User:Bri/Las Vegas EDM experiment

In September, 2015, I started on a draft article with an editor with an acknowledged conflict of interest on the subject. This user essay is to explain why.

About me

First, about me: I am a 10+ year Wikipedian, and an active volunteer at the conflict-of-interest noticeboard (COIN) and since July, 2015, I've displayed this message prominently on my user page:

I do not edit or otherwise contribute to any WikiMedia article or project on behalf of any employer, client, or affiliated person, organization, or other entity; nor do I receive or solicit any compensation for any edits or other contributions.

This statement remains true. I have no particular personal interest in EDM except as an occasional listener, or any known financial interest in any music label, producers, or anyone else in the music industry broadly construed. Nor do I have any connection to Las Vegas business interests, real estate, etc.—in fact, I've never been to Nevada south of Lake Tahoe.

The story

An editor appeared at COIN with some issues which I got involved in. Eventually I decided to try a "soft line" approach rather than the "hard line" approach I usually take. Could a conflicted editor be brought onboard as a productive Wikipedian, understand our norms, and maybe take some of this culture back to the music community that has had some deep problems with what the Wikipedia community would consider non-promotional editing?

The experiment is still under way, but I have seen some positive results.

• The editor disclosed their COI willingly and apparently fully.
• A draft article is being constructed and it looks like it could be a valuable part of Wikipedia.
• Too early to tell whether Wikipedia acculturation has taken hold but signs are positive. The editor at least has started using our lingo and is earnestly adding references to the draft.
• I've developed some thoughts on how to engage with potentially problematic folks and turn them away from the dark side. Best practices must be meticulously followed. I'm not saying best practices have necessarily been found, but here's a start.
  • My participation was conditional from the start on the editor's word that they are not an undisclosed paid editor.
  • My participation in this project was transparent and open on COIN itself and elsewhere.
  • We agreed to submit the draft through AfC although I have sufficient permissions to make a unilateral move to article space.
  • Input from third parties has been submitted through multiple means even prior to AfC review.
  • Third parties have provided further guidance to the COI editor on their talk page.

This page will be updated as events unfold. — Brianhe (talk) 19:11, 15 September 2015 (UTC)

Update — after an initial burst of effort, there is a fairly well developed but quite unbalanced draft. I've advised the editor of policies that will be applied in reviewing the AfC, like WP:UNDUE. They are on a hiatus right now. The response from posting at WikiProject Music was one editor making some style and cleanup edits, as well as constructive criticism on the draft talkapge, so the content is still mostly attributed to me and the intern. — Brianhe (talk) 16:07, 22 September 2015 (UTC) Second update — A few more tweaks have been made but the article basically has stalled. The other editor has said school projects are front and center but they will return to it soon. — Brianhe (talk) 15:42, 6 October 2015 (UTC)

Update – November 2015 editor said was busy, but would make a few last changes. They did and I submitted AfC at 02:10, 29 November 2015. Brianhe (talk) 02:33, 29 November 2015 (UTC)