User talk:A5

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[edit] Your edit summary on Henry H. Bauer

Please do not call another editor's good faith edit "vandalism". It is a personal attack; certainly not a word to be used in a content dispute. Thank you, Aunt Entropy (talk) 23:26, 12 February 2009 (UTC)

I would add that the word "libel" and its derivatives should also be avoided, see WP:NLT. Verbal chat 15:12, 13 February 2009 (UTC)

Clearly, I used those words because I think they apply. I do not think that this edit was in good faith, and I do think that User:Keepcalmandcarryon libels Bauer. A5 (talk) 15:46, 13 February 2009 (UTC)

Bauer states that HIV positive tests of African Americans and presumably others of African origin are false positives, and that these false positives are the result of genetic mutations, perhaps resulting from the interaction of genome and environment. Bauer gives no evidence that the positive tests in question are actually false positive or that any genetic mutations exist or are associated with false positive testing. Hence, "supposed genetic mutations". I would appreciate if you could explain how this accurate description of Bauer's beliefs is "libel". Keepcalmandcarryon (talk) 17:40, 13 February 2009 (UTC)

Because "mutations" has the connotation of "accident" or "mistake", and your version makes him sound vaguely racist. I don't recall ever seeing him use the word "mutation" to describe this trait; he thinks that the genetic differences have a purpose, which is to do with the immune system, as I think I elucidated in my correction. Your version is like having him say that black skin is due to a "mutation". A lot of people would be offended, and they would blame him rather than you. That is why it is important to properly represent the views of other people: with appropriate detail, and with citations. A5 (talk) 17:56, 13 February 2009 (UTC)

I understand now: you are interpreting "mutations" as "mutants" or "aberrations" rather than as a term used commonly in genetics. Unless you believe that evolution did not occur or was somehow guided by a supernatural entity, mutations of organisms outside the laboratory are indeed the result of accident or mistake. An alteration of the genome is, by definition, a mutation. Had I written, "Bauer calls Africans genetic mutants" or "aberrations", then my words could be taken as misrepresenting Bauer's writing. But Bauer's demonstrable position is that genetic mutations cause HIV positive tests, and that these genetic mutations are concentrated in African populations. The language "supposed genetic mutations" is thus accurate and is not libel. Keepcalmandcarryon (talk) 18:10, 13 February 2009 (UTC)

Genetic adaptation may involve mutation, but mutation does not imply adaptation, thus they are not the same thing. I'd rather not have to explain the difference in greater detail. I think your blunt phrasing is calculated to make Bauer look bad. If you think "mutation" is so accurate, then please back it up with a quotation. A5 (talk) 19:29, 13 February 2009 (UTC)

[edit] WP:NOTAFORUM

I encourage you to start assuming good faith instead of making personal attacks and insinuations. My phrasing is meant to explain Bauer's fringe theory briefly and accurately and in keeping with WP:WEIGHT.

I would also urge you to stop using the talk pages, especially the NPOV policy talk page, as a forum for AIDS denialism. It's certainly a colourful topic, and I can appreciate your interest in it; however, Wikipedia is not a forum. If you're looking for one, I could point you to several where your time might be spent more productively. Keepcalmandcarryon (talk) 00:40, 18 February 2009 (UTC)

I haven't personally attacked you. I haven't even posted anything on your user talk page. As for your portrayal of Bauer, I would not adopt your phrasing in any of my own publications, for fear of misrepresenting him. I think it is fair to warn others of the legal risks inherent in falsely portraying someone as racist. It was not a threat. But given that you refuse to fix the problem I identified, why do you still complain about my identification of it?

If you are so concerned about your legal standing, all you have to do is change "mutations" to "adaptations". If you are not so concerned, then you can just ignore my warning. You seem, paradoxically, unable to do either.

As for your "forum" complaint, I have no idea what you are talking about. If you like, you can provide a link and quotations to illustrate your point.

You pretend to be worried about my productivity; yet you continue to waste my time by posting baseless complaints on this page. What exactly do you want from me? It would help me if, in the future, you could please be more transparent and less sarcastic in your criticism. A5 (talk) 12:43, 18 February 2009 (UTC)