Joshua Rose’s Reviews > The Wikipedia Revolution: How a Bunch of Nobodies Created the World's Greatest Encyclopedia > Status Update

I’m really enjoying this. Last section covered bits from Wikipedia’s story on how systems were developed to restrain bad behavior and build bridges between users, languages, and cultures.

Fascinating metaphors in this section about how Wikipedia grew. Author equates articles to little piranha feeding frenzies, where the fish pick away at their meal. He also discusses the collaboration between termites and wasps as they build a shelter, reacting to each layer added by the other.

This is the first business biography I’ve read, and it will definitely not be my last. It’s refreshing to learn about how the very humble beginnings of Wikipedia. This book is giving me a deeper appreciation for open source and how it enabled Wikipedia to form into the behemoth it is today. Details about mitigating vandalism and inspiring contribution through systems is very inspiring.

Fascinating story weaving together the history of encyclopedias, open source, copyright law, Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger, and their early careers, struggles, and partnership to build Wikipedia. Wishing I would have started reading this one sooner!