Sex, the Simpsons and the solar system: our Wikipedia whims laid bare
4 responses to “Sex, the Simpsons and the solar system: our Wikipedia whims laid bare”
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Very interesting to see what people are using Wiki’s for beyond the net’s usual suspects of sex, sci-fi, and the Irukandji jellyfish. Although the majority of searches seem quite random, I think you are right to argue that some of the Wiki searches are being driven by the news agenda – Pluto and Hurricane Katrina – but I think this is potentially very dangerous. Wiki’s greatest strength – the ability to be edited by all – is ultimately also its greatest weakness. It should not be used as a news source, or even an accurate reference source, but as a first draft of events. If it is to be used as a news source, it must be thought of as a first edition newspaper – written in pencil. In its worst case scenario, Wikis as news sources have the potential to become like Orwell’s dystopian news sources of 1984, where ‘truth’ is a fluid concept and in a constant state of flux, defined by the powers that be. While I am certain this won’t happen, the danger of false, inaccurate or massively manipulated reporting means that the Wiki can’t be used as such.
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Without delving too deeply into Orwell’s intended dystopian future… i thought the truth was a fluid concept in a constant state of flux – at least from a rolling news perspective (the 7/7 attacks were station closures, then power surges then a terrorist attack). Obviously responsible journalism makes this idea less dangerous but news – especially on the internet – is surely an evolving medium?
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There’s always a risk of inaccuracy or boas in any news. Naturally you want to treat Wiki news as subjective and subject to error like any other source.
I think that why news like the reclassification of Pluto or Hurricane Katarina would be driving people to Wikipedia is for reference information to supplement news they’ve already got elsewhere – in the main, at least.
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Hurricane katrina also distruct the people wikipedia. search more of this site.
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