[WikiEN-l] Jimmy Wales should reconsider

[SJ]

On 4/22/07, Matthew Brown <morven at gmail.com> wrote:
> On 4/22/07, David Gerard <dgerard at gmail.com> wrote:
> > The problem is that doing lots of OTRS leaves one with a ridiculously
> > distorted view of the content of Wikipedia. Wikipedia is HUGE.
>
> I agree.  Just as police officers have a distorted view of society
> through dealing with its worst elements constantly, OTRS volunteers
> are constantly subjected to the worst, most problematic articles on
> Wikipedia.  It's easy to start thinking these are representative,
> rather than outliers.
>
> -Matt

Yes.  Statistically, I believe one can both show that quality and
consistency of articles is steadily increasing.... and also that as
users become more deeply involved in the site, including policing and
monitoring growing watchlists, they grow disillusioned with the site,
and convinced that community policy-making is falling apart and the
site's quality and consistency [often in a specific sub-area] is
getting worse.

SJ