November 16, 2011
#978: Citogenesis
Where Citations Come From:
Citogenesis Step #1
Through a convoluted process, a user’s brain generates facts. These are typed into Wikipedia.
[[A guy with short hair sits at a desk, typing on a laptop.]]
Guy: (typing) The “scroll lock” key was designed by future Energy Secretary Steven Chu in a college project.
A rushed writer checks Wikipedia for a summary of their subject.
[[A woman with a ponytail sits at a desk, typing on a desktop.]]
Woman: (typing) US Energy Secretary Steven Chu, (Nobel Prizewinner and creator of the ubiquitous “scroll lock” key) testified before Congress today…
Step #2
Surprised readers check Wikipedia, see the claim, and flag it for review. A passing editor finds the piece and adds it as a citation.
[[A man sits on a couch with a laptop in his lap, typing.]]
Man: Google is your friend, people. (typing) {{cite web|url=
Step #3
Step #4
Now that other writers have a real source, they repeat the fact.
[[A flow chart, with “Wikipedia citation” in the center. The word “Wikipedia” is in black, the word “citations” is white with a red background.
A black arrow leads from “brain” to “Wikipedia.”
A black arrow labeled “words” leads from “Wikipedia” to “careless writers,” and a red arrow labeled “citations” leads back to “Wikipedia citations.”
A black & red arrow leads from “Wikipedia” to “cited facts” which leads to “slightly more careful writers,” which leads to “more citations,” which leads back to “Wikipedia” (all black & red arrows).]]
References proliferate, completing the citogenesis process.