Comments on: wikipedia: economies of community scale, cherish individuals first

By: Metametametadata

Metametametadata — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 14:41:59 +0000

Wikiality

Stephen Colbert enlists the aid of wikipedia in making his own reality. Wikiality I wonder if he knows that the process for defining reality that he defines is a true process? For more interesting analysis please see Jessamyn’s post….

By: Chuck Munson

Chuck Munson — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 21:12:18 +0000

Jessamyn: I’ve long had a love-hate relationship with Wikipedia. I’ve blogged about my thought and I’ve participated on the site. Our Infoshop website now has its own open encyclopedia, so I’ve seen all sides.

I think I’m ready to give up on Wikipedia. The Colbert Report stunt just illustrated the real problems with Wikipedia, which I’ve been experiencing this week as various assholes keep editing the entry on me to include unfavorable content. I could probably write an interesting article on all of the bizarre changes people have made to the Wikipedia entry on me. Wikipedia has no process to prevent anti-social behavior and if one tries to edit entries you just get burned by more assholism.

The problems with Wikipedia are so massive that I’m sure they discourage people from being involved who have good intentions, but don’t have time for all of the Wikipedia subculture and petty nonsense.

By: jessamyn

jessamyn — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 16:53:56 +0000

That’s a great article! I did get a little sidetracked in the seventh paragraph or so when Scott said there were two reasons for criticism of Jimbo Wales:

“Number one: Along the process of putting together Wikipedia, he has put together an excellent vision but in doing so, while he’s given over some of the responsibility to the Wikimedia Foundation and other parts, he has maintained control of Wikipedia.”

Good point, and then I waited for number two…. Thansk for linking to this (and to unalog!)

By: Mita

Mita — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 14:33:49 +0000

To me, the strongest critique I've read about Wikipedia is Jason Scott's The Great Failure of Wikipedia that I learned about through unalog. After reading Scott's piece I couldn't help but think that Wikipedia will eat itself. It will be a victim of its success and turn into Usenet. Wikipedia has been nagging at me for sometime now. I love it. I hate it. I've been rambling on about it.