Wikipedia talk:Wikipedia Signpost/2013-12-04/Traffic report

Discuss this story

Who is writing, editing and ultimately taking responsibility for these? Thanksgiving is completely not OK, and the description for Tendulkar is not anywhere near 'good' either. NW (Talk) 07:12, 5 December 2013 (UTC)[reply]

You can direct any comments at me. It would be nice if you could be more specific. It's also important not to confuse the Signpost, which is in the mainspace and thus subject to Wikipedia rules on neutrality, with the Top 25 report, which isn't. Serendipodous 08:30, 5 December 2013 (UTC)[reply]
No one was saying it wasn't meant to be neutral. But referring to a functional Native American genocide as "long, tempestuous and occasionally abusive relationship with its native population" is incredibly diminishing. It isn't funny and serves no productive purpose. NW (Talk) 17:47, 5 December 2013 (UTC)[reply]
The Signpost most certainly isn't in the main space, nor is it required (unless by its own policies) to be neutral. If this page is meant to be neutral, it isn't doing a very good job. J Milburn (talk) 08:51, 5 December 2013 (UTC)[reply]
(edit conflict) Not to nitpick or get away from the discussion at hand, but the Signpost isn't in mainspace, nor is it subject to WP:NPOV. I assume the point you're trying to make is that the Signpost aims to maintain journalistic objectivity and professionalism, while WP:TOP25 is a less formal endeavor. — PinkAmpers&(Je vous invite à me parler) 08:52, 5 December 2013 (UTC)[reply]
Er, yeah. That. To be honest I wasn't the one who decided to make this a Signpost article, and I've never been particularly keen on writing it. I think "journalistic objectivity" is absolute bollocks and any attempt to attain it is just stifling free speech. In this era of Fox News and Conservapedia, when reality itself has become a topic of political debate, I don't see what the value is in maintaining a middle ground. So I've always had a problem adapting the list for this page. If someone else wants to have a go, they're welcome. Serendipodous 08:58, 5 December 2013 (UTC)[reply]
Keep doing what you're doing, Serendipodous! I look forward to your reports every week. ;-) Liz Read! Talk! 14:03, 5 December 2013 (UTC)[reply]
  • I think what NuclearWarfare is taking issue with, and what I've taken issue with for a while (but have been biting my tongue because, frankly, the Signpost has bigger issues) is the lack of professionalism on this page. There is going to be, of course, a difference of opinion as to how serious this page needs to be, but I find that the bad (bad as in not actually funny) jokes and casual tone do a disservice to the Signpost, which otherwise generally tries to be serious. Sven Manguard Wha? 16:56, 5 December 2013 (UTC)[reply]
I agree that sometimes Signpost comments intended to be funny have been controversial and generally should be avoided. Instead of discussing this here I suggest Wikipedia talk:Wikipedia Signpost/Newsroom since it's relevant to multiple Signpost publications. --Pine 06:25, 6 December 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Fair enough. I don't really want to do this anyway. close it down. Serendipodous 17:02, 5 December 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Argh. Another cool part of Wikipedia dies. Just so you know, I've always enjoyed the traffic report, mainly for its tone and style. It was a bit of relief from the generally crusty, way-too-literal tone that dominates Wikipedia. Bobnorwal (talk) 20:34, 5 December 2013 (UTC)[reply]
It's rarely a good idea to end anything on the say-so of a small number of vocal opponents. Powers T 21:34, 5 December 2013 (UTC)[reply]
Not what I wanted, but that's your choice to make. I long ago stopped contributing to the Signpost because I stopped finding doing so enjoyable. Sven Manguard Wha? 23:46, 5 December 2013 (UTC)[reply]
Serendipodous I hope you continue to write this report. It's good to know what articles interest our readers and I like reading your comments about what might have made the world interested in particular articles each week. I appreciate your work. --Pine 06:15, 6 December 2013 (UTC)[reply]