Ron Emmons          Writer & Photographer
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Wicked Wikipedia

19/5/2016

2 Comments

 
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Y'all know Wikipedia, dontcha? That wonderful bastion of philanthropy, the so-called ‘free’ encyclopaedia staffed by selfless sharers of essential information—one of the world’s ten most popular websites, written by the people, for the people?
 
Well, I got news for you—Wikipedia is wicked, and I don’t mean that in a ‘so bad it’s good’ way. I mean wicked, as in nasty, calculating and, worst of all, corrupt.

How do I know? Well, one of their regular contributors just tried to sell me a page about myself on Wikipedia…for $910, non-negotiable. Ali Khalid tried to hook me in with the tempting thought that…”These days, anyone who is important is on Wikipedia. It shows people that one is popular and credible”.
 
So, just how credible is Wikipedia? Ali sent me links to the Wikipages of a couple of satisfied customers, who had paid the going rate to be deemed important, popular and credible. Lyn Mikel Brown, it appears, is an American feminist and Nancy Cruickshank retails beauty products.
 
I’ve no doubt that there are still a few well-intentioned souls writing for Wikipedia who want to warn us of the dangers of fracking (or whatever their obsession is) without receiving a cent for their troubles, but it seems there are richer pickings to be found by dipping into the endless supply of real-life people who want to be considered important or notable.
 
Fancy a go? Then here’s what to do. Write a few (free) biographies for Wikipedia of little-known but notable dead poets/musicians/artists/etc, in order to establish yourself, then market your talents to the millions of semi-successful people on this planet who would happily part with $910 for a taste of notability. Soon as you know it, you’ll be rolling in clover.

2 Comments
Alan Puzey
21/7/2016 12:44:54 pm

I can understand your feelings Ron - but I would direct your 'hate' towards the negative aspects of the internet generally, rather than Wikipedia. As you did also comment, a lot of Wikipedia is honest and useful; I use it a great deal - but like so many sites, there are dishonest people looking to make a buck. One favourite recurring example of mine: I click on a site and immediately windows pop up saying "you have malware", "you have a virus", "your hard-drive is about to be wiped clean". "Use this app and we will save you" Of course, you have to pay for the app, and in reality your computer doesn't have a problem at all. Bastards! I know many people really frightened by such tactics. The internet can be a dangerous place and you have to tread very carefully at times. You're as likely to be 'mugged' on many internet sites, as you are walking down a dark alley - but the internet sites 'seem' friendly!

Reply
Mark
2/7/2019 11:03:17 pm

Ali Khalid just emailed me. I'm in academia, and his pitch was "Academics who have accomplished much less have Wikipedia pages because they have got them made!"

I was tempted to respond just to see how much he'd charge, but now I don't have to!

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    Ron Emmons 

    is a British writer and photographer based in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

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Ron Emmons
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  • Blog
    • Introduction
  • Teaklord
    • Description and buying options
    • News of Teak Lord
    • The Making of a Book Cover
    • Tracking the Teak Lord 1
    • Tracking the Teak Lord 2
    • Tracking the Teak Lord 3
    • Review of Teak Lord
    • Teak Talk
  • Publications
    • Books
    • Periodicals >
      • A Culture Blossoms
      • Black, White and Blue
      • Deep in the Delta
      • Strange Town
      • Blissful Bloom
      • The Wonder of Water
      • Striking Signs
      • A Hike up Chiang Dao Mountain
      • Quirky Chiang Mai
      • Trailblazer
      • On the Road to Rio
    • Digital content
  • Portfolio
    • Searching for Shangri-La
    • Travel
    • Biography
    • Nature
    • Buddhism
    • Photography
    • Article List
  • Short Stories
    • Beyond the End of the Road
    • The Green Monkey's Tale
    • The Red Lion's Tale
    • Eruption in Ethiopia
    • First Flight
    • As Dawn Breaks over Choroni
    • The Hungry Eye
    • On Spirit Mountain
  • Biography
    • Ron's CV