User talk:Diastar

Comments?

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Bienvenid@, Diastar. All I did was glance over the Shiprock article and talk briefly-- as I'm sure you're well aware, delving into these matters can be quite time-consuming. I think it still needs some work. There are several points at which an average reader (or even an experienced one) would get lost due to highly-specific vocabulary. For example, someone well-versed in Diné religion may be able to decipher what is meant by these two sentences: "The peak is mentioned in stories from the Enemy Side Ceremony and the Navajo Mountain Chant. It is associated with the Bead Chant and the Naayee'ee Ceremony." However, not knowing what the Enemy Side or Naayee'ee Ceremonies are, I need more context to determine the importance of the rock formation to the people. The same may be said of the geological data-- an average reader gets lost in all the vocabulary.

Other than that, all I think is needed is a general clean-up. Parentheticals such as "(see below)" should not be necessary if something is explained below. In composing articles, I tend to prefer a chronological narrative. So if you begin with the section on the name, then begin with what the indigenous name, then go on to the first names used by White colonists, and end up with the present.

I would use the same basic idea for the geological section, except instead of using the chronological order, I would go from general to specific. I.e., begin with the part about it being part of the Navajo Volcanic Field, (and maybe give a brief explanation about what that is!), then talk about the erosion to end up with what is left: the "fractured volcanic breccia" and minette.

I see no reason to separate the "In film" and "In fiction" sections. They can be combined into an "In media" section. I tend to agree with the people on the talk that think that this information is trivial. These sections tend to accumulate a lot of cruft, and don't really add anything much in the way of helpful, useful content. I leave it to the editors, however, to decide what they think is important.

When you ask for my opinion on the discussion, I assume you are referring to the debate over the legality of climbing the rock. I think that a lot of people are insensitive to the concerns of native peoples, and it's important that we editors not fall into that insensitivity. However, if there is a debate over the legality, even if it's just in the climbing community, then it is best to mention that debate, even if there is an official policy. Otherwise people think they know better and add their opinions in.

Finally, I think a higher-resolution image would be better for the infobox.

If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know.

And feel free to help out at WP:MEXAM! We are always looking for dedicated and conscientious editors, especially if they can provide a feminine perspective (we're a little heavy on the guys). On that note, I notice that you plan "to be a feminist wiki admin." Maybe, when the time comes for me to begin this campaign, you will stand beside me when I propose that articles with Spanish-language titles be inclusive. For example, Don (honorific) should be changed to Don and Doña or Doña and Don, Chicano should be Chicana and Chicano, etc.

Anyways, thanks for your contributions, and keep up the good work.--Rockero (talk) 01:02, 27 July 2008 (UTC)


 * Bienvenid@ Rockero! Hey, thanks for the tips on Shiprock. If you get a chance, take a look. The legality of climbing has an unequivocal answer from the Navajo Nation by now, so that is clear. I am looking for somebody more knowledgeable than myself to clean up the culture section. Your advice on the media section has been implemented. And, yes. The photo is updated.

I will check back in with you on Atzlan issues, si claro, Don and Doña. It is the shared future. Of course, I was joking about the growing up bit. Never! Diastar (talk) 22:33, 27 July 2008 (UTC)diastar

Shiprock
Thanks for the kind words, but I'm afraid I can't be of much help re Shiprock -- not a good idea to try to climb it, if that's what you had in mind. Nice country, though, and neat geology. Best regards, Pete Tillman (talk) 00:48, 28 July 2008 (UTC)

New Mexican
See the reply on the Carson talk page.Richiar (talk) 05:36, 4 August 2008 (UTC)