[WikiEN-l] Arbcom mailing lists need shredded

[Jussi-Ville Heiskanen]

On Dec 3, 2007 7:17 PM, Guy Chapman aka JzG <guy.chapman at spamcop.net> wrote:
> On Mon, 03 Dec 2007 10:00:27 -0500, joshua.zelinsky at yale.edu wrote:
>
> >Deletion of the list will not reduce accusations that the ArbCom members are
> >leaking info since they will have the same basic access as they had before.
> >List archives even for confidential lists are often very useful objects for
> >when related situations come up and  would be useful to Arbitrators.
> >Furthermore, deletion of lists cannot be guaranteed since arbitrators could
> >independently archive their copies. Finally, in the very long run there may be
> >historic interest in these lists and it would be unwise to delete them.
>
> And *finally* finally, if people do not trust ArbCom they are
> welcome to find a project whose administrative structures they do
> trust.
>
> I mean, in the end, it's a private project to build an encyclopaedia
> and not an experiment in democracy.

It is not an experiment in democracy. Certes, that is correct in the
absolute. There is nothing democratic about it, and never wil be, I
am willing to bet.

The arbcom is not elected, even though some people mistakenly
think it is. It is appointed. Just as the British Parliament serves at
the pleasure of the monarch.

But do not *ever* make the mistake of saying "the people" this, or
"the people" that about wikipedia in such a cavalier manner, if you
value your credibility at all.

Though not a democracy, wikipedia is essentially an attempt to edit
as a community. And though not directly answerable to the community,
the arbcom is answerable to Jimbo, and Jimbo in turn derives his powers
from the (wisely given) general consent of the community. Not up for a
vote, not negotiable, but if that general consent did not exist, Jimbos
powers would be quite meaningless, and as such his support for an arbcom
equally invalid.

Individual displeasure at the arbcom is inconsequential and individuals
may bark and the caravan will keep marching on. Individuals are
certainly free to leave as they wish.

But when the time comes that it is a serious comment rather than
a grievous misstatement to talk of "the people" of this project, in those
terms... No, I won't go there.

--
Jussi-Ville Heiskanen, ~ [[User:Cimon Avaro]]