What Information theory teaches us about Wikipedia

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Theory

Information theory is a mathematical theory of information. It helps us to quantificate the concept of Information. One main idea in this theory is "the more probable, the less informative" principle. If we inform someone of something that he/she doesn't expect, we have provided more information to him/her than telling him/her of something he already knows is going to happen. For example, we know it is more likely to have the event of raining in Fall than during Summer. So, if the event of raining happens during the summer, it would be a more informative statement to tell others about it.

Application to Wikipedia

Principle: To maximize information.

  • The articles of wikipedia should provide pieces of information that the general readers are expected not to be aware of. For example, we all know how our modern world looks like, but we usually don't know how ancient world was. That's why I believe wikipedia should spend sufficient space explaining the context when it is informative. The actions are not as informative as the underlying mind-sets, regulations and the assumptions that have generated them.
  • Not to waste the space we are given on the talk page by statements that don't convey any real information. If we are asked to re-explain something, we should think of writing something the other person probably doesn't expect. For example comments like "read the article!" or "read what I've written" are not informative. A more specific reference is needed.

I think: The

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Wikipedia "Sin"s

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  • It is not sinful to adopt a POV in one way or the other; it is sinful to apply double standards once you've fixed your position.
  • It is not sinful to strictly follow what you hold true; it is sinful to go further and hate those who make life extremely painful for you on wikipedia.
 

Good articles I have significantly contributed to

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I have over 17000 edits to English Encyclopedia and have edited over 1000 different pages.

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