Nature website

a single individual or a small set of individuals, if they have dedication and plenty of time to burn, can overtake a Wikipedia page with misinformation. Unless the "other side" is willing to devote a full time effort to combat this, there is very little that can be done. Any change they make will be undone the next day. Of course, in general, most credible sources of information have lives and careers and cannot devote all of their time in a never-ending Wikipedia war. This is what has happened to the Wikipedia page on homeopathy.

Here is an example of what someone has in store for them if they wish to combat this predicament. My husband, who occasionally contributes to Wikipedia, was asked by the National Center for Homeopathy to add a simple link to the organization on the Wikipedia page about homeopathy. This seems only natural, since the NCH is, after all, the leading homeopathic organization in the United States; there are links to Quackbuster organizations on this page - why not the NCH? Since the homeopathy page was "locked" at the time (due to all the controversy), the request had to be made in a special way via the Talk page. Soon, an avalanche of responses ensued.

First, there was the argument: why add this link and not a link to every other homeopathic organization in the world? Second, it was argued that since my husband is married to a board member of the NCH, he is biased. By the way, my husband's last name is not the same as mine. Someone had done their homework. Very soon after that, my own Wikipedia page came under scathing attack. Even though it was two paragraphs long and contained neutral biographical information such as my education, book, and papers, it became one of the "most edited" Wikipedia pages for a couple of days!

After all of this, I conferred with someone who is a well-known editor on Wikipedia. After examining the situation, it was his opinion that nothing could be done about the situation. Any addition to the homeopathy page would be roundly trounced. And any person who contributed to the page who had anything whatsoever to do with homeopathy would be viewed as "biased".

Soon after this, I read an article by health freedom activist Tim Bolen about the online Quackbuster activities on Wikipedia and on other online forums. They have used the power of various internet features (for example, creating self-referencing rings of links) to create an exaggerated perception of their power and numbers. There have been similar attacks on other Wikipedia pages - for example, the page on chiropractic. The homeopaths are not alone. For more information, see the link above.

cottages in wales Quality holiday rentals and vacation
Licensed Asbestos Removal Contractor Alpine Environmental Services is a licensed asbestos removal contractor setting high standards for safe and professional asbestos removal in Cornwall, High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire.
Conservatory Suites | electronic cigarette | auto insurance for seniors | meon villas voucher codes | sell wheelchair vans | personal injury law