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{{Casenav|case name=Skepticism and coordinated editing|clerk1=Dreamy Jazz|clerk2=Amortias|clerk3=MJL|draft arb=Barkeep49|draft arb2=Izno|draft arb3=L235|draft arb4=|active=12|inactive=3|recused=0||scope=Editing behavior and potential coordinated editing in skepticism topics}}
{{Wikipedia:Arbitration/Requests/Case/Skepticism and coordinated editing/Header notice}}
 
Arbitration case pages exist to assist the Arbitration Committee in arriving at fair, well-informed decisions. This page is not designed for the submission of general reflections on the arbitration process, Wikipedia in general, or other irrelevant and broad issues; and if you submit such content to this page, please expect it to be ignored or removed. General discussion of the case may be opened on the [[{{TALKPAGENAME}}|talk page]]. You must focus on the issues that are important to the dispute and submit diffs which illustrate the nature of the dispute or will be useful to the committee in its deliberations.
 
'''Submitting evidence'''
* Any editor may add evidence to this page, irrespective of whether they are involved in the dispute.
* You must submit evidence in your own section, using the prescribed format.
* Editors who change other users' evidence may be sanctioned by arbitrators or clerks without warning; if you have a concern with or objection to another user's evidence, contact the [[Wikipedia:Arbitration Committee/Clerks|arbitration clerks]] by e-mail or on the talk page.
 
'''Word and diff limits'''
* <u>The standard limits for all evidence submissions are: 1000 words and 100 [[help:diffs|diffs]] for users who are parties to this case; or about 500 words and 50 diffs for other users.<u> Detailed but succinct submissions are more useful to the committee.</u>
* If you wish to exceed the prescribed limits on evidence length, you must obtain the written consent of an arbitrator before doing so; you may ask for this on the [[{{TALKPAGENAME}}|Evidence talk page]].</u>
* Evidence that exceeds the prescribed limits without permission, or that contains inappropriate material or diffs, may be refactored, redacted or removed by a clerk or arbitrator without warning.
 
'''Supporting assertions with evidence'''
* Evidence must include links to the actual page diff in question, or to a short page section; links to the page itself are inadequate. Never link to a [[Wikipedia:Edit history|page history]], an editor's contributions, or a [[Special:log|log]] for all actions of an editor (as those change over time), although a link to a log for a specific article or a specific block log is acceptable.
* Please make sure any page section links are permanent, and read the [[Wikipedia:Simple diff and link guide|simple diff and link guide]] if you are not sure how to create a page diff.
 
'''Rebuttals'''
* The Arbitration Committee expects you to make rebuttals of other evidence submissions '''in your own section''', and for such rebuttals to explain how or why the evidence in question is incorrect; do not engage in [[wikt:tit-for-tat|tit-for-tat]] on this page.
* Analysis of evidence should occur on the [[../Workshop|/Workshop]] page, which is open for comment by parties, arbitrators, and others.
 
'''Expected standards of behavior'''
* You are required to act with appropriate decorum during this case. While grievances must often be aired during a case, you are expected to air them without being [[WP:Incivil|incivil]] or engaging in [[WP:NPA|personal attacks]], and to respond calmly to allegations against you.
* Accusations of misbehaviour posted in this case must be proven with clear evidence (and otherwise not made at all).
 
'''Consequences of inappropriate behavior'''
* Editors who conduct themselves inappropriately during a case may be sanctioned by an arbitrator or clerk, without warning.
* Sanctions issued by arbitrators or clerks may include being banned from particular case pages or from further participation in the case.
* Editors who ignore sanctions issued by arbitrators or clerks may be blocked from editing.
* Behavior during a case may also be considered by the committee in arriving at a final decision.
 
__TOC__
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===Case scope and implications===
The scope was changed from GSoW to skepticism, and ArbCom needs to be aware of potential knock-on effects. (How can one describe the DS topic area for skepticism? I'm having a hard time with that.)
 
====Skepticism per WP policies====
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Under [[WP:COI]], a COI can be formed by "any external relationship". Previously ArbCom found that COI "[[Wikipedia:Arbitration/Requests/Case/BLP_issues_on_British_politics_articles#Conflicts_of_interest|also applies to conflicts that could cause unduly negative editing]]".
 
===GSoWSgerbic is involved in off-wiki activism===
The main focus here are the GSoW "sting" operations targeting mediums to discredit them: [https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/26/magazine/psychics-skeptics-facebook.html] [https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/operation-onion-ring-thomas-john-and-the-children/] [https://respectfulinsolence.com/2021/07/13/is-mrna-vaccine-inventor-robert-malone-being-erased-for-his-claims-about-covid-19/#comment-447833] [https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/click-click-click-thomas-john/] [https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/suzane-northup-operation-lemon-meringue/] [https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/operation-pizza-roll-thomas-john/] According to Sgerbic, they focus on psychics that "have enough notability to have a Wikipedia page". [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DN6Ol1KZNes&t=24s 2:30]
 
===GSoW editors have been editing BLPs wheretargeted theyby haveSgerbic's specificsting COIs due to their off-wiki activismoperations===
GSoW members have extensively edited the BLPs of subjects who theywere targeted through their stings in order to include the result of theirrun off-wikiby activismSgerbic, often sourced to publications by GSoW members and supporters.
 
* Thomas John: [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Thomas_John_%28medium%29&type=revision&diff=887554479&oldid=884098925] [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Thomas_John_(medium)&diff=900801101&oldid=898089323] [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Thomas_John_%28medium%29&type=revision&diff=987944187&oldid=979425852] [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Thomas_John_%28medium%29&type=revision&diff=1035190826&oldid=1029107677]
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* Suzane Northrop [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Suzane_Northrop&type=revision&diff=1008164668&oldid=999590016]
 
Editors: Rp2006, Wyatt Tyrone Smith, Gronk Oz (self disclosed) Efefvoc2/CatCafe, Nederlandse Leeuw (BilledMammal's analysis) Noguarde
 
===Campaigning against BLP subjects===
The major case here is Tyler Henry. Prior to his first TV series, and before he had a Wikipedia page, heTyler Henry was targeted by Sgerbic as he had no prior criticism. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UP157SmBqB4 10:36] Sgerbic wrote multiple negative articles (7+) about Henry, then organised for others to write additional negative articles. The initial BLP created by a non-GSoW editor about Henry was then edited and expanded by at least seven GSoW and closely related editors to create a highly negative BLP heavily reliant on these sources. [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tyler_Henry&type=revision&diff=963322756&oldid=715806181] (Self disclosed: Wyatt Tyrone Smith, Rp2006, Robincantin, VdSV9, Krelnik; per BilledMammal: Efefvoc2/CatCafe, Drobertpowell)
 
===Creating sources to support POVs===
 
Sgerbic has described how sources were created to add POVs in articles. In one case, she used a fake name to join a webinar by a BLP subject she was in a dispute with, asked questions related to the dispute, then provided a recording to a journalist. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4fsjrosUsk 28:00-32:44] The resulting article was added by a GSoW member. [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jeanette_Wilson&diff=960799259&oldid=960797448] (Rp2006)
 
===Responses===
I agree with Shibbolethink that a COI should not be a concern in regard to a skeptic simply writing about topics of interest to skeptics. However, herethis weinvolves havea peopleclose activelyconnection workingbetween off-wiki to discredit individual people, and then writing about their activities in the BLPs of the targets. That is a clear COI: as in the British politics case, "[[Wikipedia:Arbitration/Requests/Case/BLP_issues_on_British_politics_articles#Off-wiki_controversies_and_biographical_material|an editor who is involved in an offon-wiki controversy or dispute with another individual should generally refrain from editing articles related to that individual due to a potential conflict of interest]]", although in this case the COI goes furtheractions.
 
In regard to Johnuniq, a) this is a long term problem, so diffs displaying how this has been an issue for an extended time make sense; b) in regard to stings, the problem is not writing about them, but writing about them when there is a blatant COI; and 3) due to the nature of Wikipedia any problem can be fixed, but this does not mean that we should allow the problems to occur.
 
==Evidence presented by TrangaBellam==
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I have mostly used the GSoW FaceBook group to ask technical questions, or to request that somebody reviews a draft article I have written: sometimes Rp2006 or Sgerbic helped out with such proof reading ([https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alan_Duffy_%28astronomer%29&type=revision&diff=797776926&oldid=797742139], [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alan_Duffy_%28astronomer%29&type=revision&diff=797670405&oldid=797666755], [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alastair_MacLennan_%28obstetrician%29&type=revision&diff=864502491&oldid=864467047], [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alan_Cowman&type=revision&diff=901258476&oldid=901244810], [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Marcello_Costa&type=revision&diff=881918186&oldid=881909961]). I have also used the FB group to post lists of new [[Order of Australia]] winners as a source of ideas for articles. If a particular topic is about to hit the news, somebody might request that people review associated articles to be sure they are in good shape (e.g. [[Cupping therapy]] before the last Olympics).
 
I have never seen any inappropriate co-ordination at GSoW (e.g. [[WP:CANVASS|canvassing]], [[WP:MEAT|meatpuppetry]], or [[WP:TAGTEAM|tag teaming]]) – on the contrary, when there are contentious issues or votes (AfD, DYK, etc.) members are regularly reminded NOT to pile on with votes. Unfortunately, I don’t know of any way to provide evidence of what did not happen.--[[User:Gronk Oz|Gronk Oz]] ([[User talk:Gronk Oz|talk]]) 09:13, 22 January 2022 (UTC)
 
===Responses===
Thanks Bilby and BilledMammal for removing implications against me.
 
Bilby gives the impression that most GSoW members are involved in off-wiki activism. AFAIK that is not true. Before my time I understand Susan Gerbic started an activist organization called "Guerrilla Skeptics", who did stings and other activism. When Susan started the Wikipedia project, she used that "familiar brand" by calling it "Guerrilla Skeptics on Wikipedia" As RP2006 says, the two groups are separate. So when Susan talks about "my team of volunteers" for the Thomas John sting, there is no indication how many, if any, of them are related to GSoW.
 
==Evidence presented by Geogene==
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===Members of GSoW have coordinated to promote CSI and related entities===
Susan Gerbic [https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/learn-to-edit-wikipedia-like-a-gsow-editorndashbackwards-editing/ states] "We need to do a better job getting our publications, our podcasts, and our spokespeople mentioned in places that people are visiting and hopefully curious to learn more. Wikipedia is the perfect venue; we just need to make sure the edit exists." GSoW has done exactly that; they have added references to CSI publications throughout Wikipedia, they have written articles on CSI entities and affiliates, and they have linked these articles wherever possible, to "improve the exposure of publications like Skeptical Inquirer".
 
This 2015 post was made when [http://www.csicop.org/si/show/ten_distinguished_scientists_and_scholars_named_fellows_of_committee_for_sk SI hired Gerbic as a consultant], and the evidence I present suggests that GSoW continues to operate in this manner.
 
====References to CSI Publications====
[[Wikipedia:Arbitration/Requests/Case/Skepticism_and_coordinated_editing/Preliminary_statements#Statement_by_BilledMammal|Reviewing 100 of the articles with links to Skeptical Inquirer]], 54 were madelinked since 2018. Ofof these,which 42 were added by ana GSoW associate. This disparity, combined with Gerbic's previous statements on this matter where she [https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/editing-backwards-gsow-and-skeptical-inquirer-magazine/ documents] a coordinated effort to add a reference to every article in an edition of SI, suggests a deliberate and coordinated effort to increase the exposure of CSI.
 
Considering these references in the context of [[WP:PARITY]], three addressed an existing unaddressed fringe claim, seven added and addressed a fringe claim such as at {{diff2|1001838330|Immune system}}, while eighteen were used within skepticism broadly defined but did not relate to fringe claims. Of the remaining fourteen, two were superfluous references, while twelve were used outside skepticism.
 
====Articles relating to CSI====
Considering the article [[Committee for Skeptical Inquiry]] and five linked from it that appear to be closely related to CSI, five have significant collective contributions from various coordinated groups of GSoW associates - the sixth, CSI's parent entity, has some contributions, but these are not significant.
{| class="wikitable"
! Article !! Portion contributed by GSoW !! GSoW associate
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==Evidence presented by Johnuniq==
 
A lot of the evidence on this page shows what is already known, namely that GSoW exists. There is no evidence of edit warring other than a skirmish noted at [[#Dispute at Sharon A. Hill]] above. The only evidence of bad edits are those concerned with accurate but excessive BLP negativity regarding sting operations—Bilby [[#GSoW editors have been editing BLPs wheretargeted theyby havesting specific COIs due to their off-wiki activismoperations|listed examples above]]. However those examples are from 2015, 2019, 2020 with only two in 2021 (February + July). BLP problems are correctable—I am one of many admins who would ensure that such problems do not recur. I don't believe a community discussion would be needed, but if necessary there could be an RfC on whether BLPs should record sting operations.
 
Given claims that GSoW is a significant problem, there is remarkably little evidence of recent issues apart from bickering resulting from the 250&nbsp;KB [[Wikipedia:Conflict of interest/Noticeboard#User:Rp2006|COIN mega-discussion]]. Taking the evidence at [[#Links to articles on CSI and its affiliates]] as an example, the edits concerned are: 1 in 2014, 1 in 2015, 3 in 2016, 3 in 2017, 6 in 2018, 5 in 2019, 1 in 2020.
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===A. C. Santacruz’s behavior===
*While I’m aware of [[WP:2WRONGS]], examples of instances of improper behavior by A.C.Santacruz are needed for context; she is a named party here and thus part of the scope. [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia_talk:Arbitration/Requests/Case/Skepticism_and_coordinated_editing&diff=1067342403&oldid=1067342329]
 
*This started with a disagreement with A.C.Santacruz on the [[Sharon A. Hill]] article between her and three other editors, including me. Her edit concerned a large, seemingly unjustified deletion of a large block of text with 11 citations.[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sharon_A._Hill&diff=1057018470&oldid=1055570570&diffmode=source] Confronted with the resistance to her deletion attempt, A.C.Santacruz then "investigated" me, andtook madeit to ANI[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Conflict_of_interest/Noticeboard#User:Rp2006] with a COI (should be SELFSITE) allegation, and attempted to OUT ([[WP:DOX]]) me. When I reported this violation to WP administration, they purged her posts. [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Talk:Sharon_A._Hill&diff=1060655895&oldid=1060654317]
*But the damage was done. Before the purge, many read her posted info, which resulted in my (assumed) IRL identity being assumed as accurate, and openly discussed on at least one website. [https://wikipediocracy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=12429] Note that just 1 of the 11 citations involved alleged SelfCite material, which, in any case, another editor had added to the article long ago. This seems to have snowballed into claims that I generally engage in SELFCITING, and also have COIs with most anyone ever affiliated with CSI, (skeptics and scientists), and perhaps even the broader scientific/skeptic movement by extension. (See claims made by others here.)
 
*But the damage was done. Before the purge, editors read the info resulting in my (assumed) IRL identity being openly discussed.[https://wikipediocracy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=12429] Note that just 1 of the 11 citations involved alleged SELFCITE material, which another editor had added long ago. This snowballed into claims I generally engage in SELFCITING, and have COIs with most anyone ever affiliated with CSI, (skeptics and scientists), and even the broader scientific/skeptic community and topics. (See claims by others here, including BilledMammal's complaint [[Debunker]] and [[Mediumship]] should be off limits to me.)
*Her claims of contrition for the “unintentional” OUTING seems questionable due to her harassment of me on my Talk page, including another OUTING attempt. (“the article that started this whole mess says Hill thanked him for an edit on her page”) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Conflict_of_interest/Noticeboard?diff=prev&oldid=1063983684&diffmode=source]
 
*Her claims of contrition for the OUTING seems questionable due to harassment of me on my Talk page, including a second OUTING attempt. (“the article that started this whole mess says Hill '''thanked him''' for an edit on her page”) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Conflict_of_interest/Noticeboard?diff=prev&oldid=1063983684&diffmode=source]
 
*She justified her actions based on my lack of ‘taking proper precautions’: “How is it my fault they didn't take proper precautions before deciding to base the overwhelming majority of their edits in articles … I will never know.” [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User_talk:A._C._Santacruz&diff=1060686858&oldid=1060686488]
 
*Inappropriate behavior regarding the admin response: [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Talk:Sharon_A._Hill&diff=next&oldid=1060656391]
 
*She asked questions on my Talk page she characterized as "friendly," but which were in reality threateningnot: "I'm being friendly and giving Rp an opportunity to disclose his association willingly before taking another route."[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User_talk:Rp2006&oldid=1063639958#On_Hill talk page] An admin responded, calling this “creepy” plussaying "There is no planet on which these questions would be regarded as friendly".[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User_talk:Rp2006&diff=1063489333&oldid=1063488436]
 
*TheHer demand for editors (including me) to respond toon her quicklyschedule, showing lack of consideration for other editors' WP availability, seems a pattern of behavior, which she has misrepresented.[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User_talk:A._C._Santacruz&diff=next&oldid=1060576589&diffmode=source] For example, there was her opening and closing of two RFCs in 1 and 4 days respectively (over major holidays), plus her dismissal of thethis concern when it was pointed out to her in relation to other articles. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_talk:A._C._Santacruz?vanarticle=User%20talk%3ARp2006&noautowarn=true&vanarticlerevid=1060663371#Closure_of_%22RFC:_Should_the_websites_she_surveyed_be_described_as_%22anti-trans%22_in_the_lead?%22]
 
*RepeatedUnjustified accusations made over a typo, and literal interpretations of figures of speech:
:*Accused me of “misgendering” her over a one timesingle typo (I typed “he” vs “'''s'''he” once, and had used “she” or “they” in all other instances). [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User_talk:Rp2006&diff=1060663371&oldid=1058505691]
 
:*Accused anone editor of calling her an ape over the expression “went ape over it”, and accused another of calling her a hound because she waswhen accused of [[WP:HOUNDING]]. (See "...calling me an ape and a hound...")[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:Articles_for_deletion/Taner_Edis&diff=1056847618&oldid=1056845568]
 
===Response to A. C. Santacruz evidence===
*Alleged “statement conflicts with paid-en-wp evidence” and a friendship with the Sharon Hill are false. Is my denial somehow evidence of guilt?[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_talk:Rp2006?diff=prev&oldid=1063549890&diffmode=source]
 
*Claimed that functionary indicated “receiving credible evidence privately indicating Rp2006 has been making COI edits.” What is this evidence? Do I get to discuss or dispute the instances before they are deemed “credible”? Such evidence was not presented to me. Also “...has been making…”? is broad. Which other edits supposedly involve COIs?[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:Arbitration/Requests/Case/Skepticism_and_coordinated_editing/Evidence&oldid=1066273958#Rp2006_has_not_disclosed_COI(s)_affecting_his_editing]
 
*Canvassing accusation: I thought it was proper to post on a concerned WikiProject. I did so inat the only one I was a member of. I now knowunderstand that all tagged projects need to be notified, soand will do so going in the futureforward.[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User_talk:Rp2006&diff=1058501362&oldid=1056651297]
 
===Response to Geogene evidence===
*Regarding “A fresh COI edit by Rp2006”: I do not believe I have a COI with Robert Bartholomew, but if oneI existeddid, there would be nothing wrong with suggesting (on athe Talk page) thethat recent TV news interview of Bartholomew (along with another topic expert) as a relevant citation for the article. Presenting this as “advocating” for a person completely misrepresents the situation. [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Talk:Havana_syndrome&diff=1067295586&oldid=1067125094]
 
*Plus, tracking my “fresh” edits is [[WP:HOUNDING]], defined as “following the target from place to place on Wikipedia.” [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:Arbitration/Requests/Case/Skepticism_and_coordinated_editing/Evidence&diff=next&oldid=1067488719]
 
===Response to Bilby evidence===
You (and others) conflated those who do stings (Guerilla Skeptics) with those who work on WP (GSoW team). You made corrections, but others may have not.
 
*Plus, following and commenting on my “fresh” edits is evidence of [[WP:HOUNDING]] which is defined as “following the target from place to place on Wikipedia.” [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:Arbitration/Requests/Case/Skepticism_and_coordinated_editing/Evidence&diff=next&oldid=1067488719]
===Response to ScottishFinnishRadish evidence===
*I was unaware ofthat BLP rules applied to userspace, but have now reviewed the guidelines. I believe that the descriptions I had used can be backed-up by material from the associated articles, but I have changed to less controversial descriptions anyway, and willintend to be more careful in userspace.[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:Rp2006&diff=1066575229&oldid=1066574904&diffmode=source][https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:Rp2006&diff=1066576718&oldid=1066575857&diffmode=source][https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:Rp2006&diff=1066574904&oldid=1066569173&diffmode=source]
 
*YouRegarding your complained here that “[he] calls DS/alert template harrassmentharrassment”: I stand by that in this instance. I have edited BLPs extensively for many years, but the first time anyone ever slappedadded this Warning onto my page was in real-time during a dispute on the [[Thomas John (medium)]] page as an ANI was in progress. Ironically I am the originator of this article. In context it seemed thisthe intent was done to scare me awayoff, and thus win the edit argument. When challenged I was told it was just SOP. DidI did not observe the several editors onrepresenting the other side of thisthe argument add thethis templatewarning to one another’s pages?. GuessHmmm.[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User_talk:Rp2006&diff=1064633511&oldid=1064525606&diffmode=source]
 
===Conclusion===
*I was only able to address a portion of the evidence, but must note that it has been gathered by people going through my large body of work to find things to present negative things in support of their own POV. This is the epitome of [[Cherry picking]]. TheExamples targeted examples arewere selected from themy 13,200+ edits made over 6 years. This involves 1,880+ pages, ~67% in article space, with ~90% being still “live”. [https://xtools.wmflabs.org/ec/en.wikipedia.org/Rp2006]
 
*My work includes writing two BLP Good Articles: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Rp2006#My_two_%22Good_Articles%22], and in all I have created 7 articles from scratch, and substantially rewrote ~20 others.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Rp2006#My_most_significant_articles] Six ran as DYKs in 4 separate years.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Rp2006#My_six_DYK_articles]
 
*I have not been previously blocked/banned, and avoid admin issues and /debates, preferring to spend my time actually improving and creating articles. In fact, I think this represents my first involvement with ArbCom, ANI or any other admin action since I created an account in 2006.
 
*When these facts are considered, I hope it is determined that an admin action against my WP account would be a net deficit to the WP project.
 
==Evidence presented by Sgerbic==
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I prefer to stand on my actual editing records than to try to prove that my personal goals and biases are 100% pristine. I do my best to edit in good faith, but yes, off Wikipedia, I am biased towards science (as is Wikipedia). Please know that a lot has changed over the years. Around 2019 we did a big overhaul of our program, and with the recommendations of the ArbCom decision, GSoW will continue to improve. These are old, but I think they stand up well.[https://skepticalinquirer.org/2015/09/is-wikipedia-a-conspiracy-common-myths-explained/][https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/vandalism-on-wikipedia/]
 
There has been some talk about me having a COI with CSI because I am a CSI Fellow. I encourage ABICROMArbCom to check the date I was made a Fellow, vs the date of my supposed COI diffs.
 
I have never been banned, rarely participated in admin conversations, and only want to continue training and improving Wikipedia science and pseudoscience pages. Wikipedia has brought me a community of hard working, truth loving nerds. The last thing I or the GSoW community would want is to hurt Wikipedia which makes all of this possible. At the end of the day, we have edited alongside everyone just like any other editor, as that is what we are, editors.
Line 637 ⟶ 624:
Thank you.
 
===Response to claims GSoW is the same as Guerilla Skeptics===
==Evidence presented by {your user name}==
 
GSoW has nothing to do with psychic stings, other than probably someone from the group has proofread articles I’ve written before they went to editorial. In the quote Bilby found, I meant “we” as in the collective skeptical world “we”. Reporters ask me questions, they are interested in the Wikipedia angle and I answer them, they print what they print and I do not get to approve beforehand nor am I allowed to ask for corrections. Back in 2012 I would have never dreamt in 2022 that the similar names would be a problem, otherwise I would have been much clearer. Sometimes I speak off the cuff and sometimes I find the audience isn’t interested in details, they just want to hear the story of how a medium is talking to children about their dead family members. Look at these articles and you will see I use the phrase “Guerilla Skeptics” or “the Guerrilla Skeptic investigations” not GSoW. I have a handful of people who research mediums, I plan the stings, and I have worked with members of various skeptic groups like the Las Vegas Society of Skeptics that attended the Thomas John Vegas show. I use various people depending on the ___location. In my most recent sting, Operation Onion Ring you can see the people I used, and they have nothing to do with GSoW.[https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/operation-onion-ring-thomas-john-and-the-children/][https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Alm39HCC0No][https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/right-turns-only-circling-back-to-seatbelt-psychic/][https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/click-click-click-thomas-john/][https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/the-thomas-john-experience-review/]9[https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/suzane-northup-operation-lemon-meringue/][https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/maria-verdeschi-and-thomas-john-operation-lemon-meringue/][https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/thomas-john-and-kimberly-meredith-operation-lemon-meringue/][https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/operation-lemon-meringue-thomas-john/]
 
==Evidence presented by FeydHuxtable==
===Aggressive editing by Roxy the Dog===
Dozens of diffs had been submitted showing un-collegial editing by Roxy and other skeptics – e.g. [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Talk:Vernon_Coleman&diff=prev&oldid=1063597685 I'm just messing with your head.] These [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia%3AArbitration%2FRequests%2FCase%2FSkepticism_and_coordinated_editing%2FEvidence&type=revision&diff=1066486133&oldid=1066482482 were] later [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:Arbitration/Requests/Case/Skepticism_and_coordinated_editing/Evidence&diff=prev&oldid=1067535627 retracted]. Yet the aggressive editing took place. Roxy's aggression is not apparently confined to online posts. He posted about deciding to [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:Administrators%27_noticeboard/Incidents&diff=prev&oldid=1051633189 confront] the Colonel in real life. An aggressive editor talking of physically confronting others could exert a chilling effect on those who lack the Colonel's exceptional physical courage, and who might otherwise wish to edit from different perspectives.
This is not to argue for severe sanctions. While CSI style scepticism is not always aligned with mainstream science or the wider Wikipedia community -
{{Collapse top| Links showing what I mean for the curious, does not have to be evaluated by Arbs as not fully in scope }}
[[Wikipedia:Conflict of interest/Noticeboard/Archive 139| Here]] is an example of a well attended 2018 RfC where a skeptic attempt to strengthen policy against Alt. medicine was roundly rejected by serious editors, including some of the leading lights from MEDS. Mainstream scientists know it's false to assume fellow scientists can always be trusted to honestly report empirical findings. One of the most widely cited papers among sicentists over the last decade is [[Why Most Published Research Findings Are False]]. Our [[Scientific misconduct]] article understates the extensiveness of dishonesty – even in the UK [https://www.bmj.com/content/344/bmj.e377 "One in seven UK based scientists or doctors has witnessed colleagues intentionally altering or fabricating data during their research or for the purposes of publication"]. For over a decade our article on [[Committee for Skeptical Inquiry|CSI]] has highlighted incidents where they appear to have suppressed results that don't align with their mechanistic world view. While some whole life science departments may agree with CSI style materialism, few physicists do. (For non scientists, the [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yis7GzlXNM Bill Nye v Newton] rap is nice source showing how out of their depth sceptics are against a top rank "Woo" believing scientist. Especially if you know how feeble Nye's Incel insult is considering Newton had a relationship with Lady Alchemyda. As even the atheist Lord Keynes knew, even if you see her as a mental construct rather than an entity with supernatural reality, she is far more sexually keen than any human partner.) Sceptical editors have also been over aggressive in confronting mainstream scientists who try to add content that doesn't even vaguely challenge materialism, e.g. as described [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Arbitration/Requests/Case/Jytdog/Evidence#Beall4_a_mainstream_scientist here.]
{{Collapse bottom}}
- the oft repeated view that skeptical editors are hugely valuable in protecting us from harmful fringe is true. Extensive engagement with fringe pushers is liable to be frustrating. Hence there is a case for being less quick to sanction skeptics, even if they let their stress cause them to be uncivil to mainstream editors. And I see no reasons why they cant be allowed a reasonable amount of off-wiki coordination, as afforded to several other groups. But Roxy could benefit from a reminder about WP:Civil, or possibly even a caution.
 
==Evidence presented by Roxy the dog==
 
I am not, and have never been, a member of "GSoW" or "Guerilla Skeptics".
 
Much of my editing could be said to be co-ordinated by Talk pages, Noticeboards and Projects. I often vote at AfD's where I was canvassed by notifications on Project pages, as do many others. I do not co-ordinate off-wiki.
 
Note that in my "messing ... " comment, recently highlighted, I responded to an accusation of being in the pay of Google or Government. In full, it read - "Neither Google nor Government, I'm just messing with your head." -[[User:Roxy the dog|'''Roxy''' <small> the dog</small>.]] [[User talk:Roxy the dog|'''wooF''']] 15:45, 31 January 2022 (UTC)
 
==Evidence presented by Alexbrn==
 
; On COI and "backwards editing"
# [[WP:COI]] says a conflict of interest on Wikipedia exists when an editor's external relationships "[[WP:EXTERNALREL|could reasonably be said to undermine]]" an editor's primary purpose of furthering the interests of Wikipedia.
# [[WP:BESTSOURCES]] recommends as a key way of achieving [[WP:NPOV]] is basing content on the "best respected and most authoritative reliable sources".
# Until this drama, the ''Skeptical Inquirer'' has not been an especially controversial source on Wikipedia (it has no entry on [[WP:RSP]] which would indicate frequent controversy). It has its opponents, but has also been approved by established (presumably non-GSoW) editors.[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:Fringe_theories/Noticeboard&diff=1059382089&oldid=1059379927][https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:Neutral_point_of_view/Noticeboard&diff=828978032&oldid=828976653][https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:Reliable_sources/Noticeboard&diff=700950435&oldid=700940351] as {{u|JzG}} comments (last preceding diff), "reliable for their areas of specialist interest".
# The much cited Gerbic [https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/learn-to-edit-wikipedia-like-a-gsow-editorndashbackwards-editing/ blog post] says "Not always will a backwards edit fit cleanly into a Wikipedia article, it is a matter of opinion in some cases, and if you are unsure it is possible to discuss the edit first ...".
 
; Labelling editors and acting on content
# ''Background'': In March/April 2021 in one of her last substantial editing actions, {{u|SlimVirgin}} performed a substantial cleanup[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Susan_Gerbic&type=revision&diff=1016406945&oldid=1014315771] of the [[Susan Gerbic]] article to make it BLP and generally policy compliant, removing the <nowiki>{{COI}}</nowiki> tag in the process.
# In November 2022, {{u|A. C. Santacruz}} on [[Talk:Susan Gerbic]] proposed that "This article must be permanently tagged w COI tags", giving as part of the rationale a long list of "major contributors", including SlimVirgin who "have strong interests in Skepticism".[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Talk:Susan_Gerbic&diff=1053337451&oldid=1053331875] ACS twice tries to add the COI tag accordingly.[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Susan_Gerbic&diff=1053328430&oldid=1049929811][https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Susan_Gerbic&diff=1053329660&oldid=1053328670]
 
== Summary of private evidence received by ArbCom ==
The Arbitration Committee accepted private evidence in this case. Like with all evidence, Arbitrators, including the drafters, will make individual decisions on how much weight to give to each piece of submitted evidence. In making this decision Arbitrators will consider how the evidence complies with the [[WP:ARBPOL|Arbitration Policy]] on private evidence and the community feedback offered in the [[Wikipedia:Arbitration_Committee/Anti-harassment_RfC#Request_for_Comment|2020 anti-harassment RfC]].
 
The Committee has received the following categories of private evidence:
*The identity of specific editors and their membership in GSoW. This includes both first-person disclosures (noting that they are a member) and third-party evidence (suggesting another editor's identity and/or membership).
*GSoW training materials and methods
*Accusations of GSoW coordinated editing
*GSoW structure
 
The following evidence was received privately as part of longer evidence submissions but involves public information:
''before using the last evidence template, please make a copy for the next person''
*https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:ListFiles?limit=50&user=1Veertje&ilshowall=1
==={Write your assertion here}===
*https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Allianz_vun_Humanisten,_Atheisten_an_Agnostiker&oldid=689850580
Place argument and diffs which support your assertion; for example, your first assertion might be "So-and-so engages in edit warring", which should be the title of this section. Here you would show specific edits to specific articles which show So-and-so engaging in edit warring.
*https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Amardeo_Sarma&oldid=791622403,
*https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=CSICon&diff=prev&oldid=1019298549
*https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Deborah_Hyde&oldid=688382014
*https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Deej&diff=prev&oldid=1062789746)
*https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Doris_Bither_case&diff=prev&oldid=1053010312
*https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Elizabeth_Loftus&diff=prev&oldid=1052843975
*https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Enlightenment_Now&type=revision&diff=838089810&oldid=837824756
*https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Johan_Braeckman&oldid=681273455
*https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Johan_Braeckman&type=revision&diff=681273455&oldid=664771577,
*https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Leonora_Piper&diff=prev&oldid=835595885
*https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Momo_Challenge_hoax&oldid=855911813
*https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sharon_A._Hill&type=revision&diff=852831405&oldid=849325378&diffmode=visual
*https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Dybbuk_box&diff=prev&oldid=1002398320
*https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Goop_Lab&oldid=934458671
*https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User_talk:Rp2006&diff=prev&oldid=1053760591
*https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User_talk:Rp2006&diff=prev&oldid=1053869334
*https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:Administrators%27_noticeboard/Incidents&diff=prev&oldid=1053594455
*https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:Administrators%27_noticeboard/Incidents&diff=prev&oldid=1053598519
*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Articles_for_deletion/Kenny_Biddle
*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Articles_for_deletion/The_Dybbuk_box
*https://sigma.toolforge.org/editorinteract.py?users=JohnnyBflat&users=CatCafe&users=Sgerbic&users=Rp2006&users=Wyatt+Tyrone+Smith
*https://sigma.toolforge.org/editorinteract.py?users=Rp2006&users=Poorlyglot&users=KoKoCorvid&users=Sgerbic&users=ScienceExplains&users=Dustinlull&users=Boneso
*https://sigma.toolforge.org/editorinteract.py?users=Rp2006&users=Sgerbic&users=Alhill42
*https://xtools.wmflabs.org/blame/en.wikipedia.org/Skeptical_Inquirer/?q=pensar
*https://xtools.wmflabs.org/blame/en.wikipedia.org/Skeptics%20in%20the%20Pub/?q=skeptical%20inquirer
*https://xtools.wmflabs.org/blame/en.wikipedia.org/Stichting%20Skepsis/?q=Inquirer
 
Under policy and procedure we are unable to provide other information about private evidence at this time and may not be able to answer questions about this information.
==={Write your assertion here}===
Place argument and diffs which support the second assertion; for example, your second assertion might be "So-and-so makes personal attacks", which should be the title of this section. Here you would show specific edits where So-and-so made personal attacks.