Wikipedia

This is amazing.  I was impressed with Wikipedia's vision and scope, and by how their volunteers dedicated themselves to the truth, and not to their own bias.  I have to wonder: what was it like in the early days?  Certainly it didn't explode into existence; it must have grown, adding volunteers slowly.

Here are some random thoughts:

1. I'd never heard of the Bush/Cary controversy.  This is not surprising.  I was neck-deep in special-needs small children in 2004.  

2. Being a volunteer editors/guardian of a particular wikipedia entry would be the perfect activity for a person with Asperger's.  (They often focus on one particular idea and become the world's foremost expert on it, albeit in a very obsessive way.)  I know one such individual who fixates on Puffins.  Another on Encyclopedias (as a book, not a knowledge unit).  These are individuals whose vision is limited to one subject; who read and collect everything they can about that subject; and who lack the ability to be influenced by social groups or peers.  Perfect.

3.  I'm glad they consults something besides google.  Otherwise I would have to be thinking "conspiracy theory".

4. Wikipedia in the academic setting.  I use Wikipedia regularly, with the idea that if the subject is important enough I would check 2-3 sources about it anyway, but Wikipedia is usually the most basic and understandable source.  I was shocked when my daughter (8th grade) informed me that she is not allowed to use Wikipedia as a source for any academic work, because "it can be modified by anyone."  So, the very structure (and beauty) of Wikipedia are what have school's administrators have decided are its danger.  I can understand that in an academic setting, but often the sources she does use are no more authenticated.  So, I sit at one computer and check Wikipedia for her, to explain the concept (really embarrassing as a parent when you can't remember the five points of the third amendment); she sits at another and finds "authentic" sources and writes her paper.  Kind of funny, really.

5. The last and most vital item:  all of this is based on literacy.  Wikipedia's goal of bringing an encyclopedia to every human being rests on those people's ability to read, in any language.  This is one of my core beliefs:  every person should be given the gift of literacy.

I applaud his movement, I enjoy and use Wikipedia, but if the word had to choose between Wikipedia and literacy for every human, I would vote for literacy.

Teresa