Gaussgauss

Hi there,

My name is Karl; well, not really, but I'm afraid that even divulging my first name might lead to me being identified - you see, a lot of people know my interests, so it wouldn't be too hard for them to figure out who I am. In part my paranoia in this regard arises because of my profession and the exposure associated with it. That is to say I am a Professor of Medicine at a major University ("major" is not braggadocio, but is truly the case (if I say so myself)).

And, before I forget, I should explain (if not apologize for) my silly user-name. I wanted to be 'Gauss' but that name was taken. I tried 'Karl Gauss' and even the more accurate, but less Germanic looking 'Carl Gauss', but they, too, were already being used. I also had to keep in mind that I didn't want my Wiki user name to be totally different than my user names at other sites (all having 'Gauss' somewhere in them) so I ultimately copped out and became 'Gaussgauss'. Yick!

In any case, as I've stated on my (other) favourite web site (The Straight Dope Message Board), I am interested in all interesting things. Still, I should probably mention a few of them explicitly:

Gaussgauss's Interests

• 20th century poetry (esp. good old T.S. and the War Poets (of WWI))
• 20th century history (esp. the military history of the century, i.e. WWI and II, Vietnam, . . .)
• Physics (esp. quantum physics)
• Mathematics (if only my talent for it were half as great as my interest. Sigh.)
• Medicine (esp. the so-called 'Evidence Based History and Physical Examination')

One last point:

Some years ago, I was asked to refrain from using the term 'Wiki-Nazi' on this page. Today, I do so. From this point on, I will describe those who insist that it is his way or no way, his, and only his content, phrasing, choice of references, definition of what constitutes a legitimate reference/cite, etc., as Wiki-dictators instead. Clearly, the term 'Wiki-dictator' is not as euphonious (or even as pejorative) as the former term, but I presume it will be found less offensive (to at least one lupine Wiki editor).

Alas, it seems that these vile creatures are very often denizens of the Wikipedia articles for various medical subjects. In other words, they inhabit and patrol precisely those articles to which I would have loved to contribute. But am I too tired to fight them anymore.

Reflection (several years hence)

On the remote chance that anyone other than me reads this, and having reflected on my past efforts to assist in the authorship of various medical Wikipedia articles, it's really a shame. A shame that I was turned off from making further contributions lest I encounter another Dunning-Kruger-affected editor.

Yes, I could have persevered. But, especially in this era of plentitude of diversions, I had only so much time, and even less energy.