[WikiEN-l] Essjay RFC deleted

[Robth]

On 3/5/07, David Gerard <dgerard at gmail.com> wrote:
> It's hit DRV, where the lynch mob are now asserting that anyone who
> doesn't agree with them is too biased to comment:
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Deletion_review/Log/2007_March_5#User:Essjay.2FRFC
>

Can we please ditch the emotionally charged metaphors?  Yes, saying
"lynch mob" is quick and snappy, but it diminishes the efficacy of
what you're saying (if you actually make an attempt to describe the
behavior and emotions of the group you're talking about instead of
just spouting a cliche, you've conveyed much more information) and
devalues the term used.  Lynch law is a brutal and calculating system
of social control under which any member of a subordinated group who
challenges the economic, social, or political status quo is punished
with death.  Taking the term and applying it to a situation in which,
well, a bunch of people got angry at some guy for claiming to possess
credentials he didn't possess, and then signed their names under
statements asking him to resign his official positions on a website
(or whatever)--that's silly, and it in no way illuminates the actual
social psychology of what's going on here.  Sure, it wasn't the
specific example Godwin picked, but doing it still makes you look
immature.

-- 
Robth
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Robth)