Our latest assignment for class was to test the reliability of Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia that anyone can edit. Dr. G has asked us to intentionally insert false information into a Wikipedia profile of a Hollywood celebrity or a film. Then, we're to track it and see how long it takes before someone edits out the false information.
The idea is to test how effective the Wikipedia editing system is. We all know to take information there with a grain of salt, but there are people who, in fact, put in false information, either maliciously (as our class is doing) or through a misguided belief in what they're posting. The administration of Wikipedia claims to have editors always checking for incorrect information, and we're out to test how quickly and accurately that happens.
So, while I feel a little guilty about it -- intentionally reporting false information seems very unethical to me -- I added a false item to Diane Keaton's Wikipedia entry.
The original entry was: In addition to acting, she is also a photographer, real estate developer, and occasional singer.
My edit was: In addition to acting, she is also a photographer, real estate developer, paralegal, and occasional singer.
Let's see how long it takes for someone to change it -- or if it gets caught at all.
I am assuaging my guilt over misleading people by comforting myself that I said something nice about her. And if it isn't fixed in a week, I'll change it back myself.
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