In order to put Bjørn Brox comments above in perspective, I would like to share with you the message I have coped below, which I received from a fellow Geni member a couple of month ago. Please in this context in particular pay attention to the last sentence.
I have spent a lot of time trying to explain to Bjørn Brox why merging, when it does not contribute new links, is the root cause of the mess on Geni. I have unfortunately just recently after much patient effort and exchange of numerous ( in my case carefully worded) messages reached the conclusion that he is beyond pedagogical reach, and I have told him so.
However, if anybody is interested in an open-minded, constructive discussion of how we avoid the increasing mess, I will - time allowing - engage in such a discussion with much energy. As indicated, I have some preliminary ideas of how to deal with the problem, but to develop and apply a code of conduct, which will prevent the rot in the Danish-Norwegian branch of the Big Tree, will require a joint effort by a number of people. Developing such a code of conduct need to take into account both the interest of those people who see Geni as a potential source of reliable family information about links between Danish-Norwegian families during the last few hundred years, and those who consider Geni like a computer game like Civilisation where the objective is to maximise the number of profiles controlled. It also requires bringing together people with different skills and experiences, not only computer skills. Finally, there is a need clearly to distinguish between what are in the users' interest and what is in the interest of Geni as a profit driven organisation ( in contrast to Wikipedia).
Al the best to everybody
Knud Munk
Message from fellow Geni user:
"Hello Knud
I saw your comment on managers of profiles and the global tree on geni and I believe you are correct, I myself have seen many mistakes on the tree and unfortunately I agreed to collaborate when it first started on here only to find that my own tree was being changed and mistakes being added. Because of this I no longer collabrate with anyone on geni but I cannot remove my tree from the rest now without losing alot of my work.
If I knew it was going to be like this I would not have even put my tree on here, it looks like it is one big competition to see who has most profiles and is related to famous people I am not intrested in being related to Jesus I think it is ridiculous. I now try to work away on my tree but have been pressurized into merges by others which is why I choose to go it alone now.
You might want to think carefully before you make same mistake I did. Your views may not be too welcome with some of the others."