Revision as of 19:25, 9 July 2012 view sourceThemfromspace (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers29,409 editsm →Comments on the proposed decision: reword← Previous edit | Revision as of 19:32, 9 July 2012 view source Prioryman (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, IP block exemptions, Pending changes reviewers27,962 edits →Remedy 2 is game-able: - the decision will do nothing to end the dispute unless Arbcom tackles the anti-Fae campaignNext edit → | ||
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As the proposed decision stands, the personal attack parole for Fae is potentially game-able by people who don't like him. If they play the poke-and-complain game repeatedly, unless he has suddenly acquired much ''more'' self-restraint than the typical Wikipedian, he will, at a minimum, occasionally say something that can be spun as a personal attack. Then, since Arbitration Enforcement has a first-mover advantage for blocks, which any of hundreds of admins can use, they will sometimes manage to get him blocked. Then all the rhetoric about "He still hasn't learned his lesson!" and "How long will this behavior be tolerated?" will come into play, and the blocks will escalate. The end result is likely to be an indef or forced withdrawal, after much drama. Note: I'm not claiming Fae's behavior has been perfect. ] (]) 17:26, 9 July 2012 (UTC) | As the proposed decision stands, the personal attack parole for Fae is potentially game-able by people who don't like him. If they play the poke-and-complain game repeatedly, unless he has suddenly acquired much ''more'' self-restraint than the typical Wikipedian, he will, at a minimum, occasionally say something that can be spun as a personal attack. Then, since Arbitration Enforcement has a first-mover advantage for blocks, which any of hundreds of admins can use, they will sometimes manage to get him blocked. Then all the rhetoric about "He still hasn't learned his lesson!" and "How long will this behavior be tolerated?" will come into play, and the blocks will escalate. The end result is likely to be an indef or forced withdrawal, after much drama. Note: I'm not claiming Fae's behavior has been perfect. ] (]) 17:26, 9 July 2012 (UTC) | ||
:I agree; this remedy is a return to the days of civility paroles, which were the least effective and most disruptive idea ever implemented by the Committee. These sorts of "paroles" sound good in the theoretical confines of the case pages, but they're a disaster in terms of practical implementation. <p>There's typically a good deal of subjectivity around the margins of "personal attacks" (and even more subjectivity around "discrediting other editors {{sic}} views based on their perceived affiliations"). And there's effectively zero cost to reporting every utterance that's anywhere near the borderline. The net effect is that Fae's opponents will continually report his every utterance, and given the arbitrary and subjective nature of the parole, they will occasionally (and unpredictably) be rewarded with blocks against Fae.<p>The combination of the subjective nature of the parole and the lack of any mechanism to address vexatious litigation create a bad set of incentives. I'm all for preventing personal attacks, and in my superficial reading of this case it appears some sort of remedy may be warranted against Fae in that regard, but we have an extensive track record with these sorts of parole which should be raising a huge red flag right now about this specific approach. ''']''' <sup>]</sup> 18:04, 9 July 2012 (UTC) | :I agree; this remedy is a return to the days of civility paroles, which were the least effective and most disruptive idea ever implemented by the Committee. These sorts of "paroles" sound good in the theoretical confines of the case pages, but they're a disaster in terms of practical implementation. <p>There's typically a good deal of subjectivity around the margins of "personal attacks" (and even more subjectivity around "discrediting other editors {{sic}} views based on their perceived affiliations"). And there's effectively zero cost to reporting every utterance that's anywhere near the borderline. The net effect is that Fae's opponents will continually report his every utterance, and given the arbitrary and subjective nature of the parole, they will occasionally (and unpredictably) be rewarded with blocks against Fae.<p>The combination of the subjective nature of the parole and the lack of any mechanism to address vexatious litigation create a bad set of incentives. I'm all for preventing personal attacks, and in my superficial reading of this case it appears some sort of remedy may be warranted against Fae in that regard, but we have an extensive track record with these sorts of parole which should be raising a huge red flag right now about this specific approach. ''']''' <sup>]</sup> 18:04, 9 July 2012 (UTC) | ||
::It might work if accompanied by a few interaction bans. Without them it is pretty much a guarantee of Dwamah. '']]<span style="color:#CC5500">Chequers''</span> 19:17, 9 July 2012 (UTC) | ::It might work if accompanied by a few interaction bans. Without them it is pretty much a guarantee of Dwamah. '']]<span style="color:#CC5500">Chequers''</span> 19:17, 9 July 2012 (UTC) | ||
:::I totally agree. Interaction bans are absolutely essential here. This is a very unusual case in that it's not been driven primarily by on-wiki disputes but by an off-wiki campaign against Fae, closely related to his off-wiki activities with Wikimedia UK. Normally arbitration cases aim to shut down disputes. In this case, there is every likelihood that Fae's enemies will seek to use this decision to step up the dispute. It's very likely that the campaign will continue whatever Fae does. | |||
:::At the very least there needs to be an interaction ban between Delicious Carbuncle and Fae, as DC has been the driver of the vast majority of the controversy up to now (every single one of the threads on Fae posted on WR was started by DC). I recognise that the dispute may have metastasised to some extent and that others prominently involved in the anti-Fae campaign - here I'm thinking in particular of Bali ultimate (Dan Murphy), Peter Cohen and Jayen466 - are not covered by sanctions (yet). However, I think there needs to be, if not an interaction ban with those individuals, an explicit statement from the Arbcom that attempts to continue the anti-Fae campaign or game this decision will not be acceptable. Otherwise this is going to continue indefinitely with those involved having no incentive to disengage. ] (]) 19:32, 9 July 2012 (UTC) | |||
== Comments on the proposed decision == | == Comments on the proposed decision == |
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→ Important notes for all contributors to this case
This case is highly contentious, and has the ability to devolve very quickly. So, this is a heads up on the procedures we will be using. A) First off, we will be running under a "single warning" system. The clerks, myself and other arbitrators will be monitoring this case. Uncivil comments or accusations that are not backed up with explicit diffs will be removed on sight. Clerks have been given authority to remove such comments and give the commenter a single warning. If such issues happen again after a participant has been warned, the participant will either be barred from further participation in this arbitration case, or the person will be blocked for a period of time at the clerk's discretion. This applies to everyone. That includes the parties, involved onlookers, semi-involved onlookers, and people who wander in randomly (whether it is truly random or not). B) There will be NO speculations allowed. This includes the following:
If you're not sure whether a statement will fall afoul of these policies, ask a clerk before hand. Don't think it's "better to ask for forgiveness then it is permission". It's not. These rules will apply on all case-related pages, which explicitly include talk pages. We will be using the just-ratified limits on evidence (to wit, 1000 words/100 diffs for direct parties, 500/50 for non-parties to this case). If you're going to exceed either, ask myself or another arbitrator (on the /Evidence talk page) before you do so. To prevent "drive-by" attacks and attempts to devolve this case, we are taking additional measures to limit disruption. The case pages will be semi-protected and there will be additional scrutiny paid to accounts who haven't participated in this dispute beforehand. In other words, don't expect to try to avoid scrutiny with an IP address or an alternate, undeclared account. It will be counterproductive. If a new editor or an IP editor truly has something that needs to be said, they can ask a clerk to post for them. Finally, after I take the first few days to review the initial evidence and workshop postings, I will be posting a series of questions on the workshop page that I would like the parties to answer. I am primarily interested in what the parties have to say in response. This should be aimed solely at answering my questions and not going back and forth with other people's answers. Thank you for your attention, and hopefully, your compliance with these directives. For the Committee, SirFozzie (talk) 19:55, 28 May 2012 (UTC) |
Just a bit longer..
I apologize for the delay.. I'd explain why the PD is going to be late, but I guess the only proper response doesn't go to why it's going to be late, just say that it's late. It's going to be this weekend. Thanks for putting up with the delay, and again, I apologize. SirFozzie (talk) 06:08, 6 July 2012 (UTC)
- Take as long as you like. If you get it "wrong" then a small portion of the community will become quite vocal about how the decisions are "wrong" - See the pending changes RFC arbcom request. Barts1a / Talk to me / Help me improve 08:14, 6 July 2012 (UTC)
- Oh the decision is goign to be wrong. It's just a matter of waiting and seeing what it is and therefore working out who say it is wrong. (See WP:The wrong version.)--Peter cohen (talk) 22:40, 7 July 2012 (UTC)
- Thanks again. Barring any further issues, like say, my computer becoming sentient and trying to take over humanity, a la Skynet, the decision will be up tonight. SirFozzie (talk) 06:30, 8 July 2012 (UTC)
- Oh the decision is goign to be wrong. It's just a matter of waiting and seeing what it is and therefore working out who say it is wrong. (See WP:The wrong version.)--Peter cohen (talk) 22:40, 7 July 2012 (UTC)
- Appreciate the update. Nobody Ent 01:31, 9 July 2012 (UTC)
Query
With regard to Misplaced Pages:Arbitration/Requests/Case/Fæ/Proposed_decision#Michaeldsuarez_banned_and_placed_on_non-article_space_restriction -- can a current ArbCom bind a future ArbCom? If the ban is lifted, wouldn't the terms of the unban be subject to ArbCom seated at the time? Nobody Ent 01:34, 9 July 2012 (UTC)
- I think the general answer to your second question is 'yes'. Future committees can discuss and vote on amendment requests of past cases, including those that adjust sanctions against users. For reference, go to the AC Noticeboard, where you will find examples of motions lifting topic bans based on changed user behavior. -- Lord Roem (talk) 01:38, 9 July 2012 (UTC)
- The answer to your first question is clearly No, Future arbcoms can amend decisions of this and past Arbcoms. Hence blocks and bans are indefinite rather than permanent. ϢereSpielChequers 08:29, 9 July 2012 (UTC)
Non-article space restriction
I don't recall ever disrupting the non-article namespaces prior to or even during this case. What's the rationale for the proposal? Is this preventative or punitive? What problem is this proposed restriction attempting to solve / remedy? --Michaeldsuarez (talk) 01:39, 9 July 2012 (UTC)
PD fully protected
Folks, if I see another edit war on the proposed decision, people will be blocked. I've fully protected it for a brief period (the arbitrators and clerks may edit through protection). Nobody else should be editing those pages. Risker (talk) 02:58, 9 July 2012 (UTC)
- Risker, I'm sorry that I had to get involved in that but I feel as though it was necessary for reasons that I'm sure I don't have to explain. I hope you don't think I was out of line editing the page in that very limited circumstance. Sædon 03:03, 9 July 2012 (UTC)
- That's what clerks are for, Saedon; please leave it to them to manage the page. Risker (talk) 04:42, 9 July 2012 (UTC)
- Fair enough and will do. Sædon 05:58, 9 July 2012 (UTC)
Can Lord Roem? They're not an admin, right? Nobody Ent 10:22, 9 July 2012 (UTC)Page back to semi Nobody Ent 18:08, 9 July 2012 (UTC)
- That's what clerks are for, Saedon; please leave it to them to manage the page. Risker (talk) 04:42, 9 July 2012 (UTC)
Image copyright concerns
I am confused by the references to image copyright in proposed finding of fact #11 and proposed remedy #7. I asked for clarification of scope (including asking specifically about Commons), but my questions were ignored completely, even after drawing it to the attention of the drafting Arb. There was no request made for specific examples of copyright concerns, despite the decision being delayed. I'm sure some can be provided if ArbCom wants to see them - do they? Delicious carbuncle (talk) 03:26, 9 July 2012 (UTC)
- Yes please. May as well lay this to rest now. Sorry, I've been juggling a large number of things on-wiki so yes it would have been good to have evidence before now. Casliber (talk · contribs) 06:23, 9 July 2012 (UTC)
- There are two distinct categories of copyright concerns with regard to Fæ's uploads. The first is the more straightforward concern of copyright violation (eg. a claim that something is one's own work when it is not). The second category is questionable claims about copyright status made by Fæ regarding their own uploads in order to have them deleted (and I note there were multiple instances of this during the course of this RFAR to belatedly obscure the source of uploads). I suspect that the second category of copyright concerns may be contentious. Is ArbCom interested in both types of copyright concern or only the first, simpler case? Delicious carbuncle (talk) 16:58, 9 July 2012 (UTC)
Not a big deal, but a little confusing
The language in the proposed decisions seems to randomly switch from referring to Fae as "he" and "his" to "they" and "their". Perhaps it could be standardized as "he/his"
throughout the PDs? 28bytes (talk) 04:26, 9 July 2012 (UTC)
- My preference is to avoid a gendered pronoun to refer to my account on Misplaced Pages. Thanks --Fæ (talk) 04:30, 9 July 2012 (UTC)
- I've adjusted my comment accordingly. 28bytes (talk) 06:07, 9 July 2012 (UTC)
Parallel Universes
Done
As Arbcom's writ arguably only applies in this Universe and not necessarily the whole Multiverse could "other then those specifically" be replaced with "other than those specifically". Ta ϢereSpielChequers 08:33, 9 July 2012 (UTC)
And as long as you're copyediting, you might want to adjust it to say "sister-site, Wikimedia Commons" in Proposed Principle 11. Currently it says "Misplaced Pages Commons" (although perhaps there is such a thing somewhere in the whole multiverse).— alf laylah wa laylah (talk) 13:04, 9 July 2012 (UTC)
Alleged harassment
I wouldn't call the ED article harassment. It informs readers about what Fae wishes to hide, but the article in its current form doesn't tell readers what to think. Readers are free to use their own judgment based on the information (images) provides; I'm not imposing my own point of view on them. I wasn't the one who added the link to the examiner.com article to the article, so I wasn't even directing readers to Gregory Kohs' opinion. In addition, the article's connection to enwiki is nearly nil. The images were from Commons, not enwiki. Besides a template that I didn't even add to the article, the article doesn't even mention Misplaced Pages. How is this enwiki's problem? Because Fae is coincidental an enwiki user? --Michaeldsuarez (talk) 14:38, 9 July 2012 (UTC)
Not a good decision
Let's go over some of the problems with this proposed outcome:
- It invades Commons, causing editors' uploads there to be evaluated here, indeed, calling for such a review of all of Fae's work, declaring Commons' governance to be invalid. This is much of what the WO crowd was calling for from the start, and I suppose this decision delivers. I suppose that within the next case or two you'll be sanctioning people for "violating BLP on Commons", "doing original synthesis on Commons", etc.
- It comes up with wildly varying outcomes for Delicious carbuncle versus Michaeldsuarez. One is warned, the other banned for a year and told in advance he won't really be accepted as a proper contributor even then. And of the two, Michaeldsuarez's role seemed to me to be less - all his little ED article was was a simple rehash of CC-licensed Commons uploads! The only reason why you're even able to sanction him is that he disclosed his connection. Looking at the principles, this isn't just a matter of who has the better friends - it's based on the goofy principle #7 where you ignore external comments until an arbitrary line into "overt or persistent harassment" is crossed, and then you come down on them very hard. But did Michaeldsuarez cross that line? I don't think you give him any credit for just how mild that article was, compared to the kind of treatment ED has given some people. Having applied your harshest penalty already, you'll have no power left in reserve for when people go further than that.
- You've said that "Attempts to discredit people's views based on personal traits such as race, creed, nationality or sexual preference are in most cases Personal Attacks". The third diff you cite in your finding of fact #5 shows just such discrediting of remarks by some people Fae was responding to. It sounds like you're enforcing your principle against very debatable infringements while ignoring others that are much more clear cut.
- The "personal attack parole" is an impossible situation. Fae will be accused of violating this every day, and if he says someone is falsely accusing him, that's a personal attack. If he tries not to respond, people will say he doesn't engage in dispute resolution, and if he says it wouldn't be productive, that's a personal attack. This decision was supposed to end this political war, and instead, it guarantees that there will not be one hour when there isn't some gripe going on against Fae for as long as he attempts to keep an account active on Misplaced Pages. (I would suggest that he should unofficially reduce or stop involvement in WP, in favor of other projects if he wishes, to avoid the victory dancing accompanying a formal retirement)
With this decision, the balance of power shifts from admins and ArbCom to sockpuppets and Wikipediocracy - who, in these proceedings, have often seemed to have the upper hand as they started a whispering gallery to torpedo the clerk's RfA and seemed to expect and receive a deferential attitude from the presiding arbitrator (e.g. ). The only way to keep a "cleanstart" seems to be not to get caught; the way to avoid being punished for anything you write anywhere on the web, or uploads you make at Commons, is not to disclose your accounts. We change from a situation of collegial editing to one in which every editor will need to think of himself at heart as a vandal to avoid serious long-term sanctions. Wnt (talk) 15:16, 9 July 2012 (UTC)
Remedy 2 is game-able
As the proposed decision stands, the personal attack parole for Fae is potentially game-able by people who don't like him. If they play the poke-and-complain game repeatedly, unless he has suddenly acquired much more self-restraint than the typical Wikipedian, he will, at a minimum, occasionally say something that can be spun as a personal attack. Then, since Arbitration Enforcement has a first-mover advantage for blocks, which any of hundreds of admins can use, they will sometimes manage to get him blocked. Then all the rhetoric about "He still hasn't learned his lesson!" and "How long will this behavior be tolerated?" will come into play, and the blocks will escalate. The end result is likely to be an indef or forced withdrawal, after much drama. Note: I'm not claiming Fae's behavior has been perfect. Cardamon (talk) 17:26, 9 July 2012 (UTC)
- I agree; this remedy is a return to the days of civility paroles, which were the least effective and most disruptive idea ever implemented by the Committee. These sorts of "paroles" sound good in the theoretical confines of the case pages, but they're a disaster in terms of practical implementation.
There's typically a good deal of subjectivity around the margins of "personal attacks" (and even more subjectivity around "discrediting other editors views based on their perceived affiliations"). And there's effectively zero cost to reporting every utterance that's anywhere near the borderline. The net effect is that Fae's opponents will continually report his every utterance, and given the arbitrary and subjective nature of the parole, they will occasionally (and unpredictably) be rewarded with blocks against Fae.
The combination of the subjective nature of the parole and the lack of any mechanism to address vexatious litigation create a bad set of incentives. I'm all for preventing personal attacks, and in my superficial reading of this case it appears some sort of remedy may be warranted against Fae in that regard, but we have an extensive track record with these sorts of parole which should be raising a huge red flag right now about this specific approach. MastCell 18:04, 9 July 2012 (UTC)
- It might work if accompanied by a few interaction bans. Without them it is pretty much a guarantee of Dwamah. ϢereSpielChequers 19:17, 9 July 2012 (UTC)
- I totally agree. Interaction bans are absolutely essential here. This is a very unusual case in that it's not been driven primarily by on-wiki disputes but by an off-wiki campaign against Fae, closely related to his off-wiki activities with Wikimedia UK. Normally arbitration cases aim to shut down disputes. In this case, there is every likelihood that Fae's enemies will seek to use this decision to step up the dispute. It's very likely that the campaign will continue whatever Fae does.
- At the very least there needs to be an interaction ban between Delicious Carbuncle and Fae, as DC has been the driver of the vast majority of the controversy up to now (every single one of the threads on Fae posted on WR was started by DC). I recognise that the dispute may have metastasised to some extent and that others prominently involved in the anti-Fae campaign - here I'm thinking in particular of Bali ultimate (Dan Murphy), Peter Cohen and Jayen466 - are not covered by sanctions (yet). However, I think there needs to be, if not an interaction ban with those individuals, an explicit statement from the Arbcom that attempts to continue the anti-Fae campaign or game this decision will not be acceptable. Otherwise this is going to continue indefinitely with those involved having no incentive to disengage. Prioryman (talk) 19:32, 9 July 2012 (UTC)
Comments on the proposed decision
On the whole the proposed decision appears just and fair, so thanks to SirFozzie and the rest of ArbCom for the evenhanded assessment of a complicated situation. I have a few minor comments on the proposed wording:
- Fæ has made unacceptable personal attacks The title may be true, but I don't think the three diffs linked go far enough to back the assertion.
- Michaeldsuarez harassed Fæ Again I agree with the finding, but the wording may be read to imply that creating any article, regardless of the content, on an editor off-wiki is de facto harrassment.
- Delicious carbuncle posted identifying information on Fæ Concur with Jclemens that this skirts the line of WP:OUTING, although it definitely comes under the broader scope of WP:HARASS. Replacing WP:HARASS for WP:OUTING would be a simple solution.
- Michaeldsuarez banned and placed on non-article space restriction Why the third sentence? If/when he is let back, he should have learned enough to edit all namespaces without trouble.
- Fæ personal attack parole Agree with others above that, as worded, this is GAMEable. One solution would be to tighten the wording, perhaps focusing on ad hominem attacks and "casting aspirations" while leaving out the catch-all phrase "personal attacks".