Wikipedia Task Force: Reader Conversion

[netmouse]

I have been selected to participate in the Wikipedia task force to increase contributions from readers and under-represented groups. In other words, to convert wikipedia readers to editors.

I have posted a few of my pet theories as to why people are discouraged from or disinterested in editing wikipedia on my wikipedia strategic planning user page. I welcome discussion there or here about why you or people you know choose not to edit wikipedia.

Comments

[netmouse.livejournal.com]

I suspect it has improved, but I think this is a really core comment. The most highly rated survey response for why people edit wikipedia (http://strategy.wikimedia.org/wiki/Participation/Drivers_of_participation) is that they 'like the idea of sharing knowledge and want to contribute to it'. Learning that your contributions will not last seriously undermines that motivation.

(and yes I know they averaged together ratings on a subjective scale, which is statistically a horribly wrong thing to do. I sigh.)

[alicebentley]

Yep. Observing that if you care enough to do the work you also need to care enough to constantly monitor and correct any erroneous changes.
It just wasn't worth it at the time. And now I'm busy.

[(Anonymous)]

That was my impression: what counted was not how much time you spent researching the actual subject, but how much time you spent maintaining the page (and learning the ropes and gaming of Wikipedia, and perhaps social networking with the relevant clique).