Wikipedia is perhaps the most tremendously significant emergent social publishing effort of any time. In less than the time it took J. Gutenberg to set the type for his famous mythopoetic intial project, thousands of people around the world have contributed bits of truth and knowledge in many languages assembling a free encyclopedia for anyone to access and use. The information available has a high degree of verifiability and the wikipedians are constantly engaged in tidying it up and polishing its overall truthiness.
From time to time someone takes exception to the accuracy of some of the material that has been presented as factual, and then a marvelous sorting mechanism kicks in. In 1894 the Regents of the University of Wisconsin proclaimed,
"Whatever may be the limitations which trammel inquiry elsewhere, we believe that the great State University of Wisconsin shall ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth may be found.”
Wikipedia is shaped in the same manner.
Today David Weinberger reports on an emerging issue, by quoting Jimbo Wales regarding another bonehead reportorial hack job that leaves meaning and context aside.
The context of the German court order relates to the deceased hacker "Tron," and his family's desire for privacy and respect. The German Wikipedia entry on Tron lacks the English version's discussion of "the current controversy." I hope Jimbo is writing appropriate letters to the editor of the mainstream media outlets, since here he's preaching to the choir.
Also, the Chaos computer club remains above the fray.
Now, where'd I leave my 2600?
Recent Comments