Wikipedia is often taken for granted
Wikipedia's 68 million articles have been consulted trillions of times. Not bad for a website that has barely changed since it was founded 20 years ago.
TL;DR
- Wikipedia's widespread use contrasts with its stalled reputation as an untrustworthy, editable source.
- The platform was co-founded by Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger in 2001, drawing on philosophical ideas and a belief in democratizing computer power.
- Early influences included Ward Cunningham, inventor of the wiki, and a focus on philosophy, influencing the site's unique culture.
- The human history of Wikipedia is characterized by a small number of influential, often eccentric contributors, including the first woman editor, Gaytha Langlois, and Ruth Ifcher.
- Neurodiversity is seen as central to Wikipedia's creation, with concepts like 'fancruft' and the 'inclusionists v deletionists' debate highlighting its collaborative dynamics.
- Modern threats include AI-generated content and diminishing web traffic, raising concerns about Wikipedia's long-term viability.