Essay:Definition of vandalism

During the moderator election, I made the following comment:
 * One problem I noticed a while ago is that we need a clear definition of "vandalism", and as FuzzyCatPotato's essay points out, [o]ften, RatWiks ban people whose "vandalism" is that of altering the ideological tone of an article.

This is the current description of "unfunny vandalism" according to RationalWiki's blocking policy: "[a]dding stupid, boring, angry shite to a page". I think this is quite vague. Suggestions in the talk page are encouraged.

Unfunny vandalism
Users should receive a short block or vandal binning for repeated instances of unfunny vandalism. A single case of vandalism should simply be reverted.

Unfunny vandalism is an edit that cannot be reasonably considered to be done in good faith. Edits are vandalism if they are in no way helpful. This includes:
 * Edits to an article that are inane/stupid, especially if they are unrelated to the article's subject (examples:, , , links to irrelevant websites, song lyrics).
 * Adding nonsense or incoherent rants (Nonsense:, , . Rants: ).
 * Edits spamming the same word, phrase, link, image or letter repeatedly (examples:, , ).
 * Replacing an entire page with an unrelated article (example).

Humorous vandalism
Blocks should not apply to edits designed to be humorous, usually with the anticipation that they will be reverted.

Not vandalism
These are edits that may be considered vandalism by others, but I do not think should be considered vandalism:
 * Frustrated editors removing criticism or whitewashing an article (examples:, ). Such edits are usually made in good faith.
 * Altering the ideological tone of an article. This is almost always done in good faith, even if the editor can't resist insulting RationalWiki in the process (examples:, ).

Up to your discretion

 * Maliciously editing talk page comments of others users (example). Unless the edit is especially egregious, users should generally be warned before being blocked for this.
 * Blanking a page and writing a talk page comment to replace it (example).