Professor Mark J. Perry's Blog for Economics and Finance
WSJ -- A broad new survey of Wikipedia users found that only 13% of the online encyclopedia’s contributors are women. Of the 53,888 respondents who said they contribute to Wikipedia, only 6,814 (12.6%) were women. The male/female ratio is closer among those who read entries but don’t write or edit them: 69% men to 31% women.
Dr. Mark J. Perry is a professor of economics and finance in the School of Management at the Flint campus of the University of Michigan. Perry holds two graduate degrees in economics (M.A. and Ph.D.) from George Mason University near Washington, D.C. In addition, he holds an MBA degree in finance from the Curtis L. Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. In addition to a faculty appointment at the University of Michigan-Flint, Perry is also a visiting scholar at The American Enterprise Institute in Washington, D.C.
12 Comments:
Well if that isn't evidence of discrimination I don't know what is. I think the government needs to step in and force more women to edit Wikipedia!
Obviously, Wikipedia is sexist!
There can be no other possible explanation.
0bama needs to appoint a Wiki czar.
With women doing all the work now, men naturally have more time to edit Wikipedia!
I wish they had asked about political orientation as it has become clear to me over time that the typical wikipedian has the same political leanings and bias that your typical teacher has - far left!
I guess Wikipedia should start a quota system to equalize the numbers. We could also start a government-funded program to encourage more women to write for it. Or how about a women's-only version to provide balance?? The logical possibilities are endless!
It is interesting that according to Wiki's website that 8 of 18 members of the paid staff are women. It might be 9 of 18 now except that Cindy Doran, the previous COO, left that position after seven months. Ms. Doran's previous position with Wiki was as temporary part-time bookkeeper. After leaving it was determined that she had a "substantial criminal history" including credit card fraud and shooting her boyfriend. It appears they have reached out very aggressively for staffing equality.
Ms. Doran: sounds like a perfect candidate for a cabinet position in the Obama administration.
Rand,
"Wiki czar" - Love it :-D
Given the preponderance of women who lean decidedly left, one would have thought Wiki was made to order.
Any conservative gals will have figured out that fully documented contributions that reflect opposing views are routinely deleted. Been there..done that. Objections to this censorship are permitted on the discussion board...if that works for you.
In the Wiki pantheon, Al Gore, Jimmy Carter and Hugo Chavez are in the running for sainthood. Ted Kennedy is of course already there.
Why is wikipedia given any more respect than spam?
It has NO real credibility...
1,
It's a fad appealing to an up & coming generation of mouse clickers.
Wiki is a quick & dirty reference which needs to be taken with a good measure of salt and independent confirmation. Chances are that today's 20 somethings don't even notice the left leanings given the predominance of left leaning faculty & media.
At that age, weren't most of us filled with generally misguided nonsense?
To 1:
From Professor Tyler Cowen:
"Critiques of Wikipedia miss its comparative advantage. Entries tend to be link-rich, and the ongoing debate and revisions refresh and improve the links. Think of Wikipedia as hiring someone to do search engine work for you, not just Google but the other brands as well. They then report back with the best links. Wikipedia brings you this service for free."
There seems to be an equal or greater gender gap on this blog. QT is Atlas holding up the XX side of CD world.
Can't you get more of your female students to contribute their thoughts Mark?
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