Blogging through Wikipedia (2024)

 What Did I Learn from Editing Wikipedia? Editing Wikipedia was a profoundly educational experience that extended my learning beyond traditional academic settings. One of the foremost lessons I gained was the significance of maintaining neutrality and ensuring the verifiability of information. Wikipedia's stringent guidelines on upholding a neutral point of view (NPOV) and requiring reliable citations compelled me to critically evaluate my sources. This practice emphasized the importance of accuracy and impartiality, fundamental principles in both academic and professional writing. Additionally, I acquired a greater appreciation for collaborative editing. Wikipedia operates as a continuously evolving document, constantly being updated and refined by contributors from all over the globe. This aspect taught me how to function effectively within a community, respond constructively to feedback, and navigate differing opinions diplomatically. It was an exercise in patience and cooperati...

 1. Overview Demography is the scientific study of human populations, focusing on aspects such as population size, composition, distribution, and changes over time due to factors like births, deaths, migration, and aging. It sheds light on how populations change and interact within various societies. Key demographic indicators include birth rates, death rates, total fertility rate, and replacement level fertility, which is typically 2.1 children per woman to maintain a stable population. 2. Noteworthy Points 1. Impact of Women's Education on Fertility: Higher educational attainment in women is closely linked to lower fertility rates. This correlation is due to associated factors such as later marriages, increased use of contraceptives, better job opportunities, and a shift from traditional roles of childbearing. 2. Development Level and Fertility Rates: Fertility rates are significantly influenced by a country's development level. In developed nations, higher opportunity costs ...

 1. Wikipedia's "Did You Know" (DYK) section, featured on the homepage, highlights intriguing facts from newly created or significantly updated articles. This section aims to motivate editors to produce high-quality content and increase the visibility of their work. To be included in the DYK section, articles must meet specific criteria such as sufficient length and reliable sourcing. The facts presented should be brief, interesting, and attention-grabbing. Articles can be nominated by their creators or main contributors, and a group of volunteers reviews these nominations to ensure they adhere to the guidelines. The review process involves verifying the accuracy of the facts, compliance with Wikipedia's content policies, and ensuring readability. The chosen facts are then crafted into engaging questions designed to attract readers and encourage them to read the full articles. These questions often feature surprising or lesser-known information to capture the audience...

 1) The Wikipedia "Did you know" (DYK) project features newly created or significantly expanded articles on the Main Page. Its goals are to highlight a variety of content, recognize the contributions of editors, and engage readers. The DYK project is not intended for general trivia or promotional purposes. To qualify, articles must be new or substantially expanded, meet specific length criteria, contain properly cited hooks, and comply with Wikipedia's policies. The process includes nominations, reviews, preparation areas, queues, and scheduled appearances on the Main Page. Any errors can be reported and corrected to ensure accuracy. 2) An intriguing aspect of Wikipedia's "Did you know" project is its focus on showcasing diverse topics and recognizing the efforts of editors. It is fascinating that the project not only highlights new content but also encourages readers to get involved in editing, promoting knowledge diversity in line with key content policies...

 1. Summary: Wikipedia's category system guidelines are designed to help users efficiently locate pages relevant to specific topics. These guidelines encompass naming conventions, category creation, category descriptions, page classification, and eponymous categories. Naming conventions dictate that subject categories should be in singular form, collective categories in plural, and names should be clear and concise, avoiding abbreviations and subjective adjectives. When creating new categories, one should check existing ones to prevent duplication and ensure they are nested within appropriate parent categories. Descriptions should clearly outline the criteria for inclusion and provide enriching related links. Pages should belong to at least one category, preferably the most specific one, and maintain neutrality. Eponymous categories are to be created only when there are sufficient relevant articles, and they may overlap with higher-level categories. These guidelines are aimed at en...

 1) MediaWiki categories assist users in grouping similar pages, aiding in subject area navigation and locating related articles. To categorize a page, you can add "[Category: Category Name]" at the bottom. Each category page features editable text and an auto-generated list of all pages within that category. Subcategories are also listed separately, allowing for hierarchical organization. Familiarity with category page layouts can enhance your research capabilities. 2) An interesting point is that the lists of subcategories, pages, images, and other media files are automatically appended after the editable content on the category page. This arrangement enhances user convenience, making category navigation straightforward. 3) The documentation mentions the importance of explaining the sort key system on the category page. Are there any specific guidelines or formats recommended for documenting this system?

 1. Overview Wikipedia articles often start with brief introductions and gradually evolve into detailed and comprehensive pieces. This page describes the different phases of an article's development and how users can improve articles at each stage. Skipping some steps is acceptable and even encouraged. The following section provides insights into the typical progression of Wikipedia articles, detailing various stages and strategies for growth and enhancement. It is beneficial to review relevant guidelines and tutorials before beginning. Wikipedia's featured articles exemplify the highest quality, evaluated based on their objectivity, accuracy, neutrality, and completeness. Articles nominated for featured status undergo a thorough review process before being promoted and showcased on community and main pages. Writing quality articles involves extensive research and citing credible and verifiable sources such as books and academic journals. Online tools like Google Scholar can as...

 1. Overview: Dramaturgical sociology, conceptualized by Erving Goffman, compares social interactions to theatrical performances where individuals act out roles for an audience. It focuses on how people manage their self-presentation, using actions, language, and appearance to create desired impressions. Goffman differentiates between 'front stage' behavior, which is public and visible, and 'backstage' behavior, which is private and hidden. This perspective posits that identity is not fixed but rather shaped through social interactions, similar to actors performing on a stage. 2. Intriguing Concept: A fascinating element introduced by Goffman is the idea of mystification, which involves withholding certain information from the audience to either pique their interest or prevent negative perceptions. This adds a layer of strategic complexity to social interactions, as individuals carefully control what they disclose to manage how others perceive them. 3. Discussion Point:...

 1. Overview: The text is a thorough guide for those who want to contribute to Wikimedia Commons, detailing everything from uploading files to troubleshooting technical problems and understanding copyright issues. Wikimedia Commons is a volunteer-maintained media repository that provides freely licensed media for all Wikimedia projects, including Wikipedia. The term "Wikimedia Commons" reflects its function as a shared repository for media used across all Wikimedia platforms. Users can upload media files (such as images, audio, and video) that are freely licensed and useful for any Wikimedia project. These materials must be available for commercial use and allow derivative works. Uploading mobile apps or text content is not allowed. The files uploaded must be in the public domain or under free licenses like Creative Commons, and licenses cannot be revoked once files are uploaded. Commons does not accept fair use content, as it emphasizes only free content. Media files on Comm...

 1) Overview: The article delves into the phenomenon of remix culture, also known as read-write culture, which encourages the creation of derivative works by blending or modifying existing materials. However, it becomes somewhat challenging to grasp the concept after translation into Chinese. It explores how the advent of digital technology has revitalized this culture, democratizing production and shifting from a "Read Only" media culture to a more interactive "Read/Write" culture. Lawrence Lessig's seminal work, particularly his book "Remix: Making Art and Commerce Thrive in the Hybrid Economy," is cited to illustrate the transition from traditional media consumption to a participatory culture. Remixing traces its roots back to ancient times, encompassing examples from folklore, literature, and graphic arts. The article examines the impact of digital technology on remixing, citing instances from diverse fields such as software development, music prod...

 1) Overview: The reliability of Wikipedia articles hinges on their foundation in reputable, published second-hand sources, supplemented sparingly by third-hand sources. Primary sources, or first-hand sources, directly relate to an event and are typically authored by individuals directly involved in said event. In contrast, secondary sources draw upon first-hand accounts and offer analysis or evaluation. Third-hand sources encompass encyclopedias and summary publications, often consolidating information from multiple secondary sources. On Wikipedia, content lacking proper citation is subject to scrutiny and potential removal. Despite occasional inaccuracies, vandalism, and other issues, Wikipedia remains a valuable resource. 2) Intriguing Aspect: One intriguing facet of Wikipedia is its reputation as "the place to fight over Wikipedia," which paradoxically contributes to its appeal. Picture yourself delving into a Wikipedia rabbit hole late at night, stumbling upon an article...

 1) Summary: Wikipedia, the largest online encyclopedia globally, serves as a primary knowledge source for countless individuals. Its distinctiveness lies in its open and collaborative nature. This article initiates by introducing Wikipedia's source policy and verifiability policy. It underscores the necessity for Wikipedia articles to be grounded in reliable published sources, covering the majority and significant minority viewpoints from those sources. It further elaborates on Wikipedia's source policy, which entails: - Source definition: Articles must rely on credible, independent, and open sources renowned for fact-checking and accuracy. - Definition of published: This encompasses books, articles, authors, publishers, etc., with each factor potentially impacting source reliability. - Contextual relevance: Source reliability hinges on context, necessitating careful evaluation for each source. - Contextual specificity: The reliability of a source varies depending on the speci...

 1) Summary: Economic sociology delves into the social ramifications and impacts of various economic phenomena. It spans two distinct periods: the classical and modern eras. In the classical period, the focus was primarily on the process of modernization. Conversely, the modern period of economic sociology explores the multifaceted social dimensions of economic occurrences, including their consequences, significance, and interpersonal dynamics. Socioeconomics, on the other hand, examines how economic activities influence social processes and vice versa. It investigates the creation of economic activities and primarily concentrates on the developmental aspects of contemporary society. Socioeconomics explores the intricate relationships between economic theory, social philosophy, morality, and human behavior. Moreover, it emphasizes the significant environmental impact of socioeconomic systems, often illustrating a cascading effect that can manifest locally and extend globally. 2) No...

 1) Overview: Joseph M. Reagle Jr.'s 2010 book, "Good Faith Collaboration: The Culture of Wikipedia," delves into the intricacies of Wikipedia and its vibrant community. The book serves as an illuminating exploration of Wikipedia's history, real-life dynamics, and cultural nuances, shedding light on aspects such as consensus-building and collaborative practices. Regarded as a pioneering ethnographic study, Reagle argues that Wikipedia's success stems not only from its technical aspects but also from the influence of its community and cultural norms. This underscores the significance of Wikipedia's collaborative and open cultural climate in driving its operations and evolution. The book's publication history and reception underscore its impact both within academia and society at large. 2) Intriguing Observation: Mayo Fuster Morell's 2013 review in "Information, Communication & Society" lauds Reagle's book for its innovative use of ethn...

 1) Overview: "Good Faith Collaboration: The Culture of Wikipedia" by Joseph M. Reagle Jr., published in 2010, offers an insightful exploration into the culture of Wikipedia and its vibrant community. Released by MIT Press on August 27, 2010, the book presents an ethnographic study of Wikipedia's evolution, its historical roots, and collaborative practices. Reagle's central argument suggests that the success of Wikipedia is less about its technological prowess and more about the communal ethos and cultural norms fostered by its contributors. Drawing from his doctoral thesis and expertise in Internet sociology, Reagle meticulously examines various facets of Wikipedia, utilizing a plethora of community-generated documents such as content pages, discussion forums, and press releases. Comprising 8 chapters, the book traverses through Wikipedia's inception, its global encyclopedic vision, consensus-building processes, and the intricacies of its decision-making mechanis...

 1) Neutrality should be perceived not merely as a characteristic of an encyclopedia, but rather as an aspiration and intentional stance of its contributors. It's crucial to embrace universal ideals such as openness, good faith, and impartiality, akin to the viewpoint of the contributor. For instance, within online communities, inherent tensions and practical challenges exist, shaping the dynamics of open content platforms. Discussing the application of Godwin's Law to online communities sheds light on the tendency for conflicts to escalate, often resulting in extreme comparisons like invoking Nazi analogies. Despite Wikipedia's noble objectives, it remains susceptible to the flaws inherent in human nature, as observed by journalist Stacy Schiff. Nevertheless, Wikipedia's collaborative ethos, marked by positive norms such as "Don't Bite the Newcomers" and "Assume Good Faith," serves to mitigate conflicts and foster cooperation. While technology f...

 1) In the text I read, the focus was on how references can be a source of social tension and often serve as pivotal points in social discussions. Using the example of the Webster's dictionary controversy, the text illustrates how modern references like Wikipedia are often embroiled in social debates. The discourse extends to the debate surrounding Wikipedia's influence on traditional knowledge formation and confrontation, as well as the impact of technology on knowledge dissemination. It also underscores the utility of Wikipedia as an information source, while also acknowledging its role as a significant resource for knowledge construction and debate analysis. 2) One intriguing takeaway from this reading was the renewed emphasis on the importance of critical thinking. It highlighted the necessity of critical thinking not only in evaluating traditional sources but also in scrutinizing modern ones like Wikipedia. The ability to assess and validate information sources is deemed c...

 1) Synthesis of Readings: In the realm of sociology, religion serves as a subject of examination not for judgment but for exploration of actions and aspirations. The criteria utilized for defining religion hold significant weight. Initially, the dichotomy of sacred versus profane was proposed, followed by religion addressing existential inquiries; however, both criteria faced criticism for their broad scope. Subsequently, the notion of religion as pertaining to the supernatural emerged, aligning with conventional perceptions of religious constructs. Religious sects encompass various categories such as churches, denominations, sects, cults, or religious movements. Moreover, religion intersects with numerous facets of society, spanning gender, race, socioeconomic status, education, and health. 2) Noteworthy Discoveries: A notable revelation from the material highlights the differential reliance on religion between genders, with women exhibiting a stronger dependence. This reliance i...

 a)While Wikipedia, as a wiki-style online encyclopedia, strives to provide accurate and reliable information, with the increase in mass editing and dissemination of information, fake news and misinformation can also appear in it. The ZJU hoax and a number of other hoaxes have appeared on Wikipedia, and these instances show that even a platform edited by a large number of volunteers can't completely eliminate the appearance of errors and fraud. Collective intelligence to fight misinformation requires first recognizing the possibility of its existence and responding to it accordingly. Here are some of the ways I have personally found effective: 1. Emphasize the importance of reliable sources: When editing Wikipedia or accessing information, priority should always be given to using sources from reliable, authoritative sources. These sources may include scholarly publications, professional journals, official reports, and trusted news organizations. By citing these sources, the accurac...

1)For Wikipedia, the impression of the content of the articles presented is: rigorous, scientific and factual. This is a good example for new "students" of Wikimedia editing. It has also shown me the different sides of the world, and it is especially interesting to see that there are scholars from all over the world, from different countries, and from different professions, who can discuss the issues in questions. I would like to ask a question: What do you think about the editorial rigour of Wikipedia? (There must be opposites: pro and con. Good or bad.) 2)What I think may be missing from Wikipedia are: 1. in-depth knowledge and research results in specialised fields, especially those that are more cutting-edge or specialised. 2. the latest scientific discoveries, technological breakthroughs, and academic research results, as Wikipedia's content needs to be verified and reviewed, and updates may lag behind in a relative sense. 3. personal opinions, original research, and...