Barking1

Potsdamer Platz, Soviet Propaganda

Hello Barking1

I don't think I was logged in when I put in the section about the rescue of the girl by the Soviet soldier. It may indeed have limited relevance to Potsdamer Platz itself, but I feel that as it still documents an event that took place there, and went on to influence events elsewhere after the war (the Soviet memorial in Treptower Park), it does have a place in the article. I'm not trying to paint the Soviets as good guys or bad guys (must avoid POV if possible) so I have tried to be careful with the tone of what I said. If you still feel that it should come out, then by all means remove it again.

In one sense, the episode is like a scaled down version of how Potsdamer Platz has influenced far more than just the construction of a memorial. Since Hitler's Chancellery was in the next street, the platz has played a major part in shaping much of 20th century world history. Much of the way the world is, can be traced back to decisions made, and orders issued, one block away from Potsdamer Platz, and the way the world responded to these. I hope that one day the article can reflect this better. Alternately I may create my own website about Potsdamer Platz, where I may have greater freedom to decide its content and general tone.

You've probably guessed by now that I have a fascination, almost an obsession, with the place. I love visiting it, have thousands of photos of it, old and new, and yes, I contributed most of the Wikipedia article's content, but I wanted to convey the fact that I don't necessarily see it through rose-tinted spectacles (must avoid POV again). There are negative aspects - some of its architecture I find dull, there are always questions being asked about its commercial impact and whether it's a success or not, or whether it has achieved what it was intended to do (detractors say it hasn't). I've tried to keep the article balanced and impartial but other people's comments are welcomed.

Regards

Tony the Pixel Tonythepixel (talk) 11:12, 31 July 2008 (UTC)

Hi Tony,

Thanks for your thoughtful reply. You and I seem to share some interest.

Regarding your entry. I think it belongs in the section I had mentioned. In the whole scheme of things, it doesn't reflect on the general happenings at Potsdamer Plz at the time, even though you did qualify it somewhat. I also think it diminishes the more common horrible experiences of the people there at the time (especially women). If your entry were to stay, it would HAVE TO be preceeded with a description of the rape and violence that was more the rule. This is necessary in order to present a more complete and balanced story. Otherwise, it just sounds like Soviet propaganda. But if we go that route, I still think it becomes even off topic.

I am going to review your other entries to get to know you better, as you seem to have interesting insights on topics I am interested. I like that. Do you live in Berlin? I've been a number of times - I find it fascinating too.

All the best!barking (talk) 15:55, 1 August 2008 (UTC)

A bit about Tony the Pixel

Hello Barking1

I actually live in North Wales, in the UK, but I've travelled a fair bit, not just within the UK but in parts of Europe, though in recent years I've been caring for my mother which means I can't get about much. I'm a keen railway enthusiast, and once I'd done most of the lines in the UK I started on Europe, being drawn particularly to Germany and the former Eastern Block, with the ultimate aim of travelling within the former Soviet Union. I have no strong political leanings, but there is something about Eastern Europe and beyond that attracts me. It was partly for that reason that in 2005 I went to the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Poland (along with Germany and Austria), culminating in a visit to Auschwitz - I'd always wanted to see it, and it was everything I'd expected multiplied many times over. I was in a very sombre mood when I came away from there.

I was pleasantly surprised by the railways, even in a little country like Slovakia. After years of hearing Britain's railways repeatedly criticised and kidding myself that the things people were saying were all rubbish, I have to admit that train travel in the UK is no longer that exciting for me; I have to go the Continent now to really enjoy train travel.

But it's Berlin that is my favourite city. I've been four times, love the whole city, but Potsdamer Platz is the place I mostly head for. Since first seeing it in 1996 when it was mostly still a wasteland, I've followed its redevelopment, and find it fascinating. Although I don't like all of it (the Park Kolonnaden is, for me, just a lot of boring squares), it's a dramatic symbol of destruction and rebirth; almost every human emotion has been played out there. It has seen hideousness (Hitler and Co), scenes of great joy (the Berlin Wall was breached at Potsdamer Platz before the Brandenburg Gate), and I watched many of the world's top athletes run through it in the closing stages of the 2005 Berlin Marathon. And inevitably, I've added to several Wikipedia articles about subjects in the vicinity: as well as Potsdamer Platz itself, I have contributed much to articles on the three former railway termini Berlin Potsdamer Bahnhof, Berlin Anhalter Bahnhof and Berlin Dresdner Bahnhof, also the Siegesallee, Voss Strasse (where Hitler's Chancellery was sited), and Ebertstrasse.

Elsewhere, I've added to several articles of railway interest in the UK, also my birthplace and former home-town Tewkesbury, my favourite band Tangerine Dream (German electronic group), other artists making similar music, and articles on the UK music charts. Being a bit of a perfectionist, I tend to go back into an article several times to tweak a few bits here, a couple of words there, before I finally leave it alone.

Hope you find this interesting!

Regards

Tony the Pixel Tonythepixel (talk) 16:56, 3 August 2008 (UTC)

Your recent edits

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