Gary Greenbaum (Wehwalt)
Posted: Thu Jun 27, 2019 8:09 pm
The editor credited with the most Featured Articles on Wikipedia.
Unsurprisingly, he's a bit of an entitled prick, even by Super-Wikipedian standards. Literally the day after he objects to a fellow editor calling sections of the community a "mob", he thinks nothing of accusing identifiable individuals at the WMF, the organisation that pays the bills so he can indulge his hobby, of lying and conspiracy. Or rather, he sees no reason why they would not have lied or engaged in a conspiracy. The fact they have already made public statements (that Fram was investigated after complaints from the community) that could be used to get them fired if they had lied and had conspired, seems to make no odds to Wehwalt.
Did I mention he is a lawyer?
Wikipedia supposedly holds their WP:BLP policy sacrosanct. It says don't accuse people of serious misconduct without serious evidence (and if necessary, only do it as part of an appropriate process and in an appropriate venue, which that is clearly not). He will face no consequences, because on Wikipedia, writing that much 'quality' content buys you immunity from the Administration. Oh, and OF COURSE, he is also a Wikipedia Administrator. Held to the highest standards of conduct. Because why wouldn't he be?
It took me five minutes to find other recent instances of Wehwalt making comments of a personal and even threatening nature, the common thread being targetted at former Wikipedia volunteers who have since gone on to monetize this experience with paid positions with the WMF and Affiliates. All Wehwalt seems to have gained for his efforts, is a post as a Visiting Scholar with the Wiki Education Foundation. An unpaid position. Unless you count payment in kind in terms of access to resources.
This is Wikipedia.
Unsurprisingly, he's a bit of an entitled prick, even by Super-Wikipedian standards. Literally the day after he objects to a fellow editor calling sections of the community a "mob", he thinks nothing of accusing identifiable individuals at the WMF, the organisation that pays the bills so he can indulge his hobby, of lying and conspiracy. Or rather, he sees no reason why they would not have lied or engaged in a conspiracy. The fact they have already made public statements (that Fram was investigated after complaints from the community) that could be used to get them fired if they had lied and had conspired, seems to make no odds to Wehwalt.
Did I mention he is a lawyer?
Wikipedia supposedly holds their WP:BLP policy sacrosanct. It says don't accuse people of serious misconduct without serious evidence (and if necessary, only do it as part of an appropriate process and in an appropriate venue, which that is clearly not). He will face no consequences, because on Wikipedia, writing that much 'quality' content buys you immunity from the Administration. Oh, and OF COURSE, he is also a Wikipedia Administrator. Held to the highest standards of conduct. Because why wouldn't he be?
It took me five minutes to find other recent instances of Wehwalt making comments of a personal and even threatening nature, the common thread being targetted at former Wikipedia volunteers who have since gone on to monetize this experience with paid positions with the WMF and Affiliates. All Wehwalt seems to have gained for his efforts, is a post as a Visiting Scholar with the Wiki Education Foundation. An unpaid position. Unless you count payment in kind in terms of access to resources.
This is Wikipedia.