How did I get here and why did I stay

I got to Wikipedia looking for information, like most people do. Then I got bold and made a few edits, but the page was semi protected, I think, so I had to register an account, which I did. I got the new user bot welcome post and its links. Then I got a very kind message from an admin that what I thought was a minor edit wasn't. I looked at the voluminous information about how to properly edit Wikipedia and decided to stick with minor edits and talk pages. Now, I'm following the page called Shooting of Trayvon Martin closely, and am learning so much about what goes into the process of creating a Wiki article. I've been reading the policy pages, talking with some of the editors, voicing my thoughts on issues that come up, and voting on consensus edits.

What amazes me right now is that a coherent article is being created at all. It's a bit like the 'Wild West'. Some people come to vent. Some come to disrupt. Some come to correct what they perceive to be a POV in the article, while others come to push theirs. Some just do whatever the software allows them to do to change the article content to their liking with a disregard for what anyone else thinks. There are experienced editors, newer editors, ip editors, and timid editors (like me). Some come and leave, some stay, and some lurk. Links rot. But somehow the article is emerging. I'm amazed, like I said.

I doubt I'll ever be one of the 'real' contributors. I have a high regard for editors that; know the policies, think logically, present their arguments well, understand the arguments of others, stand or yield ground appropriately, are civil, and when the time comes to edit the article itself, can turn a phrase. All that takes time, effort, brains, and patience. I don't see myself attaining that level of expertise. To those that have and persevere... Good job! ArishiaNishi ( talk) 19:13, 22 April 2012 (UTC)