Dan Grey (Dan100) [mailto:dangrey101@yahoo.co.uk] wrote:
I'd like to know what my options are after Ambi called me a jerk:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia_talk:Requests_for_arbit ration#Everyking_3_deadlock.3F
Now, before I make a fool of myself making an inappropiate fuss on the wiki, maybe someone could tell me if there are any proper channels of redress for this kind of thing, whether or not Ambi is 'untouchable' and therefore it's not worth me defending myself.
Wikipedia policy does NOT provide users the right of "redress".
Ignore it the first time or so. After that, ask the person POLITELY to stop calling you names. If they persist, ask others for help, such as a senior admin.
(Yes, I know: all admins have the same "rank". I mean someone who's been around a long time and knows everybody, like me or Anthere or maveric169. Sheesh! Do I have to spell this out?)
If peer pressure from admins fails, you make a request for arbitration. BUT - note this carefully! - you must leave a "clean audit trail". In all your dealings with the person who is bothering you, make sure that you do not retaliate. Ignore this guideline at your own risk!
Any attempt to change others' behavior on this wiki by "doing unto them what they have done to you" AUTOMATICALLY lowers your chance of prevailing. This is not junior high school: tit for tat does not apply here.
Your behavior must be exemplary (like mine ;-) and then everyone is bound to treat you well.
Why does this work? Well, take me for example. My personal views are considered "extreme" (even offensive) by many other contributors - including admins and arbcom members. But I avoid PERSONAL ATTACKS, and I'm gracious and yielding at all times.
Except when I lose it! And when I'm having a bad day I withdraw, mull things over and undo or take back what I did or said. Generally with copious, self-abasing apologies.
And why not? Am I here for the honor and glory of being respected by a multitude - or did I come here to Help. Build. An encyclopedia. For the benefit of the world.
Figure out why YOU are here, and act accordingly. (I can coach you, if requested.)
Uncle Ed [[User:Ed Poor]]
On 6/3/05 9:50 AM, "Poor, Edmund W" Edmund.W.Poor@abc.com wrote:
Your behavior must be exemplary (like mine ;-) and then everyone is bound to treat you well.
Why does this work? Well, take me for example. My personal views are considered "extreme" (even offensive) by many other contributors - including admins and arbcom members. But I avoid PERSONAL ATTACKS, and I'm gracious and yielding at all times.
Except when I lose it! And when I'm having a bad day I withdraw, mull things over and undo or take back what I did or said. Generally with copious, self-abasing apologies.
Exactly. Ed's always gracious and polite, except when he's a total nitwit and obtuse blowhard.
Just like me.
I've been called a lot worse than "jerk" by others here at Wikipedia, and I haven't called for "personal redress". I do try to understand why people get upset with me, and act accordingly, but I also recognize that that Wikipedia is not the center of my social universe and a little intemperateness is not a big deal.
By the way, I think that there are lots of people who can be jerks here at Wikipedia. But it doesn't mean they can't also be humble and helpful.
Remember the virtues of a programmer: laziness, impatience, and hubris.