Wikis are a much bigger deal than most people realize. They are yet another visible sign of Postmodernism in our culture — a rejection of the idea that knowledge should be controlled for profit. Wikis are anarchical, and that terrifies command and control, top-down thinkers (Modernists). Wikis are a very efficient method of building massive databases of searchable and organized information. It confounds Modernists that they actually work.

(Cough, cough. Well, Terry, but how can you TRUST that information. Cough, cough.)

Wikipedia threatens to destroy the encyclopedia industry, just as the type of directory wiki that Steve references will destroy the media directory industry. I view this as a good thing for many reasons. One, I believe in people and that experience is the best teacher. Why shouldn’t we share our experience with each other to the betterment of the human race? Secondly, as these institutions collapse, the wealth is redistributed in a very efficient manner. I remember when I was growing up that the purchase of an encyclopedia was a HUGE deal for families, behind only a home, a car, and some appliances. That cash can be better spent elsewhere.

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