Vandalism
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==Wiki vandalism== | ==Wiki vandalism== | ||
| − | "Wiki vandalism", often referred to on wikis simply as "vandalism", or on RationalWiki as "[[wandalism]]", or on [[Conservapedia]] as "[[Moronic vandalism|moronic vandalism]]" or its variant, ''[[liberal|liberal vandalism]]'', is a term used to describe | + | "Wiki vandalism", often referred to on wikis simply as "vandalism", or on RationalWiki as "[[wandalism]]", or on [[Conservapedia]] as "[[Moronic vandalism|moronic vandalism]]" or its variant, ''[[liberal|liberal vandalism]]'', is a term used to describe unconstructive edits to wikis or similar websites, such as blanking pages or replacing them with insults or irrelevant content. Occasionally, this involves using a bot to create a high number of vandalous edits in a short time, since vandals tend to be speedily blocked once noticed. |
Occasionally wandalism can be creative, amusing, or satirical, but more often than not it is childish, tedious, and [[troll]]ish, sometimes using racism or obscenities for shock value. In these ways it has some resemblance to physical vandalism. However, the major difference is that acts of wandalism can be quickly reverted at no economic cost, unlike acts of physical destruction to property. | Occasionally wandalism can be creative, amusing, or satirical, but more often than not it is childish, tedious, and [[troll]]ish, sometimes using racism or obscenities for shock value. In these ways it has some resemblance to physical vandalism. However, the major difference is that acts of wandalism can be quickly reverted at no economic cost, unlike acts of physical destruction to property. | ||
Revision as of 06:51, 20 April 2011
Vandalism is the criminal act of damaging property (private or public).
The word derives from the Vandals, an ancient Germanic tribe who, in their Sack of Rome in 455 CE, looted and trashed the city for fourteen days. Hence the word "vandal" came to be applied to one who destroys or defaces property or buildings without consideration for their owner.
While some acts of destruction can be politically or religiously motivated, the word "vandalism" tends to refer to acts of wanton destruction with no purpose other than the perpetrator's amusement. Serious vandalism can cause permanent damage, or be extremely expensive to repair, and often causes distress to the victims.
Wiki vandalism
"Wiki vandalism", often referred to on wikis simply as "vandalism", or on RationalWiki as "wandalism", or on Conservapedia as "moronic vandalism" or its variant, liberal vandalism, is a term used to describe unconstructive edits to wikis or similar websites, such as blanking pages or replacing them with insults or irrelevant content. Occasionally, this involves using a bot to create a high number of vandalous edits in a short time, since vandals tend to be speedily blocked once noticed.
Occasionally wandalism can be creative, amusing, or satirical, but more often than not it is childish, tedious, and trollish, sometimes using racism or obscenities for shock value. In these ways it has some resemblance to physical vandalism. However, the major difference is that acts of wandalism can be quickly reverted at no economic cost, unlike acts of physical destruction to property.