Will Beback wrote:
WE can argue over how much of a positive improvement there'd be, but it's hard to argue that our articles are defaced by removing a link that isn't a source.
It's not hard at all, Will.
If you'd like to see how easy it is, go propose that we remove all external links that aren't sources. Or even just external links to sites where the subjects of articles self-publish. Or forget proposing. Just go do it.
You will find an ocean of people willing to tell you those links do indeed belong in the articles.
And once you have discovered that they are all in the encyclopedia for good encyclopedic reasons, then perhaps you'll have an easier time accepting that we are not willing to compromise the encyclopedia's content. Especially for something where even you admit the benefit is arguable, and where some of us argue that there is harm, not benefit at all.
William