The Decibel Why Wikipedia might be the last good place on the internet
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Aug 19, 2025 Samantha Edwards, an online culture reporter for The Globe, dives into the fascinating world of Wikipedia, a platform renowned for its altruistic volunteer editors. She discusses the motivations driving these contributors and the unique community dynamics that foster collaboration. Edwards highlights the challenges posed by AI to Wikipedia’s integrity and its future, while also arguing that immersing oneself in Wikipedia can promote knowledge and curiosity. Plus, she shares intriguing anecdotes about quirky historical events found in its vast database.
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From Boredom To Lifelong Edits
- Andy Filipovich began editing during COVID by fixing a sparse local event article and kept expanding to related pages.
- His edits turned into featured content that reached tens of thousands and introduced readers to niche cultural topics.
Nonprofit Structure Shapes Purpose
- Wikipedia is run by a nonprofit and mostly volunteers, which distinguishes it from ad-driven platforms.
- That structure supports an ad-free, subscription-free resource shaped by community contribution rather than corporate incentives.
Use Notability And Talk Pages
- Use Wikipedia's notability rules and talk pages to check whether a topic merits an article before creating one.
- Cite reliable sources and expect public, transparent debate on the article's talk page.