W3.1 March 18 (Mon) ——CHENG SHIYI

1.Summary

 The theme of Chapter 2 is the quest for a universal encyclopedia, which provides a clear indication of the chapter's focus and highlights the significant role that Wikipedia plays in this quest. The chapter begins with Jimmy Wills' dream of creating a free encyclopedia that could be used in schools around the world. This dream sheds light on the historical background of the Enlightenment and the significance of encyclopedias. While Jimmy Wills' dream faced technological challenges, it is also argued that technological advances were seen as key to realizing this goal. The chapter further discusses the historical background of index cards and microfilm, and the quest for a universal reference work. It focuses on Otlet's commitment to creating a universal bibliographic database and classification system, as well as Wells's concept of the "world brain." Wells hoped that this concept would lead to the creation of a universal encyclopedia accessible to all mankind. The impact of digital computers and the Internet on the creation of encyclopedias, as well as the role of Project Gutenberg and Wikipedia in this process, are discussed. The technology of the first half of the 20th century hinted at the concept of a universal encyclopedia, but it was not until the second half of the  century that the emergence of computer networks truly unlocked new possibilities. Project Gutenberg introduced the concept of shared accessible e-books, while Wikipedia leveraged computer networks and digitization technologies to effectively achieve the vision of a widely accessible and collaborative encyclopedia. The text concludes with a review of the development of Internet encyclopedias, including various projects like Interpedia, Nupedia, and GNU Encyclopedia/GNE, highlighting the key factors contributing to Wikipedia's success. Finally, the text also provides a complete timeline, summarizing key events in the encyclopedia. It gives us a better visualization of the development of the encyclopedia.

2.Interesting Point

This chapter describes the historical context of the quest for a universal reference book, from index cards and microfilm to the emergence of digital computers and the Web. The collision between traditional and modern technologies produces a fascinating contrast that highlights how our quest for knowledge-sharing has been affected by technological advances in every era, evolving in response.

3.Discussion

Wikipedia is an online encyclopedia contributed to by editors from around the world, and its content is meticulously verified. However, faced with the fact that many historical events exist only in legend and are widely circulated to this day, editing them becomes a challenge. How do you deal with these legends in the absence of corroborating sources?

Comments

  1. WYRRRRMarch 23, 2024 at 4:48 AM

    When faced with historical events lacking corroborating sources, Wikipedia emphasizes verifiability. If no reliable sources support a legend, it may be flagged or omitted. Editors aim for neutrality, attributing such content and relying on secondary sources where available. Discussions seek consensus among editors on handling disputed information.

    ReplyDelete
  2. ZhongxinJune 17, 2024 at 6:41 AM

    Wikipedia tackles legends without corroborating sources by relying on academic and historical analysis of these tales. Articles may include sections on the folklore, cultural impact, and scholarly interpretations of the legends, while clearly distinguishing them from verified historical events. This approach acknowledges the stories' significance in cultural narratives without presenting them as factual history.

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