Forum:"Too many X" responses in RfX
Recently, and specifically on RfCM (though it extends to all RfXs), I've been seeing oppose reasoning saying that we have either "too many" or "enough" users in possession of a user right. Firstly, I can see the issues of having too many of something but I also have my own personal gripe with this type of reasoning. The definition of how many users we can have as an admin, rollback or whatever seems to vary greatly on this wiki - some believe you can "never have too many" while others believe the opposite.
I personally don't believe it's fair to oppose somebody's user rights nomination primarily because some believe we have too many of something. The whole point of community input on an RfX is to determine whether or not the user can be trusted with the tools and whether or not they're suitable for the appropriate user right.
This issue can easily spur from timing. A user who is highly suitable for admin and is trusted by the community could put in an RfA at a time when there's high sysop activity and be unanimously opposed because "we have too many". I personally believe if a user can be trusted to use the tools effectively and efficiently then it doesn't really matter and that the "too many" argument shouldn't be used to oppose somebody unless there's another (and preferably stronger) reason to back it up. The "too many" argument honestly has no focus on the user who was nominated for the rights or their merits but rather other users who also have the rights.
I do understand that the "too many" argument is just of much of a personal opinion as the "we can never have too many" argument and users are welcome to their opinions. But I should reiterate that you shouldn't really rely on personal thoughts when making an argument in an RfX.
As consensus is usually determined by the strength of an argument, I'd like to discuss where the community stands on this type of reasoning and how much of an effect they feel the "too many/enough" argument should have on the outcome of an RfX. Lost Labyrinth .svg){kind=small}
• (c) • (b) 13:18, July 20, 2013 (UTC)
Discussion
I personally am of the belief that there is no magic number of 'too many' in any particular position. Ultimately the decisions of the community on whether or not to promote shouldn't be based on whether it's believed that we have enough already. If that sentiment was common, it would be more appropriate to pursue closing down the requests page prior to the user submitting their request for rights.
I feel that often the 'too many <position>' argument is used as a convenient justification to avoid conferring rights on unsuitable individuals. People can use the excuse of 'well, we just don't need any <position>s right now' instead of really coming out in opposition to the user. I don't think this is done maliciously but rather to spare the applicant's feelings. However, if there is an issue with the applicant, it is in their and everyone's best interests to make it known and to sort it out. -- LostInRiverview talk ~ blog 00:01, July 23, 2013 (UTC)