Why Is Wikipedia Broken? | Dr Larry Sanger | Modern Wisdom Podcast 118

Rethinking the Encyclopedia: Dr. Larry Sanger's Critical Analysis of Wikipedia's Flaws

In this engaging podcast episode, Dr. Larry Sanger, co-founder of Wikipedia, discusses the inherent issues within Wikipedia and his efforts to create more equitable and reliable online knowledge systems. His insights reveal deep concerns about the governance and editorial processes that guide the platform today.

Core Concepts and Philosophies

Dr. Sanger articulates several key criticisms of Wikipedia:

• The lack of a formalized process for resolving disputes on controversial topics, which leads to biased and unbalanced entries.
• A flawed consensus model where decisions are often dominated by a few powerful editors rather than a genuine community consensus.
• The erosion of neutrality, which Sanger argues has shifted Wikipedia away from its founding principles.

Practical Strategies and Advice

• Improving Decision-Making Processes: Sanger advocates for a more structured and democratic method of decision-making in online platforms to ensure diverse viewpoints are fairly represented.
• Accountability in Editing: He suggests implementing systems that require editors to be accountable for their contributions, potentially reducing anonymous influence that can skew article neutrality.
• Adopting Blockchain Technology: Sanger discusses his work with blockchain-based encyclopedias as a way to decentralize authority and increase transparency in editorial changes and article approvals.

Supporting Evidence

Dr. Sanger references the original intentions behind Wikipedia, comparing them to the current state to highlight discrepancies in practice versus principle. He also mentions newer projects like Everipedia that utilize blockchain to create a more open and accountable knowledge sharing platform.

Personal Application

Sanger himself has shifted towards developing and supporting alternative platforms that reflect his original vision for Wikipedia, focusing on transparency and neutrality.

Recommendations for Tools and Techniques

• Blockchain Encyclopedias: Dr. Sanger suggests exploring blockchain technology to create decentralized and immutable records of editorial changes, enhancing transparency and trust in digital encyclopedias.
• Formalized Editorial Systems: Implement systems that allow for formalized debate and decision-making, possibly through a round-robin format to handle disputes over controversial topics.

Through these measures, Dr. Sanger aims to restore integrity and trust in how knowledge is curated and shared in the digital age, encouraging a return to the foundational principles of openness and neutrality.