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George Watson

Member (since December 2009)
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I am a physics student from the UK, and an administrator of citizen journalism website OpenGlobe. I was formerly an administrator, accredited reporter, and arbitrator on Wikinews, until I resigned from the project on ideological grounds.

About George Help
Location: Grimsby, United Kingdom
Occupation: Student, Franklin College
Publications: Wikinews, Wikipedia, OpenGlobe, theopenglobe.org
Interests: Wikinews, sci/tech, science, physics, politics and conflicts, United Kingdom
Expertise: Sci/tech, science, physics
Affiliations: I am an administrator of OpenGlobe, a news website. I formerly edited Wikinews and Wikipedia, as well as—very occasionally—a number of other Wikimedia Foundation projects. I have no official political affiliations, but my views fall to the liberal left of the spectrum. I self-identify as a secular humanist, but belong to no such associations at present.
Background Help
Journalism: 1-4 years
Education: 1st-11th grade
News: 60-90 minutes a day
Internet: 90 minutes a day or more
Languages: English-only
Politics: Left
Age: 17 or under
Gender: Male
Income: Not Sure
Favorites Help
Contact Info Help
Email:
Web Page: dendodge.me
Address: Grimsby, DN32 8NR, GB
Last Visit: May 12, 2012 - 7:40 PM PDT
Last Edit: Oct 24, 2011 - 10:41 AM PDT

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Activity

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George posted and reviewed this story - Dec 4, 2011
George's Rating
4.4

This is the best available coverage of an issue that has been overlooked by the mainstream media.

This legislation is unconstitutional, infringes on the rights of US citizens, and should be struck down.

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NT Rating: 4.0 | See All NT Reviews »
George posted and reviewed this story - Dec 4, 2011
George posted this story - Oct 25, 2011
George posted and reviewed and starred this story - Oct 24, 2011
George's Rating
4.0

This is perhaps among the most in-depth coverage of these details of Jobs's life available online.

See Full Review » (19 answers)
NT Rating: 4.0 | See All NT Reviews »
George posted and reviewed this story - Oct 24, 2011
George's Rating
3.7
See Full Review » (18 answers)
NT Rating: 3.7 | See All NT Reviews »
George posted and reviewed this story - Oct 24, 2011
George posted and reviewed and starred this story - Oct 23, 2011
George's Rating
4.0

This is perhaps among the most in-depth coverage of these details of Jobs's life available online.

See Full Review » (19 answers)
NT Rating: 4.0 | See All NT Reviews »
George posted and reviewed and starred this story - Oct 23, 2011
George posted and reviewed and starred this story - Oct 22, 2011
George's Rating
4.2
See Full Review » (18 answers)
NT Rating: 4.2 | See All NT Reviews »
George posted and reviewed and starred this story - Oct 22, 2011
George's Rating
4.2
See Full Review » (18 answers)
NT Rating: 4.2 | See All NT Reviews »
George posted and reviewed and starred this story - Oct 22, 2011
George posted this story - Oct 22, 2011
George posted and reviewed and starred this story - Oct 16, 2011
George's Rating
4.0
See Full Review » (18 answers)
NT Rating: 4.0 | See All NT Reviews »
George posted and reviewed and starred this story - Oct 16, 2011
George's Rating
4.0
See Full Review » (18 answers)
NT Rating: 4.0 | See All NT Reviews »
George posted and reviewed and starred this story - Oct 16, 2011
George posted and reviewed this story - Oct 5, 2011
George's Rating
3.6

This article covers the issue very concisely and fairly, and gives the reader a very good idea of the relevant international situation without waffling or confusing the reader with unneeded text.

See Full Review » (19 answers)
NT Rating: 3.7 | See All NT Reviews »
George posted and reviewed this story - Oct 5, 2011
George posted and reviewed and starred this story - Oct 5, 2011
George's Rating
3.8

This article seems to be biased very slightly in favour of the editors of the Italian Wikipedia, and does not show any opposing opinions. However, the story is still of a very high standard, and perhaps among the best coverage of this story available.

I think the Italian Wikipedia editors have violated the neutral point of view policy, and that the Wikimedia Foundation, by condoning their actions, has abandoned one of its core principles.

See Full Review » (20 answers)
NT Rating: 3.7 | See All NT Reviews »
George posted and reviewed and starred this story - Oct 5, 2011
George reviewed and starred this story - Oct 4, 2011
George's Rating
1.2

I've never given such a bad review before, and I don't do so lightly, but this article is simply awful. It gets some simple facts about ant biology wrong—such as referring to ants as "mother" and "son". This is untrue, as all ants are, in effect, siblings, sharing only a single mother in the queen. The ants labelled as mothers are clearly not queens. It seems that the Daily Mail reporter (who, perhaps wisely, declined to receive attribution for this piece of "journalism") has little-to-no understanding of ant biology, and basically made it up as they went along, based entirely on their own interpretation of the images.

A spindly yellow ant looks bewitchingly human as she lifts her son high overhead in a game that will be familiar to any parent. More »

See Full Review » (20 answers)
NT Rating: 1.5 | See All NT Reviews »
George posted and reviewed and starred this story - Sep 28, 2011
George's Rating
3.3
See Full Review » (10 answers)
NT Rating: 3.3 | See All NT Reviews »
George reviewed and starred this story - Sep 28, 2011
George's Rating
1.2

I've never given such a bad review before, and I don't do so lightly, but this article is simply awful. It gets some simple facts about ant biology wrong—such as referring to ants as "mother" and "son". This is untrue, as all ants are, in effect, siblings, sharing only a single mother in the queen. The ants labelled as mothers are clearly not queens. It seems that the Daily Mail reporter (who, perhaps wisely, declined to receive attribution for this piece of "journalism") has little-to-no understanding of ant biology, and basically made it up as they went along, based entirely on their own interpretation of the images.

A spindly yellow ant looks bewitchingly human as she lifts her son high overhead in a game that will be familiar to any parent. More »

See Full Review » (20 answers)
NT Rating: 1.5 | See All NT Reviews »
George posted and reviewed and starred this story - Sep 28, 2011
George posted and reviewed this story - Sep 24, 2011
George's Rating
3.9
Disclosure: George is involved in this story as a co-worker (review not included in overall rating). Help
See Full Review » (10 answers)
NT Rating: 1.6 | See All NT Reviews »
George posted and reviewed this story - Sep 24, 2011
George's Rating
3.5

This is a good example of community-written journalism,

Disclosure: George is involved in this story as an editor (review not included in overall rating). Help
See Full Review » (11 answers)
NT Rating: 2.1 | See All NT Reviews »
George posted and reviewed this story - Sep 24, 2011
George posted and reviewed this story - Sep 24, 2011
George posted this story - Jan 29, 2010
George posted this story - Jan 27, 2010
George reviewed this story - Dec 15, 2009
George's Rating
3.8

The article is fair and reasonably balanced, and seems to be very well written. I can find very few flaws.

I don't see why there's such a big debate about this healthcare bill. We've had the NHS over my side of the Atlantic for years, and it seems to have worked pretty well (they're the least efficient organisation ever, but at least they're free) - nobody seems to object to the idea, even if they don't like the way it has been put into action.

See Full Review » (21 answers)
NT Rating: 3.5 | See All NT Reviews »
George reviewed this story - Dec 15, 2009
George's Rating
3.2

I do not know of this publication, but this article does not fill me with praise. It is heavily biased, but - on the good side - it does offer a new perspective on what I previously thought of as a non-issue.

supposedly capitalist America More »

See Full Review » (21 answers)
NT Rating: 3.8 | See All NT Reviews »
George reviewed this story - Dec 15, 2009
George's Rating
3.7

It is rather feature-like, written more in the style of a story than a news report, and this gives the article - which would otherwise be little more than a dumping ground for statistics - more character. It is slightly opinionated and biased, but it does make an effort to consider both sides of the argument, and backs up its claims with statistics. Despite a small scattering of spelling and grammar mistakes, the article is generally very well-written, although a reduction of the statistic overload would make the article more gripping and less bloated (I can remember very few of the statistics because of how they were all bunched together).

If they don't want so many babies and have no contraception, why do they keep having sex? I try to feel sympathy for these people, but it is hard when their situation is caused by their own lack of common sense.

asked how many were practicing family planning More »

See Full Review » (22 answers)
NT Rating: 4.3 | See All NT Reviews »
George reviewed this story - Dec 15, 2009
George's Rating
3.8

Despite minor inaccuracies (see quotes), the article is well-written and informative.

The climate is always going to be a point of contention, especially between rich developed nations and poorer developing ones, but I agree that something needs to be done. Hopefully a mutually beneficial compromise will be reached.

as ministers and heads of government prepare to arrive in the Danish capital in the coming days. More »

See Full Review » (22 answers)
NT Rating: 3.8 | See All NT Reviews »
George reviewed this story - Dec 13, 2009
George's Rating
2.6

The article is too brief to be of much use, and it has to be remembered that VoA is basically the US government's propaganda outlet. All this article serves to do is highlight the Republican Party's opposition to eco-laws. One is forced to wonder whether this is little more than an attempt by Obama's Democrats to secure more votes in three years' time from the more environmentally-conscious voting quorum.

I think the Republicans are probably mostly wrong on this, but I can see where they are coming from and admit that their views do have some merit. This article is too short to allow me to formulate any more insightful views on the topic based on it alone.

See Full Review » (21 answers)
NT Rating: 2.4 | See All NT Reviews »
George reviewed this story - Dec 13, 2009
George's Rating
3.3

As an interview and opinion piece, this is rather good. The questions may be somewhat dry on occasion, and often leading, but the viewpoint that is expressed is expressed in great and insightful detail. The inclusion of additional viewpoints (possibly with a second interviewee, acting as a debate) would improve the article, and an opinion could still be expressed in the conclusion.

I think this guy is probably right, we should do something about the environment, but I have just finished reading "Stark", which has temporarily embedded its principles in my brain, so my opinion should be taken with a pinch of salt.

See Full Review » (20 answers)
NT Rating: 3.3 | See All NT Reviews »
George reviewed and starred this story - Dec 13, 2009
George's Rating
3.3

(For disclosure, I edit Wikipedia and know the author of this piece from online discussions) This article provides extra context and evidence of just how difficult the image restoration process is. It is insightful and educational, since it provides tips on restoration throughout, with clear before/after images and close-ups.

I have restored a few images before, and am always stunned by Durova's masterwork. Some say that restoration robs images of their historical context, but I disagree: An image has more context, and use, if it appears as it did when it was brand new.

Disclosure: George is involved in this story as a friend (review not included in overall rating). Help
See Full Review » (20 answers)
NT Rating: 3.6 | See All NT Reviews »
George reviewed and starred this story - Dec 13, 2009
George's Rating
3.3

(For disclosure, I edit Wikipedia and know the author of this piece from online discussions) This article provides extra context and evidence of just how difficult the image restoration process is. It is insightful and educational, since it provides tips on restoration throughout, with clear before/after images and close-ups.

I have restored a few images before, and am always stunned by Durova's masterwork. Some say that restoration robs images of their historical context, but I disagree: An image has more context, and use, if it appears as it did when it was brand new.

Disclosure: George is involved in this story as a friend (review not included in overall rating). Help
See Full Review » (20 answers)
NT Rating: 3.6 | See All NT Reviews »
George reviewed this story - Dec 13, 2009
George's Rating
2.1

The article seems very biased, promoting a single viewpoint above all others, is based, it appears, on a single source, and is from a source that I, for one, have never heard of, and that appears to be a personal blog. The opinions are presented too subtly for this to qualify as a decent opinion piece, yet the bias is too rampant for it to qualify as a reliable news story. I am unable to find a single direct quote in the article, and it seems that this blog—which attempts to pass itself off as a place for "informed comment"—is simply a place for a single man to push his own point of view and promote his book.

See Full Review » (20 answers)
NT Rating: 2.1 | See All NT Reviews »