RYAN GRANT LONG
Ryan Grant Long is an up-and-coming artist and philosopher living in Madison, Wisconsin.
Wikipedia Philosophy
First off I think wikipedia is a great resource, perhaps the most important collection of knowledge in human history. I've met people who ridicule it, and most often it's because they don't understand how it functions. They think it's a free-for-all where anyone can contribute anything and mere consensus makes it true. They don't realize that facts must be verifiable and vandalism is policed and usually corrected in a matter of hours or minutes.
Though I must say, I also am disturbed when people quote directly from it, especially in college papers. I think that should be an automatic "F". There is always the chance for vandalism, and anyway the original sources are always listed at the bottom for students to check out and quote directly. There's no excuse if people don't poke around a little, and instead take wikipedia information on blind faith.
I am most concerned with three things: decent writing, inclusivity, and objectivity.
ON WRITING
Good grammar, spelling, etc. of course. Also I believe there must be a balance between including details readers may find interesting and explanations that are overly long. I prefer the middle road. It bothers me when articles are too long, but I sincerely hate it when, in the interest of brevity, wiki contributors strip articles to their bare bones until things like plot summaries don't make any sense unless you are already familiar with the material.
It also really bugs me when something is incredibly obvious, but nitpicky people refuse to include it, even though I don't believe any wikipedia quidelines are so strict to support their position. For example, the refusal to mention the name of the character "Venom" in the Spider-man 3 movie, just because he never speaks his name during the film - even though every other source, thousands of them: the credits, the toys, video games, filmmakers, making-of documentaries, EVERYTHING (not to mention common sense) suggest he is called Venom.
I have utmost respect for wikipedia's guidelines and they should be followed at all times, but I don't think any of them justify insanity.
I should say though that the Smash Bros. page had to keep Peach off the list of confirmed playable characters even though all evidence suggested she was in the game, and I supported keeping her off until she was officially unveiled on the website. I can imagine lots of people felt toward my side the way I felt toward the "don't name Venom" side. I think they are essentially different, there wasn't actually any hard evidence Peach was playable, just a full motion video depicting her (she could have just been a supporting character). It's interesting stuff I think.
ON OBJECTIVITY
This becomes more difficult when it comes to hot-button social/political topics, particularly my own sexual orientation. I'm sure since I am openly gay and liberal, many social conservatives immediately assume I would attempt to steer articles toward my own viewpoint. That is not the case. I believe in Wikipedia as a great wealth of information accessible to all people regardless of religion or political viewpoint, and I try my best to keep it that way.
With topics such as homosexuality, "objective" must mean "neutral and verifiable", not "everyone gets a say no matter how ridiculous their viewpoint." So an article like homosexuality should reflect the historical and scientific facts - based on evidence - that humanity has gathered over the centuries, and religious or political bigotry toward gay people - which is always based on myth, ignorance or pseudoscience and never fact - should be noted but not expressed as facts themselves.
When you're dealing with racism, homophobia or sexism, the bigoted side will never be happy with the article because they, of course, want it to be propoganda. They want it to say "black people are inferior" or some other ridiculous thing. And when you set up the article to be neutral, bigots will automatically assume it is biased.
An objective article on homosexuality automatically outrages homophobes because to them, anything less than the spiteful demonization of gay people is pro-gay propoganda.
The same holds true for scientific articles like evolution and global warming. The existence of these phenomena are unquestioned by scientists. People are free to debate the particulars of how they work or what effect they will have on our future, but overly religious wiki contributors seeking to undermine fact entirely in place of some fairy tale about their "god" creating the universe should not be tolerated ("creationism" of course has its own article, and as a pseudoscience should be treated accordingly).
Believing something is true does not make it true. Reputable evidence and logic can suggest something is true, not faith.
ON INCLUSIVITY
This mostly has to do with viewpoints. Some people assume readers are ONLY looking for scientific facts, or some other particular lense through which to examine a subject. However there are some people who, for example, want to learn about the planet earth - not just scientific facts, but about how it is personified and regarded in religions/mythologies. This should be included (maybe a separate article though), as long as the myths of its origins are presented as myths, and the science is presented as science.
I even want the homophobes' objections mentioned in the homosexuality article, and presented objectively. There's no need to insult them by calling them bad or stupid. The article should just mention the scientific data that pertains to their viewpoint. But "objective" does not mean "treat it as if it were as valid as actualy evidence". If what they think is just hateful and idiotic, then a comparison with the facts will speak for itself. For example we might mention that many homophobes assume gays molest children, and I could easily find a quote from a prominent public figure or organization that has asserted this. Then we present the statistical data on that, which reveals that gays don't molest children any more frequently than straights. And now the article contains both viewpoints, appropriately labeled as opinion and reputable evidence respectively, and fair-minded people can decide what their own personal beliefs should be about the topic.
However, the article should always focus more on facts. Comparing facts to bigoted opinions, and giving each equal time, is NOT objective. It is highly skewed. Facts should be represented first and foremost, and hateful propoganda should never be portrayed as facts.
Well that's obviously an extreme case, but I keep it in mind even when I'm editing lighter stuff like video game articles.
My Personal History
I was born in 1980 in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. My mother is an elementary school teacher and my father is a wildlife artist. I have one older brother. I showed talent in art from a very early age and always knew I would strive to become an artist someday. In 1999 I graduated from my hometown high school but spent a year living in that same town, in an apartment with my friend. Afterward I was accepted to the Minneapolis College of Art and Design where I studied for an additional year before transferring to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. My reasons for doing so were primarily that I wanted a broader education and college experience than a private art school could offer; and that the state university was much less expensive.
In 2006 I recieved a Bachelor of Science Degree in art, along with a Certificate in LGBT Studies. I am currently attending graduate school at UW-Madison, focusing in drawing and digital painting.
Ethnicity
I identify as white.
When asked what their race is, many white people refer to their ancestors' nationality. I do not pretend to do that. My family heritage includes Italian, English and French. However my parents retained practically none of the traditions of their cultures and subsequently none were passed on to me. I do not, for example, know how to speak Italian or French. Therefore I do not identify as anything other than a white American. I am still very proud of who I am and what that represents, and try to be conscious of the implications my white privilege has in today's society.
Organizations
I am a member of the recently reinstated UW-Madison colony of Delta Lambda Phi, a fraternity for gay, bisexual and progressive men.
Vocation
I recently quit my job at Home Depot, and am currently unemployed. I'm focusing on grad school and my fraternity instead.
Sexual Orientation
I came out as a gay man on my birthday in the year 2000. Since then I have been living openly, and freely lend my presence and voice to social justice causes. I have been with my partner Gilbert for three years, and we recently bought our first home together. Gilbert has an undergraduate degree in art and a graduate degree in Counseling Psychology. He currently works at Madison Area Technical College. Gilbert also models occasionally.
On Being in the Closet
I was in the closet for the first twenty years of my life.
I suffered depression for many years before I came out of the closet, and some of it lingers in the form of feelings of self-doubt and helplessness, although most of my self-esteem issues have been resolved after accepting my sexuality, leaving my small home town and attending college.
Most LGBT people suffer from depression when we are young because of the persistent homophobic attitudes and messages that pervade our culture. I was taught all my life that being gay was sick and wrong and a sin. For a few years as a teenager I seriously contemplated committing suicide, because I couldn't see how my life could amount to anything as long as I was a homosexual. I consider the way American society treats LGBT people to be nothing less than psychological abuse.
Interracial Relationship
Gilbert is Chicano, meaning that my relationship with him can be classified as interracial. This has had its own challenges and rewards aside from being in a gay relationship.
Engagement
Gilbert and I are currently engaged to be married. Our union would not be legally recognized in our state, but there will be a ceremony regardless of whether we stay here, or choose to move somewhere else to get legal rights and protections for our family.
Interests
I am an avid video game player and a proud gaymer. However, I was very disappointed at the outrageous price tag of the PS3, and plan instead on devoting myself to the Nintendo Wii.
External Links
http://eshto.deviantart.com
http://www.ryangrantlong.com
http://eshto.blogspot.com
http://www.myspace.com/eshto
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