IP8: Steven Walling - Why Wikipedians are the Weirdest People on the Internet

Wikipedians. They're the people who actually write that free online encyclopedia you use every day. But who are they?

Wikipedia isn't written by the staff of a company or paid experts. It's written by thousands of unpaid volunteers.

Though anyone and everyone can make an edit to the site, there's an elite (read: obsessed) cadre of people who regularly give up their free time to write an encyclopedia. If you thought 4chan was weird, wait till you meet the Wikipedians.

• Category

  People & Blogs

[Prashanth N S]

Hi Steven, am a long time editor, and I found it quite funny and ahem....weird. :)

[maveric149]

Yes, I admit that I Enjoy building reference material in my free time. In fact, I also listen to educational Podcasts at work! Friends and family just don't understand. I love being different in that way. WikiNerds rule!

[tommorris]

It's called humor. You know, the tendency of particular cognitive experiences to provoke laughter and provide amusement. The term derives from the humoral medicine of the ancient Greeks, which taught that the balance of fluids in the human body, known as humors (Latin: humor, "body fluid"), control human health and emotion. Look it up in Wikipedia sometime.

[Angelia King]

Awesome. The Passion in Wiki Community. Full with fun and coworking. I really appreciate all. Thanks. @StevenWalling Well done.

[patrickmahoney]

Fun vid. Thanks for all that all of you do; Wikipedia is much more than an encyclopedia, its true freedom of information-for everyone to learn. In 3rd world countries it must be legend, as the kids can often find an open internet connect vs. a book. I imagine the India version is Really busy :-)

A noble effort by people who are making a huge difference in the world. Unsung heros? Sure. But worth every minute you spend on there-although, if that stubborn SOB doesn't remove that flag!! ;-)

[ScobeyWanKenobi]

Steven Walling, that was excellent! I love the unofficial mascot next to the creator, and then followed by the robot overlords. Hilarious and informative. Good show, old bean.

[DenDenTheWizard]

OH YEAH STROKE THAT WIRE

[Piotr Konieczny]

Excellent presentation. One thing missing was the comment about it being released under open license... have you uploaded it to Commons yet?

[Steven Walling]

Please do! You can contact me via en.wiki more too if you want (my username is my real name).

[goku3002]

Great video, surprisingly true...

[Jan Ainali]

Is it ok if I show this on our upcoming Wikipedia Academy in Stockholm?

[Kenny L]

GODDDD Steven, you need to calm the F downnnnn, and be a little less nervous.

J/k, I might be a little nervous too on the stage.