RationalWiki:2019 board of trustees election/Campaigning

Campaigning is closed

3 trustees will be elected to serve 2019-2021.

"Campaigning" is for candidate promises & arguments in favor of their trustee-ship.

"Question time" is to ask candidates about their scandalous, hypocritical, and generally shitty behavior -- or anything at all you'd like to know their thoughts on.

"Endorsement sheet" is to endorse candidates.

FuzzyCatPotato
What I've done:
 * Been trustee, mod
 * Filed RW's taxes for 2014-2018
 * Filed RW's New Mexico nonprofit reports for 2014-2019
 * Held all 4 quarterly meetings (impressive!)

What we need to do:
 * Get RW a bank account (instead of using PayPal for everything)

What I want to do:
 * Consider: File for 501(c)(3) status (form 1023, costs $125). Why?
 * 1023 is necessary for Amazon Smile. Smile pays 0.5% of customer purchases made through its link. RW gets >36 million yearly visits. If 1/10th are unique users, 1/2 are US users, 1/1000th use the Smile link, 1/3 are Prime members, each spends $1400, and the actual rate is closer to 0.01%, then RW would get $110 per year. (It's also possible that Smile reduces overall giving.)
 * When we call ourselves a 501(c)(3), we'll be correct.
 * Consider: Setup Patreon. Patreon takes ~10% of donations versus ~3% for PayPal. However, the RationalWiki community greatly overlaps the lefty YouTube community, who receive millions in Patreon donations per year, so this might be a net positive.
 * Compensate Tim Starling at least a bit

05:51, 23 July 2019 (UTC)

Spud
Although I'm resigned to the fact that the genuine Old Guard, those who've been here since 2007, will never accept me as one of them, I have been here for quite a while now. I became a registered user on 13 September 2011 and I've made as near as damnit at least one edit every single day since then. I've been a mod since June 2018 and I'm now running for my second term as a Board member. I have always taken my responsibilities as a member of the Board seriously. I attended every Board meeting that took place, even though most of them started after midnight in my time zone.

I'd like to continue to be a Board member because I'd like to continue to do as much as I can to be part of the solution instead of part of the problem. When I first came here, our main opponents were a bunch of God-botherers and Bible-thumpers who insisted that we were descended from Adam and Eve, not monkeys or Adam and Steve. They occasionally said some very hateful things but, for the most part, they were just a bunch of idiots who didn't do much real harm. Now, our main opponents are people who are trying to normalize the politics of hate and make it respectable again. And goddamnit if they haven't pretty much succeeded already. We need places like RationalWiki where we are not afraid to call out racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia and bigotry of all kinds for the bollocks that they are. We need a place where we are not afraid to place those who make the most noise in promoting those toxic ideas among the ranks of the cranks and the con artists where they belong.

I can honestly say that RationalWiki has made me a better person. Not only a more sceptical and logical person, but also a much more tolerant and sensitive person. Thanks to RationalWiki, Stan could say to me, "From now on, I want you to call me Loretta", and I'd accept that, from that moment on, she was a woman named Loretta. Eight years ago, I couldn't spell SJW. Now I is one! As I've said before, for all its faults, RationalWiki is something with which I am very proud to be associated. I pledge to do my best to make sure that RationalWiki continues to exist because I sincerely believe that it can make a difference. Spud (talk) 08:51, 22 July 2019 (UTC)

DuceMoosolini
I'm running for my first term as a member of the board. Although I've never done anything like this before, I feel I'm on good terms with multiple standing members of the board and I'm willing to listen and learn. I've been here since 2017, and I've edited extensively since then. I believe my edits speak for themselves in regards to my basic competency and my support for the wiki's mission. I am also a moderator. In short, if you're willing to trust a new member on the board, I would be a good choice. 21:39, 22 July 2019 (UTC)

Cosmikdebris
The Rational Media Foundation does not exercise control over the content of RationalWiki.org. The foundation's role is to encourage and support critical thinking and rational discourse, and to encourage the development of free and educational content that supports our mission. As a trustee of the foundation, I will keep my role on the wiki separate from that of the foundation.

If granted the privilege of this role I pledge to dedicate the time and effort needed to keep the board active and focused. I agree with FCP's suggestions for expanding the venues by which people can contribute to the foundation. I also think that the foundation can do more to encourage the recording and preservation of freely available and archival media that can be used to improve the references used by contributors to RationalWiki.

I would like to increase the transparency of board affairs and pledge to make available all public board matters such as meeting agendas and minutes via the foundation's website at rationalweb.org.

I created an account on RationalWiki in August 2012 and have been an active editor since then. RationalWiki is a tremendous resource and has changed my perceptions on many topics by providing quality analysis and research. If there's a topic that hasn't been properly treated on the wiki, sometimes I take that opportunity to enhance my own knowledge and share it by making articles better.

I am a computer scientist by trade, and outside that sphere my interests include a lifelong fascination with media, especially broadcasting and the internet, and its influence on society. Since 2007, I've sponsored a block of free speech entertainment programming on international shortwave radio to keep diverse opinions available to everyone.

Ariel31459
I have accepted nomination in part because so many of the nominees have declined their nominations. I assume they have done so because the job is a relatively tedious one. I am willing, at risk of stultifying myself with details, to help the organization. I am not certain that my ideological persuasions have any bearing on the job of trustee itself. It seems to be a mostly technical job. From what I understand, so far, trustees have no influence on, nor responsibility for, the contents of this wiki.

How would I make this wiki better if it were possible for me to do so? I would like to see many ordinary standards of journalism used in main spaces. e. g., don't tell me an idea is "bullshit" in a main space. Instead, talk about why it is inadvisable to seriously entertain that idea. Also, so-called snark often takes the form of ironic statements which may confuse an unwary reader. I truly dislike indirect criticism and passive aggressive arguments. These changes would likely make the wiki seem accessible to other media organizations with similar goals. Am I an SJW? I have thought long about this question. Is it possible to be a skeptic as well as an advocate for social justice? I try to be both, though in any case, I remain skeptical.

Finally my advice is to cool the general moral panic about the far right because they are represented by a small minority; and to view the better part of right-leaning persons as ordinary people making bad choices; and to suppose they are susceptible to the persuasions of the left instead of regarding them as Nazis or incorrigible authoritarians.

Who wants to suck it up and do the boring record keeping work of treasurer?
It seems like the current treasurer is out this year(current board members feel free to correct me). Who among the candidates is willing to do formal bookkeeping? I'm specifically concerned about the job of running the fund raiser and doing the annual 990 for the IRS. Small business or charity financial management in the past is a plus. A personal plus to me is a formal report to the public. ikanreed 🐐Bleat at me 19:34, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
 * I believe I am currently the treasurer, a position I took because it was less demanding than president or secretary. Spud (talk) 06:35, 23 July 2019 (UTC)
 * Would you be willing to continue doing that work? ikanreed 🐐Bleat at me 14:38, 23 July 2019 (UTC)
 * Yes. Spud (talk) 23:36, 23 July 2019 (UTC)
 * Doing your own 990 is an IRS red flag for an audit. nobs''Die fascists! Make America Great! 04:05, 23 August 2019 (UTC)

Despite representing less than 1% of the population
Potatoes could be as much as 40% of the board. This is non-tuber genocide. Okay, I'm already out of steam for this nazi parody. ikanreed 🐐Bleat at me 14:46, 26 July 2019 (UTC)
 * If this means that high end Maine potato vodka is mandatory for Board meetings, I see this as a positive development. Cosmikdebris (talk) 14:58, 26 July 2019 (UTC)

Questions for FuzzyCatPotato

 * As someone running for reelection, what has the board been able to accomplish? What have the challenges been? What would your goals be should you be reelected? Bongolian (talk) 03:10, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
 * I'm not on the board currently. Spud's answer below is about what I'd say for "accomplish". Goals are getting a bank account, increasing donations, and hopefully increasing userbase growth. 06:04, 23 July 2019 (UTC)
 * If you found Trumps wallet lying on the ground with $10,000...what would you do with it? How do you think your answers qualifies you to be on the board of a moderately visited website? Shabi  DOO  11:00, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
 * take it 06:04, 23 July 2019 (UTC)
 * Given that your tenure as a Mod following the most recent election lasted just 1 day, and given that you are (in your own words) “very inactive”, what assurances can you give that you are committed to serving a 2 year term as a Trustee? --RWRW (talk) 11:52, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
 * I must ask this too. 18:56, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
 * Why does FCP hate sealions? It's a reasonable question, why doesn't he respond? — Oxyaena Harass  19:40, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
 * i'm active enough to file our taxes, hope that's nuff 06:04, 23 July 2019 (UTC)
 * Why do you hate sealions? Are you capable of providing a reasoned answer within the limits of a civil discourse? Why must you be so rude? — Oxyaena Harass  12:40, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
 * yup 06:04, 23 July 2019 (UTC)
 * RUDE. — Oxyaena Harass  12:05, 23 July 2019 (UTC)
 * What kind of cat are you? Are you domestic or are you feral? Or are you a wild cat, like a lynx? 71.3.195.138 (talk) 20:30, 23 July 2019 (UTC)

Questions for Spud

 * As someone running for reelection, what has the board been able to accomplish? What have the challenges been? What would your goals be should you be reelected? Bongolian (talk) 03:10, 22 July 2019 (UTC)


 * What have the board accomplished? Well, frankly, in the past year, not very much. Not that I'm aware of, anyway. We only had one meeting. Then the person who was supposed to arrange the next meeting said that he had to retire from the Board due to his health. I suppose we really should have had a by-election then. I now see my chief obligation as a Board member to be fulfilling a legal obligation that means RationalWiki continues to exist. The Board members don't really have much special influence over the direction that RationalWiki goes in. Which I think is for the best. This place belongs to the mob, after all. However, if any users think there's anything that should be discussed at a Board meeting, I hope that they will feel comfortable in coming to me to bring up their concerns. Spud (talk) 07:35, 22 July 2019 (UTC)


 * If you could convert every single bible on Earth into one book...what would it be? Shabi  DOO  11:00, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
 * That's a good question. I love books and there are so many great ones. I think I'd have to choose The Complete Works of Hans Christian Andersen. My favourite story is "The Emperor's New Clothes". I think its message is even more relevant now that scammers can use technology to rip off more people than ever before than it was when Andersen wrote it. Of course, some of Andersen's stories reference Christianity and some of them probably mention the Bible itself, which could cause some confusion if there weren't any copies of it left to refer to anymore. Spud (talk) 12:15, 22 July 2019 (UTC)

Questions for DuceMoosolini

 * If you could snap your fingers and send all malicious trolls in the world to one remote Island...would you organize a rationalwiki after party? Shabi  DOO  11:00, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
 * Seconding this question but with genuine concern for answer. ikanreed 🐐Bleat at me 19:39, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
 * Yes, and my restaurant would cater the event. But I'd also make sure we send them to a fairly livable remote island. 21:42, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
 * But more seriously, would you leave moderation to mods? ikanreed 🐐Bleat at me 14:37, 23 July 2019 (UTC)
 * I'm given to understand that a board member and a moderator are separate things, so yes I would. Also, I'm a current moderator, and I've had to do basically zero moderation. 20:01, 23 July 2019 (UTC)
 * Is pineapple an authentic pizza topping? There is only one correct answer. 18:55, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
 * On a related note, what do you think about those frosted sugar cookies? There is, again, only one correct answer. RoninMacbeth (talk) 20:03, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
 * Pineapple is not an authentic pizza topping, but I suppose I can coexist with the heathens who think it is. I can also eat just about any cookie no matter what variety. 21:42, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
 * Wise answers. #DuceMoosoliniForGodEmperor RoninMacbeth (talk) 21:44, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
 * It's the wrong answer, will anti endorse. 21:58, 22 July 2019 (UTC)

Questions for Cosmikdebris

 * If everyone on rationalwiki agreed to watch one comedy film...what should it be and why? Shabi  DOO  11:00, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
 * Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb, because it's the quintessential black comedy, it touches on many RationalWiki themes, and it's a damn good film. Cosmikdebris (talk) 00:31, 23 July 2019 (UTC)

Questions for Ariel31459
Please ping me if you have a question. I won't be checking this page much now. Than you.Ariel31459 (talk) 13:00, 25 July 2019 (UTC)


 * Is brocoli an authentic pizza topping? (your answer will highly influence people's opinions on your suitability to sit on the board) Shabi  DOO  11:00, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
 * Brocoli is a cultural construct. This may not seem useful to you now. But think about it. I, myself, prefer artichokes.Ariel31459 (talk) 17:17, 22 July 2019 (UTC)


 * More seriously, what's your perception of an appropriate at-arms-length action vis-a-vis safe harbor provisions concerning defamatory material on the wiki and the board's role in dealing with it? It's happened before and it'll happen again that quacks will stomp their feet, send cease and desist letters, or actively sue.  ikanreed 🐐Bleat at me 19:38, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
 * This is in part the main question. I have to admit, it is the first thing I was concerned about. I would want to see whatever legal opinions the board has gathered in the past. I assume the problem is deciding whether or not the crank in question has the grounds and resources to harm the RationalMedia Foundation. Self immolation would not be my first choice.Ariel31459 (talk) 21:16, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
 * Would you nevertheless consider self immolation as an option of last resort? :) 22:28, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
 * Yes. But you would have to draw straws. Trust me, you would all have a fair chance. Ariel31459 (talk) 22:40, 22 July 2019 (UTC)


 * Do you share David Gerard's "joined-up thinking?" ideology?
 * No. I'm sure he is very good at technical matters. But he may well get the Foundation in financial trouble because of his Manichean obsessions.Ariel31459 (talk) 17:43, 24 July 2019 (UTC)
 * I'm actually on the board, and this question is literally my problem. And your hypothesis of legal threats over edits on Jordan Peterson - which is what we're talking about here - is nonsensical. You might consider gaining the skills to get the consensus to get your concerns taken seriously. This first requires, of course, having non-laughable concerns - David Gerard (talk) 13:05, 26 July 2019 (UTC)
 * Not a question. Everyone knows or should know what you actually are.Ariel31459 (talk) 21:34, 30 July 2019 (UTC)

FuzzyCatPotato
1.
 * 1) ;Endorsements
 * 2) Fuzzy is a cool cat. 22:47, 21 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 3) — Oxyaena  Harass  02:56, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 4) He's the glue that holds it all together because he actually could organize a piss up in a brewery. Without him, there probably wouldn't be a RationalWiki anymore. Spud (talk) 07:14, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 5) As always Shabi  DOO  11:02, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 6) Fuzzy’s penchant for rules and rule making is, in my eyes at least, an asset when it comes to electing a board member. Fuzzy strikes me as the kind of stickler for structure and formalities that would be good to have on the board to ensure that the i’s are dotted, the t’s are crossed and that RationalWiki thus has the organisational and legal foundations to be able to continue to exist. ScepticWombat (talk) 17:48, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 7) Been a while since I worked with him, but when I was on the board with him, he was the "organized one". ikanreed 🐐Bleat at me 19:34, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 8) We need our Supreme Leader back! RoninMacbeth (talk) 20:01, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 9) Bongolian (talk) 21:55, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 10) Meow.  22:12, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 11) His long-term excellence and organizational skills are crucial and extremely unlikely to falter anytime soon.  01:16, 23 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 12) Cat overlord, 'nuff said. Tinribmancer (talk) 10:19, 23 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 13) Not a fan of cats, but willing to set aside differences for this user. 22:45, 23 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 14) Trusworthy cat. TheUmbilicalCordGuy (talk) 00:00, 24 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 15) He's the real deal. Cosmikdebris (talk) 00:05, 24 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 16) Top class, will show up and do things - David Gerard (talk) 14:01, 24 July 2019 (UTC)
 * most of the time, anyway! 16:22, 24 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 1) ;Anti-endorsements
 * 2) Cats. Generally a bad lot of fellows, cats.Ariel31459 (talk) 22:26, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 3) Sealion Lives Matter. This is a man with a proven record of bigotry against sealions, his prejudice should not be allowed on such a prestigious organization as the RationalMedia Foundation. — Oxyaena Harass  22:47, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 4) Site is headed in the wrong direction; thumbs down to establishment candidates. 47.206.10.24 (talk) 15:26, 27 July 2019 (UTC)

Spud
2.
 * 1) ;Endorsements
 * 2) Very trustworthy, mature, experienced, I like to have Spud on board. 18:54, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 3) Kind, trujstworthy, one of the best among the mod team. RoninMacbeth (talk) 20:01, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 4) He's an incumbent who has a genuine passion for this project. He has my full respect. 21:43, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 5) Trustworthy, reliable, experienced. Ticks all the boxes.  22:12, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 6) Speaks Esperanto. — Oxyaena Harass  23:55, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 7) Mature, intelligent, qualified, reliable, and a big helper with expanding our base in non-Anglosphere countries. 01:17, 23 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 8) Apparently does the treasury work. I've turned into a single issue voter.  ikanreed 🐐Bleat at me 20:37, 23 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 9) L. L. Zamenhof would be proud. TheUmbilicalCordGuy (talk) 00:02, 24 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 10) Yep. Cosmikdebris (talk) 00:06, 24 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 11) Good value, has done this before too - David Gerard (talk) 14:01, 24 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 12) Seems solid, lots of experience etc. Endorsed. ScepticWombat (talk) 09:32, 25 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 13) Spud McKenzie!!! Shabi  DOO  10:22, 25 July 2019 (UTC)


 * 1) ;Anti-endorsements
 * 2) Speaks Esperanto. — Oxyaena Harass  23:55, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 3) Bongolian (talk) 02:00, 23 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 4) Same reason as Fuzzy. 47.206.10.24 (talk) 15:27, 27 July 2019 (UTC)

DuceMoosolini
3.
 * 1) ;Endorsements
 * 2) I've become fond of the guy Shabi  DOO  11:03, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 3) The history geeks shall have their voice heard at last! The Revolution has begun! RoninMacbeth (talk) 20:01, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 4) Bongolian (talk) 21:55, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 5) Mama mia, we needa another Italian on-a board. Wahoo! 21:59, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 6) Sure.  22:12, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 7) Has excellent taste in food. — Oxyaena Harass  23:54, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 8) Same level of sensibility and awesomeness as LeftyGreenMario, which is exactly what the board needs. 71.3.195.138 (talk) 20:18, 23 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 9) Best chef and historian around. TheUmbilicalCordGuy (talk) 23:58, 23 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 10) Pizza for all. Cosmikdebris (talk) 00:06, 24 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 11) Definitely - David Gerard (talk) 14:01, 24 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 12) Can endorse this candidate. ScepticWombat (talk) 09:33, 25 July 2019 (UTC)


 * 1) ;Anti-endorsements
 * 2) Has terrible taste in food. — <font color="Absolute Zero">Oxyaena <font color="Magenta">Harass  23:53, 22 July 2019 (UTC)

Cosmikdebris
4.
 * 1) ;Endorsements
 * 2) Bongolian (talk) 21:55, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 3) Ariel31459 (talk) 22:24, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 4) Probably not insane - David Gerard (talk) 14:01, 24 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 5)  Meh.  22:12, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 6) Don't know why I didn't get around to this earlier. This user is smart and sensible.  18:40, 25 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 7) ;Anti-endorsements
 * 8) Guy is a heavy-handed jackass. 71.3.195.138 (talk) 20:18, 23 July 2019 (UTC)

Ariel31459
5.
 * 1) ;Endorsements
 * 2) Has posted sensible opinions. 71.3.195.138 (talk) 20:24, 23 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 3) Sure. Cosmikdebris (talk) 00:07, 24 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 4) Bongolian (talk) 21:55, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 5) ;Anti-endorsements
 * 6) Smells funny. And he is probably an enormous git with dubious views, that would unduely affect foundation office actions if he got elected.  22:12, 22 July 2019 (UTC) 09:40, 25 July 2019 (UTC)
 * Are you from New Zealand? In English we would say, "He is probably an enormous git with dubious views that would duly affect foundation office actions, were he to be elected, in a manner unacceptible to me." Ariel31459 (talk) 23:15, 30 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 1) Inane right-wing editing on the wiki itself, particularly repeated attempts to whitewash Jordan Peterson. Unclear grasp of any form of joined-up thinking - David Gerard (talk) 15:22, 24 July 2019 (UTC)
 * To be fair, I'm not sure what defending Jordan Peterson amounts to in potential board competence. 19:40, 25 July 2019 (UTC)
 * I guess it's a character thing, but it's not enough of one to earn my anti-endorsement either. ikanreed 🐐Bleat at me 14:45, 26 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 1) I take it back. It is enough if he's spilling his editorial disputes into this election(see questions section above).  I cannot stress how bad that is.  ikanreed 🐐Bleat at me 03:31, 27 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 2) Edit warring on Jordan Peterson page over Peterson's support for authoritarianism, which is indicative that Ariel31459 might not be supportive of RationalWiki goals. Bongolian (talk) 22:22, 27 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 3) Jordan Peterson fanboy. Tinribmancer (talk) 09:18, 30 July 2019 (UTC)
 * Steven Pinker fanboy, fella.Ariel31459 (talk) 23:01, 30 July 2019 (UTC)
 * Don't know him and I'm no one's fanboy, buster. Tinribmancer (talk) 17:58, 31 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 1) Bites strangers.Ariel31459 (talk) 21:30, 30 July 2019 (UTC)
 * 2) ;Goat
 * 3) I was a too harsh in my reappraisal of Ariel31459. Bongolian (talk) 22:33, 30 July 2019 (UTC)

Goat
Who's going to become the new leader of "Operation Obamunism" and when am I going to get my payment? I haven't been payed in 3 months (do you know how much time, energy and sweat effort goes into implanting cloaking devices for our Stealth Copters)? I have mouths to feed, like my own. Tinribmancer (talk) 10:17, 23 July 2019 (UTC)
 * The Obamunism article should be moved from Fun space to Mainspace being most of it has proven prophetic. nobs''Die fascists! Make America Great! 04:09, 23 August 2019 (UTC)