Very few people manage to acheive in their lives either fame in the world as a whole, or much money. What motivates people is the extent to which they can become a respected (or, if you will, famous) member of whatever their own circles are, at work and outside it. Both Wikipedia and Citizendium are large enough to offer this. To a certain extent its easier in a smaller community, but a large one offers more sub-groups. Large communities typically form as many subgroups as necessary to provide all the people after a period awaiting acceptance with an opportunity for this. Primates typically want to become alpha in their own band, not king of the jungle.
The next step in self-respect is knowing that one's community has a role of some significance in wider circles--that one's band will come out ahead in conflicts with other such bands. Typically, the actual alpha primate in a band doesn't have much direct function here--it depends on the younger ones. This at present is why people come to Wikipedia: whatever small role one has with it will be seen much more widely.
David Goodman, Ph.D, M.L.S. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_talk:DGG
On Wed, Apr 22, 2009 at 10:27 AM, doc doc.wikipedia@ntlworld.com wrote: .
There are two things which motivate people - fame and money. Wikipedia offers neither. It is not impossible that a formula could emerge that allows revenue to the writer or the writer to get the type of kudos that is bankable on a CV. Knowl and CZ have both realised this - but neither seems to have got the formula right. (If, indeed, it is possible to.)
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