Misplaced Pages

Revision as of 17:38, 28 November 2014

Notice of obsolescence:
Community sanctions in this area of conflict have been superseded by an Arbitration Committee sanctions regime. As a result, this community sanctions-related page is now obsolete, is retained only for historical reference, and should not be modified. For more information about Arbitration Committee sanctions, see this page. For the specific Committee decision that rescinded or modified these community sanctions, see WP:ARBGG.

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Masem

This request may be declined without further action if insufficient or unclear information is provided in the "Request" section below.
Requests may not exceed 500 words and 20 diffs (not counting required information), except by permission of a reviewing administrator.

Request concerning Masem

User who is submitting this request for enforcement

MarkBernstein (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) 17:45, 23 November 2014 (UTC)

User against whom enforcement is requested

Masem (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)

Search CT alerts: in user talk history • in system log

Diffs of edits that violate this sanction or remedy, and an explanation how these edits violate it

https://en.wikipedia.org/search/?title=Talk:Gamergate_controversy&diff=prev&oldid=634848471

Masem: “one static image cannot readily imply rape” and argues we must not follow the sources in this. In the context of a controversy over anonymous rape threats being sent to female software developers in order to persuade them to leave the field, this is clearly against policy though I'm uncertain precisely which policy forbids editors and administrators from edits that would bring scorn and ridicule upon the project.

https://en.wikipedia.org/search/?title=Misplaced Pages%3AAdministrators%27_noticeboard%2FIncidents&diff=635058861&oldid=635058803

Regarding discussion of the sex life of one of the female software developers who received threats, at AN/I Masem writes that "You're claiming I'm trying to drag more of her life into this which is absolutely bogus - I know other other allegations exist but will not state what those on WP are because that would be a BLP violation at the current time."

https://en.wikipedia.org/search/?title=Misplaced Pages%3AAdministrators%27_noticeboard%2FIncidents&diff=635088283&oldid=635082662

Later, he writes that “we need to be aware that there are other things the proGg side would like WP to say but we are nowhere close to having any sources to even speak to them, much less cover them. I don't believe any of said things are true in any remote way...” (emphasis mine)

This regards a protracted edit war on the talk page over whether the discussion of Zoe Quinn’s sex life, which Masem had argued was indispensable, could be hatted.

https://en.wikipedia.org/search/?title=Talk%3AGamergate_controversy&diff=634978574&oldid=634978105

In the discussion to which the AN/I comments above refers, editors had (moments after page protection ended) changed the heading "False Allegations Against Zoe Quinn" to remove "False". Masem wrote: "No, the claims, while based on weak evidence, has some foundation. But the claims have certainly be "refuted" by and large - the claims were made but the press has considered what the involved parties have said to be truthful so the claims were refuted."

This claim is unsupported by any reliable source.

Diffs of previous relevant sanctions, if any

none known -- I don’t have any idea how to find these.

If discretionary sanctions are requested, supply evidence that the user is aware of them (see WP:AC/DS#Awareness and alerts)

notified

Additional comments by editor filing complaint

I submit this with a heavy heart and scant hope. I undertook to edit GamerGate reluctantly, having been scarred by Jews and Communism, but felt it was a necessary responsibility to my colleagues who were receiving threats of assault, rape, and murder in order to convince them to leave their profession. We’ve had endless hours of inquiry into the sex lives of blameless software developers, and Misplaced Pages is being used here to rehash every iota of scandal and insinuation. Here, we have insinuations that there are more scandals and insinuations to come (but Masem can’t tell us what).

In conclusion: please review the talk page for the past 72 hours. User:Masem has been instrumental in leading this discussion and in insisting that it drag on and on, as well as in his WP:FRINGE theories that sending rape imagery to women who are receiving threats is somehow better if it's a joke or if the image might concern anal rather than vaginal penetration. That this discussion should be required here is shameful, and after a long night’s thought I conclude that, while I am far from the ideal person to file this complaint, I cannot say I fear any WP:BOOMERANG: if this sort of talk page discussion is what Misplaced Pages wants, then the heavier your censure the better I shall be pleased. MarkBernstein (talk) 18:00, 23 November 2014 (UTC) Program Chair ACM Hypertext 97, ACM Hypertext 98, ACM Wikisym '08, ACM Web Science '13.

As the question of "righting great wrongs" has been raised, perhaps I might be indulged with an opportunity to explain the wrongs that, in my view, ought to be righted, on User:MarkBernstein.

Discussion concerning Masem

Statements must be made in separate sections. They may not exceed 500 words and 20 diffs, except by permission of a reviewing administrator.
Administrators may remove or shorten noncompliant statements. Disruptive contributions may result in blocks.

Statement by Masem

There is nothing at all actionable against the sanctions here. There may be statements MB doesn't like, but that's not anything under sanctions or that we would censor or block per BLP.

1. On the 4chan image: There was an ongoing edit war of how to describe the 4chan image, but no one was discussing it on the talk page. I took initiate to open it. Now, you can agree or disagree about my statement, but that's the whole point of discussion to establish what the proper wording should be. So unactionable (and actually needed to be done to stop the edit war and get a consensus on the matter).
2. On other allegations: There are allegations that the proGG have made that I am aware exist that when proGGs talk about this WP article, they are concerned this article doesn't reflect those. These are not allegations I have about her, nor do I believe any of the proGG allegations. There are no sources to even include those, much less talk about the details, but knowing they exist without making any claims is absolutely not a BLP violation. In fact we have to be aware what other articles - if they become targets of offsite editing pushes, need to be watched due to these allegations.
   In addition, we have to discuss in the article, and how to present it, the core allegation that launched the GG "movement", and the series of attacks. It is not a BLP violation to discuss this and how to word it properly given that every mainstream source on GG has discussed the basic accusation, naming all parties involved. It very much helps that there is general full agreement in the press that the accusation is refuted. BLP does not prevent talking about accussations, but requires that the best possible sourcing must be in place to avoid any implications created by WP or weak RSes, and that's exactly the case here. Again, we're supposed to be working to develop consensus instead of edit warring the page or the draft.

There is nothing actionable here on Mark's claims. On the other hand, Mark's claim that I'm coordinating a brigade of offsite proGG editors without any evidence (among other statements made as well as twisting/misquoting me) is definitely a personal attack against me --MASEM (t) 18:05, 23 November 2014 (UTC)

To add to these, Mark has engaged in off-wiki personal attacks against me: . (I strongly contest the idea I'm a "rape apologist". I'm trying to keep WP's voice neutral, neither sympathetic nor critical; I'm just as upset as most about the harassment aspects, but that is something we can't write to in WP's voice). --MASEM (t) 16:14, 24 November 2014 (UTC)

BTW: Misplaced Pages is not here to right great wrongs. We are supposed to be neutral, meaning we're not supposed to be taking a side. Trying to use the GG article as a platform to support that were harassed and condemn those that did it is absolutely the wrong use of WP. --MASEM (t) 18:10, 23 November 2014 (UTC) (replies moved to User:Masem/GGGS to stay w/in 500 words, not critical to above statement)

Statement by Thargor Orlando

Please boomerang this onto MarkBernstein. With DSA topic banned, MB is the only person left with significantly bad behavior at and surrounding the GamerGate article, as opposed to Masem's reasonable (albeit line-toeing at times) comments that took care to discuss the topic appropriately.

Compare Masen's edits to MarkBernstein's, who dove right in with repeatedly mentioning specific allegations he also considers a BLP violation () and attacks on myself () Masem (), and others/in general () with no basis in fact (such as claiming editors are "pro-GG" or anything similar).

For someone so concerned with BLP, his willingness to misrepresent a notable living person as "right wing" in a pejorative manner () goes part and parcel with how he's treating editors he disagrees with. If the sanctions are truly for everybody, MarkBernstein needed a topic ban 24 hours ago. He clearly cannot edit the article within the parameters of BLP or civility due to the emotional investment he declares (). It's long overdue. Thargor Orlando (talk) 18:04, 23 November 2014 (UTC)

Regarding User:Aprock's misleading claim, the discussion resulted in my point of view being explicitly clear. I don't want to believe this (or this or this) were left out by Aprock on purpose.

Yes, I believe an article should reflect what is actually going on. If that's a crime, this article is even further beyond hope than I thought. Thargor Orlando (talk) 12:37, 24 November 2014 (UTC)

@Gamaliel: you say you're concerned about that edit, and you fail to explain why, unless you're arguing that we should assert evidenceless-claims without question. Regardless, an examination of the thread figured out the problem between the claim that is disproven and the claims that are simply unfounded, and was resolved here, and the article conflates the two for reasons I don't care to speculate on. I am still troubled by the comparative lack of attention to MarkBernstein's edits, of which there are literally dozens of problems. It would be good to see some resolution on that, as this has gone far too long without being addressed, a simple warning implies he would be unaware of what's going on here. Thargor Orlando (talk) 22:23, 24 November 2014 (UTC)

@EdJohnston: this is "running out of steam" because many of us are waiting to see when the sanctions are going to be used on the bad behavior of those that have been detailed here. User:MarkBernstein might say he's no longer contributing, but that doesn't seem to be true given his actions of the last 12+ hours in telling others how an off-site group is looking to "deploy" certain editors, which certainly isn't true for me at least. Again, I ask you how much more of this we should be tolerating. These sanctions have been enacted on users for much less, but somehow Mark should be immune to them why? You don't have to do the digging, we've done it for you. Please act. Please show that the sanctions are for everyone. Thargor Orlando (talk) 12:30, 26 November 2014 (UTC)

@Gamaliel: allow me to be frank. MarkBernstein is guilty of multiple things here: 1) continually, explicitly raising a BLP situation in plain text repeatedly and in multiple places even as others trying to discuss how to properly include (if at all) within the article do not mention them explicitly in order to keep BLP in mind. ArmyLine was topic-banned for discussion of "observations on the subject's sexual behavior", exactly the same thing MarkBernstein was doing with different language. 2) Consistent, multiple, unfounded personal attacks on multiple editors (something you have issued topic bans on before. 3) Creating a battleground mentality with his screeds about rape victims and the like (a key similarity to the rants that resulted in the proper topic ban of DSA here). I haven't even raised the fact that he petitioned on Twitter for help, the same type of behavior that brought the general sanctions into play to begin with on the other side. If MarkBernstein was arguing on the opposite side of this topic, he would have been topic banned, if not blocked outright, days ago. That there's still any question is why so many of us are puzzled and why we're convinced that the sanctions, as speculated, were only for one side of the debate. Thargor Orlando (talk) 16:59, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

Statement by Avono

This is a frivolous request as There was never a discussion about Zoe Quinns sex life taking place, we were discussing the fact that she had a friendship with Zoe Quinn which was confirmed by Reliable Sources, Hell even Quinn herself admits in a Tweet that Grayson was a beta tester on Depression Quest. The discussion about the 4chan Image had to be taken place because of a previous edit war that was discussed in this enforcement page (are we really having the discussion that a set of colours can represent rape?). MarkBernstein was warned by Multiple Users to stop making personal attacks and continued to make unfounded accusations of Canvassing. I request That this enforcement is to be boomeranged onto MarkBernstein because this was a bad faith request (he has also baited numerous Users me and Tutelary to make an enforcement request on him ,) Avono (talk) 18:15, 23 November 2014 (UTC)

@EdJohnston: Apparently that was me, but only because I failed to consult the Archives before making that edit; Yes I should be trouted about that, but that is not enough to assume I maliciously did it. I will happily in the future consult the talk page first, but that is sadly pointless now as It was completely locked down again. Avono (talk) 09:35, 24 November 2014 (UTC)

@EdJohnston: I already explained why I did the "Unproven" edit here and as I previously said I will consult the Archives first in the future before making any edits to the mainspace article. Avono (talk) 23:04, 24 November 2014 (UTC)

Statement by Tutelary

I don't see any violation of the remedies here. MarkBernstein seems to be trying to say that Masem arguing against his points is therefore a violation of the sanctions. MarkBerstein's hands are also not clean, as evident by all of the diffs of baseless accusations and unsubstantiated claims of others culminating off site. A boomerang would be appropriate, in this instance. Masem's edits do not violate any of the remedies. You can also see in his own reply and other diffs that MarkBernstein clearly cannot be neutral in this conflict and is in effect advocating for the accused, something he has stated incessantly. This is incompatible with WP:NPOV and WP:PROMOTION. Tutelary (talk) 18:27, 23 November 2014 (UTC)

Since they've asked for diffs, here:

• Making allegations that other editors are colluding off site on the talk page for gamergate
• Soapboxing and general ranting on the Gamergate talk page, with no discussion of content in site
• Starts off about content, but comments about others and more soapboxing
• Poking fun at a topic banned editor and inappropriate hyperbole about Terrorists on the gamergate talk page
• Making unsubstanciated claims about the administrator Masem
• User making allegations that Masem is coordinating off site with 8chan with no proof
• A ranty speal on the talk page with nothing to do with content
• Deleting an already hatted section, a violation of WP:TPO Tutelary (talk) 21:54, 24 November 2014 (UTC)
• Plainly making a point on his username page insinuating about this dispute
• When asked on whether proof of those editors were seriously on 8chan, made inappropriate hyperbole relaying to dead bodies and his wife. (Diff added 19:17, 26 November 2014 (UTC))

Tutelary (talk) 22:28, 24 November 2014 (UTC) Addendum MarkBernstein also has a website, which has linked from his userspace. It's revelations are astounding, ranting about the administrator Masem, having emotional appeals and support of the people involved in GamerGate, the whole lot. The fact that he filed this report trying to get Masem sanctioned correlates with his comments on his website and elsewhere on Misplaced Pages. Link: http://www.markbernstein.org/ Tutelary (talk) 22:35, 24 November 2014 (UTC)

Statement by Tony Sidaway

This request has the makings of a case for soapboxing on BLP matters, though I'm not sure Masem is the worst offender. The message here is that the talk page and all related discussions need to be watched. This article should not be difficult to edit because there are many reliable sources. Editors who want instead to dredge up long-settled BLP matters in this way should be gently (or not so gently) dissuaded. --TS 19:08, 23 November 2014 (UTC)

Ed Johnson asks for clarification, I offer this reopening of a long settled BLP discussion in which the irrelevant matter of somebody's private life is openly discussed on the talk page. The editors involved are Avono, Thargor Orlando and Masem. That link is an on-page snapshot and it's been hatted. If you want diffs, they are as follows: Avono, Thargor Orlando, and Masem. This is the start of a pointless barrage of BLP-sensitive discussion from mostly unreliable sources. It's difficult to see how anyone would want to reopen this discussion which was long ago settled by reliable sources, now reflected in the article, declaring the allegations of journalistic corruption involving the principals false.

Assuming good faith (and I see no reason to doubt this), these editors seem to need some guidance in appropriate editing on an issue of public interest where the privacy of individuals is also a priority.

The main problem here, though, is soapboxing. The reliable sources settled this weeks ago so delving into people's private affairs in search of material to write about in the article, or merely for gossip, is terribly inappropriate and suggestive, I hate to say, of carelessness. --TS 23:35, 23 November 2014 (UTC)

Statement re Masem by TheRedPenOfDoom

The pretty version of this with excerpted quotes is trimming to the 500 words will leave just diffs and interpretations

Masem's relentless push to implement some bizarre application of NPOV is probably deserving of review.

• We can start with his initiation of the RfC "Can an article be too biased in favor of near-universal sourcing of one side of an issue? " speaks for itself.
• In this section particularly starting with his comment about the sources :
  • "" In Masem's comment and the discussion that follows he is pushing the idea the the passing comment about GG must be given the same weight as all the other content about GG that the sources provide.
  • Masem is again insisting that we do not follow the sources and give excessive weight to a portion of the GG.
  • also from another reply in the same post --MASEM asserts that we cannot follow the mainstream sources because it is "bias"
  • more assertions that the mainstream media are bias and so we cannot their overwhelming conclusions and must give specific voices under GG more value.
• then there is this section in which he repeatedly argues that we cannot put the mainstream interpretation first because somehow that will "bias" against the GG's claims.
  • "
• one of the many NPOV discussion sections
  • ". again, Masem never specifying where any "impartial " language in the presentation actually is, merely that it somehow exists by following the sources.
• after presenting a proposal for re-phrasing the lead
  • --MASEM presents his proposal for the lead to which TaraInDC appropriately responds "Your proposed lead para is distinctly parial (sic) in that it gives undue weight to an aspect of the 'controversy' that has essentially no reliable sources.... -- TaraInDC (talk) 18:15, 10 November 2014 (UTC) "
• then here
  • "... because regardless of what RS say about the nature of the movement,... an explicit directive to edit the article contrary to what the reliable sources say.

-- TRPoD aka The Red Pen of Doom 02:31, 24 November 2014 (UTC) @Masem: while edit warring to insert bizzaroworld interpretations of policy would have been worse, the tendentious editing to push a version where where we discard the WP:RS and actively subvert WP:NPOV#UNDUE to "give an 'impartial' view for GG" is " repeatedly or seriously fail to adhere to the purpose of Misplaced Pages, any expected standards of behaviour, or any normal editorial process."-- TRPoD aka The Red Pen of Doom 06:51, 24 November 2014 (UTC) @Masem: that there are multiple users spewing the "per Masem" spin on your upside down view of RS and UNDUE is perhaps less a sign of your non-disruption and more a sign that you are leading and stirring up disruption. -- TRPoD aka The Red Pen of Doom 13:23, 24 November 2014 (UTC) @Masem: To claim that you are not pushing a "well the reliable sources x but we should say y" is belied by your numerous postings pushing exactly that logic - as per your RfC for one: "Technically this all fits within our sourcing and content policies, but there's something wrong when it can be argued "well, there's no proGG sources, but there's plenty of antiGG sources, so lets keep adding those"... I have tried to point out that we should be clinically/detached neutral, which means we should not be repeating the praising that the antiGG side and berating the proGG side. "] -- TRPoD aka The Red Pen of Doom 22:37, 24 November 2014 (UTC)

Statement Pudeo

Nothing wrong done by Masem. I agree with other editors who think this could boomerang onto MarkBernstein. It seems he's here only to participate in drama and culture wars. His user page is a personal essay how Misplaced Pages is doomed to end (The Coming End Of Misplaced Pages). That is clearly WP:NOTHERE, and definitely not a helpful participant in sections related Gamergate sanctions either.--Pudeo' 23:32, 23 November 2014 (UTC)

Statement by Starship.paint

This is the first statement. The update is at the bottom.

So MarkBernstein wants Masem banned for ... civilly discussing and presenting arguments on the talk page? Regarding MarkBernstein's first diff, Masem was arguing to use "rape joke", which was what the sources present. (1) Regarding MarkBernstein's fourth diff, Masem is right to say that the claims against Zoe Quinn have "some foundation", from the GamerGate article itself, Kotaku's editor-in-chief Stephen Totilo affirmed the existence of a relationship the source - Quinn was claimed to have a relationship with a games journalist and that claim is true.

I'd just like to make known that MarkBernstein might be too close in real life to targets of GamerGate, this might influence his editing here. He twice admits that it his colleagues have faced threats of rape from GamerGate, with being more explicit. (2 and 3). I think this has led MarkBernstein getting too emotional - he freely admits he is getting angry. (4 and 5).

Perhaps this anger has led to MarkBernstein openly accusing editors of collusion (implied to be with outside forces), serious allegations indeed. Here he claims that Masem was closely coordinated with a small group of associated editors who play assigned roles: one is always careful to claim neutrality (while invariably favoring more discussion of Zoe Quinn's private life), one is more aggressive, a third is now topic-banned. (6) Here he starts attacking editors who have not even participated in the discussion yet - Next, the three remaining un-topic-banned editors and their admin will arrive (7) Later, he essentially accuses me of being a meatpuppet commanded by offsite coordinations. really interesting that starship shows up a few minutes after another user, one who makes the same arguments in the same tone, is topic-banned ... we all know they've been coordinating offsite - (8) These personal attacks on editors' integrity without any proof should cease and be retracted immediately. starship.paint ~ regal 00:00, 24 November 2014 (UTC)

Update. @EdJohnston: and @Gamaliel: - have you read this - accusation of Thargor Orlando being deployed by 8chan, without explicit evidence? starship.paint ~ regal 00:13, 28 November 2014 (UTC)

Statement by Protonk

• Posts about the "journalism pov" causing systemic bias in sourcing against GG:"They are part of the media so they are going to be reporting this from the journalism POV", including "The higher quality RS are far less biased because of their separation from the video game sector but they still have some because GG, broadly, is questioning journalism..." The full quote notes that this is marginal on sources like NYT, but everyone is indicted at least a little.
• This 11 November ANI discussion includes a back and forth between Masem and several involved and uninvolved editors as they try to explain masem's strained application of FRINGE.
• A 15 November Essentially a push to write the article from a fringe perspective

All of this is after a long running RFC Masem started regarding "bias" arising from reliable sources agreeing. Masem is a prolific editor and has contributed to many talk page discussions about GG. I could find a half dozen diffs like this tomorrow, and the day after that. In almost all cases (save for a recent period when they admitted "but ethics" was a fringe view, a position which has since changed I believe) the push will be the same, even if the content under discussion is different.

Some of this is legitimately a content dispute, but it trends away from that when an editor has been strenuously arguing for weeks to effectively invert FRINGE on a particular article. Protonk (talk) 17:01, 24 November 2014 (UTC)

@EdJohnston: The problem is this isn't acute. We could go back 30 days or 45 and find the same issues: Masem pushing a peculiar form of NPOV which validates GG's FRINGE justification for the movement. Protonk (talk) 23:44, 24 November 2014 (UTC)

Statement by Cobbsaladin

Articles should be dispassionate presentations of fact. The Gamergate article is anything but. Masem appears to be one of the few editors striving for neutrality. Further, he's maintained patience and civility throughout. He's an exemplary editor who's done nothing to warrant sanctions. Cobbsaladin (talk) 04:05, 24 November 2014 (UTC)

Statement by The Devil's Advocate

Personally, I have found Masem to sometimes make bad arguments, but the one thing I have found is that he makes them on both ends. He does at least try to be neutral and takes fair consideration of the concerns of both side, even if his arguments and conclusions are not often very good. Basically, he is trying to be me and is failing at it. You are not me, Masem. There can be only one. In summation, 7/10 would not topic-ban. The fact Mark, Red, and Protonk, apparently want to ban one of the more neutral editors on this issue should tell you something about them, rather than Masem.--The Devil's Advocate _{tlk. cntrb.} 05:31, 24 November 2014 (UTC)

@EdJohnston, Avono did not in fact make the original change to the heading. That was Tellstar in this edit and a subsequent edit. While the first was sloppy and disruptive, I don't think sanctions against Tellstar would be appropriate given the editor made exactly two edits to the article before any notification was given and none afterwards. From my perspective, any qualifier in the heading is inappropriate because the allegations go beyond just the idea of Grayson writing a review for Quinn. This is alluded to in the section, but efforts to elaborate on some of those other allegations based on coverage in reliable sources have met with significant resistance. Either way, the statement in the heading should be taken as referring to all the allegations, rather than just the one that has been proven false. In that respect it actually is not in compliance with NPOV to have such qualifiers in the heading.--The Devil's Advocate _{tlk. cntrb.} 23:52, 24 November 2014 (UTC)

@North, the whole quote from that source:

A jilted ex-boyfriend of hers posted a nearly-10,000-word screed that accused her of sleeping with a journalist for positive reviews. The claim, though false, set off a wave of outrage that eventually escalated into a campaign against all the designers and critics who have argued for making gaming culture more inclusive.

First of all, The New York Times piece makes the demonstrably false claim that the allegation of "sex for reviews" came from Gjoni, when that is not the case. Other sources do get that point correct, but this one does not so it is already a cause for concern about this specific piece. Secondly, and more importantly, the quote above does not in any way contradict what I just said. The claim that is noted as false in The New York Times is the claim of Grayson giving her positive reviews. As I said above, that is the false allegation. Other allegations have not been found false either because they are actually accurate or because no one has bothered to investigate them. The heading does not accurately reflect this fact.--The Devil's Advocate _{tlk. cntrb.} 01:35, 25 November 2014 (UTC)

North, what you are saying is simply wrong.--The Devil's Advocate _{tlk. cntrb.} 05:24, 25 November 2014 (UTC)

Other allegations have been covered in reliable sources, just not as much.--The Devil's Advocate _{tlk. cntrb.} 17:20, 25 November 2014 (UTC)

Statement by Aprock

Reviewing the hatt'd section, it's not the behavior of Masem that stands out, but rather the behavior of Thargor Orlando, who argues ad nauseum that wikipedia use the unsourced phrasing "unfounded" to describe the false alegations:

• Unless I'm missing something in the sources, isn't the accurate description of the claim "unfounded?"
• That's why "unfounded" appears to be a better word
• So there isn't anything proving or disproving the allegations, thus they're unfounded
• I think, given what is known, that "unfounded" is what we should be using.
• thus "unfounded" seems fair
• so this accusation also appears unfounded.
• The reliable sources call the accusations false, yes. No one is disputing that. The question is how we, as a project, should refer to them in Misplaced Pages's voice given the evidence of the claim. Thus the option to use "unfounded,": This example (emphasis added) is a particularly egregious diff, with Thargor Orlando acknowledging that the reliable sources characterize the accusations but false, but wikipedia should use unfounded instead.
• there does not seem to be any other word (... than unfounded ...) that responsibly defines the situation described

This tendentious editing against sources over a single word, to transmogrify "false" into "unfounded", speaks to a spectacular zeal for introducing distortion into the article. aprock (talk) 06:19, 24 November 2014 (UTC)

Statement by Halfhat

On the subject of righting great wrongs. You seemed to have missed the point of the policy entirely, I ask you step away from the article voluntarily, because that is not why you should be here. It's just as problematic as if a Pro-GG editor came here because they thought Kotaku acted wrongly. HalfHat 09:11, 24 November 2014 (UTC)

I simply wanted to make a point about WP:Policy. HalfHat 21:59, 24 November 2014 (UTC)

Statement by Bosstopher

Haven't been paying much attention to this article at all lately but from what I can gather this really needs to boomerang. The sort of comments Mark is making about other editors are unacceptable. Bosstopher (talk) 15:14, 24 November 2014 (UTC)

Mark has since shown no concern for the harm his accusations could pose to other editors. Bosstopher (talk) 00:25, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

Statement by NorthBySouthBaranof

@EdJohnston:, there was never any consensus to change the word "False" to begin with —neither "unproven" nor "unfounded" correctly sum up the conclusions of reliable sources, which effectively unanimously declare them to be factually false. First Tellstar edit-warred the word out as soon as the protection was lifted, then Avono joined in. No attempt was made to discuss this major change until after the edit war was commenced, wherein Avono demanded that his radical shift in the tone of the heading be treated as the default. The article should be administratively returned to describe the allegations against Quinn as "False" which was the longstanding consensus and status quo ante. NorthBySouthBaranof (talk) 23:48, 24 November 2014 (UTC)

The Devil's Advocate's claim that there should be no qualifier in the heading is absolutely absurd. The allegations against Quinn have repeatedly been denounced as false by mainstream reliable sources, most recently by nothing less than The New York Times — . Describing false allegations of wrongdoing against a person as anything but false is an unacceptable violation of the biographies of living persons policy. NorthBySouthBaranof (talk) 00:13, 25 November 2014 (UTC)

Other allegations have not been found false either because they are actually accurate or because no one has bothered to investigate them. The only allegations which have been discussed in reliable sources (which means they are the only allegations we are concerned with and the only allegations which exist for our purposes) have been determined, repeatedly, to be false. NorthBySouthBaranof (talk) 03:07, 25 November 2014 (UTC)

The Devil's Advocate, what you are saying is simply wrong. See, I can write a declaratory sentence too. Except mine is actually true. If an "allegation" against a person is not discussed in reliable sources, then we don't care about it. It does not exist for Misplaced Pages's purposes. NorthBySouthBaranof (talk) 05:37, 25 November 2014 (UTC)

Statement by Bilby

The first diff raised by MarkBernstein isn't actionable - Masem started a discussion as a result of an edit war which he was not party to. It is a difficult topic to discuss, but it needed to be raised, and Masem wasn't unreasonable in how he handled it. In going over the discussion, though, I am surprised to see MarkBernstein saying that Masem argued "we must not follow the sources in this". In the discussion, it is pointed out that both of the sources used employ the wording recommended by Masem.

In regard to the second issue - the allegations against Quinn - I disagree with Masem's conclusion, but I don't feel that he handled the issue badly. This was (once again) the basis of edit warring in the article, and it is an issue that hasn't gone away. I wish it would, but Masem was attempting to navigate a core issue without violating BLP, and as someone who has also tried to engage on the same issue, it is a tricky thing to word. I don't think that Masem needed to make reference to the other allegations - as they are never going to be in the article I'm not convinced that they need to be raised at all - but he was trying to provide context by acknowledging their existance without describing them. I don't see anything actionable there, either - just a difficult topic that I really wish we could leave behind, but is too central to the GamerGate discussion to ignore completely.

Generally, Masem is trying to take a middle ground, but the difficulty with sitting in the middle is that both sides tend to view you as part of the opposition. It is a difficult topic to manage, and part of the problem is that there are so many allegations, and so many consipracy theories, that the whole thing is a BLP minefield. Masem has been in a frustrating position, and like anyone Masem may not have always used perfect wording or said the right things, but I honestly can't see anything serious enough in the diffs raised to warrant sanctions. - Bilby (talk) 00:43, 25 November 2014 (UTC)

Statement by Kaciemonster

I'm not sure Masem has done anything sanction-worthy, but I do have some serious concerns about how he determines that content from reliable sources should be treated in our article.

When multiple sources state something that he disagrees with adding to the article, he argues that it can only be included if it's cited as the source's opinion.

• 25 November 2014‏ - "The problem is that while "severe" harassment can certainly be supported without quotes (we have plenty of reliable documented facts about this), "misogynistic" can't be - that's how its been characterized widely, certainly, but it's also an observation"
• 25 November 2014‏ - "That is the press's wide opinion, but only opinion. There is no factual evidence of what started GG."

When it's something he agrees with adding, he argues that it should be included because it was written in reliable (press) sources.

• 25 November 2014 - "It is not appropriate to trivialize how GG is described as a movement by some high quality RS, like Time, the Age, and the Washington Post"

These are just the most recent ones I've seen, and I'm sure I could find more if needed, because he's been making these arguments for a while. He's also previously said that a scientific report or a legal document is needed to cite something as fact, and the press can only be cited as opinion.

• 2 November 2014 - "100% wrong per NPOV. It is claimed the ethics issue is a front, but there is no fundamental statement (like a scientific report or a legal document) that supports this. As such we will continue to treat that claim as a popular opinion in the press, but absolutely not as fact."

The way he treats the reliable sources is inconsistent, and depends on whether or not he agrees with the point that's being sourced. Kaciemonster (talk) 02:00, 26 November 2014 (UTC)

Statement by (username)

Clerk note

• I want to remind everyone here that statements should be limited to 500 words. This is not a place for endless bickering back and forth, but for substantive evidence. Please make sure that you adhere to the 500 word limit, if at all possible. RGloucester — ☎ 00:16, 25 November 2014 (UTC)

Result concerning Masem

This section is to be edited only by uninvolved administrators. Comments by others will be moved to the section above.

• The poster of this request, User:MarkBernstein and User:Thargor Orlando have provided diffs. If the other people who have commented want to have their views taken seriously they should also provide diffs. In particular User:Avono should clarify how MB "baited numerous Users to make an enforcement request on him". It is hard to disagree with User:Tony Sidaway but your comment is too vague. Who are the editors who 'want to dredge up long-settled BLP matters'? EdJohnston (talk) 22:47, 23 November 2014 (UTC)

• My first pass through the diffs some things jump out at me.
  • Many of these statements, particularly ones by User:Tutelary, User:Pudeo, User:The Devil's Advocate, and User:Halfhat, do not provide diffs or useful information and seem to only serve as a way for editors to state their opinion about which side they are on. If we are going to sort through this wall of text, we're going to need useful, actionable evidence and we will need to begin removing non-compliant statements, if only to reduce clutter.
  • I find this statement by User:MarkBernstein absolutely appalling and will remove it and warn the user. We should discuss whether or not this deserves some sort of sanction as well. On the one hand, we certainly want to put a stop to this sort of behavior, on the other, if we go down this road, I suspect we'll have to sanction half the people on this page for uncivil behavior.
  • I am particularly troubled by these statements by User:Masem and User:Thargor Orlando respectively which indicate a disregard for WP:RS.

• I'd like to hear from some other admins (such as @EdJohnston:, @Acroterion:, @Future Perfect at Sunrise:, @Dreadstar:) about these and other matters before diving in further. Gamaliel (talk) 21:51, 24 November 2014 (UTC)

• Gamaliel, thanks for your post. I haven't had time to consider the new items you mention, but here is what I concluded after seeing the complaint here and viewing the talk history. The diffs so far don’t add up to a convincing case against User:Masem. Looking at the last two talk archives, there are a number of hatted sections. Generally the hats were due to problematic posts. Tony Sidaway made reference to one of them here: “...BLP issues that are now in this hatted discussion.” When hatting the section, Tony's closure was "Highly disruptive reopening of a settled topic with strong BLP implications".

• The reason for opening the now-hatted discussion was presumably that User:Avono made the BLP-sensitive edit here where he changed a section header in the article from "Unfounded allegations against Quinn" to "Unproven allegations against Quinn". User:Avono opened the talk section and was joined by User:Thargor Orlando. User:Masem then explained why the claims about Quinn can be said to be ‘refuted.’ Masem made a statement at 16:51, 22 November 2014 that is hard to disagree with, about the BLP significance of having this kind of claim in the article. Now right after this, User:Gamaliel restored one week of full protection, which seems correct to me. There was enough BLP concern to justify the full protection. But in the hours before that, there was a confused sequence of events and we might be asking if what happened on the (briefly unprotected) article and on the talk page is enough reason to sanction any particular editor. In the few diffs of User:Masem that I checked, I didn’t see any problems. In fact, Masem gave some good reasons why we shouldn't be playing around with the header about the Quinn allegations:

  The fact the accusation has been the major point of discussion of sources - and that all key parties have clearly stated that these are not true - means that from a BLP standpoint, it is acceptable to include the high-level nature of the allegations, as long as it is 100% clear that they have been refuted by the specific parties and by the press at large. This has been determined waaaaay in the past. Now there are other claims that have come against Quinn based on Gjoni's post, but which the press have generally ignored, but we are absolutely not including those per BLP. --MASEM (t) 16:51, 22 November 2014 (UTC)

This does not raise any alarms for me. Considering the posts by all the parties we might be more concerned with the edits of User:Avono in this episode. His first edit after he merged the draft article was to change a very high-profile section header about Zoe Quinn. Can he have reasonably thought he had consensus? I'm assuming that the people named here have been around the article long enough to be aware of past discussions. EdJohnston (talk) 22:11, 24 November 2014 (UTC)

This complaint is running out of steam. User:MarkBernstein, who opened it, has been leaving messages saying he will no longer contribute to Misplaced Pages. I didn't find it very easy to follow Mark Bernstein's arguments, but what User:Tony Sidaway said was more clear. If the complaint won't proceed unless I or other admins do a lot of digging, nothing much is likely to happen. Viewing the talk page, you can find a lot of intemperate comments by various people but hardly ever by User:Masem, who is diplomatic. The only angle I see as having any merit is that Masem might be obstructing or slowing down a consensus that would otherwise emerge. Masem is the #2 contributor to the Talk:Gamergate controversy page with 1199 edits, second only to User:NorthBySouthBaranof with 1558 edits. If you were seeking evidence of obstruction, you would probably want to look at the wording of the RfC Masem launched on 26 October:

Is it possible that in an article about a two-sided issue where one side has received the majority of the positive coverage to be too biased in favor of that larger coverage? --MASEM (t) 05:32, 26 October 2014 (UTC)

A first impression might be that Masem was inviting people to ignore the reliable source policy to tilt the article to be more favorable to the Gamergate movement. But it's hard to say that offering such an RfC violates any Misplaced Pages policy. (It's very similar to a previous RfC from September opened by Retartist). Generally it is up to the consensus of editors how RfCs ought to be worded. In my opinion, the time could have been better spent creating smaller RfCs about specific wording. For example, the section header "Unfounded allegations against Quinn and subsequent harassment." Somebody could have opened an RfC to decide once and for all how to word that heading (unfounded, false or whatever) and then progress could move on. There's also a possibility that some of the article wording might have a partisan tone. Masem has pointed out that the wording of our Westboro Baptist Church article describes how various sources describe the church as a hate group but don't put that in Misplaced Pages's voice. If you want to pull out particular sentences for review they could be discussed in smaller RfCs. There is a huge amount of discussion here that seems inefficient, and seems not to make progress. As to whether Masem is dragging down the article by his persistence, and thus guilty of tendentious editing, I don't think there's enough evidence in this complaint to get any conclusion on that. EdJohnston (talk) 03:00, 26 November 2014 (UTC)

I agree with you Ed, I'm not seeing anything actionable regarding Masem at this point. In the various comments and in the RfC by Masem linked to above, I do see a need for Masem to review WP:NPOV and the other content-related policies; as well as gaining a greater understanding of how to phrase an WP:RFC, particularly the section WP:RFC:Request comment on articles, policies, or other non-user issues; that particular RFC is neither neutral nor brief. Dreadstar ☥ 03:42, 26 November 2014 (UTC)

Recent edits by User:MarkBernstein leave something to be desired. Zeal in the defence of BLP can go too far. User:Gamaliel already took note of this post which seems to accuse another Misplaced Pages editor of being a supporter of raping and beating women. The tone of Mark's complaint against Masem (above) is so indignant that it's hard to get a clear focus on what the problems are. What looks to be a personal attack on User:Masem, posted on MB's blog, raises questions. In a post dated 21 November and titled "You've GOT To Be Kidding" he says "...I guess you can accomplish great things with the aid of a rogue administrator", referring to Masem. I wonder if anyone can suggest proper wording for what we should say here. Mark has stated he is leaving Misplaced Pages but he still commented below in another thread at 05:38 on Nov. 26. EdJohnston (talk) 18:00, 26 November 2014 (UTC)

I've been giving a great deal of thought to the matter of MarkBernstein. There has been a frequently expressed opinion that the sanctions have only been imposed on one "side" of the debate, but I think that an editor thinks of himself on the same side as the flagrant BLP violators and disruptive SPAs that we have banned and not on the side of encyclopedia editors striving to write a neutral article, then that is evidence of a battleground mentality. In some cases this is a sincerely held belief, while in others it is a clear attempt to influence our decisions. Regardless, there has been so much complaining along these lines that I'm having difficulty sorting through the evidence and coming to an objective judgement. We should not sanction MarkBernstein in order to prove a point to one "side", but we shouldn't also refrain from doing so in order to spite their ill-tempered grousing either. What we should do, well, frankly I have no idea yet. Gamaliel (talk) 16:41, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

• I seen no evidence to support sanctions against Masem. What I do see is a continuation of the pattern of disruptive edits by MarkBernstein; this alone is, in my view, to support a topic ban for MarkBernstein, certainly in combination with this; if this hadn't been GamerGate, where we have to discuss everything ad nauseam, I would have simply blocked them for it, for a week. Now, supposedly MarkBernstein is a "former" editor (how they claim "uninvolved" is a mystery to me), but former or not, I will block for such personal attacks and I think admins should keep a close eye on the editor and their attacks, insinuations, allegations. Drmies (talk) 16:01, 28 November 2014 (UTC)

• I have given this matter much deliberation. My reticence comes from the fact that there has been long-term incivility on these pages and I do not want to single out one particular user for sanctions for that particular behavior. Despite the loud grousing from one "side" that they are the only ones being punished, no long term users on either "side" have been sanctioned for this type of behavior. However, this matter has dragged on long enough and the wider Misplaced Pages community is unhappy about what is happening with these articles. It is time to take a harder line against disruptive behavior. In my judgement, MarkBernstein's rhetoric is incompatible with collaborative editing on these articles and he has given no indication that he will moderate his behavior in this area. For that reason, I am imposing an indefinite topic ban, broadly construed, on User:MarkBernstein. This ban will not forbid participation in any Arbitration Committee matters related to these articles. Gamaliel (talk) 17:38, 28 November 2014 (UTC)

DungeonSiegeAddict510

RE: 8chan, DungeonSiegeAddict510 and Loganmac

In regards to involved editors closing/hatting discussions

Would hatting sections by clearly involved editors, such as this one , be appropriate? I'd have no problem if one called to ask an uninvolved admin to close it out, but when the user is involved and consensus is still developing, that's not helpful. (There will be obvious IAR cases to close discussions, but this is not such a case IMO). It would be helpful to establish if such closures should be left to uninvolved admins in requests on this page. --MASEM (t) 20:30, 26 November 2014 (UTC)

Indeed, this needs to be settled. It's not only that thread, but see the two directly above it closed as WP:FORUM? They were actually deleted by an involved editor and , before being restored by yet another editor as closed topics . I really don't think involved editors should be doing this, it's stifling discussion, preventing improvements and favouring the status quo of the article. starship.paint ~ regal 23:32, 26 November 2014 (UTC)

@Starship.paint: The reason that I closed them was because I disagree with deleting the edits and believed that the other editor should have closed them if they felt that it was a violation instead of taking action to removing them permanently and preventing them from being archived. I feel that hatting should be used as little as possible, but I do not believe that both sections and the edits in them be completely removed in the way that they were in this case. --Super Goku V (talk) 06:49, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

@Super Goku V: - Frankly, your edit was a net positive, thanks for restoring the comments to the page. The previous edit which deleted the comments was the more serious edit I was targeting. starship.paint ~ regal 14:23, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

Request concerning Ryulong

User who is submitting this request for enforcement

Dwavenhobble (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) 22:16, 26 November 2014 (UTC)

User against whom enforcement is requested

Ryulong (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)

Search CT alerts: in user talk history • in system log

Diffs of edits that violate this sanction or remedy, and an explanation how these edits violate it

Recently you may be Aware Ryulong was asked by Jimbo_Wales (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) to step away from the page temporarily.

However as can be seen in the edit logs Ryulong has returned to editing the page again.

However since during his absence he undertook discussions with members of one side of the present edit wars going on

Further to this he has been in contact with the moderators of said area and is said to be actively working this them including having them promote a funding effort on his behalf. This funding effort to be precise.

While Ryulong (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) is known as being a competent editor evidence suggests that he is no longer neutral on this topic and has received monetary compensation in kind from one side. I would suggest Ryulong (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)'s talent s be better spend on articles where there is no such conflict of interest present.

References

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/search/?title=Draft:Gamergate_controversy&action=history
2. http://www.reddit.com/r/GamerGhazi/comments/2mj5ds/im_ryulong/
3. https://archive.today/PEKH2
4. http://www.gofundme.com/hhqw0c

Diffs of previous relevant sanctions, if any

Official enforcement of sanctions against Ryulong (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) to prevent him from editing this article.

Discussion concerning Ryulong

Statements must be made in separate sections. They may not exceed 500 words and 20 diffs, except by permission of a reviewing administrator.
Administrators may remove or shorten noncompliant statements. Disruptive contributions may result in blocks.

Statement by Ryulong

I edited an unofficial sandbox version of an article today (and engaged in discussion at another the other day) after I had announced I would possibly considered to have a conflict of interest after I made a donation page to help me pay back a friend I owed money to as I would not know where the money came from considering that my blog is watched by both sides of the debate (my blog is the only place I've provided a link to). The only thing I've done is break my promise to stay away from the topic area. Because adding two tags to an article, bringing up a discussion on its talk page, and discussing the article offsite are not violations of any on-site sanctions.—Ryūlóng (琉竜) 23:37, 26 November 2014 (UTC)

People here are almost exclusively off-site evidence to show I've violated some official rule onsite.—Ryūlóng (琉竜) 23:53, 26 November 2014 (UTC)

Loganmac's timeline on my behavior on 8chan (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) is flawed.

• 11:03, 25 November 2014, I make the post on my user talk
• 11:05, 25 November 2014, first tags
• 11:11, 25 November 2014, talk page thread started to begin discussion on neutrality and POV
• 15:31, 25 November 2014, POV tag removed
• 17:50, 25 November 2014, notability tag removed
• 19:45, 25 November 2014, notability tag re-added
• 20:04, 25 November 2014, removed again

—Ryūlóng (琉竜) 23:58, 26 November 2014 (UTC)

Loganmac, that's directed to your audience and not yourself or Pepsiwithcoke.—Ryūlóng (琉竜) 00:34, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

Procedural note: there have been far too many pile-on "comments" by involved parties from both sides in this thread, just as in the one about Masem above. Everybody, please take note: These requests are not for voicing your opinions on each other, support or oppose each other with pile-ons, or engage in further debate between each other. Please only add a statement here if you have some substantially new, factual observations to make about the specific case at hand that are needed for the uninvolved administrators to come to a proper conclusion. People who make unhelpful comments in these kinds of threads will be blocked in the future. (Not saying that all the below sections are unhelpful, but the volume has become so high I don't see a lot of alternatives to throwing out the baby with the bathwater here.) Fut.Perf. ☼ 14:43, 27 November 2014 (UTC) {{hat}}

Statement by TheRedPenOfDoom

@Dwavenhobble: Its interesting that you are aware of Ryulong's substantial history of being a competent editor. Have you been following his work on Misplaced Pages before you created your account earlier this month? -- TRPoD aka The Red Pen of Doom 22:46, 26 November 2014 (UTC)

To those who have asked, I will point them to the top of this page in the big red box where it says: "If you make an enforcement request or comment on a request, your own conduct may be examined as well." -- TRPoD aka The Red Pen of Doom 23:16, 26 November 2014 (UTC)

@Dwavenhobble: could you please point to any change in Ryulong's edits that would be reflective of this alleged payment having any impact on Ryulong's editing? -- TRPoD aka The Red Pen of Doom 01:50, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

@Dwavenhobble: i am having trouble following your logic, but are you are saying that Ryulong's removal of "cite needed" tags from content that was sourced by several sources which Ryulong had inserted into the article on OCT 25 is evidence of editing that was biased because of a donation that occurred after NOV 19 when the funding campaign was started? that seems more than a little stretched to me. -- TRPoD aka The Red Pen of Doom 04:05, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

@Dwavenhobble: You have a fundamental misunderstanding. Misplaced Pages editors may not use primary sources like tweets as a basis for analysis and article content. We require the reliable sources to do the interpretation and analysis. Once a reliable source has made a determination, then we follow the source. WP:OR applies to US and OUR analysis, not to the experts published in reliable sources. -- TRPoD aka The Red Pen of Doom 05:15, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

@Dwavenhobble: so you are actually claiming that The Guardian, Time, CNN and Washington Post have all not done proper analysis and are nonreliable bias sources? -- TRPoD aka The Red Pen of Doom 14:24, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

is quite troubling- a promotion that 4 of the most trusted news organizations in the world have all simultaneously failed their basic journalistic duties. -- TRPoD aka The Red Pen of Doom 16:24, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

Statement by NorthBySouthBaranof

This is an incoherent mess. There is no prohibition against editors discussing things off-wiki; indeed, if I don't miss my guess, such a prohibition would result in topic bans on all of the above complaining users as well. NorthBySouthBaranof (talk) 22:58, 26 November 2014 (UTC)

@Loganmac: You can't keep poking at someone on-wiki and off and then complain when they respond with a bit of relatively mild invective. Your carrying on this campaign against Ryulong has the strong scent of someone who is not here to build an encyclopedia, but rather to continually stoke drama. NorthBySouthBaranof (talk) 01:42, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

Statement by 92.142.2.237

This isn't about discussing things off-wiki, this is about taking money from a clearly biased group and then keeping pushing that group's agenda on the article despite previous suggestions by Jimbo to refrain on further edits. -- 23:03, 26 November 2014 (UTC)

@TheRedPenOfDoom: How is that relevant to the conflict of interest displayed by Ryulong? Don't try to discredit his claims by investigating his history, get some real arguments please. -- 22:53, 26 November 2014 (UTC)

Statement by Starship.paint

It seems like Ryulong has received a donation of $350 from FishFox Nuro, a self-described "SJW Lunatic" (essentially equates to anti-GamerGate). This seems like WP:COI to me, if he has returned to editing GamerGate topics, which he has. This was echoed by Ryulong himself, as per his comment after opening the GoFundMe starship.paint ~ regal 23:51, 26 November 2014 (UTC)

• Update: I concur the statements made by Obsidi and Weedwhacker (at the time of this post). In addition, I'd like the deciding admin to clarify whether any future editing the draft article of GamerGate would count as a violation of WP:COI. starship.paint ~ regal 01:59, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

Statement by Masem

There's nothing to enforce here: there is no weight in Jimmy Wales' requests to Ryulong stepping away from the page, or even Ryulong coming back after saying he wouldn't. (The only thing close I could even consider this would fall into is something like Right to Vanish and then coming back to edit, which can be a matter of some admin action, but that's not happening here). None of the actions seem actionable under sanctions. --MASEM (t) 23:55, 26 November 2014 (UTC)

@Retartist Even aware of that, nothing yet screens a paid-editing problem; there's a potential, but nothing yet that I can see actionable. --MASEM (t) 00:26, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

@Weedwacker: There is the basis of the necessary elements that in the future Ryulong may end up doing that in the GG area, but all that depends on what and how he edits. And we need to AGF until that time; the evidence here is not for that. --MASEM (t) 07:19, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

Statement by Loganmac

This isn't the only time he's edited GamerGate related topics, he has added a notability tag and a neutrality tag to the 8chan article, twice . After getting reverted, he vented on his personal talk page about it. I ask admins to see this for what it is, it's paid editing, even if unintentional. The subreddit GamerGhazi is a self-admitted forum in opposition to the subject in question. He has recieved $350 after having made an AMA on their forum, in an obvious display of gratitude, and I'm SURE if any so called "pro-GamerGate" editor as Ryulong has called some, had been caught in this, he'd be, not topic banned, banned site-wide. Jimmy Wales, for what it matters, has referred to this on multiple occassions on both Misplaced Pages and his personal Twitter page and advised him to back down, not only for this but because it has according to him caused him stress since he's taking this into a personal matter. Ryulong then proceeded to say Jimmy Wales was "retweeting conspiracy theories" and then proceeded to delete his tweets. It doesn't matter if the money was for editing or buying some clothes or whatever, an anti-GamerGate forum wouldn't give a random user money if it wasn't because they saw it as a way to thank him, and if he had admitted this conflict of interest, it would have been left at that, but this is now outrageous that he keeps his constant behaviour, a behaviour that has been noted ad nauseum yet he refuses to take advice from the community, and moderators refuse to even reprehend him Loganmac (talk) 23:47, 26 November 2014 (UTC)

@Sookenon: What are you implying? I for once wasn't implying anything, I refreshed the page, saw my comment was gone, saw it was deleted by Ryulong, found it hilarious and reposted it, mentioned it. It obviously wasn't intentional and I never implied this, you should assume good faith Loganmac (talk) 00:12, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

Ryulong has now told me to "eat shit" and has called me an idiot if this isn't WP:CIVIL I don't know what is Loganmac (talk) 00:31, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

@Weedwacker: expresses exactly what I think Loganmac (talk) 03:15, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

Statement by Sookenon

@TheRedPenOfDoom: Agreed: http://www.reddit.com/r/KotakuInAction/search?q=author%3ALogan_Mac&sort=new&restrict_sr=on&t=all Sookenon (talk) 00:02, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

Statement by Bosstopher

@Loganmac: This is yet another case in a long history of you misrepresenting the actions of other editors on reddit (especially Ryulong) thereby inciting hatred against them. This is in especially poor taste given the harassment Ryulong is currently undergoing. Further evidence regarding this can be seen in my Arbcom statement Bosstopher (talk) 00:21, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

Statement by AndyTheGrump

Having stayed largely out of this whole GamerGate mess up to now, I regret having getting sucked into the latest drama over at WP:ANI: . However, now I'm in, and since it is obvious that nothing concrete can possibly be resolved in that particular exercise in mutually ignoring the point, and arguing in circles, I may as well comment here. As far as I can see, the suggestion is that Ryūlóng has received funds in relation to some forum or other involved in the GamerGate controversy. Ryūlóng seems to acknowledge receiving funds from someone for something, but the connection between these funds and any edits made seems to me at least to be as yet unestablished. And unless and until it can be shown that there is a verifiable causal link, assertions of a COI seem premature. Furthermore, I think that it can be taken as read that Misplaced Pages can't sanction someone for voluntarily 'topic-banning' themselves, and then changing their mind - it wouldn't be voluntary if we could. Accordingly, I have to suggest that those claiming that Ryūlóng's editing has been influenced by financial gain have, per burden of proof, to demonstrate this, rather than merely assert it, and failing that, either withdraw the assertions, or accept that they may face sanctions themselves. AndyTheGrump (talk) 00:32, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

Statement by Dwavenhobble

@TheRedPenOfDoom I have previously edited wikipedia using the IP based system long ago before creating an account and have seen and heard others talk of him and his work previously. Unfortunately I do have a dynamic IP so showing those edits before I had an ID will be difficult not least due to them being many years prior to creating this account. The edits surrounded Dr Who entries on Cyberman and the webcasts Pyramids of Mars and Scream of the Shalka. Additionally I did add further detail on characters in No Heroics Dwavenhobble (talk) 00:44, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

@TheRedPenOfDoom I'd suggest this points to some level of bias due to an editor investigating the sources provided by the linked sources. The sources themselves according to the user had no sources themselves. Essentially the source being allowed to be submitted was itself being used as the entire source. I believe this would come under X reporting on X. As Misplaced Pages itself doesn't allow mere twitter post speculation to be used then the sources being linked here to make the claims would be invalid. Hence the suggestion can be made that the events should be detailed as alleged. I refer you therefore to "If it's written in a book, it must be true!" As such the source isn't verifiable itself as the source is becoming in this case the source of it's own information which cannot be verified by checking said source.

References

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/search/?title=Draft:Gamergate_controversy&oldid=635547322
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/Wikipedia:Verifiability,_not_truth#.22If_it.27s_written_in_a_book.2C_it_must_be_true.21.22

@TheRedPenOfDoom: Well yes citations. firstly and foremost to verify the claims that it was gamergate doing the harassment. Otherwise the same arguments could be levelled at other such groups (some of whom have been shown the be intent on editing biographies here). If Misplaced Pages will not allow Tweets as then the sources themselves are the only evidence as the sources they used are not verifiable under wikipedia's guidelines.

@TheRedPenOfDoom: However from Misplaced Pages's page about a source being verifiable "There are examples where material should not be reported in Misplaced Pages's voice, because what is verifiable is that the source expresses a view, not that the view is necessarily accurate." thus without Reliable sources in this case which have done the primary analysis and use verifiable sources which these do not verify the claims made. A Citation proving the claims is required or an adjustment to the statement to show said claim is an allegation not fact. What would be fact would be Felicia Day having her address posted. What is not fact is who did it, that for the most part in every article is speculation. The only verifiable thing is the source expresses that view not that the source is correct.

References

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/Wikipedia:Verifiability,_not_truth#.22If_it.27s_written_in_a_book.2C_it_must_be_true.21.22

@TheRedPenOfDoom: I am claiming that they aren't verifiable which is part of the point of contention here. As has been shown recently in some fields one reporter has seen another group running the story and made the assumption the information is correct. If it is not possible to verify the claims being presented under Misplaced Pages's rules it shouldn't be presented as "Misplaced Pages's voice". So as such the article should either point out it's alleged by the sources that Gamergate was the source or it requires a source whose work is verifiable not merely being taken on trust of the sources past.

Statement by Obsidi

I have mostly stayed out of the gamergate controversy except when it gets to AN/ANI, but given this issue blew up at ANI I thought I would post my comments on it. First thing is to establish that the user ryulong67 at reddit is Ryulong on Misplaced Pages, this thread, combined with this Misplaced Pages edit shows that reddit user ryulong67 is Ryulong. Then this post by ryulong67 shows that he believes he received (and choose to accept) the money from a user at /r/GamerGhazi. /r/GamerGhazi is a site with an explicit POV on gamergate. As such Ryulong has now accepted money from someone with a direct interest in promoting a POV on gamergate. This to me shows that Ryulong has a COI on gamergate. Now as to this specific instance, I do not believe he violated WP:COI interest policy as the edits were not to a mainspace article and/or not controversial. So I would ask that the result be a declaration of a COI for Ryulong on gamergate going forward but no further action taken. (PS. I have no problems with closing this because the ANI thread, but I figure one of these two will get closed on the merits and wanted to make sure whichever one it was my views were considered.) --Obsidi (talk) 00:54, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

Now that the ANI thread was closed for forumshopping, this is the only thread on the subject. --Obsidi (talk) 13:49, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

@Super Goku V: Editing of any "pages related to the Gamergate controversy" are subject to the general sanctions, to me that includes the draft article. --Obsidi (talk) 13:55, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

@Gamaliel: I agree with everything you wrote, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have a COI. He shouldn't be topic banned over this, but he does appear to have a COI now. --Obsidi (talk) 16:38, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

Statement by Ivanvector

I wasn't going to post here per a request from Tutelary (via ANI) but since Andy and Obsidi have, I feel I should as well, thus I apologize in advance for going against Tutelary's stated desire for this not to be posted here (a sentiment I respect though I don't understand it). I have no horse in this race; like Andy, I've gotten into the discussion at ANI against my better judgement. There has been an allegation that Ryulong has received compensation for edits made to Misplaced Pages, and evidence has been suggested in the ANI thread (I'm not going to cross post the links) but in my observation that evidence fails substantially to establish that Ryulong is being paid to edit Misplaced Pages. Furthermore, such an allegation requires definitive proof, and throwing around such unfounded accusations is a direct violation of our harassment policy (WP:OUTING). In the interest of civility (one of the Five Pillars, I'll remind you) editors should refrain from this behaviour, though I don't hold out much hope for civility in this topic area any more.

There has also been extensive reference here and at ANI to Ryulong's "self imposed topic ban", referring to their response to having been accused of COI because an off-Misplaced Pages attack article mentioned their username. Please read Misplaced Pages:Arbitration/Requests/Case#Statement by Ryulong for full context. The user volunteered to step away from this topic area with a prediction that their future involvement would cause further drama, but that's far from an enforceable topic ban - it is no more than a voluntary absence, one that obviously can be revoked at any time, and it is certainly not an admission of conflict of interest. Ivanvector (talk) 01:00, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

@Gamaliel: Ha! I spent a large part of today whinging that ANI shouldn't consider this because there was already an open thread here. Maybe there really is no appropriate venue. Ivanvector (talk) 05:09, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

Statement by Weedwacker

If we're all going to come over from ANI I might as well join in too. I am going to have to agree with Obsidi's reasoning behind the subject. Ryulong accepted money and thanked those responsible from a site with a POV on the topic at hand. Whether or not it can be directly shown that he accepted money for editing, the fact is that he accepted the money and opened himself up to receiving it by posting the funding campaign to his blog connected to his editor name. I cannot in good faith directly claim he used his editor name in the crowd-funding campaign for nefarious purposes, but it does give the appearance of requesting money of those that agree with him as an editor. I am going to be less harsh in my calls than I was on ANI and suggest that no action be taken related to his recent edits, but that he should be barred from future edits on the topic. It has become clear that self-imposed bans have not been effective. Weedwacker (talk) 01:17, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

I take significant offense to Gamaliel's comments in the result section. Calling the editors who are raising disputes "kids" is demeaning and far from WP:civil. Also: "This section is to be edited only by uninvolved administrators." He is clearly not an uninvolved administrator at this point.Weedwacker (talk) 06:07, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

@Resolute this topic is hardly about only the self-imposed topic ban.Weedwacker (talk) 06:54, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

@Masem I understand your points, but do you think that there is a WP:COI at play here that should be considered for future edits? Weedwacker (talk) 07:13, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

Comment by Resolute

Mostly just endorsing AndyTheGrump's statement in whole. The idea that someone should be sanctioned for "violating" a voluntary self-topic ban on the basis of allegations that do not appear to have been demonstrated as true is rather silly. Resolute 01:31, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

Statement by former editor and uninvolved (MarkBernstein)

Ryulong has been working to improve Misplaced Pages since Feb 2006. It appears I arrived the following September, at the urging of Aaron_Swartz who convinced me this was not as ,such an impossible as I had supposed. Aaron was a convincing fellow: he was wrong in this case, but here we are. My candid impression is that Ryulong and I have crossed swords at times, and agreed at other times. His is a familiar name to me, as to many of you. To the best of my knowledge, I don't know him.

As of late I've been alternating farewells and recrimination here, I'd like to leave Misplaced Pages with a proposal for what I believe to be a better solution.

• • We owe Ryulong a debt for long and loyal service. We owe him collectively, even if he has sometimes opposed us, and even if he currently opposes us.
  • Ryulong has found himself in an awkward position having just moved to a new continent, changed institutions, jobs, whatever.
  • Some people have offered to help out. There is nothing wrong with that; this is what friends and people of good will do.
  • This help presents, to some of us, a suggestion of impropriety. I agree with AndyTheGrump above. I think that this suggestion is ill-mannered and ill-conceived but clearly some people (for whatever reason) hold it.

THEREFORE, we have a problem over which we've just spilt a whole lot of ink in lots of places. But we can fix it -- easily.

1. Ryulong will return the $350 given to him from the source which is objectionable to certain editors here. If they wish, he will provide them or a trusted Administrator (see below) evidence that this has been done, within (let's say) 90 days.

2. We will pass that hat here. In the 18th century, we would take up a subscription for Ryulong. I or my firm will pledge a significant fraction of the sum, conditional on others subscribing for at a total of at least $350. Subscriptions will be capped at a total of $1000 and will be confidential with the following exception on which my contribution is contingent: at least three contributors should be drawn from the ranks of the editor who nominated this request for enforcement or from those who, before this posting, supported it.

3. If total subscriptons do not exceed $350 within 14 days, this proposal fails without prejudice toward any other proposal, sanction, or other action.

4. A designated agent will be chosen to administer the subscription. I'd suggest Gamaliel, or EdJohnston,, or AndyTheGrump; plenty of other people would be entirely suitable. The agent will announce an address, post office box, and/or PayPal account to which contributions may be sent. The Administrator will announce, within (let's say) 90 days, that the requisite sum has been collected and disbursed, that the $350 has been returned, and that the subscription has been wound up. The Administrator will provide receipts or try copies of receipts to donors upon request. Expenses of up to $50 may be reimbursed by the subscription fund; otherwise the Administrator will receive our thanks, but no further financial reward, for his or her services.

5. Additional regulations for the collection and use of the fund are at the sole discretion of the Administrator; in the event of any dispute, the determination of the Administrator will be final.

Summary: this removes any trace or taint of a conflict of interest; none existed, but we'll extinguish here any appearance of conflict and also place Ryulong on what we hope will prove a firmer foundation while restoring his books to him.

I do not expect this to be endorsed -- I expect, in fact, a storm of protest and vituperation -- but I’d like to leave Misplaced Pages on an amicable note and I think this best accords with the better angels of our nature and with what Ward Cunningham originally termed The Wiki Way. MarkBernstein (talk) 03:51, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

Request by Super Goku V

I do not believe that any action should be taken right now against Ryulong, but this request has made me request my own. The Draft Article is currently a way for those who want to edit the article to do so as a suggestion on how to improve the article. Currently, the Draft talk page is a redirect to the main talk page. Considering that the Draft talk page does not mention anything about the general sanctions due to this, is it alright to assume that it is still subject to general sanction? I believe that it should, but I want to make sure that this is the correct interpretation. --Super Goku V (talk) 06:57, 27 November 2014 (UTC) |} @Obsidi: Thank you for your response. I was close to certain that it was, but due to how the draft article was done there was no technical notice for editors at the time. --Super Goku V (talk) 16:38, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

Statement by Thargor Orlando

@EdJohnston: you shouldn't close it as no one knows where to put these anymore because the issues aren't being dealt with in either area. Thargor Orlando (talk) 14:24, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

Statement by Muscat Hoe

@EdJohnston: With ArbCom taking up the Gamergate case I think this would be best left to them. I disagree that the AN/I request was frivolous and baseless as there is clearly an appearance of COI, but whether it merits any sanctions can wait at this point with the article on lockdown and ArbCom stepping in. Muscat Hoe (talk) 14:51, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

Statement by {username}

Result concerning Ryulong

This section is to be edited only by uninvolved administrators. Comments by others will be moved to the section above.

• Why should we even consider this when there is an open ANI thread on this matter? Also, where do you kids get all this energy to keep arguing about GamerGate all day? I envy you. Gamaliel (talk) 04:13, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

• There doesn't seem to be a case for action against User:Ryulong here, at least not on grounds of COI editing. This complaint should be closed. I'm noting that there are not enough admins active here to keep up with the volume of complaints. EdJohnston (talk) 05:27, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

• The same complaint about Ryulong was also made at WP:ANI. That thread has now been closed by User:Future Perfect at Sunrise with no action. His closing comment was "Frivolous, baseless and misplaced/forum-shopped request". Can anyone think of a reason why this one shouldn't be closed as well? EdJohnston (talk) 13:57, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

@Super Goku V: I created an edit notice for Draft:Gamergate controversy at {{Editnotices/Page/Draft:Gamergate controversy}}. This notice should appear to anyone who hits the edit button. This will make any new contributors aware of the community sanctions. EdJohnston (talk) 17:03, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

• After carefully reviewing the evidence, I don't think there was genuine editing for pay or off-wiki coordination, I do think the $350 issue, the ongoing promotion of the fundraiser by a subreddit with a strong POV on this issue, and the fact that it has garnered considerable attention (Twitter, etc) does present a problem. As per the precedent at WP:EEML, "The factors to be evaluated in deciding whether off-wiki conduct may be sanctioned on-wiki include whether the off-wiki conduct was intended to, and did, have a direct and foreseeable damaging effect on the encyclopedia or on members of the community". Given the ongoing nature of the financial relationship, I think it would be best if Ryulong were under a one year topic ban of GamerGate-related pages, broadly construed. The Wordsmith 15:12, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

• Procedural note: Hatting reversed; please do not close comments containing useful statements and evidence. This makes it harder for uninvolved admins to see all the facts and reach a decision. The Wordsmith 15:26, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

• Now that the matter is closed on ANI, I think it's appropriate to consider it here. My initial take on it is close to the first two sentences of Wordsmith's comment. I'm going to go through all the evidence, read it, and remove non-compliant statements before I say more. Gamaliel (talk) 16:00, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

• First of all, I am opposed to paid editing and I think it should be banned outright, so if it were up to me, even borderline cases like this one would be subject to banning. But I can't impose my personal opinions on Misplaced Pages decisions, I have to look at community policy and norms. Paid editing is not banned, unfortunately. The Misplaced Pages:Conflict of interest guideline reads "Paid advocates are very strongly discouraged from direct article editing, and should instead propose changes on the talk page of the article in question." So even if we concluded that the behavior here amounted to "paid advocacy" and he should not edit the article, Ryulong should still be allowed to participate in talk discussions according to the guideline. If we had some kind of evidence that there was a quid pro quo, that someone directed him to make specific edits in exchange for compensation, then we would have a stronger case here. But all I see is evidence that people who share his preexisting opinions about GamerGate gave him money. (Also, I would note that having an opinion is not the equivalent of having a bias or a conflict of interest, otherwise those complaining about biases would be guilty of having biases themselves and should be banned from the article as well.) At best, he was paid to do what he's already been doing. Perhaps this isn't much different than Misplaced Pages's donation drives or compensating a Wikipedian in Residence. Do I like it? No. Do I think we can take action here? Also, no. If an employee of a political opposition research group can edit Misplaced Pages articles about candidates from the opposing party and not be blocked (see User talk:Sprinkler Court) then I don't think we can ban Ryulong for passing the hat around. Gamaliel (talk) 16:22, 27 November 2014 (UTC)
• I'm not really seeing much of the "COI" issue here. This is a rather atypical situation of "paid" editing – he isn't an employee of the party in question, nor a freelance contractor, and not in any way bound – contractually or otherwise – to edit in their favour. He edited according to his own convictions, completely independently of any relations to those outside parties, and then, after the fact, accepted a one-off gift of gratitude from people who agreed with his edits. I don't see any scenario how he could have edited the way he did in order to gain a financial advantage, and I see no reason to expect why in the future he would be editing in ways other than those he subjectively feels right because of that advantage. In short, I'm just not seeing how this would lead him into a "conflict" between what he feels, in good faith, to be in the best interest of Misplaced Pages, and the interests of the people who gave him that gift. This is fundamentally different from the typical "COI" situations our policy is about. – That said, even if we do apply the letter and the spirit of the COI policy, he has already agreed to not edit the article directly, and that, according to the policy, ought to be enough. On the basis of the COI issue alone, I do not see a case for a wider sanction here. Fut.Perf. ☼ 18:15, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

• I agree with you that this is an extremely unusual situation. The compensation came beforeafter the edits, and there was no prior expectation of compensation. If I thought there WAS an undisclosed prior agreement, I would push for an indef topic ban. However, it wasn't simply a one-off "thank you" payment either. The fact that the same person/persons are actively promoting and supporting Ryulong's independent fundraiser creates an ongoing relationship with financial implications. The fact that this has gone public over Twitter, Reddit etc further complicates things. The last thing the project needs is another scandal, hence my quote from the findings in the WP:EEML case. While I don't believe Ryulong is abusing his influence, even the appearance of wrongdoing can be almost as bad as wrongdoing itself. Maybe we could compromise on a topic ban until the GoFundMe campaign ends? This way nobody can raise issues about the relationship between Ryulong and his benefactor, since he'd be staying away from this topic area until the relationship has ceased. The Wordsmith 21:14, 27 November 2014 (UTC)
  • Wait, am I missing something? You said "the compensation came before the edits"; was that just a typo, or did I get something wrong here? And what is that thing about them being still "actively promoting" the fundraiser? I was under the impression he just asked for help to raise one specific sum of money for a specific private purpose, and got it as a one-off gift from a single benefactor? Fut.Perf. ☼ 22:00, 27 November 2014 (UTC)
    • That was a typo on my part, I've fixed it. As for the promotion of the fundraiser, check the third link presented as evidence. It links to an archive of a Reddit thread with the quote "I am a big fan of the current Misplaced Pages article. I'm an even bigger fan of people stepping up and admitting that they may not be able to continue to approach a subject objectively. Which is why I'm shamelessly bumping a donation drive again. I know, I know, I'm too soft :P" and containing a link to the GoFundMe campaign. That's my main concern here, not the one-off donation. The Wordsmith 22:10, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

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