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Sunday, July 6, 2008

Wikipedia

A "Google" search on almost any topic will likely, in the top five results, return a reference to a Wikipedia article.

So far, so good.

The problem with Wikipedia is that anyone can post or edit articles - with almost complete anonymity - so there is no way of knowing whether the information is accurate or complete. Too many of the articles that I have reviewed lean far towards the trivial and many appear to be pushing a particular point of view.

Most users, unfortunately, accept what is written with little critical scrutiny. As a result, Wikipedia now has the potential to disseminate lies, misinformation, and propaganda in a way that few other media channels can.

Perhaps I am an old fogey but I consider that anonymously provided information should always be regarded with caution - if not suspicion. In addition, the wise words of one of my former clients come to mind: "you don't always get what you pay for but you rarely get more!"

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