 | This is an archive of past discussions about Wikipedia:Centralized discussion. Do not edit the contents of this page. If you wish to start a new discussion or revive an old one, please do so on the current main page. |
| Archive 1 | Archive 2 | Archive 3 |
Replace this image female and Replace this image male are the latest versions of placeholder boxes that have been systematically added to 50,789 living biography articles lacking photos of their central subjects. The boxes link to a specialized upload form and license template system soliciting pertinent photos or illustrations from readers.
Some of these placeholder boxes have been removed from articles, and concerns and objections have been put forward. These include:
- The addition of these boxes violates the WP:SELF guideline, which argues that reference to Wikipedia's editable nature should generally not take place within articles.
- Most readers would not be able or willing to help; the box detracts from the article for the vast majority of readers, while being useful for only a very few.
- By appealing specifically to readers who are not familiar with Wikipedia's approach to copyright, the system will lead to an inordinate number of copyright violations; the fact that most uploaders are presently experienced editors is a good thing.
- The system is redundant; there are already initiatives and sidebar links to encourage the uploading of photos.
- The boxes are unsightly, resembling advertisements found on commercial websites with for-profit motives.
- The boxes suggest the article is inadequate; Wikipedia is always a work-in-progress, but an article without a photo should not be considered inadequate (as an article that lacks references is).
Proponents of the system have stated that the system is already effective at soliciting new photos. They are in the process of documenting this claim. They state:
- More than 430 free photos (and illustrations) have been uploaded and filtered in Category:Reviewed images of people replacing placeholders.
- The simplified upload form is more user-friendly than Wikipedia's existing system (at least for new users).
- The form has a system built in that eases filtering of resulting photos and illustrations for copyvios.
- Concerns regarding appearance could be addressed by an understated redesign.
- Placeholders are consistent with the philosophy of Wikipedia that encourages everyone to participate, new users especially.
Should the addition of this box be allowed? Does the placeholder system and graphic image need to be improved to satisfy policies and guidelines for inclusion? Is it appropriate to some kinds of biographies, but not to others?
How we got here
Prior discussion has taken place in various corners: user talk pages, image talk pages, article talk pages, and at some wikiprojects.
From April 9 to 11, 2008 there was a "Proposal to suspend all further use of this graphic on article pages pending a centralized discussion" (archived here) at Image talk:Replace this image female.svg. The proposal passed with 18 editors in agreement, 12 editors in disagreement, and 2 abstentions.
User:Kleinzach closed the previous discussion on April 11 and provided a thorough summary in the section Summing up. (The summary is recommended reading; it's nice and succinct.) We then began this centralized discussion. Pending the outcome of this discussion, some editors have agreed to suspend their addition or removal of this placeholder box as we look toward a broader consensus.
- For more background, see An overview of image placeholders below.
Conclusion
As agreed, discussion of the 'Questions' and 'Proposals' concluded on Wednesday, April 23 (12.00 GMT/UTC).