Collective Intelligence and Neutral Point of View: The Case of Wikipedia

Shane Greenstein and Feng Zhu ()

No 18167, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: We examine whether collective intelligence helps achieve a neutral point of view using data from a decade of Wikipedia's articles on US politics. Our null hypothesis builds on Linus' Law, often expressed as "Given enough eyeballs, all bugs are shallow." Our findings are consistent with a narrow interpretation of Linus' Law, namely, a greater number of contributors to an article makes an article more neutral. No evidence supports a broad interpretation of Linus' Law. Moreover, several empirical facts suggest the law does not shape many articles. The majority of articles receive little attention, and most articles change only mildly from their initial slant.

JEL-codes: L17 L3 L86 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012-06
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-bec
Note: IO PR
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (22)

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