Wikipedia:Taking it outside

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This is an essay; it contains the advice and/or opinions of one or more Wikipedia contributors. It is not a policy or guideline, and editors are not obliged to follow it.
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WP:TIO
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 It has been suggested that this page or section be merged into A nice cup of tea and a sit down. (Discuss)
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 It has been suggested that this page or section be merged into Words of wisdom. (Discuss)

There can be some very long drawn out exchanges on discussion pages, often between a small number of users. You've seen them. You've probably been part of some. For users trying to follow a discussion, it can be very annoying to read through seemingly endless text while people work out the minutia of some issue, or else just have a pissing match. Often these conversations lead to some interesting results, but by the time you get there your eyes have glossed over and your brain has clicked off.

What can you do?

Suggest that people "take it outside".

Taking it outside means moving the conversation off the page and finding a new home for it.

Here's how it works:

  • At any point in a conversion, someone suggests to "take it outside".
  • Someone, a participant in the exchange or even the person making the suggestion, copies the conversation to an existing talk page or creates a new sub-page of the current conversation.
  • Just enough of the beginning of the thread is kept on the original page to convey what the exchange is about. It gets linked to the new location of the discussion.
  • Anyone reading the original discussion can choose to follow the link and join in on the discussion.
  • The people involved continue to discuss whatever it is, as long as they want or until they reach a consensus.
  • A summary of the result can be added back to the original conversation.