Comments on: Post #3: vini vidi wiki.

By: cathy753

cathy753 — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 03:42:07 +0000

When it comes to Wikipedia I am conflicted. On the one hand I agree with you that humanity can compile knowledge about itself (correctly). On the other hand humanity can compile knowledge about itself (incorrectly). I, too, see errors in Wikipedia and have wimped out. I will have to work on my suspicions of this tool and try to overcome them.

By: KidLibrarian

KidLibrarian — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 20:25:01 +0000

When wikipedia is mentioned I always find myself conflicted. On one hand I agree that all humanity has the right to compile its own knowledge. On the other hand humanity is compiling its knowledge. Yes, its a double-edged sword. As you found out, entries are not always correct. I see errors, but find myself in your predicament of doubting myself. Perhaps as wikipedia grows I will come around and become a fan.

By: Bill

Bill — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 14:16:41 +0000

Nice post, and I know exactly how you feel, doubting your own knowledge. It’s normal to second guess one’s self because nobody wants to look foolish by passing along bad info. My wife, an academic librarian, always tells me that in her profession she doesn’t have to know everything, just where to find the answer.

By: Emily

Emily — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 16:13:24 +0000

Your example about car racing is apt though Em. You are not the car obsessed german who religiously watches and follows F1 races so its entirely possible that you mis-heard or misunderstood a fact so you are right to doubt your knowledge since its knowledge by proxy. That’s the problem with what’s on Wiki – it all feels like facts that have been passed around a few times and filtered by the users. Any academe worth thier salt will want primary source evidence (or at least the promise of it through citations) to back up any fact.