Public Eye
December 16, 2005 2:47 PM

The Web Is Always Right – Eventually?

By
Vaughn Ververs
Topics
Media Issues
Over at CJR, Bryan Keefer offers a defense of Wikipedia. After weeks of controversy over its erroneous John Seigenthaler entry last month, Keefer says it's all been overblown and the open-source encyclopedia has been a victim of a "schadenfreude"-driven MSM campaign. Keefer says Wiki represents the future:
"Part of the argument against Wikipedia rests on the idea that users aren't able to assess the credibility of the information they're reading. In truth, however, Internet users are getting smarter about figuring out whether to believe information they find online (or, for that matter, in major news outlets). Google is a big part of this trend. The search engine produces results based on how many sites link to a given page; the more links to a page, the higher the result. Those links are generated by human beings, who are presumably doing so because they think the information they're linking to is credible (or, at the very least, interesting).

Try dropping 'Swiffer Wetjet' into Google, for example. A rumor last year had it that the product, a floor cleaning system, was harmful to household pets. But the first Google results are pages debunking the myth, not propagating it. In other words, the more credible information has risen to the top."
So the value of Wikipedia, and the Internet, is that the truth will rise to the top, eventually? I wonder, would Mr. Seigenthaler agree? And in spite of company assurance, how can you really be sure your "Swiffer Wetjet" isn't hurting Fluffy? Because Google says so?

Add a Comment
by peterbaldwin-2009 December 19, 2005 3:09 PM EST
Let's face it. Wikipedia and Google are marvelous watershed iventions. Google's usage is going Nasdac and Wikipedia is right on google's heels. The flap over Wikipedia can be chalked up to growing pains. The Wiki-Wiki buses buzzing around Honolulu airport are super quick but limited as a result. All self-respecting geeks know its not an authoritative encyclopedia. Rather, it is much more. It is the holy grail: artificial intelligence - something that snuck up on us and caught us unawares. And like real human intelligence it is plagued with subjectivity and misconceptions. The masses will catch on in time. And anyone with an interface (wi-fi laptop)can tap into this grotesquely expanding body of knowledge instantly. Seven days ago a worsening soreness under my heel was cured by appropriate stretching exercises for plantar fasciitis after a 20 minute consultation with Mr. Google instead of a time consuming consultation with an orthopedist. That's real power.
Reply to this comment
by peterbaldwin-2009 December 19, 2005 3:26 AM EST
Swiffer was badmouthing Clorox, who makes the Readi-Mop, which is almost identical in design for about the same price. So, I think the Clorox started the rumor; after all, we all know payback can be a $%?*$. So to even the score, I offer the following: I bought a Clorox Readi-Mop a year ago (note Clorox rhymes with small pox and they make deadly BLEACH). Owning three dogs and six cats the kitchen floor really needed a cleaning. I mopped and mopped and went to bed. The next morning I went downstairs for breakfast and low and behold the kitchen had become rigor mortis central. My canary was flat on his back having convulsions, but CPR saved his life. This is true.
Reply to this comment
.

Follow Public Eye

Scroll Left
Scroll Right More »
CBS News on Facebook
  • Building You a Better Morning

  • CBS This Morning

    "CBS This Morning," anchored by Charlie Rose, Gayle King and Erica Hill, airs weekdays from 7 to 9 a.m. ET and at the same time in other time zones.
    Learn more...