In the past I have used wikipedia for research. I now know that wikipedia cannot be trusted. After reading Virgil Griffith's post I see that information can be easily changed. Anyone and everyone can change and forge information on wikipedia. I feel that wikipedia can never be trust but used only as a starting point.
Even with Virgil Griffith's wiki scanner I still believe that this site cannot fully be trusted. Many people simply do not care if they are linked to their information or in fact, the people who posted the information may not know it is wrong. Also, many people and bands will make their site look polished and enhance their information. Therefore, I still will never use wikipedia as a reliable source. If you believe that wikipedia is a reliable source then you should view this article and video. Scanner Tracks. The facts will blow your mind.
As a teacher I would not advocate using wikipedia to my students. I do not want to give my students access to wrong information. I strongly feel that I would forbid any information from wikipedia. I would tell my students to only use wikipedia as a starting point, a way to point them in the right direction. Students would be able to use wikipedia to gather ideas to further research. I want to send my students into the world with good sources and wikipedia is definately not one of them.
Virgil Griffith (creator of wiki scanner)
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