Wikiversity talk:Delegable proxy/Table

This table is a proposal and experiment
This table is a proposed format. Other systems have been used. On Wikipedia, in w:WP:PRX, proxy files in user space were used. with a table to transclude the information from the individual user files into a single table. The present proposal here is simpler, and, hopefully, still easy enough to use. (In fact, it seems easier to use than the original proposals).

This is a community project, even though currently being "managed" by me. If even a few regular users decide to try the concept out it will work. That is, it will start to improve communication within the community.

Some people may be, I can imagine, concerned about "canvassing." Canvassing, if we back up and reflect on it, is just communication. The only problem with canvassing is when discussions become overburdened with what are really redundant arguments or !votes. With a DP (delegable proxy) system in place, we will sort-of-assume representation of users, depending on circumstances. There won't be a need for specifically "canvassed" votes unless something is marginal and it's needed to prove that a proxy did, in fact, represent those users. This will be, I predict, rare.

Representation here has a loose meaning. Proxies are not !voting for others, they will simply continue to function, representing themselves. The proxy system can allow anyone concerned to have better information on how representative a participant might be. Decisions will continue to be made -- mostly -- on preponderance of arguments, not of !votes. --Abd 15:52, 14 August 2011 (UTC)

New users who have named me as proxy
I announced the Delegable Proxy experiment on three public mailing lists for those interested in election methods and, in one case, delegable proxy specifically. I'm quite known in those fields, and my motivation was two-fold: to get election methods people interested in Wikiversity, because educational materials could be developed here on that quite important topic, and to advertise the experiment and help bring in some participants with some familiarity with the concept.

The two users who have signed up by today have, here, no other contributions. One has extensive contributions on wikipedia, relating to election methods, the other doesn't have an SUL account and I have no idea who he is. Because I trust the former, knowing his work elsewhere, I accepted the proxy. Because the second is anonymous, so far, I have not accepted. I will still function as a proxy for that person, temporarily, but not knowing his or her interests, it won't mean a great deal. --Abd 15:52, 14 August 2011 (UTC)
 * Update on the second user. I've accepted that proxy based on off-wiki email, I trust the user, who is completely new, it seems. --Abd 22:22, 14 August 2011 (UTC)

No usage of actual proxy voting
Nothing has been set up or planned that will use Delegable Proxy as if it were actual proxy voting, changing outcomes. This may become more apparent when the Assembly proposal is explained. Because the purpose of the Assembly is negotiation and discovery of "deep consensus," every Wikiversity user is important. When consensus is the goal, every voice, every opinion is a possibility to broaden consensus. We won't always reach complete consensus, but we can get close!

Deep consensus is self-enforcing, it becomes practically effortless. If channels are maintained for dissent to prior consensus, dissent can improve what has been done before. Policies and guidelines that reflect deep consensus can become user manuals (the original wikis were used for this!) so that new users know what to expect.

Delegable proxy can allow the negotiation involved to take place in very small groups, as small as two. The Assembly will develop procedure and, hopefully, we can involve users who are skilled in consensus facilitation. Perhaps there is someone here with academic or other practical experience at that. I have experience myself, but sometimes I'm a "party." We all need help sometimes. --Abd 15:52, 14 August 2011 (UTC)