On Tue, Jun 10, 2008 at 7:23 AM, Durova <nadezhda.durova(a)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