Let's not get hung up on how literally he intends his rhetoric. He's expressing his opinion of its doom given current dynamics (including many that are not evident to most readers).
He may be right, he may be wrong, but it's more honest and interesting for him to give this sort of bottom-line judgement starkly. As generous readers, we can fill in all the implied qualifiers ("from my experience", "in ways that aren't obvious", "if current trends continue", "unless my recommendations are followed", etc.).
As generous readers, we can fill in all the implied qualifiers ("from my experience", "in ways that aren't obvious", "if current trends continue", "unless my recommendations are followed", etc.).
Wikipedia editors are probably unconsciously conditioned against weasel words... but in counterpoint, when you are presenting an opinion piece, they can be appropriate.
I think this is why I'm such a recluse, I just don't understand human social behavior. Had ->I<- written what he wrote I would have gotten my ass handed to me. When I make statements like that on HN I either get downvoted or my ass handed to me in a reply. This is why I have a psudonym HN account. When I do it, it turns into an arguement, when others do it, people are understanding. sigh I just don't understand you humans...
Had he said "Wikipedia may one day become a failure" it really would have changed the whole tone of the article.