Monday, September 28, 2009

Bi-weekly Interview: Professor Joseph Reagle, Wikipedia Expert

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009

Professor Joseph Reagle is an adjunct professor in Steinhardt’s department of Media, Culture and Communication. Professor Reagle is an expert on Wikipedia and collaborative communities. He has been quoted multiple times in The New York Times as an expert in this field and has a book coming out on the topic by MIT Press next year. Comm Club VP Natan Edelsburg sat down with Professor Reagle and discussed Wikipedia in the news, how collaborative communities have evolved, and how important collaboration tools and Wikipedia are for education. (This interview has been edited and condensed).


For this week's interview we have included a (poorly edited) clip from the time we spent with Professor Reagle. Enjoy!



Natan Edelsburg: We saw you in The New York Times this summer and were very curious about collaborative communities. How did you start studying them?

Professor Joseph Reagle: I started out as a computer science student at the beginning of the 90s. Then I got interested in technology policy so I went to MIT’s Technology Policy program. I got interested in blogs, wikis and RSS, so I came to NYU [in 2003] and studied the way people were collaborating to produce content on Wikipedia.

NE: Why were you turned off by blogs?

JR: I ended up thinking the blogosphere was a bit too narcissistic; people were only concerned with A-list bloggers. On Wikipedia, people still argue, but they argue about a greater good and things that are bigger than their own ego.

NE: How have wikis changed since you started studying them in 2003?

JR: They certainly have more capabilities. People are into micro-blogging now. But the genre hasn’t changed. Wikipedia was only 2 years old when I began in 2003. Now the English Wikipedia has 3 million articles. They have actually reached a threshold with creative growth, article creation and active users. These things are stabilizing and even dropping now.

NE: What did your dissertation focus on specifically?

JR: The title was, “In Good Faith, Wikipedia, Collaboration and the Pursuit of the Universal Encyclopedia.” To unpack that a bit, I was interested in Wikipedia collaborations and the cultural norms that facilitate collaboration. I wanted to frame it in an historical context. I argued that trying to come up with a thing like Wikipedia has been a long pursued vision for 100 years.

NE: Where was this idea 100 years ago?

JR: H.G. Wells had a vision for a world encyclopedia. He was quite concerned with the changes that were happening around the world, the potential for global war. He thought that with the advanced technology of his time (microfilm, loose-leaf binders and index cards) somehow society would be able to create an encyclopedia. Not only would it be for every student with microfilm, it would help bring world peace. He thought that if we just knew each other better we would like each other. My work looks into why it took so long to achieve something like Wikipedia.

NE: Have you ever thought about teaching a class on Wikipedia and collaborative communities?

JR: I think it would be a fun class and of great interest to students. Clay Shirky at ITP (Tisch’s Interactive Telecommunications Program) has taught a similar class looking more broadly at crowd sourcing and social media that includes a good section on Wikipedia. He wrote a book with these themes titled, “Here Comes Everybody.”

NE: Do you use ‘collaborative communities’ mechanisms in your classes?

JR: Typically not. It’s certainly ironic. I like the face-to-face interactions that I have with students. I use some old fashioned email technology. They go through a filter and go on a web page when I ask questions.

I too have been frustrated with some of the IT capabilities they have here. NYU did experiment with a wiki platform. They did it for around 6 classes in 2007. We’re often forced to use Blackboard. I loathe Blackboard. I don’t know about the Google system, which brings up the issue of giving out your educational intellect to a private company. But there are certainly other platforms too.

NE: You are often quoted in The New York Times as a Wikipedia expert. Can you speak about the topics that were newsworthy?

JR: A lot of the interest in Wikipedia has been asking to what extent it is really open. It is the “free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.” People want to know, “is that really true?” Wikipedia has certain benefits and demerits. Benefits are that anyone can edit them. Demerits are that anyone can be disruptive and be boneheads.

Is Wikipedia open? That has been one of the subjects of my research and interest. One example is the Afghan story. It was believed by The New York Times that journalists had been kidnapped. They thought that reporting on this could cause the journalists more danger and asked publications not to publish anything about it. The New York Times even asked Al Jazeera not to cover the story. They also asked Wikipedia to not put that info on there. However, someone was trying to add it. This person wasn’t identifiable, so they couldn’t ask him to keep this on the DL. They were, however, able to delete his contribution because he didn’t have a good enough source (which is a Wikipedia policy). Then they locked the page.

Because of this people said, “Oh my god, Wikipedia isn’t really open.” But, Wikipedia decided it was the right thing to do morally in this particular case.

NE: Would you ever let a student of yours use Wikipedia as a source?

The former president of the America Library Association, Michael Gorman, said “professors who use or allow students to use Wikipedia is like feeding them a diet of Big Macs.” Nonetheless, sometimes in my bibliography or resources I’ll have dated versions of Wikipedia articles that I knew were appropriate. We all use Wikipedia; there is no way of denying it. You can cite Wikipedia but it’s not authoritative. I counsel students to cite Wikipedia but then cite one of the sources from the page as well. This happens with other scholarship as well. You can read a footnote, but sometimes that’s not what the source actually ends up saying. That said, Wikipedia becomes a teaching moment in itself.

It’s a teaching moment particularly for a department like ours which is about media and media literacy. This allows us to understand the socially constructed character of knowledge and gives us an opportunity to engage with what we’re skeptical about in the media. The professors who don’t follow the policy that I do might have very good reasons for it. They might have seen plagiarism in their class or maybe they just don’t understand it. Hopefully with my work and the other good work out there they will understand the appropriate and inappropriate ways to use it.

NE: What’s your advice to students who want to pursue research like you did? Research track versus professional?

JR: Go to graduate school, which is what I had to do – twice. First to get my masters and then my PhD. I have had students in Steinhardt talk to me about their theses. It’s a great opportunity to work with a professor to engage in a precise issue and write something specific about it.

(Edited by: Sara Saldi)

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good day !.
You re, I guess , probably curious to know how one can manage to receive high yields .
There is no initial capital needed You may begin earning with as small sum of money as 20-100 dollars.

AimTrust is what you haven`t ever dreamt of such a chance to become rich
The company incorporates an offshore structure with advanced asset management technologies in production and delivery of pipes for oil and gas.

Its head office is in Panama with structures everywhere: In USA, Canada, Cyprus.
Do you want to become really rich in short time?
That`s your choice That`s what you really need!

I feel good, I began to get income with the help of this company,
and I invite you to do the same. If it gets down to choose a correct companion utilizes your savings in a right way - that`s AimTrust!.
I take now up to 2G every day, and what I started with was a funny sum of 500 bucks!
It`s easy to start , just click this link http://ycadugumi.uvoweb.net/ewovon.html
and lucky you`re! Let`s take this option together to feel the smell of real money

Anonymous said...

Good day !.
might , perhaps very interested to know how one can manage to receive high yields .
There is no initial capital needed You may start earning with as small sum of money as 20-100 dollars.

AimTrust is what you haven`t ever dreamt of such a chance to become rich
The firm represents an offshore structure with advanced asset management technologies in production and delivery of pipes for oil and gas.

It is based in Panama with offices everywhere: In USA, Canada, Cyprus.
Do you want to become a happy investor?
That`s your choice That`s what you desire!

I`m happy and lucky, I began to get income with the help of this company,
and I invite you to do the same. If it gets down to select a proper companion utilizes your money in a right way - that`s it!.
I earn US$2,000 per day, and my first investment was 500 dollars only!
It`s easy to start , just click this link http://valutucip.freecities.com/uguvaf.html
and go! Let`s take our chance together to get rid of nastiness of the life

Anonymous said...

Good day, sun shines!
There have been times of hardship when I felt unhappy missing knowledge about opportunities of getting high yields on investments. I was a dump and downright pessimistic person.
I have never thought that there weren't any need in big initial investment.
Nowadays, I feel good, I begin take up real income.
It's all about how to select a correct companion who uses your money in a right way - that is incorporate it in real deals, and shares the profit with me.

You can get interested, if there are such firms? I have to tell the truth, YES, there are. Please get to know about one of them:
http://theinvestblog.com [url=http://theinvestblog.com]Online Investment Blog[/url]

Anonymous said...

[url=http://sopriventontes.net/][img]http://sopriventontes.net/img-add/euro2.jpg[/img][/url]
[b]nero 9 coupon, [url=http://tonoviergates.net/]dj software for sale[/url]
[url=http://sopriventontes.net/]microsoft blog software[/url] adobe acrobat 9 professional extended kaspersky updates
kaspersky rebate [url=http://tonoviergates.net/]cheapest place to buy software[/url] superkids educational software
[url=http://tonoviergates.net/]adobe software educational[/url] e office software
[url=http://tonoviergates.net/]finance software canada[/url] 12 Pro Retail Price
Ultimate Mac [url=http://sopriventontes.net/]computer software discounts[/url][/b]

Anonymous said...

My friend and I were recently talking about how technology has become so integrated in our day to day lives. Reading this post makes me think back to that debate we had, and just how inseparable from electronics we have all become.


I don't mean this in a bad way, of course! Societal concerns aside... I just hope that as technology further develops, the possibility of downloading our memories onto a digital medium becomes a true reality. It's one of the things I really wish I could experience in my lifetime.


(Posted on Nintendo DS running [url=http://knol.google.com/k/anonymous/-/9v7ff0hnkzef/1]R4i[/url] DS ComP)

Anonymous said...

Племяннице моего мужа исполняется четыре года, выбираем, что подарить на ДР порекомендуйте, что интересно в этом возрасте детям. У нее обожаемая игрушка - умный щенок, намереваемся, может подарить медведя http://mishkiland.ru/subcategory_item.php?id=601 . Или порекомендуйте что-нибудь еще.

Anonymous said...

ищу работу на своем грузовике ищу работу менеджере по закупкам в городе санкт-петербурге
вакансия лесника недвижимость москва вакансии
поиск работы вакансии для моряков санкт петербург ищу работу в ритуальном агентстве
ищу работу главный архитектор ищу работу секретаря
http://rabotavedrian0.my3gb.com/poisk/index.html ищу работу в химках
http://pornikscladia4.my3gb.com/poisk/index.html ищу работу балаково
tel:69403785984393

Anonymous said...

Capsule tipo viagra - http://www.jazzguitars.net/forum/index.php?topic=34635.new#new acquista viagra eiaculazione precoce Cremona (Lombardia).
Farmacie comprare viagra - http://ex3-design.com/smf/index.php?topic=282564.new#new viagra prezzi acquisto Belluno (Veneto).
Forum sul viagra generico - http://www.pico-pico.org/xoops/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=13332&post_id=52042&order=0&viewmode=flat&pid=0&forum=23#forumpost52042 falsa viagra diabete Umbria.
Viagra galenico di - http://alphaillustrations.com/trekaydellscatering/forum/viewtopic.php?p=259897#259897 se il viagra non funziona corpi cavernosi Siena (Toscana).
Viagra colita - http://globalnix.net/rar//viewtopic.php?p=301216#301216 viagra affitto Firenze.
Trova viagra di - http://www.programlotto.com/boardlottohot/index.php?topic=3022.new#new viagra di cucina Prato.
Migliore cialis o viagra - http://www.bikeperth.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=544859 ricetta del viagra Taranto.
Alternative fai da te al viagra - http://forum.cap-skirring.fr/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=30019 argentina viagra che Torino.
Prostata e viagra serenoa repens - http://fastinsomniatreatment.com/Forums/index.php?topic=344878.new#new viagra contrassegno Ancona.
Viagra e levitra di - http://spofamerica.com/forum/index.php?topic=1729.new#new viagra senza ricetta medica Emilia-Romagna.
Cerca viagra farmaci generici - http://wphost.wp.funpic.org/vogelsite/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=20394#20394 viagra netlog Ferrara.
Confederazione italiana agricoltori viagra - http://forum.rfwebstudio.com/index.php?topic=40232.new#new viagra 10 o 20 Lombardia.
Trova viagra foglietto illustrativo - http://highclassreferral.com/forum/index.php?topic=16907.new#new viagra nello sport come Prometheo.
Viagra in prezzi - http://codeprocesses.com/forum/index.php?topic=126183.new#new acquisto del viagra per Taranto (Puglia).

Anonymous said...

Наши сайты:
Тринидад и Тобаго Willa Orla Hotel Rendlhof Villa Astra Justiniano Wish Side The Bali Khama Villas Cynthiana Beach Michael Pension Сентябрь07 Июль03 Июнь20 Cizeta V16t 1998 Derways Июль25 Tofas Kartal 65500 1990 Daihatsu YRV 6.1 82200 1990 Panoz Esperante 0.8 16300 1993 Cadillac DE Ville 7.8 20200 2006 AC Ace 1.3 2001 Мали Saint John Antico Panada Holden Caprice $63300 2009 Wiesmann Roadster $15800 1990 Citroen 2 CV 3.6л 2003

Anonymous said...

Чрезвычайно почти все дамы соблазняются на собственный счет, считая себя страстными, фатальными, сексапильно симпатичными. Необыкновенно когда увлечены своим Саней либо Ваней. Почти все продолжают врать себя и в замужестве, необыкновенно попервоначалу.
Подробнее на гугле здесь http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=201&ved=0CBUQFjAAOMgB&url=http%3A%2F%2F2NT.ru%2F&cd=0CBUQFjAAOMgB
Динамичная сегодняшняя жизнь требует быстрых и точных реакций на, то, что происходит вокруг. «Разруливать» различные проблемы нам с вами здорово помогают программы и программные комплексы, освобождающие нас от рутины, когда одну и ту же операцию нужно делать многократно. Сказанное справедливо в отношении и легкомысленных развлечений и работы. Тоже самое, кстати, относится и к воспитанию подрастающего поколения, дрессировки животных. Если бы все эти рутинные процедуры не удалось бы автоматизировать, то какой скучной и серой, наверное, стала бы наша жизнь? В безрадостную рутину, которой нет ни конца, ни края.
Но хватит грустить, найдется, яркий свет , указывающий выход. В бескрайнем «море» Интернета есть и такие сайты, откуда можно совершенно бесплатно скачать программы, софт, Варез, качественную музыку. Хорошим примером замечательного сайта, приносящего настоящее удовольствие, является v7em.com – сайт полезный, нужный, потому что там, как говорили в старину, «все есть».

Anonymous said...

86607.....98943

Anonymous said...

Растаможка Киев, Одесса
Консультации ВЭД
Дима Литейный
logisticskiev7@yandex.ru
+38 093 318 1567

Anonymous said...

tory burch tuplvhbs トリーバーチ iphoneケース fxuafuen トリーバーチ バッグ meuldpmn トリーバーチ 財布 uownjmfj トリーバーチ 店舗 sdthpstk トリーバーチ 靴 tsainjyh トリーバーチ xotgzxqh トリーバーチ新作 ogrdqwqa

Anonymous said...

http://bhakfocadeath1975.tk/checked/anketa/79763 Оценки Валерия, Москва, (916)4050665
http://srheraa.tk/ind/anketa79174.htm Проститутки M. Щукинская - Индивидуалка Анютка, +7 (915) 220-53-17
http://congbachessne.tk/ind/anketa73977.htm Проститутки M. Бабушкинская - Индивидуалка Настя, +7 (916) 116-05-73
http://diserare.tk/comments/anketa/82757 Отзывы о девушке Карина, Санкт-Петербург, (812)9810488
http://diserare.tk/ind/anketa86924.htm Проститутки M. Бульвар Дмитрия Донского - Индивидуалка AMANDA, Район кузнечики, +7 (925) 329-94-01

Anonymous said...

Today, I went to the beach with my kids. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year
old daughter and said "You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear." She placed the shell to
her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear.
She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is entirely off topic but I had to tell someone!


Visit my page link building company

Anonymous said...

christian louboutin outlet, prada handbags, air jordan pas cher, louis vuitton outlet, uggs on sale, nike free, chanel handbags, ugg boots, prada outlet, longchamp outlet, replica watches, nike air max, ugg boots, tory burch outlet, longchamp, louboutin pas cher, tiffany jewelry, ralph lauren pas cher, gucci outlet, air max, louis vuitton outlet, polo ralph lauren outlet, nike air max, nike outlet, louis vuitton, longchamp outlet, jordan shoes, oakley sunglasses, burberry, oakley sunglasses, ray ban sunglasses, cheap oakley sunglasses, replica watches, louboutin, longchamp pas cher, ray ban sunglasses, nike free, michael kors, tiffany and co, louboutin outlet, ray ban sunglasses, nike roshe run, louis vuitton, oakley sunglasses, kate spade outlet, polo ralph lauren outlet, louboutin shoes, sac longchamp, louis vuitton, oakley sunglasses

Anonymous said...

nike roshe, ray ban pas cher, michael kors outlet, north face, ralph lauren uk, timberland, burberry outlet online, mulberry, true religion outlet, lacoste pas cher, michael kors, kate spade handbags, true religion jeans, nike free run uk, air force, tn pas cher, new balance pas cher, nike blazer, michael kors outlet, vanessa bruno, sac guess, oakley pas cher, coach purses, coach outlet, ray ban uk, nike air max, michael kors outlet, vans pas cher, lululemon, michael kors, hollister pas cher, hogan, converse pas cher, hollister, true religion jeans, abercrombie and fitch, coach outlet, ugg boots, true religion jeans, replica handbags, nike air max, michael kors, michael kors, burberry, nike air max, north face, michael kors outlet, hermes, michael kors outlet, ugg boots

Anonymous said...

replica watches, canada goose outlet, doudoune canada goose, pandora charms, moncler, canada goose, marc jacobs, montre pas cher, links of london, louis vuitton, swarovski, ugg boots uk, toms shoes, thomas sabo, moncler, canada goose, louis vuitton, ugg,ugg australia,ugg italia, supra shoes, pandora charms, lancel, hollister, moncler, juicy couture outlet, bottes ugg, louis vuitton, coach outlet, canada goose uk, pandora jewelry, canada goose, moncler, karen millen, moncler outlet, wedding dresses, canada goose outlet, sac louis vuitton pas cher, barbour jackets, ugg pas cher, canada goose, barbour, moncler, ugg,uggs,uggs canada, swarovski crystal, moncler, juicy couture outlet, moncler, louis vuitton, pandora jewelry

Unknown said...

eyeglasses
wedding dress
pandora uk
weitzman shoes
pandora bijoux
tommy hilfiger pas cher
mulberry handbags
longchamp handbags
burberry
vans outlet
2017.11.7chenlixiang

Unknown said...

ugg outlet
pandora charms
chi hair
nike store
guess pas cher
michael kors
ray ban sunglasses
hollister canada
fendi handbags
ghd hair straighteners
2017.11.24chenlixiang

Shaimaa Elsadek said...

شركة عزل اسطح بالرياض
شركة تخزين اثاث بالرياض
شركة رش مبيدات بالرياض
شركة نقل اثاث بالرياض
شركة عزل خزانات بالرياض

menna said...

سما
شركة تنظيف فى العين
شركة تنظيف شقق فى العين
شركة تنظيف فلل فى العين
شركات تنظيف منازل فى العين

Mai said...

زهرة الاندالس
خدمة التعقيم فى الفجيرة
شركات التعقيم فى الفجيرة
خدمة الفجيرة