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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Timotheus Canens (talk | contribs) at 06:42, 11 November 2012 (→‎Iantresman: close). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

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    DIREKTOR

    WP:FOOTBALLPLAYERWHOSHALLNOTBENAMED. Filer blocked as a suspected sockpuppet. The Blade of the Northern Lights (話して下さい) 20:55, 7 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]
    The following discussion has been closed. Please do not modify it.

    Attention: This request may be declined without further action if insufficient or unclear information is provided in the "Request" section below.

    Request concerning DIREKTOR

    User who is submitting this request for enforcement
    Nemambrata (talk) 13:34, 6 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]
    User against whom enforcement is requested
    DIREKTOR (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
    Sanction or remedy to be enforced
    Wikipedia:ARBMAC#Final_decision
    Diffs of edits that violate this sanction or remedy, and an explanation how these edits violate it
    1. [1] 5/11/12 „You are clearly not here to have a constructive, objective discussion. To be perfectly frank, experience teaches that trying to reason with nationalist POV-pushing is a futile endeavor
    2. [2] 6/11/12 „I may be outnumbered here by Slovene Wikipedians, but I have no intention of giving up until unsourced POV is rectified
    3. [3] 5/11/12 „DancingPhilosopher, I am allergic to nationalist POV-pushing. Please do not start something here.
    4. [4] 5/11/12 „Its painfully obvious you're here as a POV crusader. Your additions to the lede do not have consensus. Further nationalist POV-pushing and revert-warring will be brought up on the appropriate noticeboard (please take heed of WP:ARBMAC). Please insert the list into the main body of the article, it is not for the lede. Nor is it acceptable for you to add unwarranted emphasis on your country's losses, while removing mention of other nationalities altogether. Your personal perceptions of "importance" and "relevance" concern noone but yourself.“
    5. [5] 29/10/12 „There is nothing more to discuss here, there is only never-ending nationalist bickering.“
    6. [6] 29/10/12 „This just looks like nationalist POV-pushing to me. Silvio just really really likes the name Gondola, and isn't content with it being displayed as a prominent alternative name in the lead (Gondola). Most likely no amount of sources and argumentation will be sufficient to shift his position, and this will probably end in annoyed admins handing-out sanctions.
    7. [7] 30/10/12 „I'm sorry to say it will probably be very difficult for us to cooperate in future, Silvio. Your extremely aggressive nationalist edit-warring and POV-pushing on this article, where you have repeatedly entered controversial changes without talkpage consensus and against opposition is highly inappropriate behavior. Had this been a less-obscure article, I estimate you would already have been blocked
    8. [8] 28/10/12 „This is the English-language Wikipedia, please refrain from abusive italianizing of Croatian noble families
    9. [9] 2/5/10 „User:Theirrulez, regardless of whether you are a sock or not, you need to understand what it is you are doing. This is not itWiki. Here we look at English language, not Italian language usage or some source you happen to choose, and Gundulić is the English name for this family. That's one thing. The second thing you must understand is that what you suggesting is highly offensive nationalist/irredentist POV which had already gotten a large number of users banned from enWiki. The same users you are likely now in contact with, I might add, judging from some of your posts.“ „The third point I must make is that, even if you are not an actual WP:SOCK, you are currently acting as a WP:MEATPUPPET for a clique of banned users. That is an actual real breach of Wiki policy, not an honest good-faith mistake.
    10. [10] 6/10/12 „I'm reasonably certain most users, that aren't pushing the Serbian puppet state POV, would agree.“ „This is a very obscure neck of the woods and its easy to manipulate the informal terminology used by some sources to push Serbian nationalist POV. I am constantly concerned about where this article will go under constant nationalist POV-pushing pressure.
    Diffs of notifications or of prior warnings against the conduct objected to (if required)
    1. Warned on Date by Name of user who made warning 1 (talk · contribs)
    2. Warned on Date by Name of user who made warning 2. If there is no warning 2, delete this entire line (talk · contribs)
    Additional comments by editor filing complaint

    DIREKTOR have constant personal attacks against other users that do not agree with him and often point to their ethnic background, accuse them for nationalism and socking and threat to report them if they do not accept his position. From this diff list is clear that DIREKTOR who is user from Croatia have disputes with other users from countries around Croatia (Italy, Slovenia, Serbia) and accuse all of them for nationalism and POV push, insult them and threat them. Administrators should stop this behavior. Nemambrata (talk) 13:34, 6 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]

    Notification of the user against whom enforcement is requested

    [11] - notification


    Discussion concerning DIREKTOR

    Statement by DIREKTOR

    Um... am I supposed to say something? I have no idea what this is supposed to be about. These are brazenly cherry-picked, out-of-context, perhaps overly-candid discussion responses. Selected, with great care no doubt, out of a huge number of posts from a host of difficult discussions - which I always try my best to resolve without giving other people work to do on noticeboards. DancingPhilosopher or Silvio1973 might appear with statements along the lines of "oh yes block him, block him!", but they're right now trying to push controversial changes which I oppose. I don't know what else to add. I could go point-by-point, I guess.. The first post is imo justified, given the context of DancingPhilosopher's preceding outburst ("Do not try to compare this loss with the Croatian one! Ever! During the WW II Croats were granted an independent state, don't you try to compare this with the Slovenes teared between three occupiers!"), the second point is a joking remark, etc. This is all quite harmless, when you take away the bold and read the context, that is (imo even the context may be unnecessary for some points). -- Director (talk) 14:12, 6 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]

    Please note that User:Nemambrata has selectively WP:CANVASSED users with whom he knows I have, currently or previously, had a disagreement (regardless of whether they have anything to do with this or not).
    To be perfectly honest, I don't think I'm out of line in suggesting WP:BOOMERANG sanctions here. If anything's been shown, its wikistalking and malicious canvassing. This looks like a pretty transparent attempt to simply have another user blocked for opposing Nemambrata and his pals at Talk:Territory of the Military Commander in Serbia, and frankly I think this noticeboard has seen more than enough of that show. -- Director (talk) 16:38, 6 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]

    Comments by others about the request concerning DIREKTOR

    Statement by Silvio1973

    Direktor is a very skilled user with a good knowledge of the technicalities of Wikipedia rules. Also, he is very experienced and knows how much he can push things without getting any consequences. This is absolutely fine, but the issue is that sometime in order to get things his way he deliberately focus the discussions more on form that on matter, getting to results that might be "conform to rules" but in opposition to very reputed secondary sources. In that sense, the recent discussions on House of Gundulic (if someone has the energy to go trough, by the way there is a 3O pending on the article) and Dalmatia are valid examples.

    However, the real issue is another. It is true that sometime Direktor uses strong wording towards users with different opinions. The thing is that such wording is strong, but not that strong to justify in my eyes any enforcement. But I agree that such comportment can be irritating after a while, because it is repetitive. However, I have been trough a few Talk pages involving Direktor and other users and found out that 95% (if not 99%) of the time, the users getting in an Edit-War with him are the ones being blocked in the end. This happens because he knows how much he can push things. Recently my edits have been qualified of "extremely aggressive and nationalist". Well, now I welcome anyone to go trough my edit and see if there is anything of "extremely aggressive and nationalist" (and please mind that usually all my edits are supported by sources). But I also know that if I had escalated the matter I would ended being blocked, because I am the one less knowledgeable of the rules and I would have been the first one "crossing the line". So I preferred to keep a low profile and swallow my pride. The situation would be different if more competent users and administrators were involved in the discussions concerning all topics about the Balkans but I realise that this is impossible, because sometime the articles concern quite obscure matters.

    Comment by Lothar von RIchthofen

    Yup, that's a lot of canvassing. WhiteWriter Antidiskriminator No such user N-HH Silvio1973 Theirrulez DancingPhilosopher Viator slovenicus. ~~ Lothar von Richthofen (talk) 17:56, 6 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]

    Comment by Volunteer Marek

    Nothing here that's objectionable, though DIREKTOR should probably lay off using the term "nationalist" so frequently (nationalists almost ALWAYS call others "nationalists" so, even if the use of the term is justified, it reflects badly on the user (I know, I've done it myself)).

    Other than that, yeah, maybe BOOMERANG it. Volunteer Marek  18:53, 6 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]

    Comment by Peacemaker67

    Some perhaps injudicious remarks, but essentially this is vexatious in my view. User:Nemambrata has very unclean hands when it comes to poor wikibehaviour, including having been:

    • warned by me for edit warring and poor edit summaries on 1 August (the day he became a registered user) here [12]
    • warned by User:MrX for disruptive editing on 4 August [13]
    • reported at WP:ANI by User:DIREKTOR as an WP:SPA on the same day
    • ARBMAC warned by User:Joy on 5 October here [14]
    • reminded of ARBMAC by User:bobrayner here [15] on 22 October in respect of changing "Srebrenica genocide" to "Srebrenica massacre" on two dozen articles without once discussing on a talk page
    • reminded about ARBMAC again by me on 23 October [16] for continuing the same behaviour as User:bobrayner warned him about
    • warned by User:DIREKTOR for disruptive editing on 23 October [17].

    Now, User:Nemambrata has only made 368 edits as a registered user in that user name (although he has acknowledged elsewhere that he has edited before that). That is an impressive record for only 368 edits. I will advise all of the editors I have listed regarding this report. I consider WP:BOOMERANG is in order. Peacemaker67 (send... over) 13:00, 7 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]

    Comment by Joy

    I agree with Peacemaker67 on the basic point that Nemambrata is reporting DIREKTOR with unclean hands. IIRC, the former user has appeared recently in another discussion where he apparently barged in without WP:ARBMAC in mind, so them filing an enforcement request on the same matter is really pushing the envelope. I doubt anyone would shed a tear if Nemambrata was immediately penalized for this.

    Having said that, the regulars here will remember my own unrelated complaint over DIREKTOR being pointlessly combative. Sadly, it's not entirely unrelated. I quickly skimmed the articles covered in this complaint, and soon found this: [18] [19] Yes, DancingPhilosopher is apparently adding peacock-ish non-summary information to the lead section and drops two factoids along the way. (Censuring DancingPhilosopher for doing that would be entirely warranted.) But the most sensible course of action is to move the relevant part of that information out of the lead and into a relevant section, not just revert it completely.

    If I had infinite time in the world, I'd engage in further analysis, but I don't. Granted, the same can apply to DIREKTOR - we can't really expect him to do everything perfectly. So he did something quick and suboptimal - but it was still better than the other person. Trouble is, people will eventually find it hard to believe that a person can find the time to write large amounts of text in edit summaries and on Talk, yet can't find the time to try to be more constructive, in an effort to reduce the amount of vitriol. Especially in these topic areas where we know that vitriol is important to avoid.

    I hope that someone will find the time to examine the matter and do something productive here, but I'm not really optimistic, since there's a huge amount of material to try to make sense of, and most of it is rather subtle.

    --Joy [shallot] (talk) 14:30, 7 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]

    If I can just quickly explain here: imo pointless listing of Slovene counties promised by the 1915 Treaty of London does not belong in that article: that's what the wikilink's there for. And there had been some active discussion on the talkpage whether the Julian March article itself is warranted in the first place (DancingPhilosopher is quite right on more than a few points). That said, if the user wanted to introduce the list of Slovene counties into the main text, I wouldn't make any objections. That's what I meant. I myself don't want to do it, though: I think its too much detail for that article. -- Director (talk) 16:38, 7 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]
    Comment by bobrayner

    I agree with Joy and Peacemaker67. I don't always agree with DIREKTOR but I have seen DIREKTOR working hard to mitigate pov-pushing on Balkan articles, and the complaints above are just quotemining. Nemambrata's activity in the last 4 weeks can be summarised as follows:

    1. About twenty edits to water down our coverage of atrocities committed by Serbs, most importantly getting rid of that pesky word "genoicide". Each of these edits was rightly reverted by other editors.
    2. Blank the warnings received from other editors (warning-then-blanking is all that happens on Nemambrata's talkpage).
    3. Three more pov-pushing edits; [20] [21] [22]
    4. One edit to create this thread and one edit to notify DIREKTOR;
    5. Ten edits canvassing ten editors who have disagreed with DIREKTOR in the past.

    And that's it. None of those edits are a net positive to the encyclopædia; every single one is a net negative, part of a pov-pushing campaign. I won't pretend that DIREKTOR is perfect, but this enforcement request is just retaliation; which is a disappointingly common reward for editors who try to maintain neutrality on Balkan articles. Nemambrata should know how ARBMAC works - they've been warned about it enough times. bobrayner (talk) 20:11, 7 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]

    I would also point out the remarkable coincidence that a new editor has such a large overlap with HuHu22. HuHu22 was blocked by Salvio giuliano (talk · contribs) in late July, as a sock of Warhammer76 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) who had been blocked for harassing DIREKTOR. Nemambrata started editing on 01 August and showed a remarkable level of proficiency for a newbie - and made a series of reverts identical to HuHu22. For instance, 29 minutes after creating their account, Nemambrata edited this template; does this look familiar? I can provide diffs from other articles if required. And now Nemambrata comes back to harass DIREKTOR. bobrayner (talk) 20:48, 7 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]

    Result concerning DIREKTOR

    This section is to be edited only by uninvolved administrators. Comments by others will be moved to the section above.

    Ellhn2012

    Already blocked by Sandstein
    The following discussion has been closed. Please do not modify it.

    Request concerning Ellhn2012

    User who is submitting this request for enforcement
    Fut.Perf. 11:39, 9 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]
    User against whom enforcement is requested
    Ellhn2012 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
    Sanction or remedy to be enforced
    WP:ARBMAC#Discretionary sanctions
    Diffs of edits that violate this sanction or remedy, and an explanation how these edits violate it
    1. Edit-warring to post a frivolous, politically-motivated deletion nomination for Macedonian language
      1. 31 Oct, 1 Nov, 9 Nov (Afd tags)
      2. 31 Oct, 1 Nov, 9 Nov (Misfiled rant on old (previously speedy-closed) Afd page)
    2. Aggressive rants and personal attacks on talkpage:
      1. 27 Oct
      2. 30 Oct
      3. 9 Nov
    Diffs of notifications or of prior warnings against the conduct objected to (if required)

    Standard warning: 1 November

    Additional comments by editor filing complaint

    Newish registered account, previously edited as IP 94.70.117.243 (talk · contribs · WHOIS), 194.177.198.13 (talk · contribs · WHOIS) and similar. Identity with previous IPs self-confirmed here: [23]

    Notification of the user against whom enforcement is requested

    [24]

    Discussion concerning Ellhn2012

    Statement by Ellhn2012

    Comments by others about the request concerning Ellhn2012

    Result concerning Ellhn2012

    (Self-closing; editor has been blocked indef by Sandstein. – Fut.Perf. 17:06, 9 November 2012 (UTC))[reply]

    Iantresman

    Iantresman (talk · contribs) is banned from all articles, discussions and other content related to plasma physics and astrophysics, broadly construed across all namespaces. T. Canens (talk) 06:42, 11 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]
    The following discussion has been closed. Please do not modify it.


    Request concerning Iantresman

    User who is submitting this request for enforcement
    IRWolfie- (talk) 19:48, 9 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]
    User against whom enforcement is requested
    Iantresman (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
    Sanction or remedy to be enforced
    Wikipedia:Fringe theories/Arbitration cases

    This is covered under Wikipedia:Fringe theories/Arbitration cases.

    Diffs of edits that violate this sanction or remedy, and an explanation how these edits violate it

    In this section Talk:Dusty_plasma#Reference_restoration is wikilawyering to have a book about "the plasma universe" be added to an unrelated non-fringe dusty plasmas article. He argues he wishes to add it for it's 6 pages on dusty plasmas in the appendix [25]. He has continued to argue, despite no consensus for it. I am worried that this pushing, so soon after his topic ban removal is indicative that he is going to continue to civilly POV push this fringe science subtlety; adding a burden on other editors to deal with him. He has been wikilawyering on the page.

    more details about the fringe editing

    He is claiming that "Physics of the plasma universe" is not connected to plasma universe or plasma cosmology, and that to argue with him we must provide reliable sources that argue the source is fringe (an arbitrarily high requirement to place, it's hard enough finding sources that address the plasma universe etc from a mainstream perspective, at all). (See [26][27] for a more detailed exposition of the issue with the book) This is a source he himself used to argue about plasma cosmology on that article, before his topic ban [28]. This source is the one used as a basis for much of the plasma cosmology/universe material on the website of advocates etc, e.g [29]. He's also wikilawyering that he has sources on his sources, so we need sources on his sources etc etc.

    Also note that one of his first reactions was to to go to WP:IRS, and arguing the exact opposite thing: [30] "The book is clearly fringe. How could I show that?" Wikipedia_talk:Identifying_reliable_sources#Academic_textbook_assessment_as_a_reliable_source. I'm not sure what to make of that.

    Diffs of notifications or of prior warnings against the conduct objected to (if required)
    • Iantresman is well aware of sanctions in this area, because he was under them. He recently had his topic ban from physics articles and fringe science removed by arbcom: [31].
    Additional comments by editor filing complaint

    I will note that Civil POV pushing is still POV pushing and detrimental to the encyclopedia. IRWolfie- (talk) 02:47, 10 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]

    @My76strat. The Plasma universe is a fringe viewpoint. You can confirm this if you wish at WP:FTN. That is a non-controversial statement of fact. Ask a physicist what Plasma cosmology is, and he'll shrug his shoulders. No notification is required for FTN discussions, much like RSN discussions. The comment was to attract more interested editors to the actual discussion which was at Dusty Plasmas. When someone is civilly POV pushing books that suit their fringe viewpoint then what sort of compromise do you suggest? I did discuss the issue, but when someone starts wikilawyering about sources needing sources, what do you suggest? It's clear he is aiming to use this book rather than the countless volumes dedicated to this article. IRWolfie- (talk) 11:51, 10 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]

    @Start, you are selectively quoting FRINGE. THe rest of that sentence is "and reliable sources must be cited that affirm the relationship of the marginal idea to the mainstream idea in a serious and substantial manner." We don't include fringe theory books in articles not about the fringe theory when there are perfectly adequate books not about the fringe theory. Iantresman is a supporter of plasma cosmology, and here he is adding books about it into other articles. Plasma cosmology has no direct connection to Dusty plasmas. The reasonable compromise position isn't to add the book about plasma cosmology, and I'm quite startled that you are arguing that; and you appear to go even further, saying that plasma cosmology should be mentioned when no source seriously connects them in the same way as say astrology and astronomy. IRWolfie- (talk) 13:03, 10 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]

    @Canens, By pseudoscience, it's hard to find a source that says catagorically pseudoscience, that is mostly be because it's hard to find a source that addresses it at all because it is so very fringe. It's referred to as a "a persistent but extremely off-base crackpottery that plagues astronomy" in places [32]. here a major proponent is compared to a creationist: [33]. Errors with books [34] etc. This is not a respected alternative formulation. I think the admins will need to use their discretion, or I can take it to arbcom also if you think that's what needs to be done? It meets the arbcom description: " Wikipedia contains articles on pseudoscientific ideas which, while notable, have little or no following in the scientific community, often being so little regarded that there is no serious criticism of them by scientific critics." IRWolfie- (talk) 16:19, 10 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]

    @Canens, I think extending that topic ban to Plasmas as well would be prudent as well. For example, dusty plasmas is under the plasma physics category (although dusty plasmas are mainly used in astrophys it seems). IRWolfie- (talk) 20:00, 10 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]

    @TDA The issue is that this is just going to repeat. This occurred almost immediately after his unban; and so a lot of editor time will be devoted to making sure it doesn't happen again and then dealing with it when it does. IRWolfie- (talk) 21:50, 10 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]

    @Strat, Why would a notice be needed? The discretionary sanctions exist because of his very case. He has just come off a arbcom topic ban. This proposal is to enforce the previous ruling, it falls under the topic as TDA pointed out. IRWolfie- (talk) 23:14, 10 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]

    Notification of the user against whom enforcement is requested

    [35]

    Discussion concerning Iantresman

    Statement by Iantresman

    I am surprised that this RFAR has been placed, as the discussion was still in progress, with some constructive information emerging slowly, dispute resolution was not considered, and I expressed being open to using the Reliable Sources Noticeboard (WP:RSN).[36]

    I disagree with the characterisation which I feel is a misuse of the term Wikilawyer, as I am providing "reasoned arguments in a debate". I would summarise the issue as follows (some of this is repeated in the Dusty Plasma thread mentioned).

    1. Some time ago, I added a section on "Dynamics" to the article on Dusty Plasmas.[37] The information came from a scientific textbook I am familiar with, The Physics of the Plasma Universe, and that I know other mainstream plasma physicists use. You can compare the article content with the source, here.[38] Since it IS the source, I am uncomfortable removing due credit.
    2. I took note of why the reference was removed in 2007, and found that the editors appeared to be mistaken: (a) one was comparing the 1992 book with another theory which did not exist until at least 6 years later in 1998 [39] (b) another editor thought the book was not relevant, which my image scan above shows to be incorrect.
    3. As an extra measure, I reviewed WP:IRS, and reviewed the existing mainstream literature, looking for independent verifiable assessments (so that no-one needs rely on the fallible opinions of editors, myself included). I found that the book was republished by academic publisher Springer in 2012.[40] I found two positive reviews of the book in mainstream peer-reviewed journals, one of which specifically mentions the "useful appendix [..] on dusty and grain plasma" [41][42] I found that the book was being used as a reliable source in a couple of other textbooks,[43][44][45] All seem consistent with the book meeting WP:RS, and I found no negative use of the book as a reference.
    4. IRWolfie expressed his concerns about the book, suggesting that it was not a reliable source, and fringe.[46] Later himself and another editor advanced the opinion that the book was advocating a fringe view called "Plasma Cosmology"[47][48]
    5. I enquired at WT:IRS about assessing reliable sources.[49] and one editor responded that "fringe" isn't a synonym for "unreliable".[50] I checked the WP:FRINGE section on Reliable sources which seems to suggest that my reference met the standard. I also went back to mainstream peer-reviewed journals, and found that my reference was used as a reliable source in 10 different journals (see thread for links to each), and by an industry organisation with a long list of reputable members,[51] whose publication on Space Plasmas is written by the same author.
    6. I also found that my reference itself states that "cosmological issues are not discussed here" (preface, page v), ie. it is not a book advocating "Plasma Cosmology". None of the sources I found, suggested it was either.
    7. Since all the reliable sources that I checked seemed to contradict the concerns of the other editors, it seems reasonable that that they were aware of something I had not read, and there should be some independent verifiable reliable sources (as suggested by WP:IRS and WP:FRINGE) which share their concerns, and can be reviewed by other editors. None have been forthcoming.
    8. I am not pushing this book, as (a) it is the source used (b) I have welcomed other editors use another relevant source.[52] (I have not found one).

    I never expected that, what should have been a simple restoration of the actual source, to become so protracted, and hope that "reasoned arguments in a debate" is not mistaken for being difficult. But Wikipedia is not built on facts which editors just vote on, but independent verifiable reliable sources, which everyone can check, without relying on the opinion of fallible editors (myself included). --Iantresman (talk) 02:02, 10 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]

    Just found the hidden text at "more details about the fringe editing". Comment: (1) I actually explained why there might indeed be a connection between the book and the subjects concerned.[53] (2) We are not dealing with the fringe subject Plasma Cosmlogy, so we don't need any sources about it (3) We are dealing with a specific book, of which there are many sources that I have already provided for review, (so no-one has to look hard), that contradict the concerns. (4) If a book published by an academic publisher this year, 10 peer-reviewed journals, 3 academic textbooks, 2 peer-reviewed book reviews, and an industry organisation, that meet WP:IRS, is not enough sources, how many need to be provided? I can probably come up with another 10. (5) I think the reason that it is hard finding sources that suggest the book is unreliable, or fringe, is because the book is "educational reading for any astrophysicist"[54] and "The plasma principles, equations and cosmic applications are well described"[55] --Iantresman (talk) 02:50, 10 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]

    • @My76Strat I welcome any criticisms concerning my interactions with the other editors. --Iantresman (talk) 15:52, 10 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]
    • @Enric Naval Lied?!!! Surely you mean that you have a difference of opinion to (a) the book stating that "cosmological issues are not discussed here" (preface, page v)", and (b) the book reviews, (c) what you imagine the contents of the book to be about as you seem to be inferring it from the index. --Iantresman (talk) 16:01, 10 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]
    • @Enric Naval (1) Did you really suggest of the book, that I have "authored one of the appendixes". This is ludicrous. (2) The book has no chapters on plasma cosmology. The book has no sections on plasma cosmology. The book states that "cosmological issues are not discussed here". You can easily resolve this matter by providing a source that supports your concerns. --Iantresman (talk) 17:51, 10 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]
    • @The Devil's Advocate I'm not sure where I "plainly state this source pertains to plasma cosmology" as I have consistently stated the opposite, per my point #6 above. I gave my reason for wanting the source included, in my point #1 above, it was the source I used, and I have no reason to doubt its veracity. I have not pushed the source, per my point #8 above. I have not edited the article since 2006. I note that IRWolfie has now provided alternative sources, which seem fine. --Iantresman (talk) 18:06, 10 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]
    • @All. IRWolfie has now provided a couple of alternative sources to the article, which look satisfactory,[56] and I have no problem with them replacing the source I originally used for the section. --Iantresman (talk) 18:19, 10 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]
    • @The Devil's Advocate: (1) There is no doubt that the author of Physics of the Plasma Universe, Anthony Peratt, is an advocate then, and probably now, of "Plasma Cosmology", see for example,[57] which is the application of what might be called the "Plasma Universe" to cosmology.[58] Hannes Alfven was also an advocate,[59] (he received the Nobel Prize for physics in 1970 for his work on plasmas)[60]. Many of Alfvén's theories on plasma physics are not only found in his work cosmology, but are also cited to this day.[61] That would suggest that he is still a reliable source, even though he often deals with obscure theories.
    (2) I have never insisted on using the source. I gave my reasons for wanting to use it per my point #1 having taken due care to assess it as a reliable source, and welcoming other sources, per my point #8. --Iantresman (talk) 18:59, 10 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]
    • @T. Canens The article "Plasma Cosmology" was even tagged directly with the Category:Pseudoscience tag twice,[62][63] by the same editor. I think you have to ask yourself why the tag is no longer present, and suspect it was because it was baseless and incorrectly added. The other tag "Fringe subjects without critical scientific evaluation", was also probably removed for the same reason, and one we can easily check. Per WP:V and WP:RS, I assume that a citation to an article infers that someone has bothered to read through it and scientificly evaluate it. Here are three items by Alfvén:
    Plasma Cosmology may be wrong, and largely ignored, but it does not appear to be "without critical scientific evaluation". This is not an endorsement, or support for the subject. --Iantresman (talk) 20:11, 10 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]
    • @IRWolfie You don't ban people for engaging in discussion (and not having edited an article since 2006), nor because your view differs from all the published sources, and nor because you do not wish to consider the dispute resolution process. The Result of my Appeal to BASC, and, Arbitration motion, describe the issues and how to deal with any problems. --Iantresman (talk) 00:23, 11 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]

    Comments by others about the request concerning Iantresman

    Comment by My76Strat

    It is disquieting to see this request. Discussion is the means for collaborative editing and it is intuitively counterproductive to call for measures to stifle an opposing view without reviewing its merit. The discussion is too current to allege Iantresman is pushing against a consensus. Having observed several discussions within this topic area, I find IRWolfie asserts him or herself ubiquitously as a controlling authority on matters of content. Statements like: "The Plasma universe is a fringe viewpoint and it will not be getting space in this non-fringe article per WP:ONEWAY" is a manner of stipulating the outcome to accord with an ordained (non-consensus) premise. You IRWolfie, state that it is "a fringe viewpoint" and treat reasonable dissent ineffably. I respect that you are learned in the sciences, but you are far too stubborn for my comprise. It's a content dispute, discuss it and reach a consensus, if you can't, seek adequate wp:dr. Don't seek wp:ae unless you can show bad faith, which should be some form of wp:battleground conduct in defiance of a consensus resolution. Iantresman, by all means, please do not edit war to effect change. The 1RR is technically per 24 hour period, but I think it would be best to reach a consensus before you consider repeating the 1RR in any subsequent periods. Gain a consensus or let it go. IMO, My76Strat (talk) 06:20, 10 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]

    Addendum: A discussion was started at WP:FTN and I do not see where Iantresman was notified that his conduct was being discussed. I posted a comment there and consider the link relevant. [67] My76Strat (talk) 08:27, 10 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]

    Greetings IRWolfie. While you are technically correct that "no notification is required for FTN discussions", it is clearly recommended in the red letter admonition which states: "If you mention specific editors, please notify them. You may use {{subst:FTN-notice}} to do so." Additionally, the third bullet atop the FTN page states: "Familiarize yourself with the fringe theories guideline before reporting issues here." Therein the compromise appears to lie. The statement; "A theory that is not broadly supported by scholarship in its field must not be given undue weight in an article about a mainstream idea" suggests the "mainstream article" does not preclude an appropriately proportional extenuation of the less broadly supported view. On the other hand, your assertion that "The Plasma universe is a fringe viewpoint and it will not be getting space in this non-fringe article" attempts to supersede that guideline by compelling absolute omission. To me it seems clear that the compromise lies in a proportionate inclusion greater than null, unless it is shown completely unreliable, with no secondary validation, tantamount to a hoax. On the surface, this does not appear to be the case. My76Strat (talk) 12:38, 10 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]

    Let me be clear that it is not my intention to prescribe any conclusion or to selectively diminish a guideline. I did advocate proportional inclusion if and only if the fringe theory was reliably sourced to include secondary validation. Unless this topic has been thoroughly explored in an archived discussion, I've not seen the current discussion reach the clarity of consensus. At least one participant seemed to align with Iantresman's assertion, so his argument does not appear extraneous. And there are several thoughtful editors, like yourself, who have not posted regards, and I suspect will. The bottom line is this, I want Iantresman to succeed at his stated endeavor to reintegrate into this topic area as a productive contributor. I'd like you to help ensure nothing less; as a colleague! Perhaps this is asking too much, but I think you can be a bit more nurturing, and a bit less dismissive. I challenge Iantresman as well to show likewise considerations when thoughtful editors express dissent with his or her views. Certainly it must be possible for your collective kind to find agreeable areas for compromise, or collegial methods of expressing disagreement. And I do feel seeking AE is premature at this time. I wish you all the best. My76Strat (talk) 14:03, 10 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]

    In my opinion, the focus of this request is on measures to enforce the amended Arbcom sanction. Suggestions to impose a community topic ban should be drafted as a separate proposal and !voted on by the community at wp:an. It would be a stretch for a single non-involved admin to stipulate a topic ban under the guise of AE. If this topic is covered under discretionary sanctions, the measure could be imposed, but I recall a requisite 30 day notice that would precede implementation. What am I failing to consider in stating my opinion? My76Strat (talk) 22:40, 10 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]

    I'll retract my assertion of a 30 day notice, I believe that relates to adding a new topic to the existing list. Pertaining to this topic; "articles relating to pseudoscience, broadly interpreted, are placed under discretionary sanctions. Any uninvolved administrator may levy restrictions as an arbitration enforcement action on users editing in this topic area, after an initial warning." (emphasis mine) No matter how it is sliced, Iantresman did not violate his recent amended sanction and if you want to levy discretionary sanctions against him it is incumbent that he first be warned. WP:AC/DS further states "Warnings should be clear and unambiguous, link to the decision authorizing the sanctions, identify misconduct and advise how the editor may mend their ways". It's time to close this discussion and move on. My76Strat (talk) 00:48, 11 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]

    Greetings EdJohnston. I would feel remiss if I didn't respectfully disagree with your regards to me. Fear not however, for I am considerably out of touch, with the beautiful people; whose wisdom dominates this site. I am deeply aggrieved! My76Strat (talk) 02:48, 11 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]

    Comment by Enric Naval

    I am sorry, but the source in question and its author have very close ties to the fringe topic Plasma cosmology. The context index suggests strongly that several chapters are directly related to the fringe topic. And I see the source being used in discussions about the fringe topic in many skeptic forums and fringe websites. The name "Plasma universe" seems to be only an alternative name of the fringe topic, maybe used to avoid negative connotations. "Electric universe" is an even fringer version of the topic, and its proponents also use the author's theories. The author also collaborated in The Big Bang Never Happened, another fringe book rejected by physical cosmologists. I think this is clearly and unambiguously a fringe source from a fringe author.

    And the author has been heavily discussed in the talk page of the fringe topic because of his close relationship to the topic[68], and if you look at the results you will see that many times the author was first mentioned by Iantresman himself. Like here, here and here] in defense of the fringe topic. lantresman himself added papers by this author to support what "advocates of plasma cosmology" think [69]. Iantresman has strongly defended the classification of the author as a "plasma cosmologist"[70][71][72][73]. In the last diff he even bolds the words "Plasma universe", which are also in the title of the book we are discussing here. Thus, lantresman is prefectly aware that "Plasma universe" in a title indicates that the source is about plasma cosmology. There are many more examples and indications that Instresman knows that the source is fringe. Many of the concepts he defends as part of plasma cosmology appear as chapters in the source he was trying to introduce, like Bennet pinch and Birkeland currents. Iantresman himself cites in two different occasions two different chapters of the book in support of the plasma cosmology ideas of the author[74][75]. Despite this, he used the book reviews and book summary to claim that the book had no "Plasma cosmology" ideas.

    Summary: it is indisputably a fringe source, and Iantresman knew it. Iantresman lied about the content of the book. And he wikilawyered at length to support this lie. --Enric Naval (talk) 15:06, 10 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]

    I would like to also add that the author of the book has thanked Ian tresman in his other publications, so I think there is also probably a "knows him in real life" connection here too. IRWolfie- (talk) 15:29, 10 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]

    @Iantresman. You knew perfectly that the book had chapters on plasma cosmology because you had cited them yourself in wikipedia in support of plasma cosmology. Your statement "If you recall, I noted that the the book includes nothing on cosmology."[76] and "(...) the quote I provided shows that the book has nothing to do with cosmology."[77] are direct lies. Your statement "None of the sources I have already provided suggest that the book includes contentious material."[78] is wikilawyering because you had previously cited the contentious material in wikipedia. Idem for "Likewise, you have suggested that the book is "advocating plasma cosmology"[26], and I have provided a source from the book, that you can check yourself, indicating that it does not (my point #5 above)."[79] since the book does advocate the theories of plasma cosmology. Idem for " For example, you have mentioned "plasma cosmology" now for the third time, and as I have previously shown with a quote, (my point #5, above), the quote seems to contradict this characterisation"[80]. And doubly for "00My source seems to contradict your suggestion that the book is an "advocating plasma cosmology". I don't think it is unreasonable then, to have some independent reliable published sources, in order to review your conclusion, per WP:IRS. Have you looked through a copy of Physics of the Plasma Universe?"[81] since Iantresman has actually read a copy and he has authored one of the appendixes, and he has seen the plasma cosmology content himself. --Enric Naval (talk) 16:38, 10 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]

    @T. Canens. Hum, we are asking that lifting of the topic ban by arbcom is overturned and that the community topic ban is restored. The community topic ban was about "general POV-warrior of all sorts of pseudoscience and fringe science ideas", not just pseudoscience. Should this be made as a amendment to arbcom? I think that the disruptive behaviour should be enough to restore the community ban under normal provisions, but well..... --Enric Naval (talk) 16:38, 10 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]

    Comment by The Devil's Advocate

    Ian plainly states this source pertains to plasma cosmology and WP:ARB/PS was brought to ArbCom by Ian specifically in relation to the subject of plasma cosmology so obviously it falls under the topic area subject to discretionary sanctions. This is certainly a fringe view now, but it does not appear to have always been fringe. With that under consideration, using a source from when it was still a noteworthy minority view to support material unrelated to the actual view in question would not appear to be a problem in itself. However, unless I am mistaken, the section that it was apparently being used to support is now sourced to more recent works. If the material is reliably referenced, then it appears the only basis for pushing to restore the source is because Ian wants it to be in the article, which would be a problem.--The Devil's Advocate (talk) 17:29, 10 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]

    My apologies then, Ian. It seems that we are left with some element of uncertainty then. From a little reading, it seems the author of the 1992 work is an advocate for plasma cosmology. Do you dispute that?--The Devil's Advocate (talk) 18:17, 10 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]
    Since it seems Ian is now dropping his insistence on including the source given IR's new sourcing, I believe there is no further basis for pursuing action.--The Devil's Advocate (talk) 18:22, 10 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]

    Result concerning Iantresman

    This section is to be edited only by uninvolved administrators. Comments by others will be moved to the section above.
    • I'm not sure if this one fits WP:ARBPS#Discretionary sanctions. It's fringe, but is it pseudoscience? T. Canens (talk) 15:51, 10 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]
      • AE can't overturn arbcom. You'll need either a fresh community discussion or go ask arbcom directly. I'll need to read up a bit more on this to see if it fits ARBPS. If it does, we can proceed to the merits. T. Canens (talk) 17:33, 10 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]
        • TDA has a good point. At the time of the decision, plasma cosmology was in Category:Fringe subjects without critical scientific evaluation which was a subcategory of Category:Pseudoscience. Given the phrasing of WP:ARBPS#Tommysun banned ("The term "pseudoscience" shall be interpreted broadly; it is intended to include but not be limited to all article in Category:Pseudoscience and its subcategories."), I think it clear that the arbitration committee that decided the Pseudoscience case in December 2006 intended that plasma cosmology be considered as related to pseudoscience as that term is used in that decision, and I can see no evidence that later arbcoms that placed the topic area under discretionary sanctions intended anything different.

          I think the complaint has merit. Whether or not Iantresman is ready to contribute in other physics-related areas, I don't think they should be editing anything related to plasma cosmology in particular, or astrophysics in general, and I think a topic ban is appropriate. T. Canens (talk) 18:14, 10 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]

          • With respect to your original point, pseudoscience and fringe theories are so closely linked that in general, we can probably just treat scenarios as falling under "broadly construed" if we are unsure. I have no objection to your topic ban proposal. NW (Talk) 00:34, 11 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]
        • In answer to My76Strat: User:Iantresman was a named party of the WP:ARBPS case. A party should not require a special notice that the discretionary sanctions of that case can apply to them. EdJohnston (talk) 01:23, 11 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]

    I'm closing this now. It is well settled precedent that named parties to an arbitration case are considered to be on notice of the discretionary sanctions authorized within that case; this is especially so in the case of Iantresman, who until recently was under a topic ban in this area. Moreover, Iantresman was in fact notified of the motion authorizing discretionary sanctions by a clerk. Under these circumstances, I see no reasonable probability that arbcom will require yet another warning as a result of the clarification request, and therefore no reason to delay closure of this thread. I also think IRWolfie-'s suggestion that we the topic ban cover plasma physics as well is sound.

    Accordingly, under the authority of WP:ARBPS#Discretionary sanctions, Iantresman (talk · contribs) is banned from all articles, discussions and other content related to plasma physics and astrophysics, broadly construed across all namespaces. T. Canens (talk) 06:41, 11 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]