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.

[mbz1]

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.

Peter, I know why they did not like your inquiry. As one wikipidiot put it "we're building an encyclopedia here, we're not rats in a cage for researchers to study."