Difficult Problems in Cyberlaw

This Friday our class met with Stuart West, Wikimedia Foundation Board Member, Mike Godwin, Wikimedia General Counsel and Phoebe Ayers, Wikimedia volunteer to discuss the future of Wikipedia.

Wiki markup was one of the first impediments to participation that came up. There is a huge dichotomy between users who participate and the general public that sees wikipedia as a read-only medium. Though intuitive to Wikipedians and users accustomed to searching online for answers to complex questions, the markup can be confusing and alienating to those unfamiliar with its syntax. A solution must come from the standpoint of social norms as well as a technical issues.

How can Wiki markup itself and the help pages not be a barrier to entry for participation? How can social norms around Wiki editing be changed?

West was curious why communities on Wikipedia have grown in certian areas and not others. One of the hopes of Ayers, an avid Wikipedia contributor herself was that more users feel comfortable with the Wiki platform.

How can participation be facilitated for all communities? When Wikipedia is able to solicit more contributors what complications will arise?

Godwin surprised the course (but perhaps not any fellow Wikipedians) by responding directly to students’ predictions on the course wiki.

Victoria: My prediction is that the speakers are going to be extolling the virtues of Wikipedia and explaining that although the site has gone under some transformations it is still a vibrant force. I would concede that I think it is. Most people I know still immediately turn to Wikipedia for a quick run down of a topic or an answer to a quick question. However, as time moves on the site is becoming less innovative and more standard. I would like to ask them about their understanding and personal experiences in trying to keep Wikipedia young.

It was refreshing to have a guest that looked at our course predictions and was able to interact with the class. Godwin responded knowingly that solutions to these problems were not only needed, but also being actively discussed within Wikimedia.

What are your thoughts on the future of Wikipedia? Do you contribute to it? How much do you use it in your daily life? What would cause you to participate in creating content?

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