I don't have to be all smiles and sunshine to you; you need to be right when I'm wrong. Reference it and keep wild opinions out, and you won't cross paths with me. Professionalism, accuracy and merit is all that should be asked of you; if not in life, at least on Wikipedia...
I joined WP out of pure frustration, because of its inaccuracy combined with its huge popularity. I got tired of seeing this same site with so many errors pop up on every single thing I Googled. So, I decided to start correcting some of those errors. Yay! I am not an "inclusionist", though I am biased to what should or should not be included. Human nature, I guess. The only thing I have to counter my bias is the judgement of my fellow community members and the "rules" the site is governed by. Just because "you" (a potential article) went to an actual college/university and have a good job, or wrote a book or a blog, does not make you notable to the outside world. Maybe WP is meant to be a place for every single non-notable person, place or thing that ever existed, and all of the non-notable things that surround them. Billions and billions of articles to create, and no way to stop...
"In common parlance, a devil's advocate is someone who takes a position he or she does not necessarily agree with for the sake of argument. This process can also be used to test the quality of the original argument and identify weaknesses in its structure."
"After World War I, the term "muckraker" was used to refer in a general sense to a writer who investigates and publishes truthful reports to perform an auditing or watchdog function."
A Note On "American English" - "Pissed" in our proud vernacular can never mean "drunk", though it does mean this to the rest of the English-speaking world. "Sotted" isn't even a word to us. You can "piss" your pants, or "piss" someone "off", but the state of being "pissed" means you're irritated/angry to the American ear. "Drunk", "Wasted", "Trashed", "Wrecked", etc. can describe being inebriated, but being "pissed" simply does not translate the same way. Piss off if you don't believe me!
A Note On "Retiring" - You put a lot of time into the project. You want your efforts to be rewarded by recognition, naturally. But now you feel "alienated", and want to let the world know just exactly why you left. Well, tough shit! No one really cares, and they never did. "It was just so much nicer when I joined initially!" Wrong. By leaving, you've only proven that you cannot evolve with the project, for better or worse. You're extinct. Your influence is all gone. You've elected to become a memory that few will remember. Ozymandius. The wiki existed long before you, and will exist long after you. Be here, and be proud while you're here, or just go away. And don't cry "wolf"; soap operas are to sell soap. Come back when you've reconciled all the evil and imperfection in this world.
A Note On "Stealth Canvassing" - This is probably meant to be a big joke, which is why it's part of a "guideline". Because the reality is: the more off-wiki canvassing one does with one's little clique, the more power one seems to gain when they all rally around each other. At least temporarily. Hopefully it all comes out in the wash, and keeping things on-wiki that don't need private e-mails to begin with only improves an atmosphere that is less welcoming to others that are not part of the "right" cliques to begin with. Are you here to make "wiki-friends"? Choose wisely...
A Note On Reliable Sources - I have in my hot little hands a copy of Ripley's Believe It or Not! published in 1930 (copyright 1929). Widely distributed, notable publisher, all the source requirements. Is it "reliable"? Here's a few random excerpts: "Neils Paulsen, of Upsala, Sweden, died in 1907 at the age of 160 and left two sons - one 9 years old and the other 103 years of age." | "Assuming that the birth-rate of the Chinese is ten per cent. (same as that of the Jews)..." | "Chou Kung, who invented the compass, had a swivel wrist on which he could turn his hand completely around." | "Philip II, of Spain, one of the most cowardly of all tyrants, possessed the largest heart of any known man." As a wonderful disclaimer, in the inside jacket is the famous: "On request, sent with stamped, addressed envelope, Mr. Ripley will furnish proof of anything depicted or described by him in this book! Send your inquiry to Mr. Robert L. Ripley, Believe It Or Not Department, Simon and Schuster, Inc., 386 Fourth Avenue, New York City." So is it a reliable source? Ripley's "reputation for fact-checking and accuracy" came with a guarantee. Only Norbert knows for sure.
A Note on The Fifth Pillar - "If a rule prevents you from improving or maintaining Wikipedia, ignore it." Dangerous advice from the one-sentenced, most abused and misunderstood policy around. Rules in Wikipedia are carved in stone, and breaking those rules will earn you a block or even a ban. Maybe you think those edits were improving Wikipedia in some way, but when others believe you are breaking the rules, you will see the just how firm those rules really are.
My "MO" - I am somewhat random in what I'll edit or comment on, but I do enjoy either closing a thread, or blowing it up. I'm an unrepentant (talk page stalker), and I reserve the right to pounce on any editor's page I encounter at any time, until asked to leave. This happens sometimes: but I'll never erase the edits or "ban" anyone from my talk page unless they are a truly blatant vandal. I value policy and common sense above editor "allegiance": so if I agree with you to death on one thing, and suddenly oppose you venomously on something else - nothing personal. I'm not really a very big fan of socks and/or vandals so much, and sometimes I will pursue them, and attempt to crush them. "POV warriors" tend to find their own way given enough time. Cheers to all good WP editors, whatever their specialties and interests are (and many are needed)...
Retired (from the Drama)
This user is no longer interested in most other people's personal Wikipedia dramas.
"Be bloody, bold, and resolute..." Macbeth, Act IV, Scene I.
This Barnstar is awarded to Doc9871 for that one's staunch efforts to promote free thinking on Wikipedia. Shut up, you deserve it! Awarded by Abie the Fish Peddler (talk) 03:40, 20 January 2010 (UTC)
The Working Man's Barnstar
You are consistantly hard working editor who is a total pleasure to work with. --CrohnieGalTalk 17:07, 17 March 2010 (UTC)
The ambiguous template of infinite regression
Your barnstar, and the sentiment therein, was so appreciated that I felt like giving you a barnstar in return for giving me a barnstar. But then it occurred to me that doing that might imperil everything; we could get caught in an infinite loop; you would feel obliged to barnstar me back for barnstarring you for barnstarring me, and I would feel probably feel beholden if I didn't return that favor, and so on down a road of repetitive madness and bleeding fingers, so instead I decided to give you this:-)--Fuhghettaboutit (talk) 00:59, 29 May 2010 (UTC)
For your recent assistance responding to the request I left on someone else's talk page, I award you the WikiJaguar Award for Excellence in talk page stalking efforts. DocOfSoc (talk) 22:46, 31 August 2010 (UTC)
The Random Acts of Kindness Barnstar
Dear Doc#1, Thank you very much for unfailing Good Humor and making me smile!. Love, DocOfSoc (talk) 20:01, 5 May 2010 (UTC)
The Outlaw Halo Award
TY for being YOU!xoxoDocOfSoc (talk) 01:39, 20 July 2010 (UTC)
You've always been there when I need it so this is just to say thank you for the help and support over the years. CrohnieGalTalk 13:31, 2 July 2011 (UTC)
For responding to comments on my talk page, thereby giving me more time to get ready for school rather than be mired in Heroes in Hell-related drama. I, Jethrobotdrop me a line (note: not a bot!) 06:52, 20 August 2011 (UTC)
The Surreal Barnstar
For the first ever talkpage reference to one of my edits being
crap. (and I really really hope you can see the humor in this) Crazynast 22:30, 15 December 2011 (UTC)
The Barnstar of Diligence
Thank you so much for figuring out the sockpuppet thing, so that I don't have to live in fear! MathewTownsend (talk) 01:00, 16 January 2012 (UTC)
The Vandal Eliminator Award
You deserve this VEA for all your work in so many areas. I appreciate all that you do in tracking these pests down. MarnetteD | Talk 16:08, 20 March 2012 (UTC)
The Music Barnstar
For all the great work you do on our music articles. Thank you. RacerX11Talk to meStalk me 23:04, 11 July 2012 (UTC)
The Tireless Contributor Barnstar
For your creation of (and tireless contributions to) the massive IP list of a newly discovered, long-term-abuse vandal. RacerX11Talk to meStalk me 23:04, 11 July 2012 (UTC)
The Anti-Vandalism Barnstar
For all you do in the fight against vandalism. Thank you RacerX11Talk to meStalk me 23:04, 11 July 2012 (UTC)
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