Wikipedia-Brett C.

One. I must say, I do not regard myself as being thoroughly familiar with Wikipedia. I have grown up in my academic career led not to trust or at least use Wikipedia in scholarly work. This understanding has shifted my attention away from this source and to other more "credible" sources. Like Kate, I do find myself utilizing Wikipedia for quick answers to questions I may have for something that does not have to do with school work. If I want to know something for fun, Wikipedia is often a quick source for information as utilizing most search engines results in answers or knowledge from Wikipedia at the top of the search window. After reading the portion on Wikipedia in "Remix" my interest heightened and I decided to jump onto the website and try editing information myself. I needed to find something I knew something about so I searched my for my hometown. I ended up editing some of the information on a business that I know through family experiences, adding to what seemed to be out-dated information. I was really surprised at how easy it was to edit information, I was not even required to log in by creating an account. This process game me a better understanding how this system operates.

Two. After reading the work by Lessig, I find it interesting to see how Wikipedia is working to create and sustain its self as a credible source for expert information. I find what Megan said about expertise and Wikipedia as generally true as we tend to not regard the site as too terribly credible. I do see how Wikipedia can be utilized by people who truly are experts in a field or on a subject, as an outlet to share their knowledge with others. Understanding how the system works is important, as we have seen people do not update information for compensation. Instead, people with knowledge in an area update and edit information because they find themselves as the expert in the area, or for fun as sort of a recreation. For example, many people may not regard myself as the expert on much but you could see how my life-long experiences would make me seemingly suited to add my information on the town I know so much about.

Three. The Bilton work is interesting for shedding light on the pure amount of sharing and researching we are doing everyday and don't even necessarily know it. When I first started reading the article I was thinking, oh I don't waste my time scouring the web searching for material and passing it on to others. As I continued reading I thought more about it and realized I too am guilty of this practices. Thinking about how many pages, blogs, and videos I have exchanged with friends and family over the internet just today. Wow, how interesting to think that I too am gathering and spreading vast amounts of information all the time. For me it seems to be another way to create a sense of community, and shared meaning with friends and family. From reading a post on gender and restroom signs posted by my sister, to sharing funny videos with and from friends. We do this because it stimulates our connection with others while providing an outlet for the recreational work that we do.