly affects [[academics]], [[graduate student]]s, [[game show|game show contestant]]s, people working in [[STEM]], [[nerd]]s, [[telecommuter]]s, people living in the [[suburbs]], news junkies, the [[unemployment|unemployed]] or soon-to-be unemployed, [[Wikipedia:Seven Ages of Wikipedians|WikiChildren]], people who are more bored or curious than normal, people with multiple interests and high IQs (or at least believe they have high IQs. The online IQ test you took probably isn't very reliable).

Although people who fit those descriptions are welcome, especially the coconut monkeys, they should know that their fellow primates do not necessarily share their world-view and that it may be better for wiki itself if they take a walk once in a while, and remember that their body consists of more than fingers, eyes, brain, and bladder. And that [[Instrumentalism|wiki exists to serve us]], not [[Consequentialism|as an end wholly in itself]].

An alternative addiction is "wikistalking." 

''Wikistalkers'' have gotten over their addiction to editing. However, they enjoy watching even the most minute changes. Most probably check [[Special:Newpages|New pages]] continuously.

Wikiholics are often called  "nerds", a term used negatively. In fact, with how many articles they read and absorb into their brains, they are super-sapiens.

== Signs of Wikipediholism ==
=== Level I ===
* You read Wikipedia articles much more than the average person.
* You start to make regular edits to Wikipedia.
* You have an account with one or more other Wikipedias or other Wikimedia projects.
* You [[procrastination|procrastinate]] on things that are important in your life.
* You realize you are editing pages on a {{CURRENTDAYNAME}} night. <!-- Haha good joke 1+ -->
* You talk about Wikipedia frequently in daily life.
* You enter [[Wiki_rabbit_hole|Wikipedia rabbit holes]] on a daily basis (or any time you visit Wikipedia, really).

=== Level II ===
* You've already read this far in the list.
* You understand the term '[[WP:SOCK|sock puppet]]' (extra points if you've ever questioned why it isn't 'sock puppeteer').
* Upon hearing the term ''[[Alcoholism|alcoholic]]'', you catch yourself clarifying it to a complete stranger "Oh, you mean like a Wikipediholic only with alcohol."
* Whenever your web browser is closed, you feel a large sense of communal absence.
* You've already [http:{{fullurl:Wikipedia:Wikipediholic|action=edit}} edited this page.]
* You've already [http:{{fullurl:Wikipedia:Wikipediholic#Signs_of_Wikipediholism|action=edit}} edited] the '''Signs of Wikipediholism''' list.
* You deny that you've already edited the '''Signs of Wikipediholism''' list, even though it's obvious you did.
* You get nervous when someone sends you the link for the '''Signs of Wikipediholism''' list because you don't want someone to find out you edited the '''Signs of Wikipediholism''' list because it's super obvious you did.
* You avoid sharing [[GIF]]s on social media out of fear of violating copyright laws.
* You try to edit your sent items on your email account, thinking that they can be updated.
* You check your watchlist and talk page more than your email inbox.
* You have the [[Main Page]] or your [[Special:Watchlist|Watchlist]] [[bookmark (digital)|bookmark]]ed as your [[home page]].
* You find yourself ending emails with <nowiki>~~~~</nowiki> and try to italicize and bold messages with apostrophes.
* You always check all kinds of texts to see if they are [[Wikipedia:Glossary#Wikify|wikified]].
* You attempt to replace [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style#Quotation characters|curly apostrophes]] with straight ones in [[everyday life]].
* You spend most of your breaks editing Wikipedia instead of eating your food, doing schoolwork, or socially <s>distancing</s> interacting with friends.
* You scream "Ew, disgusting!!" when you see [[Contraction (grammar)|contractions]] in the [[WP:Mainspace|mainspace]] and immediately go to [[MOS:Abbreviations#Contractions|fix it]].
* You see a new user with one edit on their userpage containing little encyclopedic content and think, "juicy [[WP:U5|U5]] target!"
** You are so disgusted by the [[WP:BITE|biting of newcomers]] that this causes that you start a proposal to and [[Wikipedia_talk:Speedy_deletion#RfC:_Replacing_U5_with_a_primarily_procedural_mechanism|successfully]] repeal U5. <!-- sorry Tamzin -->
* You start to [[Tab (interface)#Tab hoarding|hoard tabs]] because you went too deep into a [[Wiki rabbit hole|Wikipedia rabbit hole]], and now you have too many tabs open in your [[Web browser|browser]]. <!-- My worst was ~500 tabs -->

=== Level III ===
* You regularly write {{tl|fact}} or {{tl|cn}} in the margin of any book you are reading.{{fact}}
* You write <code>wp:whoosh</code> instead of <code>r/whoosh</code> on [[Reddit]]. 
* You get frustrated when you can't fix typos in your local news but are simultaneously glad that you can't because then it would be an unreliable source that includes [[WP:SPS|user-generated content]].
* [[When|When]] [[You_(disambiguation)|you]] [[Try|try]] [[TO|to]] [[explain]] [[Something|something]][[Comma|,]] [[you]] [[Have|have]] [[AN|an]] [[Urge|urge]] [[2_(disambiguation)|to]] [[add]] [[Hyperlink#Wikis|wikilinks]] [[With|with]] <big>[[Quotation mark|"]][[Hyperlink#Wikis|<nowiki>[[]]</nowiki>]][[Quotation mark|"]]</big>[[Period|.]]
* You get anxious and even angry at reading the giant sea of [[WP:DAB]] pages on the previous bullet point.
** You get annoyed when another editor changes some of the links on that bullet point so that they aren't [[WP:DAB]] pages anymore, which ruins the joke.
*** You tried to fix this joke to make it have even more disambiguations than it used to.
* You get confused when you can't find the little blue edit markers on books and magazines.
* You accidentally say "Does this spot on my hat look notable?"
* You whisper "{{Fake citation needed}}" every time you say something that you don't have that much information for.{{Fake citation needed}}
* You accidentally end your comments on other websites with <nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>.{{Fake citation needed}}
** You try to end things you say in real life with <nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>. (???){{Fake citation needed}}
* You begin to adhere to [[MOS:NUMERAL]] in your personal communications.
* You question why clicking on the first link on almost any article enough times will usually lead to [[Wikipedia philosophy phenomenon|philosophy]]. You try writing a program that uses logic and reasoning to find out why (You fail and cry yourself to sleep).
* When you close your eyes you see <code>[[WP:WIKICODE|wiki code]]</code>. ''<small>(A case of [[Tetris effect|''Tetris'' Syndrome]], personified.)</small>''
* You have dreams about an [[Wikipedia:Wikipe-tan|anthropomorphic Wikipedia]].
* <s>You [[Objectification of women|fantasize]] about an [[Wikipedia:Wikipe-tan|anthropomorphic Wikipedia]]</s> (who added this?) <small>(seriously, who did it? I want to give them an award :D)</small> (The one who posted this question is [[True Scotsman|not a true Wikipedian]]; the true one knows how to find the answer.)
* If so much as one thing you don't know comes across your mind, you bolt for the nearest computer to see if Wikipedia has a page on it.
** If it does, you drop whatever you were doing before the urge took you and edit the page obsessively, whether you know the topic or not.
** If it does not, you obsessively check every single paper encyclopedia you have and search six different search engines for information on the subject. Then you proceed to write three screens worth on the topic and create an article on it, which probably will never be seen or thought about by another being in a thousand years.
* You change your clock to match UTC rather than your own time zone because it's easier that way.
* You stylise documents similar to a Wikipedia article. [[File:The Last Leaf notes.jpg|thumb|School notes of a former Wikiholic about [[The Last Leaf]] by [[O. Henry]] stylised under the 2022 MediaWiki theme]]
* Your [[Signature|official signature]] in real life is <nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>.
* You started formatting section headers with "==...==" in your <s>second life</s> real life work documents, and your boss started suspecting something...
*You thoughtlessly ignore any argument that does not involve sufficient academic data.
*You think of people as [[User (computing)|user]]s.
*You mass replace curly quotes with straight quotes even when doing so would be absolutely pointless.

=== Level IV ===
* You start playing '''[[Wikipedia:Wiki Ladders|WikiLadders]]''' – the game where you open two random articles and try to get from the first to the second using only the links in the first and subsequent articles...
** ...and then go back to try and do it again using fewer links.
* You try editing magazines.
* You try editing [[Uncyclopedia]] in an attempt to escape from Wikipedia.
** You fail miserably, and return to Wikipedia once again.
* You donate your [[Help:Buying Wikipedia|life savings to Wikipedia]].
* You skip an important date to look up references for an article on a subject you'd never even heard of before you discovered Wikipedia.
* You turn up late for work and bleary-eyed after a particularly aggressive [[wp:XfD|XfD]] (and you know what XfD means because you've looked it up already.)
** Better yet, you're unemployed.
* Your state/provincial/territorial/national reference librarians know you by first name.
** Your state/provincial/territorial/national reference librarians know you by first, middle, last, and nicknames.
* You add Wiki to most words in [[Real life (reality)|real life]], and have sent letters to the [[Oxford University Press]] demanding that "wiki" be added as an official prefix.
* You have conversations with your [[Wikipedia:Sock puppetry|sock puppet]] on the talk pages (this is against Wikipedia rules but don't tell your sock puppet, she loves you platonically).
* Your best friend is your [[Wikipedia:Sock puppetry|sock puppet]] (also against Wikipedia rules).
* You start falling in love with your sock puppet (actually... [[Sexual narcissism|this]] is not explicitly against Wikipedia rules... yet).

=== Level V ===
* Reality and Wikipedia begin to blur (think ''[[Existenz]]'').
* Friends begin to shun you, knowing you will only talk about Wiki issues (including inviting them to be a member of a Wikipedia).
* You add citations for an article about Wikipediholism that are removed for [[Wikipedia:No original research|WP:NOR]].
* You say the [[#Wiki Prayer|Wiki Prayer]] before beginning a day long chain of edits.
* You wish for the [[global catastrophe scenarios|end of the world]] so [[WP:Beyond the end]] can happen.
** You... actually succeed with this one (<sup>You guessed it!</sup> {{fake citation needed}}) and witness the establishment of a intergalactic civilization and become [[User:Jimbo Wales|Jimbo Wales's]] [[Body relative direction|Right]] [[Hand]] [[Man]].
* You're reading this whilst in the edit page.
=== Level VI===
* You physically enter Wikipedia.
* You need emergency care if you don’t edit for over a hour. Time to go to a [[Wikipedia:Clinic for Wikipediholics|WikiClinic]]!
* You are the top Wikipedian (by number of edits)
* Every minute, you drink [[Wikipedia:Wikipedihol|Wikipedihol]].
* No one on [[Earth]] is able to cure you of your Wikipediholism.

== Official attributes ==
=== Wiki Prayer ===
(Source:<ref>http://c2.com/cgi/wiki?WikiPrayer</ref> adapted from [[wikiquote:The Serenity Prayer|The Serenity Prayer]]),

::::::::: "God, grant me the serenity to accept the [[WP:LETITBE|pages I cannot edit]],
::::::::: "The [[Wikipedia:Be Bold|courage]] to edit the pages I can,
::::::::: "And the wisdom to know the difference."

=== The Subterranean Wiki Prayer Revisited, Nos. 5 and 36 ===

::::::::: Johnny edits the [[Main Page]]
::::::::: I re-write the [[Stone Age]]
::::::::: [[Napoleon]] and [[Shakespeare]] dress like a [[light bulb]]
::::::::: We'll be here all night - refresh the same page

{{also|Wikipedia:The Wikipedian's Prayer}}

=== Motto ===
:''One edit is too many and a thousand is never enough.''

== Stages of Wikipediholism ==
[[File:Angry Wikipe-tan.svg|thumb|Wikipe-tan says: "Beware!".]]
=== Risk factors ===
Those who are the most at risk for catching the disease are those who have [[Wikipedia:Why create an account?|created an account]], have access to a computer constantly and consistently, and who like the idea of a wiki. Those with [[Wikipedia:Editcountitis|Editcountitis]] may have elevated risk factors, as do [[Hacker_(computer_security)|hackers]], [[Linux]] users, and [[Mozilla Firefox|Firefox]] enthusiasts (because of their exposure to [[open source]] technology).

When asked "do you want to be right or happy?", the Wikipediholic answers "be right!" without hesitation.

=== Early stages ===
The patient finds that they "like" Wikipedia. They use the Main Page as a bookmark and consult the articles for information. The patient contributes to articles that they find lacking. They learn basic wiki markup. The patient can, however, give up now and cure themselves.

=== Middle stages ===
The patient uses the Main Page or their watchlist as bookmarks and their homepage. They reduce other online activities. The patient may join a [[Wikipedia:WikiProject|WikiProject]] and contribute heavily to articles, as well as try editing outside the article and talk namespaces. They learn basic HTML and advanced wiki markup. The patient requests to become an [[Wikipedia:Administrator|Administrator]], and proudly shows off their [[Wikipedia:barnstar|barnstar]]s. Most refuse cures, which are still available during this stage.

When [[WP:BLOCK|blocked]], some Wikipediholics have been known to grieve over their loss of editing privileges.

=== Late stages ===
The patient uses their watchlist as their homepage. They may also explore the [[Special:Recentchanges|Recent changes]]. The patient reduces other "real world" activities such as washing clothes, cleaning their house and talking to friends. Editing takes up more and more time. They may edit on a smartphone on the bus, at work, at home on a laptop and even in bed on a tablet. They may join multiple WikiProjects and contribute very heavily to many articles, as well as trying to edit heavily outside the article and talk namespaces. Certain individuals may even choose to edit [[Wikipedia:Wikipediholic]] and related articles. The patient learns advanced HTML and master wiki markup. They become an Administrator. The patient may use third party software to edit Wikipedia, and accumulate many barnstars. The thought comes to them, while reading this page, "this isn't funny; my contributions to Wikipedia are ''extremely'' important". Cures become scarce.

=== Terminal stages ===
The patient uses the Recent changes as their homepage and identifies as a [[Wikipedia:Recent changes patrol|Recent changes patroller]]. They reduce all other activities besides those relating to "real world" health and Wikipedia (and sometimes endanger the former). The patient joins multiple WikiProjects and contributes very heavily to many articles, as well as to the core of running of Wikipedia. They master HTML and rewrite the [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style|Manual of Style]]. The patient requests to be a [[Wikipedia:Bureaucrats|Bureaucrat]] or Wikimedia Foundation employee. They shun third-party software, preferring the "raw" Wikipedia experience. The patient has so many barnstars that they take them off their userpage because they take up too much room and place them in a subpage of their userpage. Extreme denial may result, and cure is almost impossible. Terminal stages are when the wikipediholic spends an inordinate amount of time on [[Wikipedia]], and may spend very little time eating, sleeping or washing due to the amount of time being spent on Wikipedia. 

In extreme (yet rare, we hope!) cases, the patient may begin publishing [[m:Paper Wikipedia|paper versions of Wikipedia]] and trying to make profit off of them.

== Alternatives to cure ==
For those who see no end to their Wikipediholism, they may want to join the '''[[Wikipedia:Department of Fun|Department of Fun]]''' to keep things interesting. Also, keep an eye out for more Wikitivities. For instance, write [[Wikipedia:WPSONGS|songs]] like the parody "[[meta:Hotel Wikipedia|Hotel Wikipedia]]" and "[[Wikipedia:Song/Staying Alive (And Dying at the same time)|Staying Alive]]" as laments of despair over lost and ruined lives.

You might also want to try a cure of [[:m:wikipatch|wikipatch]]. In case of an "OMG" dire emergency and should all else fail, consider checking into the [[Wikipedia:Clinic for Wikipediholics|Clinic for Wikipediholics]].

You might join [[Troll (Internet)|troll organization]]s, but you will probably find very little solace there, since trolls have poor social support for each other, and they are still stuck here like the rest of us.

Perhaps the most effective solution of all is to embrace your Wikipediholism, accept it as part of your identity, and cherish it. Don't just admit it—brag about it! And if others call you a Wikipediholic, take that as a compliment. If they call you a troll, and they will, so what? Spread your Wikipediholism! It is only a good thing! We're all trolls here. Eventually.

=== 12 steps of recovery for Wikipediholics ===
{{also|Wikipedia:Recovering from Wikipediholism}}
# We admitted we were '''powerless''' over Wikipedia; that our lives had become unmanageable.
# Came to believe that an '''Author of Knowledge''' greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
# Made a decision to turn our obsession for editing and article creation over to the care of The Author of Knowledge as we understood them.
# Made a searching and fearless knowledge '''inventory''' of ourselves.
# Admitted to the Author of Knowledge, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our '''factual mistakes and gaps'''.
# Were entirely ready to have the Author of Knowledge '''remove''' all these factual defects.
# Humbly asked them to remove our shortcomings by '''motivating''' us to be diligent in our research and study.
# Made a list of all persons (defined as editors or administrators) we had '''harmed''' by spreading unverified rumors, and became willing to make amends to them all.
# Made '''direct amends''' to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
# Continued to take personal knowledge inventories and when we are wrong promptly admit it.
# Sought through Wiki prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with the Author of Knowledge, as we understood them, praying only for knowledge of their will for us and the power to carry that out.
# Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to Wikipediholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

''With all due reverence and respect to those who suffer from genuine addictions and have found relief and recovery through [[twelve-step program]]s, and equal respect for those who have tried and failed to do the same thing.''

Those wishing to get rid of the habit, may wish to check themselves in the [[Wikipedia:Clinic for Wikipediholics|Clinic]]. Those who are sick of all these jokes and just want to talk to someone may wish to check the talk page.

== GREAT Wikipediholics ==
{{seealso|Wikipedia:List of Wikipedians by number of edits}}
(At English Wikipedia)

; In a class of their own (> 1 million edits) 
* [[User:Ser Amantio di Nicolao]]
* [[User:BD2412]]
* [[User:Bearcat]]
* [[User:BrownHairedGirl]]
* [[User:Hmains]]
* [[User:Koavf]]
* [[User:Lugnuts]]
* [[User:Materialscientist]]
* [[User:Rich Farmbrough]]
* [[User:Tom.Reding]]
* [[User:Waacstats]]

; Other honorable mentions (> half a million edits)
* [[User talk:Bgwhite|User:Bgwhite]]
* [[User:Dl2000]]
* [[User:Dr. Blofeld]]
* [[User:Frietjes]]
* [[User:Good Olfactory]]
* [[User:Hugo999]]
* [[User:John of Reading]]
* [[User:Magioladitis]]
* [[User:Northamerica1000]]
* [[User:Rjwilmsi]]
* [[User:Sfan00 IMG]]/[[User:ShakespeareFan00]]
* [[User:Tassedethe]]
* [[User:Tim!]]
* [[User:WhisperToMe]]
* [[User:Woohookitty]]
* [[User:WOSlinker]]
* [[User:{{REVISIONUSER}}]] <!-- Haha, just kidding! This is merely the latest person to have edited this page. Edit it so that it includes yours. Hey, maybe it tricks somebody! Probably for 2 seconds maximum, though. -->

== Wait, it is REAL ==
No, like seriously. (Ok, that was an exaggeration, but still, there is a source) <ref>{{cite journal |last1=Sharma |first1=Manoj |title=Wikipedia use: Risk for developing technology addiction |journal=Industrial Psychiatry Journal |date=2016 |volume=25 |issue=1 |pages=107–109 |publisher=[[National Center for Biotechnology Information]] |doi=10.4103/0972-6748.196054 |pmid=28163416 |pmc=5248408 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

Anyway '''you''' can help in proving or disproving this (or even finding the cure) by taking part in the [[meta:Research:Wikipedian and Internet addiction]].

== See also ==
* [[Wikipedia administrators]] (article)
* [[Wikipedia:Administrators]] (policy)
* [[Wikipedia:User Somebody "Notme" Else|User:Somebody "Notme" Else]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{Wikipediholism}}


[[Category:Wikipediholism| ]]