Ottava leaves Wikipedia Options

[Malleus]

I just hope the ArbCom follows through and imposes the ban even though Ottava says he has left. If they dropped the matter, he'd be back in no time.

Meh. No "ban" is being imposed -- if the O.R. account is disabled, our hero can simply start another one and pick up where he left off. It will probably be better for him, considering the baggage he is already carrying.

I agree. A new beginning as Pastor Rima is the best bet now. I'm thinking of Cardinal Malleus for myself.

[Krimpet]

On the other hand he can get on with writing his Ph.D. dissertation, from which wikipedia can only have been a distraction.

With the recent public release of creationist scholar Kent Hovind's own doctoral dissertation, it's clear he has a high standard to strive for.

[everyking]

There's a new proposal that's getting ArbCom approval: "Should Ottava Rima elect to return to editing Wikipedia, he shall be placed on probation for a period and under conditions to be determined prior to his return to editing. Should he wish to return to editing, Ottava Rima shall contact the Arbitration Committee via email after completing not less than half of his scheduled ban to discuss terms of the probation; the discussion may include the involvement of the community at the applicable noticeboard or as a motion of the Arbitration Committee."

As much as I think the ArbCom is doing the right thing here, that isn't quite the approach I'd take. If Ottava was willing to behave in a rational and respectful manner, and made a public statement to that effect, I'd say let him come back whenever he wants--subject to being blocked again at the first hint of trouble. You should only ban someone to keep them from causing trouble and to give a signal that "we mean business"--you shouldn't treat it as a sentence which ought to be served to allow time for reflection or to demonstrate contrition. So if there's some good reason to think someone will not cause trouble anymore, and particularly if they have a history of good content work, then by all means, let them back whenever they want. There just needs to be a good reason--in Ottava's case that seems exceedingly unlikely, but I think the principle's worth stating.

[Malleus]

On the other hand he can get on with writing his Ph.D. dissertation, from which wikipedia can only have been a distraction.

With the recent public release of creationist scholar Kent Hovind's own doctoral dissertation, it's clear he has a high standard to strive for.

Lots of PhDs aren't worth spit. So what's new?

This post has been edited by Malleus: Tue 15th December 2009, 6:55am

[everyking]

Lots of PhDs aren't worth spit. So what's new?

Malleus, will Ottava's downfall have any effect on your own abrasive editing style?

[Mathsci]

On the other hand he can get on with writing his Ph.D. dissertation, from which wikipedia can only have been a distraction.

With the recent public release of creationist scholar Kent Hovind's own doctoral dissertation, it's clear he has a high standard to strive for.

That depends on the university, the department and the supervisor amongst other things. There doesn't seem to be a problem with Ottava's university, even if it's not that well-known. Ottava may have been irritating and argumentative on wikipedia but he has shown extraordinary dedication in article writing. Not quite the same thing as originality, of course.

Anyway Risker has added a remedy to the proposed decision that allows a return to editing once he accepts that there have been problems with his behaviour.

BTW Hovind seems to be very confused about the third century BC (300 BC - 201 BC).

This post has been edited by Mathsci: Tue 15th December 2009, 7:56am

[The Joy]

Lots of PhDs aren't worth spit. So what's new?

Malleus, will Ottava's downfall have any effect on your own abrasive editing style?

With Ottava gone, GWH, Chillum, and the Colorful Signature Kiddie Kabal will focus on Malleus like a Death Star on Alderaan.

But Malleus has some socially/politically powerful friends and usually gets along with people (the FA people, Parrot of Doom, etc.) whereas Ottava started many battles at once with too many people. It's just once in awhile someone gets Malleus's goat and he swears at them. If people would stop acting aghast every time he says a dirty word and just move on, most of the drama that surrounds him would dissipate. Ottava never cursed IIRC, but he would not stop until people were calling him to be blocked. At least Malleus knows when to break off contact.

In defense of Ottava, I did not agree with his ultra-conservative theology and views, but I did admire him at times, especially when he challenged Moreschi, Folantin, and Doc glasgow. That was fun.

[Malleus]

Lots of PhDs aren't worth spit. So what's new?

Malleus, will Ottava's downfall have any effect on your own abrasive editing style?

Do you mean "When did you last beat your wife?"

[Malleus]

Lots of PhDs aren't worth spit. So what's new?

Malleus, will Ottava's downfall have any effect on your own abrasive editing style?

With Ottava gone, GWH, Chillum, and the Colorful Signature Kiddie Kabal will focus on Malleus like a Death Star on Alderaan.

But Malleus has some socially/politically powerful friends and usually gets along with people (the FA people, Parrot of Doom, etc.) whereas Ottava started many battles at once with too many people. It's just once in awhile someone gets Malleus's goat and he swears at them. If people would stop acting aghast every time he says a dirty word and just move on, most of the drama that surrounds him would dissipate. Ottava never cursed IIRC, but he would not stop until people were calling him to be blocked. At least Malleus knows when to break off contact.

In defense of Ottava, I did not agree with his ultra-conservative theology and views, but I did admire him at times, especially when he challenged Moreschi, Folantin, and Doc glasgow. That was fun.

I think that's about right. I advised Ottava many times to be more careful about the battles he chose to fight; nobody can fight everyone all at the same time.

His most serious error though was his faith in the honesty and integrity of wikipedia's upper echelons, as evidenced by his absurd promise to leave if even one of them thought he should.

This post has been edited by Malleus: Tue 15th December 2009, 4:19pm

[Mathsci]

This is getting to be like Jaws.

Just when you thought it was safe to go in the water, the monster from the deep is back.

[Milton Roe]

This is getting to be like Jaws.

Just when you thought it was safe to go in the water, the monster from the deep is back.

"At least he knows when to break off contact"


This is "newbie" Ottava, who doesn't know the first thing about Wikipedia, complaining about "lack of mentorship." IOW, many people told him his views regarding the Persian Empire were retarded, but he couldn't identify a "mentor" among them, so he ignored them.

I couldn't make this up.

[The Adversary]

"Quitting smoking wikipedia is easy. I've done it a thousand times" -Ottava "Mark Twain" Riva.

[A Horse With No Name]

I agree. A new beginning as Pastor Rima is the best bet now. I'm thinking of Cardinal Malleus for myself.

Maybe I should come back as Pasta Theo -- do you think that the disguise of a jovial Italian noodle vendor will work?

[Milton Roe]

I agree. A new beginning as Pastor Rima is the best bet now. I'm thinking of Cardinal Malleus for myself.

Maybe I should come back as Pasta Theo -- do you think that the disguise of a jovial Italian noodle vendor will work?

Father Guido Sarducci!

[Sarcasticidealist]

Father Guido Sarducci!

I actually think Lazlo Toth would be a better fit for Wikipedia.

[A Horse With No Name]

I agree. A new beginning as Pastor Rima is the best bet now. I'm thinking of Cardinal Malleus for myself.

Maybe I should come back as Pasta Theo -- do you think that the disguise of a jovial Italian noodle vendor will work?

Father Guido Sarducci!

Or, I could really go politically incorrect as Papa Giano -- the old world father of our favorite troublemaker (complete with Chico Marx accent).

I am curious if anyone ever tried bad dialect comedy as a Wikipedia persona.

[everyking]

This is getting to be like Jaws.

Just when you thought it was safe to go in the water, the monster from the deep is back.

I remember those movies never ended well for the shark.

[Milton Roe]

Father Guido Sarducci!

I actually think Lazlo Toth would be a better fit for Wikipedia.

Yes, the real Lazlo Toth. As for the Don Novello immitation of the same name, he's a mascot already on WR. Kurt Weber sometimes does a great Lazlo, albeit not intentionally.

[The Joy]

How about User:Pope Beenadick?

[Milton Roe]

How about User:Pope Beenadick?

But good luck getting that past the WP personalized license plate username police.