Why I like Wikipedia

Ok, Ok, I admit -- I like Wikipedia.

But, Why, Hank? There's no editors, there's no fact-checkers, it carries none of the hard-earned veneer of, say, the sainted Ny Times, or the sainted medical journals, you're always yapping about!

Good point -- but I still like it. I like the rough and tumble of the blogosphere. Also, wikipedia is an excellent source of FACTS. Most folks lack a basic understanding of facts, and simply jump right into meaningless opinions.

Example: Dr. Gallo is a fraud.  That is a fact. See, NY Times

In contrast, it is too easy to say, "Bush is an idiot." It's hard to analyze and assess why this true, and what changes in policies, if adopted, could alter this conclusion. I don't know much about politics, so I ain't gonna do this work, either!:)

Sorry, back to wiki.

My pal, Dr. Bialy has alerted me to an outstanding, piece of AIDS wikipedia, that y'all should check out. Ya might learn something. Ya might learn some FACTS.

UPDATE:

D'oh! Dean pedantically reminds us that there are several wikis, and that the above one is NOT wikipedia. Here's the Wikipedia entry for Dr. Duesberg.

Other than a snotty little opinion inserted in the second sentence, the facts recited seems pretty darn fair and accurate to me, though, so my misplaced point still stands (by pure luck).

For facts and data, wikipedia is pretty darn good.

UPDATE II:

Here's Dr. Bialy in wikipedia.

Here's Dr. Bialy in AIDS wiki.

A few tweaks here and there, but same basic structure. Those bastards are trying to confuse us:)

Comments

[Dan]

Hank,
thanks for the link to the AIDS Wikipedia info.

I'm especially drawn to the psychology of this, the stuff there they call the "AIDS cult".

I see "AIDS" as more of a sociological and psychological phenomenon than a medical one.

[HankBarnes]

Dan wrote:

"I see "AIDS" as more of a sociological and psychological phenomenom than a medical one."

I tend to agree, although there is a legitimate medical component , ie, What causes a T4-Cell depletion, and Do these toxic meds mitigate or exacerbate the problem?

But, all the stupid greed and politics, and silly red ribbons have defintely overshadowed the medical elements.

You a good man, Dan.

Hank

[Dean Esmay]

Hate to be pedantic, but that's not an AIDS Wikipedia. It's an AIDS wiki. Wikipedia is just one wiki, one of thousands that have sprung up. Wikipedia is the biggest wiki, the granddaddy wiki, and there is only one.

And you'll find Wikipedia is less than kind to AIDS dissenters. There seems to be a collective there who won't let dissenters and skeptics have their say.

[HankBarnes]

Darn you, Dean!

I think you are right.

Let me amend my remarks:

I like the concept of wiki, and there's a bunch of them sprung up all over the damn place to confuse us!

HB

[Darin Brown]

The AIDS wiki is (still) soliciting help from eager volunteers, esp. those who would be willing to write on biological topics or simply anything which may not be widely known or easy to find. Just email the admin per the instructions at the mainpage.

It's not (intended to be) just "Revolver's wiki".

[HankB]

Hey Darin Brown,

If you are inclined, we'd love to hear your mathematical interpretation of the Padian study, and how 'ole Nancy came up with her numbers, in the face of finding "no seroconversions."

HB