[WikiEN-l] Accountability: bringing back a proposal I made nearly 2 years ago

[Oldak Quill]

On 05/03/07, Erik Moeller <erik at wikimedia.org> wrote:
> On 3/5/07, Jimmy Wales <jwales at wikia.com> wrote:
> > The point is to make sure that people are being honest with us and with
> > the general public.
>
> I would modify the proposal: You only need to verify the credentials
> if you're in a position of trust (adminship or higher).
> - Reduces the number of necessary verifications
> - Has less of an impact on the social dynamics of Wikipedia
> - Gives us a good response to media ("user was not in a position of
> trust") when other editors use fake credentials
> - Gives editors a sense of perspective when looking at userpages
> --
> Peace & Love,
> Erik

I think we should only introduce restrictive measures (which Jimbo's
proposal is) if they are completely necessary. How are credentials
necessary to positions of trust? Will they be taken into account when
someone is elected; or when the admin makes a decision, votes or
weighs in on a discussion? [eg. admins with no credentials are
undermined by other users]. I hope the answer to the last question is
a firm and resounding notion but even the best intended proposals can
put us in an unwanted position.

-- 
Oldak Quill (oldakquill at gmail.com)