W8: The Pursuit of the Universal Encyclopedia and History of Wikipedia

Summarize

Since ancient times, people have been attempt to collecting and transmitting information for themselves and their next generation. 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Timeline_of_communication_tools.jpg#/media/File:Timeline_of_communication_tools.jpg

Like this image, from papyrus to Wikipedia, the latest techniques of each era used for transmit and share information. This desire for knowledge resulted a growth of information. Enlightenment intellectuals mainly driven this movement. The spread of the internet has changed the flow of knowledge. Encyclopedia Britannica, the famous encyclopedia, is nearing bankruptcy because people switch to Wikipedia. Why do people write Wikipedia without any profit? Clay Shirky coined a term Cognitive Surplus.

New items what I learned

Cognitive Surplus is the term what I’ve never heard before. This concept means current people learned how to use their free time more constructively-especially the advent of online tools for new forms of collaboration. Therefore, now people use more time for corrective acts. Shirky notes spending very little time can makes great projects. For example, Wikipedia represents the investment of 100 million hours. It is compared with we watching TV 2 billion hours every year. This figures show that less investment can make surprising effect. It reminiscent of the words ‘Side Project’ and ‘Toy Project’ that are in vogue recently.

Discussion Point

Cognitive Surplus is explaining and interesting concept. I think this is one of the reason why people spend their time on Wikipedia editing, instead of watching TV or social network. However, there are many corrective acts what revealing myself. Why do Wikipedian choose not to do this and to act on Wikipedia, where contributions are not readily apparent? I want to hear your opinion.

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