The wikipedia user Alunsalt is leaving wikipedia to work with a killer app version of wikipedia by Google called Knol. The fact that a wikipedian leaves is not a big deal really but her retirement letter hits on many of the important flaws with wikipedia. These issues are not new but they remain unresolved and will keep wikipedia in the “tabloid” version of knowledge dissemination – the fact that it’s useful or that many people believe what they read does not increase the truth on wikipedia.
Alunsalt writes:
As may be obvious I’ve decided Wikipedia will die shortly, and I’m not interested in clearing up the mess. When subject experts introduce themselves on their user pages saying how they tackle arguments by winning over their opponents audience, I don’t applaud their sagacity. I feel pity that the system they’re working in has dragged them down to that level. I can sympathise with feeling that you don’t want lunatics to win, but if you find yourself regularly arguing with them then maybe it’s time to get out.
It’s a shame because I genuinely believe most Wikipedians do want to create.