More evidence that the universe agrees with me universally (pardon the terrible pun). It seems that Wiki, dear Wiki, has gotten a little slap on the wrist. Okay -- a slap on the wrist is melodramatic. Almost gossipy. So call it what you will. For 132 days, Wiki ran a post that falsely claimed John Seigenthaler Sr. had been suspected in the assassinations of the former Attorney General and his brother, President John F. Kennedy. It turns out these "facts" are unfounded and the only reason attention has been drawn to the error is because Seigenthaler wrote an op-ed piece in USA Today pointing out his concern.
Hmmmmm. I told you so seems trite at this point. Juvenile.
What is Wiki doing to smooth things over? Instituting a registration required component before editors are allowed to post edits. Note that Seigenthaler's page now says it is protected from editing until disputes have been resolved. Let me ask you this: when you are leaving a post on someone's blog, does it put you off what you intended to say because you are required to leave an email address, your web address, and enter a visually garbled secret security code word? Do you make sure your comment is that much better, more accurate, more sincere, because you gave out your info? I didn't think so.
I love the Wiki. I want it to work. And I know Seigenthaler's piece was rather one-sided...a bit heated. But for me, Wiki is sort of like the friend you don't know that well but that you really like. It's all coffee and witty banter over wine and a few well-written emails. Then when you get to know them a bit more (spend time with them, introduce them to other friends, see them actually deal with the things life throws their way) you think "Hmmmm...you were far more enjoyable when I didn't know all this odd stuff about you. You're really a bit of an ass."
I'm sure I can be persuaded to get over it. Maybe. I'll run some Wiki searches on "ass." And "I told you so." And, to keep myself in check, "self-indulgent writers."