Wikipedia:Don't cite WP42 at AfD
 | This is an essay. It contains the advice or opinions of one or more Wikipedia contributors. This page is not an encyclopedia article, nor is it one of Wikipedia's policies or guidelines, as it has not been thoroughly vetted by the community. Some essays represent widespread norms; others only represent minority viewpoints. |
 | This page in a nutshell: WP:42 is not the answer. |
Wikipedia:The answer to life, the universe, and everything (aka WP:42) is a Wittgenstein's ladder—a simplified explanation used as an imperfect teaching tool—intended for new editors and those editors for whom English is a second language. It was specifically created for use at the IRC channel #wikipedia-en-help. In pithy language, it arguably represents the notability guidelines as being somewhat stricter and somewhat more unequivocal than they really are; this has been discussed at Wikipedia talk:The answer to life, the universe, and everything (aka WT:42, the talk page for WP:42).
Some editors think that WP:42 is not an accurate description of the notability guidelines. Some editors think that it could not fulfill its purpose if it was. Such editors might urge others to act in the following ways regarding WP:42:
- Because WP:42 is a document derived from policy and guideline, don't cite it during an Articles for deletion (AfD) debate as it would only contribute confusion.
- Don't cite it as evidence that an experienced user's interpretation of the notability guidelines is wrong.
- Don't cite it as a reason given for a Proposed deletion (PROD).
- Don't bring it up to muddy the waters on the talk pages of those policies and guidelines which actually determine whether a topic should have an article.