[WikiEN-l] DNA controversy: 168, Lir, Mav, and Erik

Mon Mar 8 16:15:37 UTC 2004

I have been trying to follow the list-serve discussion of this, and have 
gone through the talk-page and page history of DNA, and admit that I may be 
missing some facts.  The whole thing is overwhelming.  Unless this 
discussion ends with some sort of productive resolution, a whole lot of 
capable people will have wasted an awful lot of time.  This distresses me.

As I see it, there are really three different issues here and it would be 
unconstructive to reduce it to one, even if that one were the one that 
started it all:
1) a conflict between 168 and Lir over the content of the DNA article
2) a conflict between 168 and Mav over the process of editing an article
3) a conflict between 168 and Erik over the rights and responsibilities of 
a sysop

As for the first conflict, I have little to say except I myself have been 
involved in revert wars with both parties.  In my experience, 168 knows 
more about molecular biology and I respect his knowledge.

As for the second conflict, I must confess that some time ago I was caught 
up in a revert war with 168 concerning genes and drift.  Obviously I am 
biased, but my experience was that it is practically impossible to work 
with 168 because s/he is highly resistant to compromise.  But compromise is 
a crucial value for a community project. We have to be able to distinguish 
between factual knowledge and process -- not because facts are unimportant 
but because each of us has to admit that we may not know all the facts and 
that another contributor might have something important to offer.  This is 
even more important when it comes to style (i.e., a matter over which no 
one has particular expertise; that is, a molecular biochemist may have 
authority in molecular biochemistry, but not necessarily in style).  I 
agree that ultimately there was an edit war between Lir and 168 that has to 
be resolved, and that the merits of the DNA article provide the basis for 
resolving it.  But there is a larger issue which is how to work with 
others, and I am very concerned that 168 cannot work well with Mav who, 
besides being quite knowledgeable about biology, is clearly someone who is 
devoted to wikipedia and a congenial member of the community.

As for the third matter, do I understand correctly that Erik merely 
de-sysoped 168?  It seems to me that he did so with good cause.  Perhaps 
there should have been dome discussion first, but really, things did seem 
to be getting out of hand.  One reason for clear policies is to ensure that 
we don't have to get bogged down in endless discussion.  Perhaps some want 
to revisit the matter of a de-sysop policy -- okay, that certainly merits 
discussion.  But de-sysoping isn't, in my mind, so awful.  I admit were I 
de-sysoped, my ego would be bruised.  But it wouldn't silence me, I could 
still work on articles like most people; I don't think of de-sysoping as 
being as serious as even a temporary ban, especially since it can easily be 
reversed.  If I were de-sysoped I would make an appeal here, to create some 
general discussion, or would contact other administrators for help.  That 
168 would blank Erik's pages, however, really upsets me.  It is childish 
and unconstructive and shows absolutely no interest in being part of a 
community and working with others.

We have a problem that keeps escalating.  The three escalations all have 
one person in common -- 168.  Now, I hate suggesting that someone be banned 
and am not saying 168 ought to be banned, especially when he knows so 
much.  But knowing a lot is not enough here; contributors have to be able 
to work with others.  Can someone communicate with 168?

Steve

Steven L. Rubenstein
Associate Professor
Department of Sociology and Anthropology
Bentley Annex
Ohio University
Athens, Ohio 45701
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