Watch Truth in Numbers? Everything, According to Wikipedia

Truth in Numbers: Everything, According to Wikipedia is a 2010 documentary film that delves into the world of the world's largest free online encyclopedia - Wikipedia. Directed by Scott Glosserman and Nic Hill, the film features interviews with various experts, editors, and contributors to the ever-evolving encyclopedia. The film begins by exploring the origins of Wikipedia, tracing its history back to its humble beginnings in 2001. The founders of Wikipedia, Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger, and the key players who helped shape the platform over the years, are interviewed and discuss the impact of their invention. Some of these key players include Ward Cunningham, the inventor of the wiki software on which Wikipedia runs, and Angela Beesley, a co-founder of the Wikimedia Foundation.

Throughout the film, the interviews turn to more specific discussions about Wikipedia as a platform for sharing knowledge. Various experts in the fields of science, education, and journalism offer their perspectives on Wikipedia's role in society. For instance, Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin Group, discusses how he has personally contributed to Wikipedia and how it is a vital resource for his company's employees. Vint Cerf, one of the pioneers of the internet, talks about how Wikipedia has changed the way people access information and how it embodies the spirit of the open web.

Another theme explored in the film is how Wikipedia is written, edited, and maintained by its community of users. The film interviews several of these contributors, who talk about their experiences writing and editing articles on the site. One contributor, Ed Chi, discusses how he used Wikipedia to research information for his doctoral thesis, which focused on user behavior on the site. The film also touches on the controversy surrounding the accuracy of Wikipedia articles, as well as the platform's policies on neutrality and verifiability.

As the film progresses, it delves into some of the more complex issues surrounding Wikipedia's content. The film examines how Wikipedia is often used as a tool for activism, as demonstrated by its role in promoting the Arab Spring protests in 2010. The film also explores how Wikipedia is used as a tool for censorship, discussing examples of governments and organizations who attempt to manipulate Wikipedia for their own purposes.

In addition to its exploration of Wikipedia, the film also touches on broader issues related to the internet and the free exchange of information. Experts in the field of net neutrality, such as Lawrence Lessig and Tim Wu, offer their perspectives on how the principles embodied by Wikipedia are essential to the democratic nature of the web.

In summary, Truth in Numbers: Everything, According to Wikipedia is a fascinating exploration of the world's largest free online encyclopedia. The film offers an engaging look at the origins of Wikipedia, its role in shaping the way we access information, and the controversies that have arisen around the platform. Through interviews with experts, contributors, and key players in the development of Wikipedia, the film offers a well-rounded view of this groundbreaking platform and its impact on society.

Truth in Numbers? Everything, According to Wikipedia is a 2010 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.