Wikipedia:Arbitration Committee Elections December 2013/Candidates/Georgewilliamherbert/Statement

Georgewilliamherbert
Something has gone wrong with the english language Wikipedia. After a year of quietly throwing things at walls rather than spend hours fighting something on the project, I am coming back on.

Something has gone wrong with Wikipedia. I can point to a dozen or so specific things, but pointing at specific incidents already concluded will just cause fights. So I'll point to a few big picture points.

Something has gone wrong with Wikipedia. We are losing editors.

Something has gone wrong with Wikipedia. Rules are mattering more than the encyclopedia.

Something has gone wrong with Wikipedia. Special interests are winning.

Something has gone wrong with Wikipedia. Collegiality is going out the window.

Something has gone wrong with Wikipedia. Arbcom has not been helping.

I ran for Arbcom before, in 2010. I didn't do so well. I was thinking sort of tactically at the time. The arbcoms elected then were better tactical arbitrators than I would have been, so I am kind of glad they won at the time.

This is no longer time to think tactically.

Wikipedia is an encyclopedia. We have an excellent set of core values when people remember them. It's time to remember them.

Miscellania: I am an inactive-ish adinistrator in good standing. I was on OTRS for a while, and before that on unblock-en-l for some time, predating my being an administrator. I've edited since 2005, with a few breaks.

I had an alternate account some time ago (, back in 2008. 10 edits or so.  I disclosed it in the 2010 elections.  I edited the Oracle Grid Engine page as an IP on Nov 11  from my iPhone.  I was in a hurry.

I agree to abide by the Foundation sensitive private data policies and provide them ID in person. I have met a number of the staff in person before, so I presume they know who I am. I have used my real name here since I started, and going back to the late 1980s on the internet as a whole.

Addendum - A number of voter guide writers have noted I was fairly inactive over the summer of 2013 (true). There was some aspect of a wikibreak there at the beginning, but a now-solved health issue contributed significantly (Abdominal Surgery Summery Camp is the worst summer camp ever - and if they ask you to try out for the Torn Stitches Team, say NO...). I would posit that you want an arbitrator who's just coming off a Wikibreak, rather than one who might potentially need one. Thank you.