Charles Matthews wrote:
Ray Saintonge wrote
Nobody is supporting "a massive repository of
crank view" Saying that
Wikipedia would become so is entirely speculative.
Agreed. My view that nonsense is gradually squeezed out of WP, by steady
edits by sensible editors. It is, in the main, a salami-slicing operation.
Obviously something daft gets posted every day, and there are occasions when
editors dig in their heels to defend what are, on a consensus view, cranky
views. I don't think either of those facts need be used to undermine the
position that the normal process - 'enough eyeballs' - works.
When it comes to cranky views, the most effective refutations can often
be made with a minimum of words. Lengthy and detailed arguments in
opposition are often counterproductive in that they leave the impression
that there must be something there worth aguing about.
The bad history and politicised rants can be first
toned down, then replaced
by better points. There is always going to be some 'placeholder' material
on WP, waiting for a better job. I think trying for credibility in excess
of the natural trend is probably a mistake. The pages have a disclaimer;
and I wonder whether anyone can foresee a time when they will not.
It will never happen. In articles touching on medical subjects in
particular there will always be individuals ready to take our "advice"
literally and uncritically. These same ones will be just as ready to
blame Wikipedia when the "advice" doesn't work.
Ec