Voting begins, Giano isn't going down in flames !! Options

Anyone here who is familiar with the literature on Social Choice Theory, the Condorcet Paradox, the Alabama Paradox, or Arrow's Impossibility Theorem appreciates how convoluted the answer to GBG's question gets.

The basic result (well established in the technical literature) is that any vote-tallying method (including those already considered by GBG and Greg) leads to paradoxical outcomes (and is also subject to gaming the system).

Anyone here who is familiar with the literature on Social Choice Theory, the Condorcet Paradox, the Alabama Paradox, or Arrow's Impossibility Theorem appreciates how convoluted the answer to GBG's question gets.

The basic result (well established in the technical literature) is that any vote-tallying method (including those already considered by GBG and Greg) leads to paradoxical outcomes (and is also subject to gaming the system).

So you would favor a Jimbo-Whimbo system that doesn't even disclose a decision rule until after the outcome, if at all?

In any event it appears to me that 1) Giano is doing rather well, and 2) he will be defeated and Mr. Wales will have lots of wiggle room to justify his decision unless supporters of Giano get off their butts and make a concerted effort to vote against other candidates as well as voting for Giano. There is nothing stopping people who voted for Giano to go back and vote "oppose" to each and every other candidate they don't have a reason to vote to support. If the supporters of Giano do this they have a good chance of winning. Otherwise they will lose and Wales will have sufficient justification.

So you would favor a Jimbo-Whimbo system that doesn't even disclose a decision rule until after the outcome, if at all?

In Arrow's Theorem, he classifies a dictatorship as a flawed method for arriving at a social choice. In other words, it's flawed no matter what.

Giano currently has the second highest "Support" total (152) he is only behind NewYorkBrad (276). The "Tranche Alpha" (the part of the annual rotation facing election) has five members. Presumably Wales will be replacing five ArbCom Slots based on this election.

Steward elections are also underway. Results are being tallied here.

Yes, don't forget to vote against leading Cabal supporters Lar and Dmcdevit.

Giano II has the dubious honor of having racked up the second-highest number of opposes AND supports. He also has the second-highest number of votes overall. Danny beats him losing and Newyorkbrad beats him winning. i guess he's a really polarizing figure.

This post has been edited by michael: Mon 3rd December 2007, 9:30pm

Giano II has the dubious honor of having racked up the second-highest number of opposes AND supports. He also has the second-highest number of votes overall. Danny beats him losing and Newyorkbrad beats him winning. i guess he's a really polarizing figure.

More Giano facts: He is 9 of 29 for the highest percent of support votes (59%) so although his opponents vote "oppose" they are greatly outnumbered by supporters. The lesson here is that Giano supporters need to get out their own "oppose vote" the same way those opposing them do.

Giano II has the dubious honor of having racked up the second-highest number of opposes AND supports. He also has the second-highest number of votes overall. Danny beats him losing and Newyorkbrad beats him winning. i guess he's a really polarizing figure.

Anybody who generates THAT much interest should be seen as the person for the job, IMHO.

Maybe you have to be boring to be an Arb though

The polarizing issue is one of fairness, ethics, and due process.

It doesn't surprise me that issues of fairness, ethics, and due process are controversial. Those issues have plagued Western Civilization since the dawn of history.

I can't believe Will Beback even ran.

His meatpuppet, JoshuaZ, is in the basement also.

That Raul is obtaining so much vote fails me really. Is the community that dumb?

The guy hasn't done any significant arbitration work for months, and most of the time he has voted he has followed the line and hasn't shown having read much.

He should be so selfish to think of his ego, when because of him one potential arbitrator who will give more of his time and be more serious will be left out.

Will Beback is taking a beating as well. People are aware of his, shall we say, selective policy enforcement.

Amazingly, SlimVirgin hasn't voted for him yet -- maybe she doesn't want to bet on a losing horse.

Update -- she's placed her bet.

The polarizing issue is one of fairness, ethics, and due process.

It doesn't surprise me that issues of fairness, ethics, and due process are controversial. Those issues have plagued Western Civilization since the dawn of history.

You guys give Giano way to much credit. The point is a strong, presumptively winning, showing by Giano will give Mr. Wales a dilemma with two very big pointy horns. Appoint Giano and be humiliated or decline to appoint him and face outrage.

Of course it is in the nature of a coalition that different participants are motivated by different things. I don't mind if you place faith in Giano as "fair ethical voice of due process" but from my point of view ArbCom is mostly discredited and teetering on the brink. Mr. Wales' Giano Dilemma might push the institution over.

That Raul is obtaining so much vote fails me really. Is the community that dumb?

I wonder about the votes for Rebecca, too. She appears to be a shoo-in.

I don't mind if you place faith in Giano as "fair ethical voice of due process" but from my point of view ArbCom is mostly discredited and teetering on the brink. Mr. Wales' Giano Dilemma might push the institution over.

Giano may not be the ideal tip of the spear in the battle for fair and ethical due process, but that's the flag he's seen as carrying on this round of the battle.

Even if Giano doesn't make it onto ArbCom, the importance of the issue is at least recognized as one that can make or break a system where people have an expectation of fair treatment.

Here's a person who is making some long-range plans.

Not only has Mercury withdrawn from the election, Phil Sandifer and Danny have also withdrawn.

When Mercury withdrew, the vote was 3/67 against.

Phil Sandifer's departing vote was 27/61 against (before he blanked the page).

Danny's departing vote was 65/118 against (before he blanked the page and left a snippy withdrawal announcement).

Not only has Mercury withdrawn from the election, Phil Sandifer and Danny have also withdrawn.

When Mercury withdrew, the vote was 3/67 against.

Phil Sandifer's departing vote was 27/61 against (before he blanked the page).

Danny's departing vote was 65/118 against (before he blanked the page and left a snippy withdrawal announcement).

Pilotguy pulled out too.

Here is a good page to view the real time election results at a glance.

I'm just reiterating this link because it's so darn helpful.