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Phase: Inspiration Missions: Understanding Social Movements

The Wiki Ethos

According to Wikipedia, social movements are a type of group action. What better group action than a free encyclopedia with millions of volunteer members. Wikipedia never meant to become a movement but it did.

Photo of Dina Gold
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Screenshot of "Social Movement - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia" Screenshot of "Social Movement - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia"
With the rise of the Internet and free, open-sourced technology, Wikipedia has evolved well beyond an encyclopedia. While Wikipedia may not fit the current definition of social movement, that is what's so remarkable about it; the site is helping to redefine the term and update the process of Social Movement. It promotes online activism and human expression in a way the world has never seen. WIth its huge audience, Wikipedia is even being recognized as an important element in how public figures, like presidential candidates, are perceived online.

Whether we agree Wikipedia is a social movement or not, it's certainly the largest online community gathering with a pride and sense of human responsibility that the world has ever seen.

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Wiki for Business World Benefit (UPDATED: 11/16/2012)
Wiki for Business World Benefit (UPDATED: 11/16/2012)

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Photo of Meena Kadri

Great addition to our Understanding Social Movements theme, Dina! Also speaks to the notion that many hands make light work ;^)

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Photo of Meena Kadri

and when I was think further on this – it also nurtures community – an important aspect of this challenge's focus on spreading the word of doing good by doing well and celebrating those who are already on the right track.

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DeletedUser

to build on your comment Meena, although not the first wiki, Wikipedia has also been a significant inspiration for other companies and communities to nuture community involvement.

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