week13--------LIMENGCHEN Understanding Wikipedia

This semester, we took a deeper look into the platform of Wikipedia. To be honest, I had always seen it as just a convenient tool for looking things up or quickly gathering background information for assignments. I never really thought about how it actually works. But through this course, I started to seriously examine what’s behind Wikipedia—where its content comes from, who writes it, how neutrality and accuracy are maintained, and how it manages to update information so quickly when something new happens.

What surprised me the most was learning that Wikipedia isn’t written by experts for the general public—it’s a platform that anyone can edit and contribute to. That kind of openness sounds risky at first, but I learned that it’s actually governed by a fairly strict set of rules, like requiring reliable sources, avoiding personal opinions, and maintaining a neutral point of view. These guidelines help ensure the overall quality of the articles.

One thing that really stood out to me was the “Talk” page feature. I used to think each article was just a finished product, but I discovered that behind every page there are ongoing discussions among editors. They debate how a sentence should be worded, which terms are most appropriate, and whether the sources are strong enough. It made me realize that knowledge isn’t just something we receive—it’s something people build together through collaboration and debate.

Of course, Wikipedia isn’t perfect. Some lesser-known articles update slowly, and entries on sensitive topics can sometimes lack balance. But overall, I think it’s still a trustworthy platform. In fact, when I need to quickly understand the background of an issue, Wikipedia often gives me a clearer overview than news websites.

This course really changed how I understand the word “knowledge.” It’s no longer just something a teacher delivers and I absorb—it’s something that anyone can take part in, revise, and improve. I hope that in the future, I’ll have the chance to contribute more actively to this open and collaborative knowledge space.

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