Wikipedia: The Modern Library of Alexandria

In 2023, where information is abundant but often questionable, Wikipedia stands as a beacon of knowledge. As the single largest collection of knowledge in human history, one could say that it is even more impressive than the ancient Library of Alexandria. With its vast collection of articles covering a broad range of subjects, Wikipedia has become the go-to source for millions of people seeking reliable information. This online collaborative encyclopedia has transformed the way we learn, enabling easy access to a plethora of topics at our fingertips.

Many students can recall the ol' adage from school days "... and NO! Wikipedia is not a credible source!" What is a credible source? Don't we need the skills to correctly identify these sources and why they are credible in the first place? These skills are just as applicable to Wikipedia entries, and a simple 2 clicks can teach us how to use the entries and measure the credibility. Instead of "Wikipedia isn't credible", we should be teaching "Wikipedia helps us generate, keep, and update information to become credible. We can also identify where this information is in the vetting process." 

A cursory overlook of the rubrics for content assessment will guide users through how and when is reasonable to rely on Wikipedia pages for information.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Content_assessment
 

The shift towards trusting Wikipedia as a credible source of information is not only healthy but also essential in our digital era. It is time for the end of intellectual snobbery. Time and time again we discover errors throughout what we believe to be true, and it may be time to accept that what we currently know is riddled with errors so we have to constantly work to improve. The collaborative nature of Wikipedia ensures that information is constantly updated and reviewed by a community of volunteers, making it a dynamic and evolving resource. Embracing Wikipedia as a trusted ally in our pursuit of knowledge empowers us to explore and discover with confidence, while also fostering a collective effort to preserve and disseminate information for the benefit of all.

As we know, the Library of Alexandria was the single greatest collection of knowledge of it's time, and it was tragically lost. We shouldn't take this vast knowledge resource for granted.

Every December, users of Wikipedia see those pop-ups of "Please take some time to consider donating, Wikipedia relies entirely on donations." While this is incredibly that such a library functions on donations, it's reflective of public disposition toward information and what it's worth. Perhaps if we do not want to lose another "Great Wonder of the World", we should look to preserve and strengthen rather than to suffocate Wikipedia by financially neglecting them and forcing them to beg for donations.

This Post was created with assistance from OpenAI.