I noticed a lot of people use information from Wikipedia to back up their answers to these questions. Yet Wikipedia allows ANYONE to write and edit articles. Are we just spreading incorrect information and does anyone care?
2006-09-21 07:40:23 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Other - Education
I care, but as a writer I rely on many different sources to support my opinions - not just one. I think people should be aware that even textbook encyclopedias are not completely irrefutable sources of information. Scholars are constantly dicounting facts that were once accepted as truths - which is why books of such stature are being updated every year with revised editions. For instance, Pluto was once considered to be a planet but now it's not. I actually believe Wikipedia is one of the best sources out there. It may allow anyone to edit, but this is a good idea because if someone comes across an article that has incorrect information, they have the chance to update the article as soon as they discover a mistake. With text books, however, you must wait an entire year to find out the current information. In conclusion, rarely have I come across an article that displayed invalid information. Wikipedia users seem to be doing their own research.
2006-09-21 11:23:54 · answer #1 · answered by Lainie 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Although it's definitely true that Wikipedia can be edited by anyone, and that it contains a lot of wrong information, I have found that in general it is accurate.
I have a few areas that I know quite a lot about, and when I check those areas on Wikipedia, I have seen that they were written mainly by someone who really knew what he was talking about. And most of the time if I see something I don;t agree with, the next time I look it has been corrected.
So, the bottom line is, Wikipedia is pretty useful, and mostly reliable, but if the information you are looking for is really important to you for some reason, you need to check it out in some other sources that are written or edited by someone authoritative.
2006-09-21 07:44:55 · answer #2 · answered by matt 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
That is a good point; however, it should be the question to every information you seek. I have often heard in my childhood not to believe all the things even infos newspapers display. I thought to myself back then that newspapers were a reliable source. Even the education text books are not entirely correct. Histories are often distorted by mankind for their favor. All these publications are directly or indirectly influenced by their own interest. Nothing you see is correct or not correct until you own that info to yourselves. Man can fly, duplicate genes and land on moon; however, if all the recordings of info weren't in existence, we would not be so different from animals we love in this planet. I recommend to that you keep that skeptism as a driving force behind your quest for the info. Soon, you will be able to discern all info. I, too, found that anyone can input in wikipedia as I am an avid researcher of it. Although there are some infos that I am confident to input myself for others to see, I do not for the same question you had. I thank all the info those people provided because it did definitely help me in ever-changing info-world.
OixixixiO
2006-09-21 10:42:42 · answer #3 · answered by James B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wikipedia is a wonderful place to START looking for information, but you're right, it's probably not a good site to to use to back up the truth of your answer.
I'm amazed that Wikipedia is as useful and accurate as it is - kinda fascinating - but it isn't too hard to find errors, either.
2006-09-21 07:49:31 · answer #4 · answered by Zhimbo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I love Wikipedia, but you can't just accept it as truth. Unless it is backed up by a reputable source, people should be careful about how much they believe what appears there.
2006-09-21 07:48:58 · answer #5 · answered by francesfarmer 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have to evaluate ALL the information you get over the Internet, no matter what the source.
There is a lot of BS out there. You have to decide for yourself if any of the information is legitimate or not.
2006-09-21 07:50:03 · answer #6 · answered by Mad Jack 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I care. Until I looked it up on Wilkepedia and it turns out in fact that I don't care a bit. Not even a little bit.
There is a big difference between information and data.
2006-09-21 07:50:13 · answer #7 · answered by fatherf.lotski 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I care and I flinch at some of the incorrect medical advice given to many people on this site.
2006-09-21 07:49:05 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have noticed this and mentioned it many times. You have to take Wikipedia with a grain of salt.
2006-09-21 08:11:49 · answer #9 · answered by Brigid O' Somebody 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it's a microcosm of the Internet, you have to be careful what you believe. I like to call it the dumbing down of America, any nit wit idea or statement becomes creditable. Buyer beware!
2006-09-21 07:44:25 · answer #10 · answered by mlblue66 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋