Saturday, April 19, 2008

Been edited out on Wicked Pedia?

Seems that 'unfair' editing, moderation and censorship are quite the norm on Wikipedia too, as this from the National Post points out.

"The Wikipedia site in this way has become a paragon of modern propaganda, operating under the illusion of Internet openness and respect for democratic process, while in reality inhabiting a fantasy world in which up is down and words mean whatever you want them to mean."

Pretty damning! Interesting that the author permitted Wikidpedia 'editors' to post a rebuttal on the National Post blog without moderation, or deletion! And there are some good reasons not to use your real name on Wikipedia too!

I have to confess that I've personally had experience of additions/edits on wikipedia being removed. In my case, simply because the so-called 'experts' do not believe that solar dehumidifiers are actual errrmm, dehumidifiers. The fact that they work waaaayyyy better than mains powered dehumidifiers seems to escape their attention. But, if it is not a bit of equipment that blows air over a condenser to condense out water vapour, then it is not a dehumidifier! And no discussion permitted, they even edited out my discussion posts!

What at first sight appears to be open and public isn't necessarily so! Censorship, moderation and editing appear to be the norm, even in the allegedly 'open' world of t'internet.

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