Babel41

Greetings! My username derives from that of the quasi-independent Soviet journalist and short story writer Isaak Babel, who was reportedly shot by Stalin's police in '41 (though recent scholarship suggests it was actually 1940). I have relied on Wikipedia heavily and shamelessly since its very first year.

My first contribution to W. consisted of fully developing the Mark Satin biography, a life story the original Babel might have imagined (Chekhov, too - see his novella "My Life: Story of a Provincial"). Since then, I have enjoyed adding touch-ups to articles on such topics as nonviolence, politics, and futures studies. OK, some of those additions have been more than touch-ups.

I was very moved when a still somewhat provocative photo I solicited from a Vietnam War resister and her son was named a Featured Picture by the Wikipedia community. You can see the photo HERE, and it has since been added to Wikipedia's gallery of featured war photos at WP:Featured pictures/History/War.

Update: In 2012, the Satin biography was named a Featured Article.

Update #2: On January 9, 2015, I was delighted to receive Wikipedia's Quality Article Improvement "PumpkinSky Prize" (aka "Precious Prize") for my edits to an article. I have always made an effort to explain my edits, so viewers can follow my reasoning. Some dare call that WikiLove.

Update #3: In July 2020, medical issues forced me to step away from Wikipedia. I may stagger back to update some of my contributions from time to time, as I did in May 2024, but my years doing heavy & fascinating research for long Wikipedia articles are gone. During those years, being a volunteer Wikipedia editor / contributor allowed me to feel like a "planetary citizen". It is one of the most beautiful feelings in the world.

2,500+

This user has made more than 2,500 contributions to Wikipedia.