Wikipedia:Avoid trivia articles
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This proposal has become dormant through lack of discussion by the community. It is inactive but retained for historical interest. If you want to revive discussion on this subject, try using the talk page or start a discussion at the village pump. |
Note: It's possible Wikipedia:Trivia covers the ideas which were proposed here.
A trivia section can serve a good purpose on a page as a temporary solution for information that is difficult to contextualize, as well as encouraging novices to contribute without them having to keep in mind article organization or presentation. However, these sections are generally frowned upon. It is suggested that in time all the information in such a section be organized and integrated into the article.
Sometimes, when trivia sections become too large, these sections are broken off and given their own article (Pink Floyd Trivia for example). While the information contained within these articles could be valuable, the article does violate several Wikipedia guidelines. The word "trivia", is defined by wiktionary as insignificant trifles of little importance, especially items of unimportant information. Therefore:
- Articles title assumes that the information therein is trivial, violating NPOV Disputed.
- If we are to assume that the article's information is indeed trivial, then it is violating Importance.
- Finally, since a trivia list is inherently a list of random facts, this article is in violation of What Wikipedia is not.
Therefore, these type of articles by their very nature should not be included in Wikipedia. Either the article should be renamed or the information within should be integrated into established articles and the article deleted or redirected.
In cases where the root article is already too large, the article should be sorted and divided into appropriate stubs with other names.
