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Wikipedia isn't true? WAAAAA!


Wikipedia isn't intended to be an infallible fount of truth. It is simply meant to be an information sharing resource with the ability to be updated and edited much more quickly than traditional printed material.

As the article even states, if they didn't require sources to be verifiable, people could cite hearsay as fact and publish completely bogus information. To use the example of the scientist and his theory, Wikipedia will indeed reflect that the scientist believes his theory to be false, but only after a reputable source has published his change in view. Ideas and information of great importance are generally published fairly quickly in some form or other, and Wikipedia will update to reflect these publications.

People shouldn't look at Wikipedia as a standalone self-sufficient resource, but as more of an information aggregator, much as RSS newsreaders compile and display news and other tidbits for a reader; the difference being that this one is powered as much by people as it is by code, and is comprehensive rather than selective.
Posted by: Dr_Jones   Posted on: 09/12/06 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use
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Unfortunately...  rapson | 09/12/06
Or to put it another way  jorwell | 09/13/06
Oh, yes  rapson | 09/13/06
A book I would recommend  jorwell | 09/13/06
Thanks  rapson | 09/13/06
Whether you agree with it or not...  jcg_z | 09/13/06
Interesting...  rapson | 09/13/06
Not me so much...  jcg_z | 09/13/06
Peer-review  rapson | 09/13/06
Reproducibility....  jcg_z | 09/13/06
Facts...  jcg_z | 09/13/06
Facts  rapson | 09/13/06
The continuing advance  jcg_z | 09/13/06
Continuing...  rapson | 09/13/06
When you say...  jcg_z | 09/13/06
Wikipedia isn't true? WAAAAA!  Dr_Jones | 09/12/06
Not hearsay, not the masses  Arpiean | 09/12/06
Wales is a bit too slick, if you ask me  Daniel Brandt | 09/12/06
Educational Purpose  mighetto | 09/12/06
In science and Astronomy, Wikipedia is pretty damned good  GreatInca | 09/12/06
Also good for cultural references  Edward Meyers | 09/13/06
Agreed  ebrke | 09/13/06
Wikipedia is needed  HumanSpirit@... | 09/12/06
Wikipedia's "no original research" policy is a pain...  Eddie N | 09/12/06
Here's something from Wikipedia...  jsaltz | 09/14/06
Critical thinking is part of gaining knowledge  3dguru | 10/03/06
http://www.analogstereo.com/toyota_4runner_owners_manual.htm  uk_forum@... | 06/23/07
RE: Is Wikipedia 'knowledge' merely third party hearsay?  loomis51 | 11/01/09

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