Dave,

I am really surprised at your last sentence, considering your polemic against the Masters of that Universe a couple of months ago in Wikipedia, don't offend the master(s) of the universe. Have you changed your opinion about Wikipedia?

What is the difference between the two communities? Wikipedia is larger and has a longer history, so perhaps its rules are superior, or rather, more mature. On the other hand, is the track record of Wikipedia’s leaders any better, or any worse, than the reputation of the leaders of the value network community? I’ll admit that as a dilettante (freeloader, not a contributor) I don’t have any large stake in either community. From my perspective, there isn’t that great a difference between the two electronically mediated forums. I read them both (for different purposes). I rely on them when seeking certain types of knowledge.

What I see in both communities is a spaghetti style of knowledge management, defined as “throw some ideas against the wall and see what sticks.” The people who practice it seem to have some complementary skills in communications, analysis and wide ranging thought (innovation). Perhaps spaghetti style is a reflection of the cognitive bias that first impressions matter, but that doesn’t seem to hold up to analysis of Wiki change histories. I postulate that there are personal skills involved; skills honed in a constrained, contentious or raucous environment. The spaghetti style seems to work exceptionally well in politics and public policy.

Maybe it is a long acclimation to bureaucracy inside the Beltway that has sensitized, or dulled, my perceptions. One thing that bureaucrats learn quite early is that it is hazardous to confront the Masters of the Universe. We also learn that there is no substitute for dogged determination or, to use the term in vogue, discipline. Sooner or later you can find some common ground and surprisingly enough, the underdog often wins. Am I missing some ingredient in the sauce?

Wikipedia works well most of the time, my rant was about the isolated set of cases where Jimbo and mates are involved. Even there, although it has taken time the community this morning, finally reinstated Peter Damian. So right won out in the end. I think a bit part of the reason here is that there are rules (emergent ones that is) that a very large community buy into and enforce. The polemical and egotistical rants that we were getting on the Value Networks and the personal abuse would have had the editor banned for a week on WIkipedia very quickly. Otherwise your second two paragraphs raise some interesting issues and I will mull them over.