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> Wikipedia is an interesting one because I suspect the culture that drives Wikipedia is a mystery to ousiders. It is to me. It didn't seem to be partisan...

IMHO, a big part if it is actually ideological battle, at least nowadays. Individuals and cliques going about on little crusades to impose their views. If there's a conflict, there's a long, slow bureaucratic battle where, through the selective enforcement of existing policies and setting new ones, one side emerges victorious and gets to impose its view.

The starting point for the selective enforcement was "what side would your typical basement-dwelling geek favor," but that's evolved over time.

The other big part is pedantry.

> Given the incredible public good the editors are responsible for it'd be impolite to observe many of them are unhinged but the thought does occur.

Honestly, I think that's table stakes for playing the Wikipedia game. Anyone else gives up quickly.