User talk:Petrarchan47

SEMI-RETIRED

This user is no longer very active on Wikipedia.

disruptive whitewashing on Who's Who

If you continue removing sourced criticism despite repeated reverts from other editors, I will ask an uninvolved admin to block you at WP:ANI. NinjaRobotPirate (talk) 02:58, 4 April 2022 (UTC)

Some of your changes weren't as bad as I thought – I saw massive swathes of content vanishing from the article, as when you previously removed all mention of the various scams. Some of your edits were actually removing unsourced content, which I shouldn't have reverted. So, for that, I apologize for being too hasty (and clearly not reading the diffs well enough). Still, you need to stop edit warring to remove sourced content from that article. Hold an WP:RFC, raise the issue at WP:NPOVN, or do something else to establish consensus. Showing up every few weeks to blank sections is disruptive. NinjaRobotPirate (talk) 03:23, 4 April 2022 (UTC)

Whitewashing is a pretty serious charge. The difference between my version and yours is two paragraphs - in your version you re-added the following but changed nothing else:

”One example was the Who's Who Among American High School Students which was criticized for questionable nomination practices as well as whether the listing's entries are fact-checked and accurate.[10][11] According to the admissions vice president of Hamline University, "It's honestly something that an admissions officer typically wouldn't consider or wouldn't play into an admissions decision," adding that "Who's Who... is just trying to sell books".[11]

Who's Who publications are not all of questionable value, but publishers that select truly notable people and provide trustworthy information on them are hard to identify. A & C Black's Who's Who is the canonical example of a legitimate Who's Who reference work, being the first to use the name and establish the approach in print, publishing annually since 1849. However, the longevity of a publication is not in itself a guarantee. In 1999 Tucker Carlson said in Forbes magazine that Marquis Who's Who, founded in 1898 but no longer an independent company, had adopted practices of address harvesting as a revenue stream, undermining its claim to legitimacy as a reference work listing people of merit.[12]”

The example of a high school scam comes from low quality sources: 1 and 2 I left it out of my version for that reason, and because this is a short, list-style article, thought mentioning every single instance there was a printed complaint about some version of a “who’s who” wasn’t necessary. I don’t think you can call this whitewashing when I’ve already addressed the scams in the Lede and body in a way you yourself found (nearly) sufficient.

The second paragraph you re-added was from Tucker Carlson, known as a conspiracy theorist and to my knowledge, not allowed on WP as a source. My removal of Carlson is not whitewashing to my knowledge, but perhaps I’ll check with the RS notice board to make sure.

Your paragraphs also make me wonder about the author, as they seem less reliant upon RS and sound very editorialized. The quotes selected are not neutral, considering how Carlson’s statement in my initial comment above wasn’t included whilst it would give the reader much better context. (“ “There are cases-- relatively few in our judgment--of individuals with decidedly modest vocational achievement being included in the Who's Who volumes.”)

“Whitewashing” should be reserved for describing the removal of negative content. What I’ve done is to try and present the facts in a balanced way. This was what I was trying to clean up - and my fix is nearly identical to the present one, so how am I the problem? petrarchan47คุก 14:38, 12 April 2022 (UTC) [Copied from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Who%27s_Who#NPOV_problem]

Precious anniversary

Precious

Two years!

--Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:03, 5 April 2022 (UTC)

Dear Gerda, such a jewel you are. Thank you petrarchan47คุก 14:41, 12 April 2022 (UTC)

Minor correction, though ~ I began editing in 2013 petrarchan47คุก 15:01, 12 April 2022 (UTC)

Barnstar Awarded!

		The Environmental Barnstar
		Awarded in recognition for your legacy work on the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and other environmental articles. Also thanks for joining WP:Environment last month, with more editors like you, the WP will thrive. Hoping to see you a bit more, cheers! Jusdafax (talk) 04:17, 2 May 2022 (UTC)

JusDaFax What an honor, thank you, mon ami. Let me know if I can help in any way on environmental articles. I’m quite out of the loop, so please feel free to offer some guidance. It would be wonderful to work with you again. petrarchan47คุก 01:13, 28 June 2022 (UTC) Jusdafax

Welcome back! ―Buster7 ☎ 13:08, 28 June 2022 (UTC)

Hi Buster! Thank you so much. How are things? Hot and steamy here, but the morning glories are finally blooming. Any word from our dear friends? petrarchan47คุก 23:04, 6 July 2022 (UTC)

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Discussion re-opened

Just as heads up that I have recently re-opened a discussion you participated in back in 2019. The question was about whether the article about Jeffrey Epstein’s island should include content about a science conference Stephen Hawking happened to be part of. You seemed to support the inclusion, mainly because two other editors supported the inclusion. Since then, those two editors have been indefinitely banned from the Wikipedia, and an investigation in to their bans shows that the two editors had problems with editing about conspiracy theories or WP:BLP related issues. That in mind, I have removed the problematic content from the Little Saint James, U.S. Virgin Islands article, since there is no longer consensus for its inclusion. Samboy (talk) 22:40, 17 December 2022 (UTC)

Happy Holidays

{

{font|text=~~~ Merry Christmas! ~~~|font=Century Gothic|size=30px|color=#bf00bf}}

Joyeux Noël! ~ Buon Natale! ~ Vrolijk Kerstfeest! ~ Frohe Weihnachten!
¡Feliz Navidad! ~ Feliz Natal! ~ Καλά Χριστούγεννα! ~ Hyvää Joulua!
God Jul! ~ Glædelig Jul! ~ Linksmų Kalėdų! ~ Priecīgus Ziemassvētkus!
Häid Jõule! ~ Wesołych Świąt! ~ Boldog Karácsonyt! ~ Veselé Vánoce!
Veselé Vianoce! ~ Crăciun Fericit! ~ Sretan Božić! ~ С Рождеством!

Hello, Petra! Hope all is well with you and yours. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! ―Buster7 ☎ 20:17, 26 December 2022 (UTC)

Fan Mail

As you say at Gandy's page ...its good to know you are doing well

―Buster7 ☎ 05:00, 5 April 2023 (UTC)

Precious anniversary

Precious

-Three years!

--Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:13, 5 April 2023 (UTC)

Unblock request as established user

This user's unblock request has been reviewed by an administrator, who declined the request. Other administrators may also review this block, but should not override the decision without good reason (see the blocking policy).

Petrarchan47 (block log • active blocks • global blocks • contribs • deleted contribs • filter log • creation log • change block settings • unblock • checkuser (log))

---

Request reason:

Requesting an IP block exemption as established user; IP block due to IP "anonymizing proxy" range petrarchan47คุก 21:08, 9 August 2023 (UTC)

Decline reason:

The procedure for getting IPBE now is to follow the directions at WP:IPECPROXY to request it by email. Regular admins just can't hand it out like we used to. — Daniel Case (talk) 06:46, 10 August 2023 (UTC)

---

If you want to make any further unblock requests, please read the guide to appealing blocks first, then use the {{unblock}} template again. If you make too many unconvincing or disruptive unblock requests, you may be prevented from editing this page until your block has expired. Do not remove this unblock review while you are blocked.

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A Gathering is Happening

• Hi Petra. It's Buster7 :) I'm forwarding this invitation I got from an editor that reminds me of you and Gandy.

(((I'm looking to interview people here. Feel free to pass if you're not interested. Clovermoss🍀 (talk) 12:40, 4 December 2023 (UTC))))

• It's worth a visit! I hope to see you and Gandy there!!! Buster7 (talk) 14:05, 5 December 2023 (UTC)

Holiday Greetings

Peace is a state of balance and understanding in yourself and between others, where respect is gained by the acceptance of differences, tolerance persists, conflicts are resolved through dialog, people's rights are respected and their voices are heard, and everyone is at their highest point of serenity without social tension. Happy Holidays to you and yours. I hope you still visit these pages every once in a while. A recent gathering of editors has sent me into a time-travel loop to revisit the distant past where I stumbled upon our playful sharing's of long ago. What a Joy. What fun it was. For me, your page was an oasis. Life is GOOD. Hope the same for you. ―Buster7 ☎

Hi there dear Buster7, I've just been released from another (this time 6 month) range-block. I do indeed recall the good ole days, and feel the same as you. In fact, I found myself checking up on the BP oil spill and there is quite a lot of updating to be done, much research and peer reviewed papers have come out discussing the longer-term damage and effects from the oil and Corexit. It seems like something we could get together as a small group once again to work on (if I can remain free of these blocks). I need to touch base with Gandydancer too, if I can find her new location.

Any updates from your end? How are things? petrarchan47คุก 00:10, 30 March 2024 (UTC)

What a wonderment to hear your song again. The idea of "your song" comes from User:ARoseWolf a recent Editor of the Week and someone you should know. I'm still giving out the weekly awards (534 so far) and clerking at Editor Retention. Reminds me of the years my wife and I had a resale store in the neighborhood. Most days were easy going and then....all of a sudden....customers! I'll have to search out where I have info on Gandy's new identity. I know it's on my watchlist but where? Life is good. We are headed to NYC next month to stay at my nieces apt while she and her family go on Holiday. I like saying "Go On Holiday". It sounds so British!!! We were in London, on Holiday, a few months back visiting an old friend of my wife from 55 years ago. They worked in Tehran and corresponded every now and then. Still working at a local library a few days a week...security. How hard can that be? Watching too much TV but finding some gems. 3 Body Problem is worth a look. And I draw while watching, so "I got that going for me which is nice!". Life is Good. Lets Find Gandy!!! and have a reunion. Buster Seven Talk (UTC) 05:47, 30 March 2024 (UTC)

Buster7 I am range blocked again until 2027. Let me try to remedy this issue... do you have any insight? Or perhaps know someone who might? Luckily I'm able to edit my TP!

My last big trip was to London to see my brother. Did you have fun there? As for finding Gandy, I think I can hunt her down. I'll race you!

Editor retention has got to be challenging when they're blocking people like this. Are you aware of the issue? I wonder if editors have been informed about this new process?

Delightful to touch base again, Buster! Enjoy the Spring, and New York, and keep that library safe! petrarchan47คุก 02:03, 4 April 2024 (UTC)

Don't know much about range blocking. From what I read @ Wikipedia:Administrators' guide/Blocking/Tools it mostly has to do with IP addresses' . Range blocks are explained over at Mediawiki with the strange sentence' You should avoid performing range blocks unless you understand what you are doing, or you may end up blocking tens of thousands or even millions of people who are not the problem!. Sounds like an admin could create a huge kerfuffle. Is that what happened to you? Love going to London. Love Minding the Gap! Love an English breakfast. Love going to Harrods and pretending I'm actually going to buy the $10000 sofa. Love Love Love Fish n Chips (No vinegar!!). Love everything around the Thames. Love St James Place near Buckingham Palace. Love seeing Arsenal or Chelsea play. Love having a chat and a fag with a brit from up North and barely understanding a word he says but loving every minute. Love spending hours people watching at Trafalgar Square. Love hearing someone talking Flemish (my native tongue) in line to get into the British Museum. And Love you and gandy!!! Buster Seven Talk (UTC) 05:22, 4 April 2024 (UTC)

Flemish?!! I visited Bruges drcades ago and havent heard much if any mention of that language since then.

I got a response back from the admins, my appeal to remove the block was declined and now I am told to wait a few days to mull over the response, which was:

Looking at our logs, it appears the IP address that you are editing from belongs to a proxy service. Open or anonymizing proxies, including VPNs, iCloud Private Relay, Tor, and web hosting services, are blocked from editing Wikipedia. While this may affect legitimate users, they are not the intended targets. No restrictions are placed on reading Wikipedia through an open or anonymous proxy.

Although Wikipedia encourages anyone in the world to contribute, open proxies are often used abusively. MediaWiki, the wiki software that powers Wikipedia, depends on IP addresses for administrator intervention against abuse, especially by anonymous users. Open proxies allow malicious users to rapidly change IP addresses, causing continuous disruption that cannot be stopped by administrators. Several such attacks have occurred on Wikimedia projects, causing disruption and occupying administrators who would otherwise deal with other concerns.

Unfortunately, you will not be able to edit while using this open proxy.

I am no techie, and have no idea what all this means. petrarchan47คุก 22:19, 4 April 2024 (UTC)

Buster7 Ignore all of the above. I switched to my desktop and the problem seems to be solved. Now to find Gandy... petrarchan47คุก 22:24, 4 April 2024 (UTC)

Hi

I hope ur still there

Just wanted to ask to a truly unbiased admin, as I've seen through/extensively read up several discussions on wiki before I started to finally post stuff on talk pages quite recently - Why are all my edits being undone by a single admin

Is it wikistalking

or more importantly

Is there a possibility of a 'heavy handed effort' I've seen elsewhere on this wiki at work / affecting stuff here?

(In the sense that my comment was something like this (at Talk: Arab wikipedia -> section : Neutrality lost?))

👇 2402:E280:3D1D:5B0:A931:9CB8:4420:455 (talk) 08:57, 13 January 2024 (UTC)

"Those colors are pan-Arab. But the text they added in the main page clearly states that Arabic Wikipedia stands in solidarity with Palestine. A formal complaint? Much good that would do. I am a regular Wikipedia donor because I believe in Wikipedia's mission statement. It's sad to see those core principals erode."

"Basically the Arab version of the English "pseudoscience effort"

Pls do mention this too out there too"

Two comments made by me and earlier,someone else (the other guy's, atleast was pretty much on-topic, on-discussion) were reverted as SOAPBOXing for grounds that are pretty much only criticising enwiki or wiki in general when there is certainly stuff to criticize even on enwiki

2402:E280:3D1D:5B0:A931:9CB8:4420:455 (talk) 08:59, 13 January 2024 (UTC)

Does semi retired mean that I should not look here for answers? Just curious

Ig even totally retired bois come back to answer a req. unless ofc if they're deceased or disconnected from the net right 2402:E280:3D1D:5B0:A931:9CB8:4420:455 (talk) 09:07, 13 January 2024 (UTC)

Since I've anyways already asked so many questions I might as well complete it by asking one more last ye

Is editing to talk pages only

a blockable rationale, even in theory ,i.e., even if u hypothetically erased all the obvious double standards (obvious as in when u start by first seeing the the article of - say, ayurveda) ? 2402:E280:3D1D:5B0:A931:9CB8:4420:455 (talk) 09:16, 13 January 2024 (UTC)

Was tempted to tell even more it out all openly at that particular TP but (besides that it would indeed be rolling highly off-topic and ranting to a point,) I knew, from what I have read here, that wiki is not as highly democratic as it seems to be and that there indeed is/may be a heavy hand (of sorts) on the site to be mindful of (regds. to what u say), in which case I can easily consider the comment i posted there as 'highly risky' 2402:E280:3D1D:5B0:A931:9CB8:4420:455 (talk) 09:25, 13 January 2024 (UTC)

And when I say talk pageS, I meant quite a few diverse and unrelated talk pages like the one on SB

I had sensed an air of heavy-handedness/"unwelcomed"-ness(/whatever the right word is) right there itself, but I chose not to assume until it came to a deletion + SOAPBOXING charge by the same fella at a mention of something like 'the 'pseudoscience' problem here'

To further understand all of this potentially 'rambled-tangled' text, u may wanna see my diffs/contribs. 2402:E280:3D1D:5B0:A931:9CB8:4420:455 (talk) 09:36, 13 January 2024 (UTC)

Plus a WP:BITE concern abt the same person I addressed to a totally different third party (before it became what I saw/see as a glaring obviousness abt this site and its 'admins'

Actually, R U an admin ? - sheesh didn't ask this basic thing all this while 2402:E280:3D1D:5B0:A931:9CB8:4420:455 (talk) 09:40, 13 January 2024 (UTC)

again, I repeat,

To further understand all of this potentially 'rambled-tangled' text, u may wanna see the diffs/contribs. 2402:E280:3D1D:5B0:A931:9CB8:4420:455 (talk) 09:45, 13 January 2024 (UTC)

Reunion 2024

I found the beloved Gandy, Buster7. She's Sectionworker! petrarchan47คุก 22:41, 4 April 2024 (UTC)

petrarchan47คุก 22:41, 4 April 2024 (UTC)

Yes, but she hasn't made any contributions since May 15 of 2023. Fingers crossed she comes to visit and sees our interest. Buster Seven Talk (UTC) 16:48, 6 April 2024 (UTC)

Fingers: Crossed petrarchan47คุก 00:39, 18 April 2024 (UTC)

You may wanna see this ⬇️

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FuJT9mp0jw&list=PLoXVez7Y_XKVTBHJYyJjDbA6bUBo7JOWf 103.137.93.97 (talk) 23:53, 7 April 2024 (UTC)

P.S. The previous IP was also me, so pls notify if u don't wanna hear more cos ur retired, I'll gladly oblige and things will atleast be clear

(Hope my revelation doesn't get me in trouble 😅) 103.137.93.97 (talk) 00:02, 8 April 2024 (UTC)

It's a lost cause, my friend. But realize that at this point, everyone knows the word "encyclopedia" is much like the word "news". These terms once evoked trust, and were seen as a safe place for truth to reside, awaiting the curious. Now, they have people racing to 'do their own research':

what are others saying?

who is funding the studies?

who is funding the platform?

where are the conflicts of interest and how have these factors affected the truth?

Following the money turns out to be a worthwhile pasttime for the armchair researcher (as we are by default called to be). petrarchan47คุก 00:53, 18 April 2024 (UTC)