This brings up an interesting point about Wikipedia that I was discussing at length with some non-wiki literate friends of mine. One person complained that we "don't like trivia anymore", and that it pissed them off because they enjoyed it so much. My response was that the popular conception of trivia isn't in line with Wikipedians generally see trivia. Of course, the funny part is that Wikipedians have a more precise understanding of the correct definition of trivia.
Most people think of sitcom synopsis and sports records as being trivia. But that's confusing the definitions of important and trivia. Trivia is not just about how important something is, the key word is "*pieces* of information of little importance or value". Trivia is independent details cobbled together in a list. In other words, the bulleted "Trivia" or "Popular culture" sections.
Wikipedia might contain a lengthy article on an unimportant subject. But that doesn't make it trivia.
On Nov 24, 2007 1:47 PM, David Gerard dgerard@gmail.com wrote:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/connected/main.jhtml?xml=/connected/2007/11/24/dl...
Article on Any Questions Answered, a text message trivia answering service.
(I know a few people who work for AQA.)
- d.
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