User talk:Kethrus/Archive/2016/November

Gerald Schwarz Article

Dear Kethrus,

It's my understanding that Gerald Schwarz wrote to you granting permission to use his photo. He can be reached at Schwarz@Brandeis.edu, if you want to verify this.

Whereas, the photo appears on his Brandeis web page, it's a photo that was derived from his personal collection. He uploaded the photo to the Brandeis web page, himself, along with the other information currently displayed on his web page(s). I'll upload a different photo. But, this one happens to be my favorite, so if it's okay to keep it, please let me know.

As a holder of several patents, I value intellectual property law very much and appreciate that you were thorough enough to find and question this. Sincerely, Margery — Preceding unsigned comment added by 146.115.137.115 (talk) 15:57, 19 October 2015 (UTC)

@146.115.137.115: Nobody has contacted me regarding Gerald Schwarz. --  Kethrus |talk to me  16:15, 19 October 2015 (UTC)

Seeking an editor who can assist -- my bio is being considered for deletion

My name is Tolly Burkan. If you Google my name, you will see I have worked hard for 38 years to show that firewalking is not paranormal and that anyone can do it. There are literally thousands of references that confirm this. I taught many celebrities, including Tony Robbins. Every mention of me is cited and referenced. However, there is a group of people who dislike me and are attempting to remove my name wherever it appears in Wikipedia. Their disruptive editing and vandalism is on just three pages: Tony Robbins, Tolly Burkan, and Firewalking. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Robbins, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tolly_Burkan, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firewalking) Now, after being in Wikipedia for maybe 10 years, I am being considered for deletion on the basis I am not "notable." I have been written about in over 70 books, including these books by mainstream publishers: HEAT by Bill Streever Little, Brown and Company 2013, THE FOUR SPIRITUAL LAWS OF PROSPERITY by Edwene Gaines Rodale Books 2005, FIREWALKING AND RELIGIOUS HEALING by Loring M. Danforth, Ph.D. Princeton University Press 1989, HARPER'S ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MYSTICAL AND PARANORMAL EXPERIENCE by Rosemary Ellen Guiley Harper Collins 1994, HEALING STATES by Alberto Villoldo, Ph.D. and Stanley Krippner, Ph.D. Simon & Schuster 1987, TOO MUCH IS NOT ENOUGH by Orson Bean Lyle Stuart 1988, DAVE BARRY'S GREATEST HITS by Dave Barry Ballantine Books 1988, FIREWALK: THE PSYCHOLOGY OF PHYSICAL IMMUNITY by Jonathan Sternfield Berkshire House 1992, SECRETS OF SUPERSTAR SPEAKERS by Lilly Walters McGraw-Hill 2000, MIND GAMES by Michael Powell Barnes & Noble 2004, LIFESTYLES OF THE RICH IN SPIRIT by Alan Cohen Hay House 1996, SWITCHED-ON LIVING by Jerry V. Teplitz, J.D., Ph.D.Hampton Roads Publishing 1994, DANCING WITH THE FIRE by Michael Sky Bear & Company 1989. If any editor takes the time to research me on Amazon.com, you can see all the other books that speak about me and my work. Over the years, people have expanded descriptions of my work in Wikipedia, and have put all the needed citations and references on the entries. There are hundreds of major newspapers that have featured me over the years, including: The Wall Street Journal April 18, 1989 "If Past-Life Trauma Has Got You Down, Firewalk May Help" by Christopher J. Chipello Front Page, Los Angeles Times April 11, 1984 "Firewalking: The Curious Hotfoot It to a New Fad" by Beth Ann Krier Front Page, The Washington Post June 6, 1984 "Daring Feet: A Hot Fad" Section B, Page 6, The New York Times May 31, 1980 "‘Day of Child’ Benefit Is Set for Tomorrow" by Dudley Clendinen Page 9, Chicago Tribune December 1, 1986 "Hot Feat: No Burning Desire to Walk on Fire" by Paul Galloway Section 5, Page 1, Philadelphia Inquirer May 1, 2002 "A Guru’s Guide to Firewalking and Forgiving" by Art Carey Section D, Page 1, Prevention Magazine January, 2003 "If You Can Walk on Fire" by Andrew Weil, M.D. Page 100. I'm not sure how much documentation I need to provide, but if you want more, I can give you hundreds, if not thousands, of newspapers, magazines and journals that cite my work. No matter how many references have been put on Wikipedia to make everything up to your standards, one man and his associates keep deleting valid facts and all necessary references. Is there any way to stop this? Thank you very much for looking into this. (tolly@tollyburkan.com) Also, where can I see how Wikipedia responds? Can you send me an email?73.12.138.134 (talk) 15:08, 21 October 2015 (UTC)

I haven't heard of you before, and I presume Primefac hasn't either. The deletion discussion points out something which is pretty valid. It's not people who dislike you that nominated it for deletion, please don't presume that - it's nothing personal. --  Kethrus |talk to me  15:16, 21 October 2015 (UTC)

Thank you for responding

Thank you for responding. It is possible other editors have also responded, but I am not savvy enough to know my way around Wikipedia.

I read the policies and guidelines which say not to edit on features where I am mentioned. Since I am a part of firewalking history (Please don't take my word for this, but do a Google search) I was mentioned in three places: my bio (Tolly Burkan), also on firewalking and Tony Robbins. A man named Charles Horton and his associates kept deleting my name. I simply undid their unjustified deletion. I was not aware that this action is what you prohibit. CH and his friends also cut my bio down to about three sentences. The original bio was worded by a Wikipedia editor, so when I undid the deletions made by CH, I again was not aware that this action is prohibited.

As far as removing me from Wikipedia because I am not notable, a Google search will show that I am one of the key figures in the firewalking movement. I sent the following info to another editor to try to establish my "notability" by Wikipedia's standards.

My name is Tolly Burkan. If you Google my name, you will see I have worked hard for 38 years to show that firewalking is not paranormal and that anyone can do it. There are literally thousands of references that confirm this. I taught many celebrities, including Tony Robbins. Every mention of me is cited and referenced. However, there is a group of people who dislike me and are attempting to remove my name wherever it appears in Wikipedia. Their disruptive editing and vandalism is on just three pages: Tony Robbins, Tolly Burkan, and Firewalking. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Robbins, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tolly_Burkan, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firewalking) Now, after being in Wikipedia for maybe 10 years, I am being considered for deletion on the basis I am not "notable." I have been written about in over 70 books, including these books by mainstream publishers: HEAT by Bill Streever Little, Brown and Company 2013, THE FOUR SPIRITUAL LAWS OF PROSPERITY by Edwene Gaines Rodale Books 2005, FIREWALKING AND RELIGIOUS HEALING by Loring M. Danforth, Ph.D. Princeton University Press 1989, HARPER'S ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MYSTICAL AND PARANORMAL EXPERIENCE by Rosemary Ellen Guiley Harper Collins 1994, HEALING STATES by Alberto Villoldo, Ph.D. and Stanley Krippner, Ph.D. Simon & Schuster 1987, TOO MUCH IS NOT ENOUGH by Orson Bean Lyle Stuart 1988, DAVE BARRY'S GREATEST HITS by Dave Barry Ballantine Books 1988, FIREWALK: THE PSYCHOLOGY OF PHYSICAL IMMUNITY by Jonathan Sternfield Berkshire House 1992, SECRETS OF SUPERSTAR SPEAKERS by Lilly Walters McGraw-Hill 2000, MIND GAMES by Michael Powell Barnes & Noble 2004, LIFESTYLES OF THE RICH IN SPIRIT by Alan Cohen Hay House 1996, SWITCHED-ON LIVING by Jerry V. Teplitz, J.D., Ph.D.Hampton Roads Publishing 1994, DANCING WITH THE FIRE by Michael Sky Bear & Company 1989. If any editor takes the time to research me on Amazon.com, you can see all the other books that speak about me and my work. Over the years, people have expanded descriptions of my work in Wikipedia, and have put all the needed citations and references on the entries. There are hundreds of major newspapers that have featured me over the years, including: The Wall Street Journal April 18, 1989 "If Past-Life Trauma Has Got You Down, Firewalk May Help" by Christopher J. Chipello Front Page, Los Angeles Times April 11, 1984 "Firewalking: The Curious Hotfoot It to a New Fad" by Beth Ann Krier Front Page, The Washington Post June 6, 1984 "Daring Feet: A Hot Fad" Section B, Page 6, The New York Times May 31, 1980 "‘Day of Child’ Benefit Is Set for Tomorrow" by Dudley Clendinen Page 9, Chicago Tribune December 1, 1986 "Hot Feat: No Burning Desire to Walk on Fire" by Paul Galloway Section 5, Page 1, Philadelphia Inquirer May 1, 2002 "A Guru’s Guide to Firewalking and Forgiving" by Art Carey Section D, Page 1, Prevention Magazine January, 2003 "If You Can Walk on Fire" by Andrew Weil, M.D. Page 100. I have been interviewed by Phil Donahue, Geraldo Rivera, Regis Philbin, and have appeared on all major talk shows in the USA and also in Europe. I'm not sure how much documentation I need to provide, but if you want more, I can give you hundreds, if not thousands, of newspapers, magazines and journals that cite my work. No matter how many references have been put on Wikipedia to make everything up to your standards, one man and his associates keep deleting valid facts and all necessary references. Is there any way to stop this? Thank you very much for looking into this. (tolly@tollyburkan.com) Also, where can I see how Wikipedia responds? Can you send me an email? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 73.12.138.134 (talk) 15:46, 21 October 2015 (UTC)

I'd rather not get involved in the whole firewalking COI situation. I don't enjoy getting involved in such situations most of the time. --  Kethrus |talk to me  22:57, 23 October 2015 (UTC)