Re: [BKARTS] wiki wacked out

[Esther Kibby <ekibby@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Last year, I read a critical article in a well known magazine that 
argued the Wikipedia could not a true creditable reference such as an 
Encyclopedia. This was in part blamed on the vanity postings of several 
pop culture DJs who would go in at will and change their bios to make 
them look good. So in affect, they could write their own history. Based 
on such open forum editing allowing a democratic contribution of 
content, the article stated that the information in WP could not be 
trusted, since the content didn't come from objective scholars. Since 
that article, I have noticed that WP, has become more careful about the 
source of their content.

I can certainly see how Mr. Seigel's case could be an exception given 
his contribution to journalism and the arts. And I like the idea of 
self referential art because that is the subject you know best. I 
haven't thought of it in that context before. But I can also see WP 
trying to keep the content creditable. It is sort of a catch 22, if WP 
becomes a place where the content can't be trusted as creditable then 
no one would use it. I think self referential art needs to be defined 
clearly to distinguish it from self promotion.

I don't know about others but I find the discussion about whether or 
not the content stays or goes a very interesting process in this 
publishing paradigm. Imagine having this discussion with the 
Encyclopedia publishers who publish content only from the most 
respected of scholars such as Carl Sagan and other notables. The 
conversation would be very different. I think WP strives to walk a 
balanced line between being as open and democratic as possible while 
maintaining credibility.

Good luck Mr. Seigel on your entry. I think you have been courageous in 
telling your story and making it into art. I also think a self 
referential article on art would be great start in informing the public 
about the art process from a personal point of view.

On Jan 30, 2007, at 8:12 AM, Michele Rothenberger wrote:

> I took a look at the discussion on the page you referenced and I think
> the article has a good chance of surviving the AfD (Article for
> Deletion); several editors and you yourself have given some very good
> reasons to retain it.  The MoMA holdings are certainly a big argument 
> in
> favor of keeping it.  You might also add any awards or other
> recognitions you have received; that often helps establish notability.
> (On the other hand, as a frequent Wiki contributor with nearly 2000
> edits I can tell you that mockery and sarcasm on the AfD discussion 
> page
> will definitely not help your case.)
>
> Being proposed for deletion is not an insult, it is in essence a 
> request
> for more supporting information.  Wikipedia is quite naturally
> suspicious of self-created articles as it's very difficult to write an
> objective article about oneself.  Literally thousands of advertising 
> and
> vanity articles get created in WP daily; they do need to be weeded out;
> and the process *does* work, I've seen it do so innumerable times.
>
> Michele C.
>
>
> > On Jan 30, 2007, at 12:00 AM, BOOK_ARTS-L automatic digest system
> > wrote:
> > > It appears that I am to be deleted from Wikipedia because of lack of
> > > notability. My books are "vanity books." Help.
> > >
> > > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Articles_for_deletion/
> > > Jules_Siegel
> > >
> > > Those of you who disagree might consider sharing your thoughts about
> > > this at the URL above.
>
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Esther Kibby, MFA, Professor/Designer
Interactive Media Design
Graphic Design
Book Arts
Art Institute of Dallas
voice: 214.692.8080
email: ekibby@xxxxxxxxxx

            ***********************************************
        The Bonefolder, Vol. 3, No. 1, Fall 2006 Now Online at
                <http://www.philobiblon.com/bonefolder>
                                   
Guild of Book Workers' 100th Anniversary Exhibition Online - Catalog Available
  <http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/byorg/gbw/gallery/100anniversary/>
                                   
            For all your subscription questions, go to the
                     Book_Arts-L FAQ and Archive.
         See <http://www.philobiblon.com> for full information
            ***********************************************