[Wikipedia-l] FYI: A Case of Mutual Aid: Wikipedia, Politeness, and Perspective Taking

[Joseph Reagle]

I recently posted a draft that folks might be interested in:

http://reagle.org/joseph/2004/agree/wikip-agree.html
[[[
A Case of Mutual Aid: Wikipedia, Politeness, and Perspective Taking
...
This paper explores the character of “mutual aid” and interdependent 
decision making within the Wikipedia. I provide a brief introduction to 
Wikipedia, the key terms associated with group decision making, and the 
Wikipedia dispute resolution process. I then focus on the cultural norms 
within Wikipedia that frame participation as a cooperative endeavor. I 
conclude by identifying some notions from negotiation literature that may 
be inappropriate or require adaptation to the Wikipedia case.
]]]


I would be interested in any feedback, including corrections of my 
characterization of Wikipedia and any pointers to historical archives that 
shed light on both the "epistemological stance" and norms of politeness. I 
expect the former came from Larry Sanger and was present in the Nupedia as 
well, and the latter is part of Jimbo Wales's personality. Regardless of 
this that this week on questions of expertise, I find these two variables 
to be rather complementary as I discuss further in the paper.

-- 
Regards,          http://www.mit.edu/~reagle/
Joseph Reagle     E0 D5 B2 05 B6 12 DA 65  BE 4D E3 C1 6A 66 25 4E