Wikipedia is Unreliable by Design
Not merely “truth by consensus” or “truthiness” (both perjoratives having been used to describe it), wikipedia avails itself to presenting information ultimately edited by the ‘lowest common denominator’ via online bullying tactics.
Wikipedia Origins in Online Pornography
Wikipedia was co-founded in 2001 by Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger. Prior to Wikipedia, Wales co-founded Bomis, a web portal that, among other content, featured adult material such as “Bomis Babes” and “Bomis Babe Report,” which provided erotic images.
Wikipedia’s open-editing model allows anyone to contribute, leading to concerns about the accuracy and reliability of its content. Notable incidents highlighting these issues include:
- Essjay Controversy (2007): A prominent Wikipedia editor, known as “Essjay,” falsely claimed to be a tenured professor with advanced degrees. His real identity as a 24-year-old without such credentials was later revealed, raising questions about the credibility of anonymous contributions.
- Seigenthaler Incident (2005): An anonymous user posted a hoax article containing false and defamatory information about journalist John Seigenthaler, which remained online for months before being corrected.
These events have fueled criticism regarding the potential for unchecked edits by anonymous users on the platform.
Here are the sources as text-only URLs:
- Wikipedia entry on Bomis (Jimmy Wales’ prior involvement with adult content):
- Wikipedia entry on the Essjay Controversy (fake academic credentials issue):
- Wikipedia entry on the Seigenthaler Incident (hoax article controversy):
Wikipedia Co-founder Split
Larry Sanger, co-founder of Wikipedia, departed from the project in 2002, citing concerns over the platform’s editorial processes and community dynamics. Initially serving as Wikipedia’s “chief organizer,” Sanger became increasingly troubled by the site’s openness to anonymous edits and the resulting challenges in maintaining content reliability. He observed that the community was being “overrun” by “trolls” and individuals resistant to authoritative oversight, leading to disputes and a decline in article quality.
In 2004, Sanger criticized Wikipedia’s “anti-elitism” and lack of respect for expertise, arguing that these issues compromised the platform’s credibility. He expressed that the absence of a formal review process and the presence of disruptive editors discouraged knowledgeable contributors from participating.
Beyond concerns about anonymous edits and vandalism, Sanger has also highlighted ideological biases within Wikipedia. He contends that the site has deviated from its neutrality policy, exhibiting a left-leaning bias in various articles, particularly those related to controversial topics and political figures. Sanger’s critiques underscore his belief that Wikipedia’s open-editing model has led to systemic issues affecting its reliability and objectivity.
In response to these challenges, Sanger launched Citizendium in 2006, aiming to create a more controlled and expert-driven online encyclopedia. This platform requires contributors to use their real names and enforces expert oversight to enhance content accuracy and credibility.
Sanger’s departure and subsequent initiatives reflect his ongoing commitment to addressing the limitations he perceives in Wikipedia’s editorial framework, particularly concerning anonymous contributions and the potential for unchecked misinformation.
Here are the sources as text-only URLs:
- Larry Sanger Wikipedia page (departure reasons, criticism of Wikipedia):
- Wikipedia’s ideological bias criticism (Sanger’s views on neutrality issues):
- Citizendium Wikipedia page (Sanger’s alternative to Wikipedia):
