- If you are looking for the list of animal articles, scroll down.
- If you are looking at this page for some explanation of my actions as a wikipedian, I offer the following:
- I am a heavy user of Wikipedia. I have it within reach practically 24/7 and surf from article to article, reading. I don’t write much, but when I do, it’s because I’m trying to read the article, not because I’m trying to write it.
- I like all kinds of articles, but I seek out things that don’t make sense to me. Often, that feeling goes away when I read articles, which is good.
- Other times, cognitive dissonance remains. Cognitive dissonance is interesting. I like resolving it. I also like crossword puzzles.
- Sometimes the problem is I have missed something. Fortunately, I know how to get someone on wikipedia to fill me in.
- Other times, Wikipedia needs clarification for the benefit of the users. My contributions result from me trying to read it, not to write it. I am very proud of my contributions, but I really just want to know for myself.
- But sometimes the problem lies not with Wikipedia, but with the state of knowledge available to Wikipedia about something. At this point, sometimes I do research and in the process contribute to Wikipedia the missing piece. Or I’ll email experts, trying to get them to contribute.
- And sometimes experts don’t agree. Sometimes they are at war with each other. Sometimes I stumble onto sore points where experts have their reputations at stake. I’m sorry about that, but I will try to pit one expert against another not because I like blood sport, but I just want to get to the bottom of something that’s being glossed over.
- Sometimes I learn that no one knows the answer. (If anyone needs an idea for a doctoral thesis in any of the topics I touch on, just ask, I’m full of them.) At this point, Wikipedia just needs to be upfront about it.
- Sometimes something isn’t knowable for knowable reasons. I try to get wikipedia to address this as squarely as it can.
- It’s important to remind the authors to address themselves to the probable reader, not to other experts. I am one of those who performs this function. Experts are way to out to dazzle each other sometimes. Give us the gist; organize out what I might want to skip; why does this seem to contradict this other section or this other article. It’s not a job that’s ever going to earn me the undying love of writers in the way that User:LilHelpa earns their love. It’s a dirty job, but someone’s got to do it.
- I also like sorting stuff. Sometimes I’ll just find something messy and neaten it up. It’s relaxing. I’ve spent countless hours sorting wolves and such.
- I hope this helps. If you have anything you'd like to say or ask, please leave me a message on the talk page. I promise to try to help you. Chrisrus (talk) 04:52, 29 May 2009 (UTC)