User:Moulton/Mu

User:Moulton's didactic character subpages

He has been using these in fake sig lines on Wikiversity and now Wikipedia. I do not think it is fair for Moulton to use Wikiversity pages to make it appear as if he is an unblocked user, especially on other Wikimedia servers in which he is blocked. Ottava Rima (talk) 13:55, 28 September 2008 (UTC)

He was signing with those names and not linking those names to "Moulton". The point of those pages is so that when he signs with other names, he links to "Moulton". Deleting those pages does not prevent him from signing with other names; it only makes thing worse by then not having a link to "Moulton". If you wish to achieve the goal of Moulton not making comments while blocked, you need a different solution than the proposed one of deleting those pages. In short, while your concern seems valid, the proposed method of dealing with that concern appears poorly thought out. WAS 4.250 14:27, 28 September 2008 (UTC)

Suggestions are most welcome. One thought is to blank the page, post a notice that the user account who created the page is blocked, and then protect it. I don't know if that is a course that we wish to take at this time, and I request that others comment. There are a couple of things to think about. One is that Moulton can not edit these pages while logged in as himself, and so the purpose of using the pages to respond to others is moot. He is a blocked user who has abused the right to edit his own talk page while being logged in. That page was protected to prevent personal information from being posted, which has required oversight. Another issue is that he is giving the false impression that he has an active account at wv. --mikeu ^talk 14:51, 28 September 2008 (UTC)

He is a retired Ph.D. in computer related stuff who has money and friends at MIT. He can get around any technical measure this community uses to try to block him, if he puts his mind to it. How much effort do people here really want to use in dealing with this? Some have suggested that WikiMedia needs to have some sort of useage of resources statement that would allow it to sue especially difficult cases. I don't see a solution at all as long as WikiMedia insists on "anyone can edit" combined with blocking/banning based on "consensus" as this does in fact eventually create a game where the only people willing to spend the time reverting blocked users' "contributions" are mostly motivated by the game aspectand the feeling of power. WAS 4.250 15:09, 28 September 2008 (UTC)

Another possible avenue to explore is filing an abuse report with Moulton's ISP. --mikeu ^talk 13:02, 29 September 2008 (UTC)

(<---)WAS 4.250, you are 100% correct. However, it is insulting for Moulton to link to Wikiversity "profiles" while going around his block on Wikipedia, like he did here. Ottava Rima (talk) 16:22, 28 September 2008 (UTC)

It is only "insulting" if you take seriously claims that WikiMedia sites are capable of blocking/banning intelligent adults with the money to change ISPs and travel to various libraries and such. It can not. It can effectively block children and can ban people who want to play the wiki-game under an established avatar and so will willingly not get around the ban until they are allowed to continue playing the game. Anyone with intelligence and resources is capable of playing the game wearing the robes of the adversary in the wiki-game. I do not wish to play that game as either the adversary who gets his comments deleted because "banned means banned"; nor do I wish to play the role of the banniator going around blocking and deleting banned users contributions. I think Moulton is being childish, but I certainly am not insulted. I suppose he has time to kill and this helps him fill his days. I wish he found cooperation more fun than confrontation. I know I do. WAS 4.250 17:37, 28 September 2008 (UTC)

I dunno what you guys are doing, but I'm engaged in the practice of Didactic Education. I am curious to discover what (if anything) anyone is learning, and what emotions (if any) are surfacing in the course of the discovery learning process. —Moulton 17:55, 28 September 2008 (UTC)

I can quickly and efficiently ban Moulton from this project if it is requested. Salmon of Doubt 18:41, 28 September 2008 (UTC)

Thanks, but I think we'd rather have humans pushing the buttons for now :-). --SB_Johnny ^talk 19:26, 28 September 2008 (UTC)

Yes, I agree. You won't get an interesting through-line on the drama if it's all mindlessly automated. So, as SBJ indicates, he needs Moulton's cast of dramaturgical characters to push everyone's buttons, so that we can elevate the issues high enough above radar that we can act out the thrilling conclusion to the Chronicles of Wikia. So far, we have Ottava in the role of the Ice Queen and Caprice in the role of Aslan. Salmon, are you up for playing Fenris? —Gastrin Bombesin 20:32, 28 September 2008 (UTC)

If he were contributing constructively, it would be one thing, but, as can seen above, Moulton's alter egos are used primarily for his flat attempts at jokes, making them disruptive. The recent experiences here tell me that Moulton will continually push to see just how much he can get away with. As a result, I suggest the pages be Deleted as a step towards discouraging the behavior. If he continues, the custodians can work on the next step. Sχeptomaniac^{χαιρετε} 16:24, 29 September 2008 (UTC)

I call for a scholarly review of the didactic value of Moulton's use of muppetlike character voices. How well is Moulton employing the venerated methods inspired by the famous pioneers of 20th century education such as Burr Tillstrom, Jim Henson, Shari Lewis, and Fred Rogers?

The use of puppet characters in educational sketches is a time-honored tradition. Burr Tilstrom pioneered it on children's educational television with Kukla, Fran and Ollie, quickly followed by "Buffalo" Bob Smith with Howdy Doody. Shari Lewis, Bob Keeshan (Captain Kangaroo), Fred Rogers, and (especially) Jim Henson used puppetry in a creative and appropriate manner to craft high-quality edutainment aimed at children of the late 20th Century. I expect that some of our academically dry material can be usefully presented through Aesopian sketches populated by such Muppet-like players.

Moulton, the Schmeggegy Scientist has long used well-known character voices like Montana Mouse, Barsoom Tork, Gastrin Bombesin, and myself (among many others) to voice different perspectives in dramatized presentations of fundamental educational ideas.

Caprice the Flying Goat 17:04, 29 September 2008 (UTC)

Using characters within the confines of a sketch/show, sure. However, that's not what you're doing, so that excuse is worthless. Sχeptomaniac^{χαιρετε} 17:36, 29 September 2008 (UTC)

Moulton has obviously mistaken some aspects of kinetic learning as didactic values. Dzonatas 17:59, 29 September 2008 (UTC)

Can you unpack the concept of "kinetic learning" please? Is there a comparable concept of "potential learning" to contrast it to? —Moulton 18:23, 29 September 2008 (UTC)

Kinetic learning skills are practically inherited or instinctive. As people grow, they usually become more dominate as an auditory learner or as a visual learners. About 10% of the population keeps stays dominate as kinetic learners. Another words, about 10% of the people here are only going to be attentive to the experimentations of your stated didactic expressions. Any point you try to make in such style has a high chance to be overlooked or misunderstood, and of course that doesn't mean the points are not valid. The style just doesn't work well for the other 90% of the people. People grow up and loose interest in the muppets. Attempts to force that type of didactic show on other users here send the wrong message. As people realize the differences between auditory, visual, and kinetic learners, you'll see common mistakes made by schools that try to teach everybody the same (usually auditory) and fail those that just don't learn that way. Dzonatas 19:16, 29 September 2008 (UTC)

Ah, it sounds like you are referring to a model of Learning Styles. See the next subthread for that. — 19:48, 29 September 2008 (UTC)

Keep unless he keeps defying the ban, in which case, delete. Emesee 19:51, 29 September 2008 (UTC)

Learning Styles

There is a model of Learning Styles that includes three of the categories listed above by Dzonatas:

Visual Learners are ‘readers’ and ‘observers’. They take in information through the eyes. They learn by observing or reading. They are good at visualising (seeing pictures in their minds) of people, places, pictures and even words, are usually able to give detailed reports of what they have seen. Visual learners learn to read by remembering the shapes of words and sequences of letters – not by ‘sounding out’ the words. Also, they would much prefer to read something than listen to a lecture about it. These are the people who like to go places and see things, usually good at using maps and graphs. They never travel anywhere without something to read and when planning a trip usually do a lot of research beforehand.

Auditory Learners are ‘listeners’ and or ‘talkers’ they take in information through the ears, i.e. are good at remembering things they hear. They often talk a lot and ask at lot of questions; often finding it necessary to restate the information in order to process what they have heard. Quite often when reading, they find they understand the information better if they read it aloud. They would much prefer listening to a lecture than reading. Auditory learners are usually great socialisers and often spend a lot of time on the phone; they never meet a stranger; they talk to people wherever they go. Auditory learners like listening to music, have difficulty studying if it’s too quiet – they like noise around them. When asked a question, they often repeat or restate what you said before answering; and just give the directions, they don’t use maps!

Tactile Learners are ‘feelers’ and ‘touchers’. They take in information through the sense of touch, by feeling texture and shapes; often takes lots of notes or designs/doodles while listening to lectures or when thinking/reflecting. (And often they’ll never look at notes again, but in order to remember the information they must write to down – it’s their way of reorganising the information.) Tactile learners are in touch with themselves and their feelings. When talking to someone they often touch the person on the arm or shoulder and stand very close, or stand with their hands in their packets or will handle something; Sometimes, instead of taking notes the tactile learners will sit with arms or legs crossed but then when an important point is made they will stroke their sleeve/arms, touch their face or hair etc.

Kinaesthic Learners are ‘Doers’. They take in information kinetically – through the muscles. The kinaesthetic learner needs to move in order to learn; are often called ‘active learners’. They learn best when they can combine use of their muscles with reading or talking. They ‘talk with their hands’; often walk around or just move side to side while talking. Kinetic learners do best in jobs where they can move around a lot; cannot ‘stay put’ for long periods of time; are good at doing things with their hands such as building things or doing mechanical work and are usually good at sports. When sitting too long they begin to fidget and wiggle; they need breaks so they can move around. They much prefer the playground and game field in indoor activities.

It occurs to me that "kinetic learning" (or "kinaesthetic learning") is not particularly applicable in a cyberspace medium like Wikiversity, as we are all sedentary, sitting on our tochus in front of a computer screen, and doing little more with our hands than typing on a keyboard or moving a mouse. Probably the most appropriate Learning Style for Silent Wiki is Visual Learner, since we are all reading and writing in a text-telegraph medium with neglible multimedia content. Moreover, any visualization is driven by the imagination applying itself primarily to sequences of printed words.

What the didactic characters do is to animate dry prose with dialogue, in the spirit of Plato's Dialogues; Galileo's Dialogue Concering the Two Chief World Systems; the dialogue writings of Lewis Carroll, Raymond Smullyan, or Douglas Hofstadter; or the dialogue sketches of puppeteers like Burr Tillstrom, Shari Lewis, and Jim Henson.

Moulton 19:48, 29 September 2008 (UTC)

Moulton's Musical Offerings

All You Need Is 'Nads

Title: All You Need Is 'Nads
Artist: Gastrin Bombesin
Composer: The Beatles and Barsoom Tork Associates
Midi: All You Need Is Love

'Nads, 'nads, 'nads, 'nads, 'nads, 'nads, 'nads, 'nads, cojones.
There's nothing you can do that can't be done.
Nothing you can fling that can't be flung.
Nothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game
It's easy.

There's nothing you can make that can't be made.
No one you can save that can't be saved.
Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be in time
It's easy.

All you need is 'nads, all you need is 'nads,
All you need is 'nads, 'nads, gonads are all you need.
'Nads, 'nads, 'nads, 'nads, 'nads, 'nads, some chutpah.
All you need is 'nads, all you need is 'nads,
All you need is 'nads, 'nads, gonads are all you need.
There's nothing you can know that isn't known.
Nothing you can see that isn't shown.
Nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be.
It's easy.

All you need is 'nads, all you need is 'nads,
All you need is 'nads, 'nads, gonads are all you need.
All you need is 'nads (all together now)
All you need is 'nads (everybody)
All you need is 'nads, 'nads, gonads all you need.

CopyClef 2008 The Beatles and Barsoom Tork Associates.
Resurrection Hackware. All wrongs reversed.

Stuck In Blame Game

Title: Blame Game
Artist: JWSchmidt
Composer: Creedence Clearwater Revival and Barsoom Tork Associates
Midi: Lodi

YouTube: Lodi - Creedence Clearwater Revival

Blame Game

Creedence Dirty Water Survival

Just about a week ago, I set out on the maze,
Seeking my fame and fortune, looking for a piece of cheese.
Things got bad, and things got worse, I guess you know the score.
Oh ! Lord, Stuck in Blame Game again.

Rode in on the Internet, I'll be limping out if I go.
I was just passing through, must be seven days or so.
Ran out of time and money, looks like they moved my cheese.
Oh ! Lord, I'm stuck in Blame Game again.

The man from the laboratory said I was on my way.
Somewhere I lost directions, ran out of things to say.
I came into the classroom, just a five credit class, looks like the exam's too tough
Oh ! Lord, Stuck in Blame Game again.
Mmmm...

If I only had a dollar, for ev'ry Digg I've dugg.
And ev'ry time I've had to pray while people sat there smug.
You know, I'd catch the next pain back to Wikiversity.
Oh ! Lord, I'm stuck in Blame Game again.

Oh ! Lord, I'm stuck in Blame Game again.

CopyClef 2008 Creedence Clearwater Revival and Barsoom Tork Associates
Resurrection Hackware. All wrongs reversed.

Don't Stop Deceivin

Title: Don't Stop Deceivin
Artist: Geoff Plourde
Composer: Journey and Barsoom Tork Associates
Midi: Don't Stop Believin
YouTube: Don't Stop Believin

Just a small time Wiki, strivin in a lonely world
We took the midnight train goin anywhere
Just a California kid, born and raised in Redwoods Coast
We took the midnight train goin anywhere

A zinger in a snarky room
A waste of time and endless gloom
For a while we can spare the fright
It goes on and on and on and on

Strangers trolling, up and down the Wikiverse
Their shadows searching in the night
Mouseclick people, living just to find emotion
Hiding, somewhere in the night

Working hard to get my lulz,
Everybody wants a thrill
Payin anything to dull the vice,
Just one more time
Some will win, some will lose
Some were born to sing the blues
Oh, the dramahz never ends
It goes on and on and on and on

(chorus)

Dont stop deceiving
Hold on to the feelin
Mouseclick people

CopyClef 2008 Journey and Barsoom Tork Associates.
Resurrection Hackware. All wrongs reversed.

Michael Row Your Boat Ashore

Title: Michael Row Your Boat Ashore
Artist: Montana Mouse
Composer: Joan Baez and Barsoom Tork Associates
Midi: Michael Row Your Boat Ashore

Michael, row your boat ashore, ~~Hammurabi~~
Michael, row your boat ashore, ~~Hammurabi~~

Custodial bureaucrats grabbed the oars, Hallelujah
Spinning wheels with dramatic wars, Hallelujah
Michael, row your boat ashore, ~~Hammurabi~~
Michael, row your boat ashore, ~~Hammurabi~~

Wiki's rapids are foamy and swift, Hallelujah
Sturm und drang on the other side, Hallelujah
Michael, row your boat ashore, ~~Hammurabi~~
Michael, row your boat ashore, ~~Hammurabi~~

Ethics helps to trim abuse, Hallelujah
Moulton hanged on the gallows noose, Hallelujah
Michael, row your boat ashore, ~~Hammurabi~~
Michael, row your boat ashore, ~~Hammurabi~~

CopyClef 2008 Joan Baez and Barsoom Tork Associates.
Resurrection Hackware. All wrongs reversed.