When last did you get to hang out with one of the people rated by Time magazine as one of the 50 most Influential in the World? Well, if it’s been too long, I recommend that you book your place at the iCommons Innovation Series cocktail party in Joburg next Tuesday, and have a chat with Jimmy Wales, the founder of Wikipedia.
Jimmy will be talking about his vision for Wikipedia, Wikia, and the Academies he’s launching here next week. This is important stuff. This man gets the sharing economy, and is worthwhile learning from. Heather Ford puts it nicely:
Wikipedia is not exciting because its the biggest encyclopedia in the world. Its exciting because it gives us the opportunity to write our own history, our own textbooks, our own view of the world. Wikipedia is a practical expression of what makes the Internet special. And practicing contributions to Wikipedia is what makes us realise what the Internet is really for. It’s not just about using, its about being active participants in the creation of meaning about the world around us.
Also speaking at the event will be Matthew Buckland, publisher of Mail & Guardian online, and Louis-Marc from MyDigitalLife
Tickets are only R500, for an unforgettable and important evening. You can book your place here.
Only problem is that wikipedia has lost its way.
It isn’t about us writing our own history now, it’s about Jimmy Wales writing history.
While wikipedia began as one of the most promising projects in history, it’s become another Fox News.
Jimmy Wales recently said that wikipedia is not a democracy, that there exist those who are judged as “unworthy” to write articles.
These are his own words, and they display a profound disparity between “writing our own history” and what wikipedia actually is.
Look, how is this different than the most foul of slanting by mainstream media? There large corporate interests select who’s voice is worth hearing, here Jimmy Wales does.
Same idea, different actors.
Wikipedia has lot its way.