The Great Wiki Raid of '05

Futurists from around the world conduct a 24 hour "knowledge assault" on Wikipedia.org for the purpose of demonstrating how knowledge is created in a digital world.

(PRWEB) October 30, 2005 -- The Great Wiki Raid of ’05 begins at 12:01 A.M. 31 October. For 24 hours futurists from around the world will mount a “knowledge assault” on Wikipedia.org, the world’s largest collaborative online encyclopedia. Their goal is simple: to improve public knowledge about the field of futures studies.

The World Futures Studies Federation is the organizing force behind The Great Wiki Raid. WFSF “raiders” will endeavor to add as much information as they can, in multiple languages, regarding the topic “futures studies” over the course of one day. Choosing Wikipedia as their “target” acknowledges the dramatic way in which digital technology is transforming knowledge creation and distribution.

Wikipedia, “The free Encyclopedia that anyone can edit,” has grown in less than five years to include editions in 200 languages. The English language version alone contains over 790,000 articles. Articles from Wikipedia have been quoted by the media, referenced in scholarly journals and books, and even appeared as sources in governmental debates. As its popularity continues to grow collaborative knowledge making will become the norm. In the future, knowledge raids like this one, and even knowledge wars might be frequent occurrences. How these changes might impact the larger issues of culture, academics, and politics are just a few of the topics that futurists are working to better understand.

Those interested in observing the wiki raid as it takes place should visit www.wikipedia.org. From the main page type “future studies” in the search box and click on “go.” The raid will be taking place from 00:01 GMT on 31 October until 00:01 GMT 1 November.

Contact:
Dr. Wendy L. Schultz
Wiki Raid Organizer
Ph number: +44-1865-284377

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