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I feel as though there should be a consensus on which picture to use for the infobox. One user saying "He's not dead so why use a historical portrait" in the revision history is not a consensus.

So what do you think? Should we keep the more recent photo of Cosby, or should we use a 1960s historical photograph? 209.93.242.250 ( talk) 15:02, 14 January 2024 (UTC) reply

Infobox picture choices

I think we should choose an image that represents how the world best knows Cosby. Of the three images, I prefer #3 for this reason. That's just my opinion, and I do not object to the other images. Rklawton ( talk) 15:09, 14 January 2024 (UTC) reply

1. 3 per above nom. -- 209.93.242.250 ( talk) 17:32, 14 January 2024 (UTC) reply

I think the most recent image should be used, (which imo is #1), that's S.O.P. here. When a famous person dies, then we usually change the infobox image to an image of the subject in their prime or most recognizable. - FlightTime ( open channel) 18:21, 14 January 2024 (UTC) reply

You might hate this, but I think people should change it whenever they feel like it. Different people we see Cosby different ways, so there is no perfect picture for the infobox. Just let people change it when they get tired for the current one. We could also see if we could set it up to change every now and then automatically. Perhaps monthly. Richard-of-Earth ( talk) 07:17, 16 January 2024 (UTC) reply

You're right, that's not going to happen. - FlightTime ( open channel) 14:02, 16 January 2024 (UTC) reply

I've noticed that "Person A is an X, Y, Z, and convicted sex offender" is a common stylistic form on Wikipedia. Bill Cosby was convicted of aggravated indecent assault in 2018. The allegations of sexual misconduct, along with the conviction, received a great deal of media attention, and have significantly altered his legacy.

So, should the opening sentence be amended to read "...and convicted sex offender" at the end? If not, why not? Should this manner of introducing a BLP be avoided in general? What do you think? Philomathes2357 ( talk) 06:43, 6 March 2024 (UTC) reply

I do understand that his conviction was overturned on a technicality. The opening sentence could still read "...and former convicted sex offender". Philomathes2357 ( talk) 20:40, 6 March 2024 (UTC) reply

No. See Wikipedia:Biographies_of_living_persons/Noticeboard/Archive350#Including_"convicted_felon"_in_the_opening_sentence_of_a_BLP for a discussion about how a sentence like that violates NPOV. The way we cover Cosby's legal situation in the first paragraph is better. –  Muboshgu ( talk) 20:43, 6 March 2024 (UTC) reply

Does this imply in your view that the phrase is always, or almost always, inappropriate in the opening sentence of a BLP? Philomathes2357 ( talk) 20:52, 6 March 2024 (UTC) reply

Yes, it's always inappropriate. I try to remove it anywhere I find it. –  Muboshgu ( talk) 21:35, 6 March 2024 (UTC) reply

I tend to agree with you, actually. The only reason I thought there might be merit in the case of Cosby is because it's been covered so extensively. The majority of Bill Cosby's mentions in media over the last decade have been because of the sex allegations & conviction.

It seems like there is a strong consensus against saying "convicted felon" or "convicted sex offender" in the opening sentence, so I will go ahead and remove it when I see it, too. Thanks for your input. Philomathes2357 ( talk) 21:48, 6 March 2024 (UTC) reply

Hello

Bill Cosby has not retired and so is not ‘former’ to any of his still active to all components of his career. 107.122.85.72 ( talk) 15:37, 5 April 2024 (UTC) 107.122.85.72 ( talk) Bold Edit: Will see to ‘former’ is removed within 48 hours and restructure opening sentence to state the factual presumption of innocence Cosby currently has as a Constitutional right in fact of law. 107.122.85.72 ( talk) 21:34, 5 April 2024 (UTC) reply

What are you talking about? He's 86 and has not engaged in any professional activity since at least 2018. Not surprisingly multiple reliable sources describe him as "former". [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7]. DeCausa ( talk) 22:11, 5 April 2024 (UTC) reply

There is no formal announcement from Cosby or representative of Cosby’s announcement of his retirement. In fact current announcements by a Cosby representative is the planning of a return to active touring.

Wiki is not a gossip columnists paradise. It documents the facts of living persons. 107.116.110.12 ( talk) 20:12, 17 April 2024 (UTC) reply

Cosby or his representatives would be a primary source. Wikipedia relies on secondary sources. If secondary sources consider him a former actor, we go with that. Cortador ( talk) 15:00, 25 April 2024 (UTC) reply

So you just cite the National Enquirer, make it up and turn Wikipedia into agossip columnist’s paradise when the facts are Cosby is known to be planning to tour, write books etc. Got it. 24.113.167.154 ( talk) 12:58, 26 April 2024 (UTC) reply

The National Enquirer is an unreliable source as per list of perennial sources, and thus not suitable as a source. However, let that not keep you from being worked up by things you made up in your head. Cortador ( talk) 21:53, 26 April 2024 (UTC) reply

No one has cited the National Enquirer. I cited The Independent, CNN, BBC, Variety, Fox News, The Atlantic, and The New York Times. "known to be planning to tour, write books". That's gossip. DeCausa ( talk) 21:59, 26 April 2024 (UTC) reply

Can this category be added? 150.143.27.147 ( talk) 20:00, 27 April 2024 (UTC) reply

Did Cosby ever do sports professionally? I think that categy is reserved for professionals and/or people primarily known as sportspeople. Cortador ( talk) 14:08, 28 April 2024 (UTC) reply