Trying out a new category here, kids. Lemme know if I'm biting off more than I can chew.
The category is - things that either freak me out or make me smirk. I'll kick the series off with the latter variety.
Today's smirk - Wikipedia.
Specifically, a quote from the glorious Michael Scott in last week's episode of The Office:
"Wikipedia is the best thing ever. Anyone in the world can write anything they want about any subject. So you know you are getting the best possible information."
Don't get me wrong - I'm certainly not bashing the place. I love it and visit it nearly daily. But due to its nature, you certainly have to carefully scrutinize what you read there.
Just like pretty much the rest of the Internet.
8 comments:
Hah! I think that's the best line...I also use the Wik, but you're right, it's almost like a gossip site.
And can I love both versions of The Office any more?!
Holy, we laughed hysterically over the whole whispering salary negotiating thing last week.
I cracked up at that line. I love both version of The Office! Dwight is the man.
Wikipedia can be great but I never believe anything that is missing a citation. I think some people pull stuff right out of their asses.
I'm going to write a Wikipedia entry on myself. "Malnurtured Snay is the bestest malnurtured blog ever!"
OK, I REALLY need to bump up the UK Office in my Netflix queue. It keeps sliding down, but I won't allow that anymore.
Tanya - I pretty much skip over a Wiki entry when I see information that's inaccurate.
Chel - excellent point about citation. Somebody should find the nerve to cite their own ass as a source.
And were you as bummed as I was when Toby confiscated Dwight's nunchucks?
Snay - I don't think anybody can argue with that one. I say do it! :)
Your right that the entries in wik may not be accurate to begin with but give it time and enough opinionated people will add their 2 cents worth and hopefully at the end you may get something that is closer to the truth.
And with any luck that process will eradicate any bias that may pop up than if the whole deal is left to one publisher with their own agenda to push for, no matter how subtly(sp?) that may be.
They won't let me! Bah, this is the shitacular! Grrr.
Loved it. Toby and Stanley don't get enough air time for my liking.
My first semester at grad school we had just written our first paper. I'll never forget the prof's discussion after reviewing them..."Though tempting for easy research, it is not sufficient or appropriate to quote Wikipedia as a source." I sat in my desk astounded...someone in grad school used Wikipedia as a source?!
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