On Tue, Jun 10, 2008 at 7:23 AM, Durova nadezhda.durova@gmail.com wrote:
Ray, We are talking about people who on or off list threaten others to kill, maim and rape. We are talking about people associated with aggressive pov pushing and using any means whatsoever to establish their pov. There have been several examples given of this behaviour by credible people. Suggesting as you do that there is no idea that we are talking about it not where we are at.
When YOU do not know what is being discussed you either read up on it, do some research, talk to people involved or keep out of it. Suggesting that there is no clarity about such issues is exactly the kind of behaviour that makes this situation worse because it leads to more procrastination. What is needed is clarity to what extend the WMF is aware of this situation and what involvement it can have, research is needed about the extend this type of behaviour DOES affect our project and impacts the NPOV of controversial subjects. This research is needed because it will prevent people from ignoring or belittling this issue.
Thanks, GerardM
Superbly expressed. Some respondents demonstrate a palpable lack of perspective regarding this serious issue.
Months ago I initiated a proposal to eliminate the word "wikistalking" because of exactly the problem that has manifested in this thread: it takes a serious crime and trivializes it, fostering confusion on a subject where victims already have a very difficult time making themselves heard and believed.
I agree with this. Sometimes a semantic shift can help. We can call the person who annoys people on-wiki a "tag-along troll" or whatever, and should reserve "stalking" for, well, actual stalking (and maybe always preface the term as "actual stalking" or "real-life stalking" so the meaning is plain to Wikimedians not familiar with this issue).
If more Wikimedians understand what is actually meant by this issue, hopefully that will be a step toward getting the issue addressed in a serious way.
Thanks, Pharos