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.
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 [...]
Comments
@ 13:48
What a fun article. It was academic, but by using the “Lamest edit wars ever” examples it livened it up. I will be having my students in an online journalism class read it over as they explore Wikis and begin to consider issues like the perspective of their readers.
I have written elsewhere about the value of authoring interactive kinds of work for students because it affords them the opportunity to engage in perspective-taking. I hold that perspective-taking is one of the important stages students need to practice in order to break out of concrete reasoning and be able to think abstractly. Thanks.
@ 17:55
I think that Jimmy Wales’ humor and humility and his “constitutional monarch” approach (he doesn’t think dictators are benevolent) have a lot to do with seeding the Wikipedia community with the kind of ethos that enabled this project to grow so quickly and deal with thorny issues.
Your take on perspective-taking sounds useful, Barbara. Feel free to point us to specific permalinks from your very useful blog, or to papers you might have online — or simply expound here in this comment thread.