I originally envisioned this document as having several potential uses:
(1) a way to stimulate discussions with those who believe that wikilove and AGF and CIVIL will solve all problems.
(2) A set of concrete realistic examples that people can discuss instead of these vague generalities and theoretical situations, or getting embroiled in actual ongoing tendentious situations, which many are loathe to do
(3) A way to engage those who have never actually had their hands dirty on contentious issues, and demonstrate to them how ambiguous and difficult these can be
(4) A way to collect data and suggestions from those who abstractly claim that they have better techniques than anyone else, but never demonstrate them or show them. Let's ferret out these supposedly better techniques they are in possession of, examine them, and if they are reasonable, try them in these sorts of difficult situations
(5) Possibly eventually turn this into a poll or survey and collect data about attitudes from a wide range of editors as a research project
(6) Most editors who complain about Wikipedia have a blind spot about their own particular hot button issue. However, when they consider the full range of situations, they often have attitudes that are quite different than the attitudes they express on topics in which they have a personal vested interest. This set of exercises can be part of a tool for studying this phenomenon, and possibly bringing this to these editor's attention as a training tool.
(7) There are repeated calls from User: Kim Bruning and others to train admins better in how to handle difficult situations. This could form part of a nucleus of training exercises and instructions for new admins.
(8) Discussions around these exercises could help to focus attention on some of our vague and ambiguous policies
(9) A way for internal and external critics to contemplate specific cases, suitably shortened and sanitized, presented objectively. It is easy to criticize others in the abstract. It is complicated to address real ongoing disputes with many people involved and many kilobytes of discussion to look at. This lets the critics focus on specific examples so they can offer their suggestions in a more concrete context.
(10) An effort to develop a set of Best Practices for Wikipedia editing.
--Filll (talk) 15:27, 9 April 2008 (UTC)
Outside interest in these challenge exercises
editUser: Durova interviews me about the User:Filll/AGF Challenge
editTake a look here.--Filll (talk) 21:42, 14 April 2008 (UTC)
Betsy Devine writes about the challenge exercises
editSome of Wikipedia baddest bits and pieces, May 27th, 2008