User:JHK

Folks, it's been a blast, but I'm too tired to play anymore. I've worked very hard to master my craft and have objective opinions that I'm good at it, so I don't need the wikipedia for validation. I enjoyed being here because I felt I was part of a community with a common goal, working with (mostly) other fun, friendly, intelligent people. Even people with whom I have had major differences, like Ed have become congenial colleagues, and I thought there was an atmosphere here of mutual respect. Over the past few days this seems to have changed. I feel that my integrity has been questioned by a group of people who refuse to provide even the least amount of information about themselves. If it's not any fun, and the dread of finding out what the next day brings is much more evident than any emotional or intellectual reward, I see no reason to spend my time here.

Much discussion has taken place of late on the Wikipedia mailing list on how to attract more experts. I think Ortolan88 is correct that experts are not necessary -- only intelligent, well-educated (even to a good high school level) people who can write well. I would take it a step further. Because the wikipedia is open to all comers, experts are not really welcome except by the few who are both open to constructive criticism and secure in their own abilities. As the wikipedia has grown, I have seen more and more people without those qualities take their places among us. I had hoped that the wikipedia would be a successful project and would avoid sinking to the demands of the lowest common denominator, instead becoming an up-to-date, useful online resource I could recommend to my students. It may eventually be so, but I think it will take a while and may not happen unless guidelines for contributions and behavior actually become enforceable standards. Not that I believe in excessive force, but at present there is no real mechanism for dealing with people who consistently contribute badly written articles or behave in an anti-social manner. Perhaps that will happen eventually, and that time may coincide with a point where I once again have time to give to such an ambitious and (I believe) worthy project. I hope so. Until then, those of you who want to find me know how. I'll be happy to answer questions by e-mail. Hasta, ciao, salud, and tschüss. Jules

Bon voyage, and I hope you find yourself back here again sometime--you don't need the project, but it may need you. Vicki Rosenzweig

I hope to "see" you again too. Best, --KQ

Damn - the project will miss you greatly and this place will not be the same without you. I do hope you can come back soon. There really does need to be minimum standards here as you say and I will work toward making these policy. Maybe then you can return -- I just hope the sublte revionists don't take control before then. Good luck and I wish you well.--mav

I'm sorry to see you go, Julie. You'll be sorely missed. --Stephen Gilbert

Some days I get so angry at the whole idea of Wikipedia. This is one of them and this is why. All the best, Ortolan88.

It is understandably a sad day for the rest of us to see you go away, but the wearing nature of some disputes demands rest, and that too is understandable. I will continue to harbour the quiet hope that your name will again appear on Recent changes. At 59 I should have learned long ago to cast aside idealism, in the way one casts aside the toys from childhood. There is much to be said in favour of the Wikipedia project, but there are still things that happen here that reflect problems with a much wider scope. I truly believe that many people have difficulties grasping that real NPOV is not a question of your NPOV versus my NPOV. See ya! Eclecticology