Steve Bennett wrote:
On 4/4/06, Jimmy Wales jwales@wikia.com wrote:
I think the best way to understand 'what justification' is to understand a certain sort of POV pushing... one of the goals of pedophiles is to make the case that such materials are perfectly normal and healthy and should be viewed as being completely routine. One way to achieve that goal is to be sure that such materials are published widely.
Hi Jimbo, A couple of people have taken exception to your references to paedophiles in this debate, and I'd like to join them. Is there any evidence that actual paedophiles were arguing for the inclusion of that image? Or is it just, as you acknowledge, anti-censorship people getting caught up in the argument and crossing the bounds of good taste?
Conflating anti-censorship, anti-prude, anti-common sense, or simply trollish people with paedophiles is unfair at best, and inflammatory and offensive at worst, isn't it?
Look, I for one initially argued keep at IFD, and I don't feel insulted so much as embarrassed that I allowed myself to be blind-sided in such a way, and I think Jimbo's spot on in what he says, and I'm a bit disturbed that a lot of people who weren't involved in this are knocking Jimbo on this point, superficially on my behalf. I don't want people to knock Jimbo on my behalf, I think Sam made the right call, so did Jimbo and I think anyone who can't see that is either as blind sided as I was or just looking for another big stick to hit Jimbo with.
I'd like to apologise once again for getting the wrong end of the stick on this issue, and I would like to see people extend the good faith that everyone involved has extended me by not calling me a complete plonker, which would be well deserved, and extend that good faith to Jimbo, who has already qualified his statement once. Jimbo's thrust, as I read it, was that we shouldn't allow the gaming of the system by those who wish to promote pedophilia, and that those of us for whom censorship and fair use is a hot button topic should be aware that we can be manipulated, and remember the goal is building an encyclopedia, not fighting censorship or justifying the inclusion of any particular image.
People who's hot button is mistrusting authority should also remember the goal is building an encyclopedia, not fighting censorship or justifying the inclusion of any particular image.
I'm sorry if people feel my words are too strong, but there it is. I was made to look a fool, and no-one likes that. But I'm not too proud to admit it and I don't see why I should be walking away scott free when Jimbo is getting a hard time.
Now, can I take this hair shirt off, it damn well itches.
Steve Block
Steve Block