The big problem is that the discussion on the list is happening
separately from the discussion on the wiki. It's become two different
communities with two different dynamics. List regulars need to start
arguing their points more on-wiki and less on-list, basically, if
anything's going to happen.
On Thu, Feb 21, 2008 at 6:29 PM, Oldak Quill <oldakquill(a)gmail.com> wrote:
On 21/02/2008, The Mangoe <the.mangoe(a)gmail.com>
wrote:
As long as the two sacred principles of "No
pictures!" and "Not
censored!" stand in rigid opposition to each other, the conflict will
continue. The "show" solution (with an appropriate note) or even
putting all the images on the "depictions" page (again, with a
prominent note) seem like reasonable solutions. As far as the
"depictions" article is concerned, I can't see how that article can
exist without images.
If this is a "slippery slope", it's because "not censored!" is
often
interpreted to mean "dare to be offensive". It is taken to be a highly
POV-pushing statement about how public discourse is to be conducted.
In the present case it represents a statement of defiance against
"fundamentalist" Islam; more generally, it can be taken, with some
justification, as the adoption of a particular liberal, secular,
Western public morality. This is not the only sign of this: we also
tolerate POV-dubious advocacy projects such as LBGT and animal rights,
but I think it would be very hard for there to be a (say) Wikiproject
Fundamentalism, except as a sort of authorized hatchet workplace. I'm
not saying that I want to step up to that really huge issue, because I
simply don't have the stamina for it. I am saying that in the instant
case, I think we can make a reasonable concession and stick to it.
You present these two principles as equal: no pictures and not
censored. There is a great difference between them and their moral
value. Wikipedia's sense of no censorship is limited to our project.
We have no belief that others (non-Wikipedians) should comply with
this rule outside Wikipedia or that they will be punished (or are
immoral) for not behaving like us.
The other principle is that no one--non-Muslims included--can see the
face of Muhammed. It is ridiculous absolutism to suggest that people
who aren't members of your group should comply with your rules (and
should be punished for breaking those rules). I am not a Muslim and I
have no moral, ethical or religious motivation to comply with a rule
that I see as wrong and arrogant.
--
Oldak Quill (oldakquill(a)gmail.com)
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