Thread:Kyle whatzittoya/@comment-22439-20141229024733/@comment-25653892-20150103160120

Actually, Wikia goes through a process with it, which is slightly configurable. I think the default (@latest) is something like:

"Are any admins currently active (have contributed within the last 60 days)? If yes, send the message to look like it's from the admin who made the most recent contribution. (That way the message is sent from someone who was logged-in recently, so it will be easier to reach them.) If no, send the message to look like it's from a staff member (because that's kinda the next best thing. If there haven't been any experts around for a while, might as well get it from someone else with experience, even if that experience is less localized)."

I think the process can also be set to @sysop: "Send via most recent admin to contribute, but no fallback to staff."; [insert a specific username here]: "Send via a specific username. Always."; or @disabled: "Actually you know what, don't send the message at all.", which are… other options, sure. Some may be more useful in certain situations, but you can see why @latest is the default option – you can connect with someone who's been to a wikia lately, and if there's no one to look up to in the community, might as well be someone with more power over no specific community. :/