Wikipedia:Mediation Cabal/Cases/2007-05-25 Alphachimp

Request Information
Alphachimp executed a decision reportedly arrived at by various administrators, instituting semi-protection for one week of the Oregon page. No explanation or warning was given, and I believe the timing was particularly bad, considering recent efforts to bring new editors up to speed in Wikiproject Oregon. Alphachimp responded to my requests for information, but in a way that I found patronizing, and lacking in flexibility. Ultimately, the reason the decision was predicated on - a mention of Oregon on The Colbert Report TV show - did not come to pass.

I believe that administrators, having abilities that other editors do not (such as implementing blocks), and holding an accompanying air of authority, should hold themselves to a higher standard than other editors, and strive for transparency and a broad view in the decisions they make or implement. In this case, the ignore all rules policy was invoked, deep into the discussion; I believe that instances of IAR invite a higher standard of communication than other policies, because they are controversial almost by definition. In addition, editors are encouraged to "ignore all rules" if the action in question makes Wikipedia better. When asked to explain that reason, briefly summarizing administrator-only meetings that took place in private is not sufficient, in my view.

I have attempted to have this discussion with Alphachimp, but feel that he/she has taken a patronizing and dismissive tone toward me from the beginning, which has been both detrimental to the discussion as a whole, and to my ability to express what I feel is a valid point.

-Pete 22:27, 25 May 2007 (UTC)

Who are the involved parties?
User:Alphachimp Pete

What is the involved article(s)?
Oregon

What's going on?
A block (which may or may not have been necessary to begin with) was implemented with poor communication, and with detrimental results.

What would you like to change about that?
My goal in this mediation is to increase awareness among administrators that clear communication goes a long way toward establishing the kind of welcoming environment on which the Wikipedia editing community thrives.
 * Answering question below, "Is there anything left to mediate?"


 * I think my note above addresses that, but I'll try to put it more clearly: it seems that Alphachimp is a very active administrator, and has a great deal of contact with the public and with touchy situations. I recognize that the work he/she does is probably of great benefit to Wikipedia, but feel that the approach he/she took in this case - and continues to stand by - brings collateral damage, and is likely to do so in the future.


 * It is my hope that in a mediated discussion, we can work together to bring down the heightened tenor of our discussion, that he/she may become more receptive to my perspective, and that his/her future activities will be more closely aligned with the goals of Wikipedia. Alphachimp is the one who recommended a dispute resolution process; I believe the two of us agree that we have not done a great job of communicating without mediator assistance. -Pete 00:21, 26 May 2007 (UTC)


 * If you goal is to influence an admin, you could file a request for comment on an admin's conduct, however, to be honest, considering the semi-protection was removed by Aplhachimp, I doubt the request would garner much support. Addhoc 00:33, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

Mediator response
Ok, the page was semi protected:


 * (cur) (last) 19:03, 24 May 2007 Alphachimp (Talk | contribs) m (Protected Oregon: preemptive semi-protection... Jimbo will be on Colbert tonight [edit=autoconfirmed:move=autoconfirmed] (expires 19:03, May 31, 2007 (UTC)))

However since then, it has been unprotected.


 * (cur) (last) 04:04, 25 May 2007 Alphachimp (Talk | contribs) m (Unprotected Oregon)

Is there anything left to mediate? Addhoc 00:00, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

Response by Alphachimp
Forgive me if this is in the wrong place. I'm admittedly a little bit unfamiliar with this process, and my examination of other mediation pages really just confused me.

I protected the article after Jimbo got on IRC and informed administrators that he would be appearing on Colbert. Someone suggested protecting pages that had Colbert vandalism in the past (Elephant being the most common). Although Jimbo supported the idea, it was my decision to protect Oregon, the past target of Colbert vandalism. When the show aired, within 8 hours of the protection, the article was not mentioned. I unprotected the article. That's all I've done, and all I plan to do.

Throughout the entire time, Pete has subjected me to a hail of attacks. Instead of acting as a productive contributor, he has been a complete nuisance of a variety of project pages, including WP:RFPP, Talk:Oregon, User talk:Alphachimp, and Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Oregon. He utterly failed to centralize the discussion, and wasted my time and that of others. At this point, the dispute in question is effectively resolved. All that remains is Pete's incredibly poor attitude and incredibly puerile attempt to force me to take a Wikibreak. This case is completely without merit. alphachimp 00:25, 26 May 2007 (UTC)


 * Thanks for explaining, I agree the dispute is resolved. Addhoc 00:37, 26 May 2007 (UTC)


 * I see that this has been closed, and understand that I may have chosen the wrong venue. However, I must respond to the above. "Hail of attacks" - no, there was one occasion where I strayed from the decorum AC expected; in all other cases, I was simply attempting to get my point across, in the face of repeated misinterpretation and dismissal by Alphachimp. I could likewise characterize his/her actions as attacks, but I haven't because I don't think that would be productive. "Failure to centralize" - I could have done better there. However, there was good reason for each page I posted on, and I have attempted to move it away from the main Wikipedia space. I will continue to do my best to adhere to this value. "Force to take Wikibreak" - utter hyperbole. It was offered as genuine advice, after Alphachimp had offered me advice to work on my "decorum." I have no power to "force" anyone to take a wikibreak, and would not avail myself of such a power if I had it.


 * Thank you, Addhoc, for suggesting a more appropriate venue. -Pete 01:06, 26 May 2007 (UTC)