As a boomer consumer, is the information provided on Wikipedia helpful to you? If so, how do you use it?
Wikipedia offers nearly 10 million articles in more than 253 languages.
Wikipedia acknowledges that it should not be used as a primary source for serious research. That's because anyone can create articles and edit them. Writers and editors may be biased for or against a topic.
Other criticisms of Wikipedia, from a Wikipedia fact sheet, include:
- Systemic bias, a tendency to cover topics in a detail disproportionate to their importance. For example, articles on pop culture receive more coverage than historical events.
- Neutral point of view.
- Difficulty of fact-checking.
- Use of dubious sources.
- Exposure to vandals.
- Exposure to political operatives and advocates.
- Privacy concerns.
- Conclusions that waffle and low-quality writing.
- Anonymous editing.
- Copyright issues.
I use Wikipedia occasionally to find basic information on boomer consumer topics. I use it when I need a fast briefing on a topic when I'm starting research or when I can't find the information elsewhere.
I've referenced Wikipedia twice in my posts. Both times when I was on deadline for a post and couldn't locate another source.
