On 3/16/07, Zoney zoney.ie@gmail.com wrote:
Whether it is Wikipedia's responsibility to do something about it or not, the project is undisputably spreading disinformation not only across the Internet, but into printed media. The mirroring of old (but also some relatively stable) Wikipedia versions means that incorrect information can be visible for an unlimited amount of time. Undoubtedly elements of this are not Wikipedia's responsibility, for example those mirroring need to take responsibility, and arguably Google has such a presence and air of respectability that they should be more responsible about the fact that searches can easily throw up disinformation in spades well before anything sensible. You can't just hand wave and say "it's just technology" - people are responsible for running public services (in the case of Google, making a lot of money from it).
I don't think Wikipedia can absolve itself of all responsibility though. There needs to be clear acceptance that despite a drive towards improvement and "policies" re: verifiability, a lot of "facts" on Wikipedia are outright incorrect (and wrt. to bios for example, potentially libellious). And rather than just have stronger policies about what can be added to Wikipedia, there needs to be an official line of "don't believe us". And potentially stop calling ourselves an encyclopaedia, which gives a false sense of authority. Even if people should not act merely on authority, or use an encyclopaedia as primary reference, they do.
Zoney
We already have a disclaimer saying we shouldn't be trusted and the top of every page has an edit button showing everyone can edit. If people choose to trust anything they read without checking there's really nothing we can do. I speak from experience when I say that blinking red banners on top of pages won't work. People will just ignore them just like they do with warnings on all other Wikipedia pages.
AFC: "Cite your sources" -> ignored HD: "Don't post your email address and don't ask homework questions" --> ignored. HD: "Place for questions about Wikipedia" --> How can I find DVD X? --> Ignored.
Sure, we need to warn people but we need to draw a line too.