Wil: nothing anyone is saying here is aimed at discrediting you, you've just jumped in to a field of landmines without a map, and we'd rather not have you blow your legs off. I'll have a private email incoming to you as fast as I can type it but given that the deputy director of the WMF and several respected Wikimedians have said things may be better if you back off a bit, it would probably good to extend us the trust necessary to give you a map of the field of landmines you've jumped in to.
--- Kevin Gorman
On Wed, May 28, 2014 at 4:06 PM, Wil Sinclair wllm@wllm.com wrote:
I didn't really mention anything specifically, except a leader who could "change the concerning aspects of the WP community." It has been WMF's stated goal to change things like the participation of women on WP for years. I suppose it would be most accurate to say that I meant the things that the WMF has been very publicly trying to change about the community and WP for years now. I believe these goals are shared by Lila, but we haven't really discussed them.
You know, that's strange. Everything you guys are adding to this thread could be used to discredit me in the eyes of various parts of the community. I really hope that isn't the case, but it wouldn't change my behavior if it were. I encourage everyone to read these threads and make up their minds for themselves. Keep in mind that some of the characterizations of what people have said haven't been substantiated yet. Maybe some more evidence will come to light on this thread.
Thanks. ,Wil
On Wed, May 28, 2014 at 3:44 PM, Jasper Deng jasper@jasperswebsite.com wrote:
I mean, you referred to Lila as a potential source of change in the community's problems in your email right before mine on this thread. If
you
meant the community of the wikis, I'm just saying that it wouldn't really be kosher according to our current practices.
On Wed, May 28, 2014 at 3:42 PM, Wil Sinclair wllm@wllm.com wrote:
Yes, we did talk on IRC. But what are you referring to? I wasn't referring to you anywhere. I don't even remember talking about WMF's role in the community. I guess if you have a log of that part of the conversation, you should post it now. I may have a log in my own client, if you don't mind my posting it.
I think it's becoming abundantly clear why I think it's best if I don't interact with WMF employees in private.
,Wil
On Wed, May 28, 2014 at 3:31 PM, Jasper Deng <jasper@jasperswebsite.com
wrote:
Wil, we talked about this on IRC, so I won't repeat what I said. But
what I
did *not* say is that the foundation tends to let the community do
what
it
wants, and it would be against that long-standing tradition for staff
to
try to force a change in the community.
On Wed, May 28, 2014 at 3:18 PM, Wil Sinclair wllm@wllm.com wrote:
First off, I said that about Greg, and I firmly believe it. He's uncovered many controversies at Wikipedia. In fact, his article was the first to be critical of Lila's appointment, and- save the rather petty comment about airline fees at the end- was pretty on-point.
That
doesn't mean that I agree with everything Greg says, just that I personally am glad someone is saying it. He added *Wil Sinclair*, Partner of Lila Tretikov (Wikimedia Foundation executive director); I'd prefer he just leave it at "Wil Sinclair," but it's really his call on what he puts on his own site.
Now, I don't know what Lila thinks of this- and I don't want to know- but I would really like to understand if there is a chance for any leader to change the concerning aspects of the WP community at this point. I know that if there is, it's likely to be a very strong, charismatic leader like Lila. But if there isn't, then so be it and it's better to know now. And I'm pretty sure that if the community here wants positive change, it has to be ready to talk about the hard problems- no matter who brings them up. Whatever happens, Lila is going to land on her feet; no one need worry about her. But, again, that's all just my opinion.
I know you didn't ask me for a response, but this mail is all about
me
so I felt justified chiming in. Thanks for (intentionally) taking it to the list this time. :)
,Wil
On Wed, May 28, 2014 at 2:57 PM, Pete Forsyth <peteforsyth@gmail.com
wrote:
Dear Lila,
I think many of us are interested in how you will engage with the
Wikimedia
community, what kind of outcomes you will seek, and what kind of
tactics
you will employ in seeking those outcomes.
Can you please clarify whether you believe it is possible for
somebody
with
a close connection to you to influence public perceptions in disproportionate, and significant, ways? If so, do you consider it
a
legitimate option for you to (privately) assert your right to
establish
yourself in your new position, rather than letting them take the
lead?
I think what has happened in the last few days is extraordinary.
I've
never
seen anything like it. While I am sure that Wil's intentions are
good,
frankly, if his desire had been to sabotage your new job, I can't
imagine
what more effective path he could have chosen.
I'm not sure if this link has any meaning to you, as you are still
getting
to know the various people and dynamics in the community. But I
wonder
what
others think of it. Does anybody know if the following quote is
accurate?
And regardless of whether it's accurate or not -- the events of the
last
week have certainly made it seem plausible, haven't they?
Is this really the best way for the new Executive Director to be
introduced
to the Wikimedia community and the world?
- *<Wikipedia> is lucky to have people like Greg [Kohs]; even
if he
never directly contributes to WP going forward, we're all well
aware
that
he's a very intelligent and eloquent individual with a knack for investigative reporting. He holds WP and the WMF to their word,
and I
personally thank him for that.* - *Wil Sinclair*, Partner of
Lila
Tretikov (Wikimedia Foundation executive director) - May 22,
2014
http://mywikibiz.com/index.php?title=Directory%3AGregory_J._Kohs&diff=46...
-Pete [[User:Peteforsyth]]
On Wed, May 28, 2014 at 12:34 AM, Lila Tretikov <
lila@wikimedia.org>
wrote:
> Hi all, > > This is a personal note to clarify a some questions that recently
came
up,
> specifically in the context of my role as the incoming ED. > > > My partner Wil and I are partners in our private lives. We have
always
both
> been extremely independent, and we respect that in each other.
That
said we
> have different roles: I am the Executive Director with
responsibilities
> towards the Foundation and the movement, and he is an independent
community
> member with his own voice. > > I make my decisions using my own professional judgement in
conjunction
with
> input from the community and staff. I don’t consult Wil on these
matters,
> ask him to do anything on my behalf or monitor his engagements
with
the
> community. When I speak here, it is in my capacity as an ED. > > Wil, on the other hand, has a very strong personal interest in the > community and agreat deal of curiosity about how the Wikimedia > projectswork. It is very important to him that he remains an > independent individual > able to speak with his own voice and ask his own questions. He
does
not
> take direction from me. He will not work for the WMF or engage
with
the
WMF
> employees. > > I hope this addresses some of the questions and draws distinction
between
> my role as ED and Wil’s participation as an independent member. If
you
have
> any questions for Wil you can reach him directly. If you have any
questions
> for me or the WMF, you can get a hold of me by email or on my talk
page.
> > > Thanks, > > Lila > _______________________________________________ > Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: > https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines > Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org > Unsubscribe:
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