[Foundation-l] Wikipedia and Wikimedia Software Prompt Solution to Problem Posed in 2000 by David Brin?

Sat Jul 29 22:02:20 UTC 2006

Hi All,

Some of you might find this article by David Brin (P,hd in Space Physics 
& SciFi Author) interesting:  
http://www.davidbrin.com/disputationarticle1.html

He outlines a top down design to try to use the Internet as a 
collaborative discussion and thinking tool.

It seems to me that the Wikimedia software and various projects 
utilizing some simple rules (NPOV, only one 32K article per subject or 
title, comprehensive history of revision, and the ever evolving 
community guidelines) allowed solutions meeting his basic criteria and 
goals to self organize.

As a publicity drive or stunt we might consider inviting him to evaluate 
how well Wikipedia or some other Wikimedia project meets his proposed 
requirements for useful Internet sites on his website for his fans.

Perhaps a good time (considering that Wikipedia hardly needs publicity 
drives considering its current success and maturity) would be after a 
few months of Wikiversity's authorized operation makes it clear that 
good ideas or material tends to float or stay on the current page of 
learning/study activities there; just like the best material and 
presentations drift to the current article or definition on Wikipedia 
and Wiktionary.

I would be very interested in reactions or opinions why or why not 
Wikipedia currently meets or does not meet his stated goals or criteria 
for a "Disputation Arena".

regards,
lazyquasar