Yep, I'm not happy with that particular quote. But you know what? It was a set-up. Any reporter worth her salt attending a conference like this knows how to spot the person in the room that will give them the story they want to tell, and this is what happened here. She came in looking for the geeky white guy whose talent at chatting up women was, um, not his strong suit, and then quoted him instead of talking to the women. Notice that? One would think that the people to talk to about the challenges of being a woman Wikipedian would be the Wikimedia women. And yet the reporter herself refuses to allow them their voice.
I wasn't able to attend this conference, but I talked to several people who did, and I also looked at the photos. What struck me was how many women were there. Some of those who attended were struck by how engaged the women were, too; they were committed to being part of the "gendergap" solution.
Russavia, give everyone a break here. I feel badly for the young woman, because she was put on the spot in a very awkward situation. I feel badly for Kevin, because I think he really does get the importance of expanding the perspectives on Wikipedia and Wikimedia projects, but he was put in a situation that was well outside his comfort level. Wikipedia, Wikimedia and the conference itself were inaccurately portrayed by a media outlet. We all know it happens all the time; it's why we look for multiple reliable sources in our articles.
Risker
On 7 June 2014 00:39, Russavia russavia.wikipedia@gmail.com wrote:
MZMcBride, et al
On Sat, Jun 7, 2014 at 9:17 AM, MZMcBride z@mzmcbride.com wrote:
I know for certain that there quite a few people who feel that you, Russavia, are actively damaging and degrading the wiki culture with your actions... perhaps the same would be said of me and others, though I hope not.
I would appreciate it that if you are going to have a pot shot at me, that you expand on it, and explain exactly what actions you are talking about. However, this isn't about me, so feel free to start a new thread on that if you so wish.
The article in question is obviously an issue, because gendergappers are already saying that the unnamed female is owed an apology for the comments which were directed towards her.[1][2]
The comments from Kevin Rutherford were entirely inappropriate, and whilst others may not want to publicly say anything because they know the editor in question,[3] I am willing to go on the record and say that comments that come across as totally clueless have no place in a chapter-organised and WMF sponsored event.
If Kevin Rutherford thinks that his comments were acceptable, then he is sorely mistaken and he has shown clear misjudgment through his comments at this public event, because they are not supported by the wider community (if they are, then shame on the community).
I'm seriously not doubting that Frank Schulenberg is reported to have shaken his head at the comments, because I know others who have read the article have *facepalmed* and lolwut.
Having this in the media is just another cost that communities have to face (it's not always about money), and unfortunately it seems to have overshadowed anything actually useful that might have come of the conference.
Cheers,
Russavia
[1] http://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/gendergap/2014-June/004310.html [2] http://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/gendergap/2014-June/004311.html [3] http://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/gendergap/2014-June/004312.html
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