A simple explanation of why people like to write for wiki encyclopedias
I am frequently asked why people (especially experts) would spend any time writing for a free wiki encyclopedia. I won’t bore you with my usual answers. I thought of an answer just now that I think is probably more accurate than others I’ve given.
It’s that we love the fact that other people allow some of our own words to pass without significant change. We naturally take this to mean that our words are correct. When someone else edits an article to which we have added something, and does not change our words, that is confirmation from that other person that we knew what we were talking about. And one of the most ego-boosting, personally affirming things that another person can tell you is: “Yes, you really do know that.” So mutual epistemic congratulation is what is going on, constantly, on the Citizendium and Wikipedia and other similar websites.
Now — go congratulate somebody on his or her knowledge — edit an article! 
Also: “Yes, you really explained that well. I might have written it differently, but I understand and respect your way of putting it.”
Comment by Anthony Sebastian — April 16, 2007 @ 4:33 pm
Larry, you are quite right. I have been on the receiving end of a quick delete (my first post) by an editor that I think just wanted to increase his sense of self importance. I had been using Wikipedia for a while after Britannica was replaced, but I always felt concerned about the accuracy of the content. It in fact wastes more of my time because I have to then search around to confirm the accuracy of the information on Wikipedia.
Comment by David Tan — April 16, 2007 @ 7:14 pm
[...] in a collaborative wiki space gives you instant social visibility. This happens in two ways. As I’ve said, when someone edits what you have written, even if you disagree with the edit, you are rewarded, [...]
Pingback by Citizendium Blog » Why collaborate? A response to Matt Britt — July 24, 2007 @ 10:27 pm