W5) Reading assignment - Hyojung Park

-Summary
This reading describes Wikipedia's method of consensus decision making.

 In Wikipedia, people usually make decisions through discussions, but in some cases they don't. If the debate intensifies or becomes too long, Wikipedia use polling. Online communities such as Wikipedia have so many members that polling is useful to easily gauge what opinions they have. In this case, polling is used in a different sense from voting. This is because majority opinion is not necessarily right.

 Wikipedia wants to solve the problem through consensus, or at least wrap up the discussion, even if there is no clear conclusion. Administrators and the benevolent dictators help this process. An administrator is not a person in a higher position than other users. It simply means "custodian." When community is unable to reach an agreement, an influential leader is needed to make a final decision after gathering opinions. Benevolent dictator executes that role.


-Interesting Point
It was interesting that Wikipedia's administrator was not a very meaningful position and was elected among general users. It was also interesting to see the name "benevolent dictator" being used in a community pursued democratic decision-making.


-Discussion
Can we say that the benevolent dictator is completely neutral and does not wield his power? Shouldn't there be a means to keep them in check?

Comments

  1. Dayoung Ryu 류다영April 19, 2020 at 9:13 AM

    I also think about the admin of Wiki, and was so interested either. In my case, I thought a leader is more supportive than a dictator, but in the real life, such as Wiki, there is more supportive position than a leader- that call admin. Actually, it's so close to the duty and role of that position. There is no much power. Is it ideal?

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