[WikiEN-l] Experiment on new pages

Wed Dec 7 11:51:45 UTC 2005

On 12/7/05, The Cunctator <cunctator at gmail.com> wrote:
> On 12/6/05, Anthony DiPierro <wikilegal at inbox.org> wrote:
> > On 12/6/05, The Cunctator <cunctator at gmail.com> wrote:
> > > On 12/5/05, Jimmy Wales <jwales at wikia.com> wrote:
> > > > But preveneting anons from creating new pages is a different matter, and
> > > > it seems a worthy time to make an experiment of it.
> > >
> > > Don't call it an experiment if it's not. If it is an experiment, then
> > > there should be clear conditions for its start and finish, and clear
> > > methods for taking measurements from it. Just admit that it's a policy
> > > change and move on.
> > >
> > > Unless you're willing to state an end date for this. Or *at a minimum*
> > > start collecting good data on the effects of the change.
> > >
> > > I have some other ideas for experiments, by the way, if anyone's
> > > interested in actually trying things to make Wikipedia better.
> >
> > I think these comments are way over the top.  Jimmy *is* interested in
> > actually trying things to make Wikipedia better.  You may not agree
> > with the methods, but to call into question his motives is
> > inappropriate.
>
> I think if you ask Jimbo, he'll say it's perfectly appropriate for me
> to question his motives.
>
> In fact, a clear sign of a dysfunctional society is one in which
> questioning authority is considered inappropriate.

Your comment at the end wasn't even just questioning, it was accusing.
 But anyway, I'm not sure I agree with you that a functional society
must constantly question the motives of everyone voluntarily given any
power.  I'd even question just how much "authority" Jimmy does have. 
He has authority over how to spend the money donated to the foundation
(so long as he does so for charitable purposes), and not a whole lot
more.

I don't think society can function without some basic level of trust. 
To question whether or not Jimmy Wales is "actually trying things to
make Wikipedia better" seems to me to be way over the top.  Anyway,
since you're the one who suggested it, maybe you can tell us just what
you think Jimmy *is* trying to do.

Anthony