I unsubscribed a couple of days ago for a breather. I've always tried to be cautious of heated discussions in groups because they're so seductive - soon you're caught up in the lynch mob feeling and writing stuff you regret later, which is what happened to me this time. Also, I'm quarantined and stuck in the house alone and going stir crazy, so reading all this stuff was not too healthy and my mind wasn't clear.
Coming back for a quick view on the web, it seems to me that everyone is a bit right. Patrick Delongchamp had been overzealous, and could have just earmarked stuff for editing rather than delete people's hard work so relentlessly. Maybe, as Elbows says, he was technically within the rules to do so because of sources. His style, though, left something to be desired. Which is why I thought a ban would be unlikely and make things messier - which appears to be the case now. That's why what I first proposed (before i got too worked up) was just encouraging a show of strength by having lots of people contribute keep the deletions at bay. Which is what Wikipedia's about - achieving a balanced, efficient market by reaching a critical mass of contributors. Not a few against a few. However, something needs to change in order for people to feel comfortable contributing to the Wikipedia entry... which clearly they don't now - despite the strong words here, there's no editing of the article going on. I don't think this is a failure to support you, Mike, so really *don't* leave, please - I love your posts here. It's just a sense of What's The Point, I reckon, and a fear/ennui of all the anger. If Patrick will agree not to delete anything more, since there's an issue around his involvement, and if other people can contribute here and there, then maybe we have a nice compromise and we can all have a nice soothing, relaxing cup of tea. Really, I keep telling myself - beware the blood that rises in these 'liminal zones' like email and online groups - what you write is here for ever and ever. I'm even wondering if I'll regret writing this ;) And although it's upsetting to see Mike and Steve getting hectic, you're all friends really. What brought me back before the weekend was that people are talking on Twitter about unsubscribing. We can't afford to lose more people from this list. When it's good, it's very good. I'll resubscribe when I'm feeling better. I like it here. Rupert http://twittervlog.blogspot.com/
