The Case for Institutional Support: It’s High Time for Governments and University Administration to Actively Support Wikipedia

Abstract

This author’s reply continues the discussion that began in “From Adversaries to Allies? The Uneasy Relationship Between Experts and the Wikipedia Community” by Piotr Konieczny. In this reply, Konieczny analyzes and responds to three commentaries. In his view, Dariusz Jemielniak makes an excellent argument: traditional organizations must recognize that Wikipedia is here to stay with a tremendous and positive influence on the world. So, too, Kara Kennedy raises an interesting point about differences in peer review and publication processes. These tie into the discussion of change as a result of generational shifts. Finally, Ken Friedman offers a valuable view from the perspective of an outsider. This perspective illustrates the different experiences and attitudes between different kinds of experts based on their familiarity with and activity within the Wikipedia project.

Keywords

• Wikipedia
• new media
• academia
• education
• culture clash