Controversial user nicknames - WikiEN-l

25 Aug 2003


      We have a policy about no offensive usernames. But does that cover the names 
of famous figures who are themselves controversial? Saddam Hussein is a 
classic example. To some he is a middle east hero. To most people he was a 
mass-murdering tyrant. In the circumstances it is at the very least 
inadvisable to use his name as a user name (even if it produces some 
farcical and comical events, as when, in reverting vandalism, I found that I 
had to revert the article on Saddam Hussein to the last version by Saddam 
Hussein!)
Many other world leaders are themselves controversial to some large segment 
of society, with their name if used being seen by some potential potential 
wiki users somewhere. One needs only to think of the attitude in parts of 
the US towards France to see the problems using 'Jacques Chirac' , the 
problems with using 'George Bush' given how he is seen some people 
internationally. Ditto with 'Tony Blair', 'Yasser Arafat', 'Ariel Sharon', 
'Auguste Pinochet', 'Hugo Chavez', 'Ian Paisley', 'Josef Stalin', 'Chairman 
Mao', 'Benito Mussolini', any of the names of the candidates in the 
Californian recall election, 'Gerry Adams', 'Maggie Thatcher' etc. The 
problem is that, if even the user is absolutely credible in their edits, a 
bad choice of name can leave people with suspicions of bias that leads to 
others constantly targeting their edits for constant checks. NPOV should 
also guide choice of user names, because a proliferation of controversial 
names could lead visitors to doubt the neutrality of the site if a snap 
visit shows edits being carried out by politically controversial user nics. 
Having 'Saddam Hussein' edit articles on the Kurds, for example, could raise 
all sorts of fears about impartiality, as would having 'Yasser Arafat' 
editing [[Israel]], or 'Lord Wigery' editing pages on Northern Ireland. The 
edits may well be fine, but people would approach them with suspicion and 
presume a bias until shown otherwise. We have enough to worry about in terms 
of NPOV in articles, without badly chosen names creating ill-feeling, 
tensions and suspicions also.
I think out policy on user nics should be:
--------
Remember when using a user nic that a controversial name that may colour 
other users' perspective on your own credibility or political vewpoint. In 
addition remember that wikipedia is a world-wide source book and so take 
care in selecting a name to avoid anything that might potentially cause 
offence to someone from a different culture, religious or ethnic group. As 
such wikipedia recommends that users avoid
1. Names of twentieth or twenty-first century politicians, military or 
religious figures or events;
2. Any other names that may be seen as potentially offensive, or endorsing 
the politics, policies or beliefs of a public figure.
3. The following specific public names or any variation should not under any 
circumstances be used due to their controversial nature and potential 
offence:
Adolf Hitler,
Josef Stalin,
Benito Mussolini,
Saddam Hussein,
Chairman Mao,
Pol Pot,
Yasser Arafat,
Ariel Sharon.
4. Historic names (19th century or earlier) may of course be used but the 
less controversial the better. People should be able to judge you purely on 
your contributions, not an emotional response to a potentially controversial 
nickname. Avoiding an offensive or insensitive name is in your own interest. 
So do please be careful. Remember you are working as part of a community. 
Show everyone else the respect for their beliefs that you expect them to 
show to you.
---------
This might seem a small point now, as we don't have that many controversial 
user nics. But as wiki grows the number of new users and usernics will 
rocket. If two or three people use them and get away with it, the likelihood 
is that more new members will follow, on the basis that 'if he can call 
himself 'x', then I will call myself 'y'.'  Sooner or later we will face the 
problem. It makes sense to do it now, with the small community, than try to 
deal with it when there are twice or three times as many users, by which 
time offence may already have been caused to some, and potential wikipedians 
frightened off by the impression given by the unfortunate use of badly 
chosen names.
Any observations?
JT
_________________________________________________________________
Add photos to your messages with MSN 8. Get 2 months FREE*. 
http://join.msn.com/?page=features/featuredemail