Mr. ATOZ

Welcome!

Hello, Mr. ATOZ, and welcome to Wikipedia! Thank you for your contributions. I hope you like the place and decide to stay. Here are a few good links for newcomers:

• The five pillars of Wikipedia
• How to edit a page
• Help pages
• Tutorial
• How to write a great article
• Manual of Style

I hope you enjoy editing here and being a Wikipedian! Please sign your name on talk pages using four tildes (~~~~); this will automatically produce your name and the date. If you need help, check out Wikipedia:Questions, ask me on my talk page, or place {{helpme}} on your talk page and someone will show up shortly to answer your questions. Again, welcome! Molotov (talk) 20:47, 11 September 2005 (UTC)

"Naturalistic" vs. old-school science fiction

I'm replying here, rather than on Talk:Naturalistic science fiction, because this is really just a ramble about the comparisons between recent and old-school science fiction television, rather than a comment on the Naturalistic science fiction article. (By the way, I hope you realized that I wasn't the one who removed your contributions from the page — although I did think they were a bit Wikipedia:original researchy, I hoped that they could be improved by finding verifiable sources. I don't have time to do that research myself right now, but if you want to I'll support the inclusion of a "Criticism" section. You might also be interested in the response I wrote to Ricimer, who removed the section, on his user talk page.)

In any fiction, there's a tension between the fantastic and the mundane. Many of the best works of science fiction and fantasy succeed in drawing the audience in by beginning in a familiar, comfortable or domestic setting and then moving to a world filled with wonders, excitement and big ideas or images. Examples include the "real-world" framing devices of books like Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz and the Narnia books, to the then-contemporary beginnings of H.G. Wells's novels, to the use of the once-everyday police box as the "magic portal" of the TARDIS in Doctor Who. TV series from Buck Rogers to Farscape to Doctor Who (both in its original and current incarnations) include a protagonist from the viewers' world, who can react to the fantastic elements around them as the viewers would. Heck, when Edgar Rice Burroughs wrote A Princess of Mars, John Carter, the Civil War veteran, would have been a type very familiar to his readership.

While a minority of viewers or readers can identify with protagonists in a distant future or far-off worlds, who live lives completely unrelated to those we encounter, the majority of people need some sort of touchstone to the mundane in their fiction. If the premise of the novel or series can allow for a viewpoint character, that's the easiest way to handle this. But what about something like Battlestar Galactica? I think that the success of the new BSG comes from the way that it has pinned itself so closely to the zeitgeist of post-9/11 America, with our fears and insecurities reflected back in a heightened form. Moore's BSG acknowledges those fears, and then asks what our fear might cause us to do, to others and to ourselves.

But you're right that the result usually isn't as much fun as some of the old, less serious science fiction. Christopher Eccleston said that Doctor Who wouldn't work today if it were "just spooky escapism", but I do think that there's a place for spooky escapism too. The difference reminds me of the line by Oscar Wilde: "We are all of us lying in the gutter, but some of us are looking up at the stars."

I'm not sure why I was moved to write this little essay — I guess I wanted you to know that even though I reluctantly supported the removal of your "Criticisms" section on the grounds of original research, I thought it had a lot of value, and it made me think. Which is something that good science fiction, of both kinds, should always do as well. :D —Josiah Rowe (talk • contribs) 07:06, 7 December 2005 (UTC)

Thanks for your vote of confidence on the critisisms. I got a quote from Greg Benford in his afterword for one of his books that addresses the overuse of allegory. I'm trying to find other sources to back up what we both know is a widespread notion concerning excessive angst and gritty reality undermining the escape value in sci-fi. Like you, I feel that the section is needed to keep it from being pro-Moore or anti old-school. Mr. ATOZ 18:52, 7 December 2005 (UTC)

Good luck on finding sources for the section. I'm hoping that Ricimer was just in a bad mood when he (or she?) wrote that edit summary — he's since responded on his talk page and is sounding more reasonable.

In your comment on my talk page, you said, "with the exception of racism, back then, we didn't consistently have socio-political commentary jammed down our throats." I'm not sure that's true either — the original Star Trek took on lots of issues of its day, including overpopulation (a widely reported concern of the time), the Vietnam War, and the widespread fear that the Cold War might turn hot and destroy both sides. Sometimes it was more subtle, or less — Let That Be Your Last Battlefield is just the most blatant example. In the 1970s, Doctor Who examined colonialism head-on at least twice, as well as concerns as wide-ranging as pollution and punitive taxation. Maybe it was better disguised, or maybe it's just that we were younger when we saw those programs and the political allegories went over our heads.

As for the treatment of the mundane on latter-day Star Trek and BSG, I think that one part of the problem is that the original Star Trek metaphor is a military one, conceived in a time when due to the draft a wide section of the population —including the people working on the programs— was likely to have had military experience. Even if Captain Kirk and his crew were facing a giant amoeba in space or having their brains removed by beautiful but stupid women, the "naval" environment was one that the audience was able to relate to. Today, the military lifestyle is alien to the vast majority of Americans (I know it is to me), so the elements which once served as a touchstone to the mundane no longer resonate with a wide audience. The naval metaphor doesn't help the audiences of today connect to the characters, and may even hinder audience identification. So instead you get scriptwriters turning to sometimes-inane character moments or sexual intrigue in an attempt to get the audience to identify with characters who are in such an unfamiliar environment.

Again, this is just me rambling without much of a point. I guess I can see the value in both the new and old-school science fiction programs, and I'm certainly glad that the genre has gotten past the creative doldrums it was in when the highest-profile examples were Voyager or Enterprise. And again, good luck on finding sources for the "criticism" section of the article. —Josiah Rowe (talk • contribs) 18:18, 8 December 2005 (UTC)

You're right about Star Trek and other SF shows from the old days as far as tackling issues like the Vietnam War and such. I guess the difference back then is just like you say, we were too young to see all of the social commentary. Thing is, a large portion of the SF back then was made for children (as that was the pretext given to the TV executives for expensive SF shows). So it seems like much of these shows, when reexamined in a new, adult light, seem more sophisticated than they were once given credit for. I can sort of see now that Moore was really backlashing against his experiences on Voyager and Enterprise which was definitely in a sorry state by the time it ended. As long as Trek has been around, it should be at an evolutionary point where it should be the best SF on TV. Instead, it has epitomized triteness. Maybe this is why many pro-Moore fans see Trek and it's contemporaries as somewhat inferior. I agree with you that a criticisms section is better to balance against the pros of naturalistic SF. Someone mentioned Bjo Trimble as a possible source.Mr. ATOZ 20:48, 12 December 2005 (UTC)

Image copyright problem with Image:Emil_Lang_0_large.jpg

Thanks for uploading Image:Emil_Lang_0_large.jpg. The image has been identified as not specifying the copyright status of the image, which is required by Wikipedia's policy on images. If you don't indicate the copyright status of the image on the image's description page, using an appropriate copyright tag, it may be deleted some time in the next seven days. If you have uploaded other images, please verify that you have provided copyright information for them as well.

For more information on using images, see the following pages:

• Wikipedia:Image use policy
• Wikipedia:Image copyright tags

This is an automated notice by OrphanBot. For assistance on the image use policy, see Wikipedia:Image legality questions. 12:33, 9 April 2006 (UTC)

Image copyright problem with Image:Emil_Lang_Sentinels_large.jpg

Thanks for uploading Image:Emil_Lang_Sentinels_large.jpg. The image has been identified as not specifying the copyright status of the image, which is required by Wikipedia's policy on images. If you don't indicate the copyright status of the image on the image's description page, using an appropriate copyright tag, it may be deleted some time in the next seven days. If you have uploaded other images, please verify that you have provided copyright information for them as well.

For more information on using images, see the following pages:

• Wikipedia:Image use policy
• Wikipedia:Image copyright tags

This is an automated notice by OrphanBot. For assistance on the image use policy, see Wikipedia:Image legality questions. 10:38, 11 April 2006 (UTC)

Naturalistic science fiction AfD

As a contributor to the Naturalistic Science Fiction article, you may be interested in knowing that I have placed this article on AfD as a non-notable neologism. You can contribute to the discussion at Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Naturalistic science fiction. --Constantine Evans 10:55, 27 April 2006 (UTC)

Fair use rationale for Image:Supreme Comannder Anatole Leonard 1 large.jpg

Thanks for uploading or contributing to Image:Supreme Comannder Anatole Leonard 1 large.jpg. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is not a suitable explanation or rationale as to why each specific use in Wikipedia constitutes fair use. Please go to the image description page and edit it to include a fair use rationale.

If you have uploaded other fair use media, consider checking that you have specified the fair use rationale on those pages too. You can find a list of 'image' pages you have edited by clicking on the "my contributions" link (it is located at the very top of any Wikipedia page when you are logged in), and then selecting "Image" from the dropdown box. Note that any non-free media lacking such an explanation will be deleted one week after they have been uploaded, as described on criteria for speedy deletion. If you have any questions please ask them at the Media copyright questions page. Thank you. Freedomeagle 07:43, 3 August 2007 (UTC)

Fair use rationale for Image:T.R Edwards.jpg

Thanks for uploading or contributing to Image:T.R Edwards.jpg. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is not a suitable explanation or rationale as to why each specific use in Wikipedia constitutes fair use. Please go to the image description page and edit it to include a fair use rationale.

If you have uploaded other fair use media, consider checking that you have specified the fair use rationale on those pages too. You can find a list of 'image' pages you have edited by clicking on the "my contributions" link (it is located at the very top of any Wikipedia page when you are logged in), and then selecting "Image" from the dropdown box. Note that any non-free media lacking such an explanation will be deleted one week after they have been uploaded, as described on criteria for speedy deletion. If you have any questions please ask them at the Media copyright questions page. Thank you. Freedomeagle 07:44, 3 August 2007 (UTC)

Fair use rationale for Image:Emil Lang 0 large.jpg

Thanks for uploading or contributing to Image:Emil Lang 0 large.jpg. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is not a suitable explanation or rationale as to why each specific use in Wikipedia constitutes fair use. Please go to the image description page and edit it to include a fair use rationale.

If you have uploaded other fair use media, consider checking that you have specified the fair use rationale on those pages too. You can find a list of 'image' pages you have edited by clicking on the "my contributions" link (it is located at the very top of any Wikipedia page when you are logged in), and then selecting "Image" from the dropdown box. Note that any non-free media lacking such an explanation will be deleted one week after they have been uploaded, as described on criteria for speedy deletion. If you have any questions please ask them at the Media copyright questions page. Thank you. Freedomeagle 07:45, 3 August 2007 (UTC)

Fair use rationale for Image:Emil Lang 3 large.jpg

Thanks for uploading or contributing to Image:Emil Lang 3 large.jpg. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is not a suitable explanation or rationale as to why each specific use in Wikipedia constitutes fair use. Please go to the image description page and edit it to include a fair use rationale.

If you have uploaded other fair use media, consider checking that you have specified the fair use rationale on those pages too. You can find a list of 'image' pages you have edited by clicking on the "my contributions" link (it is located at the very top of any Wikipedia page when you are logged in), and then selecting "Image" from the dropdown box. Note that any non-free media lacking such an explanation will be deleted one week after they have been uploaded, as described on criteria for speedy deletion. If you have any questions please ask them at the Media copyright questions page. Thank you. Freedomeagle 07:45, 3 August 2007 (UTC)

Golgo 13

The last version changed by you is not quite suitable for wikipedia as the one before you changed, which had more details and was more objective, so I reverted to the previous version. Thank you. --Seventhfoughtho (talk) 12:45, 12 May 2009 (UTC)

Citations

When you add something "new" to an article, try and cite it. ~Rhana~{♦} ^{talk page} 19:57, 16 May 2009 (UTC)

Disambiguation link notification

Hi. In Wakusei Robo Danguard Ace, you recently added a link to the disambiguation page Giant robot (check to confirm | fix with Dab solver). Such links are almost always unintended, since a disambiguation page is merely a list of "Did you mean..." article titles. For more information, see the FAQ or drop a line at the DPL WikiProject.

It's OK to remove this message. Also, to stop receiving these messages, follow these opt-out instructions. Thanks, DPL bot (talk) 10:38, 8 December 2011 (UTC)

Disambiguation link notification for June 4

Hi. Thank you for your recent edits. Wikipedia appreciates your help. We noticed though that when you edited Spaghetti, you added a link pointing to the disambiguation page Meatballs (check to confirm | fix with Dab solver). Such links are almost always unintended, since a disambiguation page is merely a list of "Did you mean..." article titles. Read the FAQ • Join us at the DPL WikiProject.

It's OK to remove this message. Also, to stop receiving these messages, follow these opt-out instructions. Thanks, DPL bot (talk) 08:59, 4 June 2014 (UTC)

Proposed deletion of Exedore

The article Exedore has been proposed for deletion because of the following concern:

The coverage (references, external links, etc.) does not seem sufficient to justify this article passing Wikipedia:General notability guideline and the more detailed Wikipedia:Notability (biographies) and Wikipedia:Notability (fiction) requirement. If you disagree and deprod this, please explain how it meets them on the talk page in the form of "This article meets criteria A and B because..." and ping me back. Thank you,

While all constructive contributions to Wikipedia are appreciated, content or articles may be deleted for any of several reasons.

You may prevent the proposed deletion by removing the {{proposed deletion/dated}} notice, but please explain why in your edit summary or on the article's talk page.

Please consider improving the article to address the issues raised. Removing {{proposed deletion/dated}} will stop the proposed deletion process, but other deletion processes exist. In particular, the speedy deletion process can result in deletion without discussion, and articles for deletion allows discussion to reach consensus for deletion. _{Piotr Konieczny aka Prokonsul Piotrus| reply here} 12:41, 4 January 2015 (UTC)

Orphaned non-free image File:T.R Edwards.jpg

⚠

Thanks for uploading File:T.R Edwards.jpg. The image description page currently specifies that the image is non-free and may only be used on Wikipedia under a claim of fair use. However, the image is currently not used in any articles on Wikipedia. If the image was previously in an article, please go to the article and see why it was removed. You may add it back if you think that that will be useful. However, please note that images for which a replacement could be created are not acceptable for use on Wikipedia (see our policy for non-free media).

Note that any non-free images not used in any articles will be deleted after seven days, as described in the criteria for speedy deletion. Thank you. Stefan2 (talk) 17:07, 12 January 2015 (UTC)

ArbCom Elections 2016: Voting now open!

Hello, Mr. ATOZ. Voting in the 2016 Arbitration Committee elections is open from Monday, 00:00, 21 November through Sunday, 23:59, 4 December to all unblocked users who have registered an account before Wednesday, 00:00, 28 October 2016 and have made at least 150 mainspace edits before Sunday, 00:00, 1 November 2016.

The Arbitration Committee is the panel of editors responsible for conducting the Wikipedia arbitration process. It has the authority to impose binding solutions to disputes between editors, primarily for serious conduct disputes the community has been unable to resolve. This includes the authority to impose site bans, topic bans, editing restrictions, and other measures needed to maintain our editing environment. The arbitration policy describes the Committee's roles and responsibilities in greater detail.

If you wish to participate in the 2016 election, please review the candidates' statements and submit your choices on the voting page. MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 22:08, 21 November 2016 (UTC)

ArbCom 2017 election voter message

Hello, Mr. ATOZ. Voting in the 2017 Arbitration Committee elections is now open until 23.59 on Sunday, 10 December. All users who registered an account before Saturday, 28 October 2017, made at least 150 mainspace edits before Wednesday, 1 November 2017 and are not currently blocked are eligible to vote. Users with alternate accounts may only vote once.

The Arbitration Committee is the panel of editors responsible for conducting the Wikipedia arbitration process. It has the authority to impose binding solutions to disputes between editors, primarily for serious conduct disputes the community has been unable to resolve. This includes the authority to impose site bans, topic bans, editing restrictions, and other measures needed to maintain our editing environment. The arbitration policy describes the Committee's roles and responsibilities in greater detail.

If you wish to participate in the 2017 election, please review the candidates and submit your choices on the voting page. MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 18:42, 3 December 2017 (UTC)

Disambiguation link notification for October 17

Hi. Thank you for your recent edits. An automated process has detected that when you recently edited Etaoin shrdlu, you added a link pointing to the disambiguation page Jack McKinney (check to confirm | fix with Dab solver). Such links are usually incorrect, since a disambiguation page is merely a list of unrelated topics with similar titles. (Read the FAQ • Join us at the DPL WikiProject.)

It's OK to remove this message. Also, to stop receiving these messages, follow these opt-out instructions. Thanks, DPL bot (talk) 09:21, 17 October 2018 (UTC)

ArbCom 2018 election voter message

Hello, Mr. ATOZ. Voting in the 2018 Arbitration Committee elections is now open until 23.59 on Sunday, 3 December. All users who registered an account before Sunday, 28 October 2018, made at least 150 mainspace edits before Thursday, 1 November 2018 and are not currently blocked are eligible to vote. Users with alternate accounts may only vote once.

The Arbitration Committee is the panel of editors responsible for conducting the Wikipedia arbitration process. It has the authority to impose binding solutions to disputes between editors, primarily for serious conduct disputes the community has been unable to resolve. This includes the authority to impose site bans, topic bans, editing restrictions, and other measures needed to maintain our editing environment. The arbitration policy describes the Committee's roles and responsibilities in greater detail.

If you wish to participate in the 2018 election, please review the candidates and submit your choices on the voting page. MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 18:42, 19 November 2018 (UTC)