Book on Wikipedia, no discussion allowed on foundation-l Options

[Peter Damian]

I have now started serious work on the book. Interviewing Richard Stallman early next month, already had contributions from people who know Jimbo well. Not forgetting Larry, of course, who has been really helpful.

I thought I would pop in to foundation-l to see if anyone interested in talking to me. I used the email 'Peter Damian' so it would be clear exactly who I was (I have a few others that would not have connected me with the infamous Damian troll).

Result, once they figure out who it is, all sorts of accusations of bad faith.

http://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/found...ber/069935.html
http://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/found...ber/069981.html

And when I sent a polite reply, I get an automated reply saying I am now 'on moderation'.

What is it with Wikipedians?

(a) Can't they see that anyone writing a book is likely to mention the fact they were banned from a mailing list simply because they might be writing a 'critical' appraisal of Wikipedia

(b) Don't they want their side of the story?

© Isn't their ideology something to do with making everything public, as far as possible?

It defies belief.

[timbo]

I suppose they figure a Kitty Kelley-style hatchet job is forthcoming and the foundation doesn't want to play. That's probably a rational strategy, from their point of view -- making clear the author also makes clear the thesis in this case.

[Larry Sanger]

In your place, Peter (or is it Edward?), I would have been more forthcoming, saying that you are a long-time critic, active on WR, and that your book is apt to be critical of WP (though not merely critical, I'm sure). Then I would have asked if anyone is interested in articulating a (supposed) Wikipedian ideology, because you want to make sure that you had got such an ideology (or ideologies--surely there are several) correctly stated. This would have disarmed the sillier attacks.

This is, after all an attack on their sacred beliefs, is it not? If they were truly an open, tolerant lot, which of course they aren't but which they fancy themselves being, then simply coming out and saying that you're mounting a serious ("intellectual") critical attack should not faze them.

That would also be more fun. Just to watch 'em squirm.

This post has been edited by Larry Sanger: Mon 24th October 2011, 8:23pm