On Fri, 15 Feb 2008 22:11:50 -0700 Alan Dayley <
alandd@consultpros.com>
writes:
>
> I try to express these ideas:
>
> - They are correct, it is likely that some of the information in
> Wikipedia articles is wrong.
>
> - Since Wikipedia requires references and places that need them get
> flagged, references in Wikipedia can be used as a starting point
> for
> research.
>
> - Ask if they believe everything they read on websites but only
> doubt
> Wikipedia.
>
> - The same person can enter incorrect information in a Wikipedia
> article, that everyone can edit, and publish the same incorrect
> information on a website only they can edit. Ask why the later is
> more
> credible than the former.
>
> - Having said that, ask if they have ever watched or read a news
> article
> that they knew to be incorrect. Ask if they think it odd that
> printed
> encyclopedia sets issue correction addenda from time to time.
> Errors,
> or at least, mistakes are in all sources of information.
>
> - Point out that waiting for addenda or a new addition is far less
> useful than an encyclopedia that can be changed nearly immediately.
>
> - There is great value in "experts," even true experts, writing
> peer
> reviewed articles. There are many avenues such as journals and
> other
> publications for their contributions. There is also great value in
> allowing people with direct knowledge, though perhaps without
> official
> credentials, to publish their knowledge to the world. The
> democratization of knowledge sharing is very important in ways we do
> not
> know just as Gutenberg probably only had a imagining of the power
> of
> what he created. Wikipedia, or at least such a concept, is an
> important
> part of that.
>
> - Change and incorrect information are everywhere, all the time.
> Wikipedia simply exposes that truth to everyone instead of masking
> it,
> even if the mask is not purposeful.
>
> That's all I can think of right now. If all of that is to "high
> minded"
> for you or them, just tell them it's fun to participate!
>
> Alan
>
Well said, Alan! I love the democratization of Wikipedia.
If anyone doubts the value of "open-source" information, they might want
to read "The Language Police," by Diane Ravitch.
Marvin
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