Wee6 - Book reviews of Chapter 8 "A Globe in Accord" - Kim jong min (hanyang)

 http://reagle.org/joseph/2010/gfc/chapter-8.html

This is a review of reading this article from the syllabus.

Summary, impressions, and my thoughts

I was struck by the analogy of Wikipedia to a puzzle, which can simultaneously illustrate the problems with Wikipedia and its positive features and effects. It is mentioned that if Wikipedia is supposed to be written from a neutral and impartial basis, eventually, everyone who contributes ends up adding their own laws. It was thought that when different Wikipedia contributors make puzzle-like contributions, each with a different shape, the different contributions cooperate and complement each other to complete the puzzle, just like puzzle pieces fitting together.

The puzzle pieces in the Wikipedia logo, representing different languages, are also meant to convey the above meaning. The puzzle can represent the culture of Wikipedia, the importance of collaboration, the contributions of different languages, and the incompleteness of the work. Therefore, I think it is the best logo to represent the identity and culture of Wikipedia.

The puzzle metaphor also connects Wikipedia to H. G. Wells' “World Brain,” which symbolized the vision of a universal encyclopedia.

The wiki's motto, “A Globe in Accord,” symbolizes the importance of multinational participation and the ability to communicate in many languages. In recent years, I believe that internet technology and advances in AI are helping to enable more international users to contribute to Wikipedia.

The article states that Wikipedia can also have conflicts that are characteristic of online communities. Conflict can also arise from a lack of social context in online interactions. Wikipedia aims to be a “culture of collaboration,” but the nature of the Internet is such that intolerance, vulgarity, and conflict can occur.

The article explains that Wikipedia's success is due to technology and a culture of collaboration. The modularity of work in a wiki and the ease of reversibility of changes can encourage contributors to collaborate and contribute. The cooperation of wiki users was more important to the success of the wiki than the technical elements.

Wikipedia's community will change, and this article says it's inevitable. I honestly don't know how Wikipedia will change in the future, but what I do know is that its content and knowledge will become a knowledge asset and history for future generations of humanity, just like archaeology has discovered documents of knowledge from the past. I think Wikipedia will only get better with the advancement of technology.

Discussions & questions

It has said in this article that Wikipedia is going to change, that it's inevitable, but in what ways do you think it will change?

What do you think are the pros and cons of websites or documents that allow for shared editing contributions, such as Wikipedia?

How do you think Wikipedia supports the quality of articles, accuracy of editing, and precise translation?

Comments

  1. Lee JaehyunApril 3, 2025 at 10:32 PM

    I think that Wikipedia is a remarkable example of global collaboration and shared knowledge-building. The metaphor of the puzzle was especially meaningful, symbolizing how individual contributions—each unique in shape and perspective—can come together to create a more complete picture. I also found it insightful that the Wikipedia logo reflects not only linguistic diversity but the collective and ongoing nature of the project. The reference to H.G. Wells’ “World Brain” and the motto “A Globe in Accord” further emphasized the ideal of cross-cultural cooperation, which I believe is increasingly achievable with the help of advancing technology and AI.
    However, I also recognize that this collaborative model is not without its challenges. Conflicts, bias, and lack of social context can undermine the integrity of the platform. It raises the question of how Wikipedia can evolve to maintain article quality, neutrality, and inclusivity as it continues to grow and change in a dynamic digital environment.

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