Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - CALL FOR ACTION ON WIKIPEDIA ESSAYSON LITERATURE

From the balcony: an aside not meant to be integrated with the main
body of mwalimismi discourse.

What is a fact?

Who is an expert and is the facticity of being an expert by self-
appointment only?

https://www.google.se/search?q=facticity&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

I haven't zapped through all the entries in this learned thread but
should just like to add that there is and can be great or little
disagreements about the kinds of information that even Sheikh Bangura
would call "kosher" (for instance there's a lot of re-hashed Biblical
stories that re-surface in the Quran – which from a strictly holy
kosher point of view is not kosher, some would even say that it is
TREIF ) and this only emphasizes the fact that even the experts – I
mean real experts be it in the field of Mathematics or computer
science, US or Middle East politics, economics, the Hebrew Language,
hieroglyphics or linguistics, that even the top experts disagree, and
in some encyclopedias the story of some of these these disagreements
- divergent points of view are accommodated, favourably or
unfavourably.

In 1966 or thereabout we waded through what was part of the syllabus
requirement, Chomsky's transformational grammar - which he
subsequently either debunked or deserted, indeed "the old order
changeth" - so some old facts give place to new. - old attitudes,
opinions or facts become non-facts are displaced by new facts or
opinions based on new facts just look at what's happening with
Einstein's theory of relativity - which I do not pretend to
understand..

The Encyclopedia Britannica for instance is not devoid of elements
known as propaganda. The Encyclopedia Judaica is of course certified
Kosher.

https://www.google.co.uk/#hl=en&tbo=d&sclient=psy-ab&q=+Encyclopedia+Judaica&oq=+Encyclopedia+Judaica&gs_l=hp.12..0l4.2990.6979.0.11196.4.4.0.0.0.0.79.216.4.4.0.les%3B..0.0...1c.1.gZwxl-7PnRo&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.1355534169,d.bGE&fp=fc7fe2b45ce62c75&bpcl=40096503&biw=1024&bih=614

I suppose that of particular interest to members of this forum are the
various entries in Africana encyclopedias. What is interesting here is
that since it's not every tom dick and harry who wants to have the
last word or say-so in Africana matters that is necessarily qualified
to be that last word , inevitably there's bound to be many mistakes,
especially having people who tend to want to teach their own personal
political opinions, persuasions or prejudices as preferred facts. The
recent and still on-going controversies swirling around Martin
Bernal's Black Athena and all the matters arising thereof is an still
an issue of distinguishing between myths ( including self -
perpetuating myths) and "facts" of history.

In having to choose between studying Literature or history - I chose
literature and still continue to look upon much of history as mere
gossip....

The historians may puff and sigh Jesus did/did not die on the cross
etc. did or did not ascend beyond the sky which from a literary but
maybe not a hagiographic point of view is merely ignorance and the
imagination working together to the point where mystification (myth
+fiction ) merges with historical fiction to produce "new"scripture

How does Wikipedia deal with this? I don't think that we will find the
truth of the matter there.

Nota Bene: "...the Torah is not a history book, but charter of Man's
mission in the universe" - ( Stone edition introduction to Parasshas
Bereishis)

http://www.thelocal.se/blogs/corneliushamelberg/





On Jan 3, 4:13 am, "Emeagwali, Gloria (History)"
<emeagw...@mail.ccsu.edu> wrote:
> I plan to go in and delete/  transform chunks of the next article you publish on wikipedia to make my point. Be warned
>  and take it with a smile.
>
> Professor Gloria Emeagwaliwww.africahistory.net<http://www.africahistory.net/>www.vimeo.com/user5946750/videos<http://www.vimeo.com/user5946750/videos>
> Documentaries on Africa and the African Diaspora
>
> ________________________________
> From: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com [usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of OLUWATOYIN ADEPOJU [tva...@gmail.com]
> Sent: Wednesday, January 02, 2013 2:55 PM
> To: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com
> Subject: Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - CALL FOR ACTION ON WIKIPEDIA ESSAYSON LITERATURE
>
> Thanks,Mario.
>
> Emeagwali,
>
> I will lie if I say I don't find your laconic style here delightful but I wonder if one day you might wish to comment on the issue you address as reflecting Bangura's point about inadequately refereed articles being deleted as his was, thereby demonstrating the (potential?)  rigour of Wikipedia.
>
> thanks
> toyin
> On Wed, Jan 2, 2013 at 5:21 PM, Emeagwali, Gloria (History) <emeagw...@mail.ccsu.edu<mailto:emeagw...@mail.ccsu.edu>> wrote:
> 'I cant find it since the Wikipedia article on it has been deleted ......."
>
> Building castles in the sand is fun, fun fun.
>
> Professor Gloria Emeagwaliwww.africahistory.net<http://www.africahistory.net><http://www.africahistory.net/>www.vimeo.com/user5946750/videos<http://www.vimeo.com/user5946750/videos><http://www.vimeo.com/user5946750/videos>
> Documentaries on Africa and the African Diaspora
>
> ________________________________
> From: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com<mailto:usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com> [usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com<mailto:usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com>] On Behalf Of OLUWATOYIN ADEPOJU [tva...@gmail.com<mailto:tva...@gmail.com>]
> Sent: Wednesday, January 02, 2013 9:47 AM
> To: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com<mailto:usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com>
> Subject: Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - CALL FOR ACTION ON WIKIPEDIA ESSAYSON LITERATURE
>
> Bangura,
>
> please send us this essay as quickly as possible.
>
> 'Nabuderian Pluridisciplinary Methodology'
>
> I cant find it since the Wikipedia article on it has been deleted as your comments suggested-
>
> toyin
>
> On Wed, Jan 2, 2013 at 3:03 AM, Abdul Bangura <th...@earthlink.net<mailto:th...@earthlink.net><mailto:th...@earthlink.net<mailto:th...@earthlink.net>>> wrote:
> Mwalimu Basil Ogochukwu, you are partially correct. But you ignore the fact that Wikipedia editors  frequently check entries, additions, etc. to make sure that they are kosher and properly referenced. If they are not, they are deleted. Any reader can also challenge entries, additions, etc. and tabled for discussion and deletion, if found lacking credibility.
>
> In fact, my entry titled "Nabuderian Pluridisciplinary Methodology," which I also posted on this USA-Africa Dialogue forum, has been flagged for deletion only because most of the citations are from my essays and two are from Mwalimu Nabudere's essays which do not provide enough details on the methodology. So my fellow editors challenged the entry on the basis that I am promoting my own work.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: basil ugochukwu<mailto:ugochukw...@yahoo.com<mailto:ugochukw...@yahoo.com>>
> To: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com<mailto:usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com><mailto:usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com<mailto:usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com>>
> Sent: 1/1/2013 9:27:53 PM
> Subject: Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - CALL FOR ACTION ON WIKIPEDIA ESSAYSON LITERATURE
>
> First is to be sure we understand how Wikipedia functions as a source of information. One of the most significant counsels I have received in the past is never to place too much confidence in Wikipedia information. I avoid the source like the proverbial plague and I know many who do as well. All materials are subject to arbitrary revision by sundry passersby through the site. This makes the tracking of quality difficult or completely absent in a worst case scenario. Wikipedia describes itself as a "free encyclopedia that anyone can edit." Except you have a guarantee that a passerby wouldn't edit meaning out of your carefully executed idea of authenticity, your project would seem rather a waste of time. While Wikipedia could be useful to confirm what is already well known, it is useless (in my opinion) as vehicle for authenticity the way you have elaborated. This is for the simple reason that you have no control over the information you are providing however much you try.
>
> Basil
> ________________________________
> From: OLUWATOYIN ADEPOJU <tva...@gmail.com<mailto:tva...@gmail.com><mailto:tva...@gmail.com<mailto:tva...@gmail.com>>>
> To: "usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com<mailto:usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com><mailto:usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com<mailto:usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com>>" <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com<mailto:usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com><mailto:usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com<mailto:usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com>>>
> Sent: Tuesday, January 1, 2013 7:40:00 PM
>
> Subject: Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - CALL FOR ACTION ON WIKIPEDIA ESSAYS ON LITERATURE
>
> I will respond only because it seems some people might not have understood my point, going by this response.
>
> I am asking everyone who can to participate in the project.
>
> toyin
>
> On Tue, Jan 1, 2013 at 11:55 PM, Ikhide <xoki...@yahoo.com<mailto:xoki...@yahoo.com><mailto:xoki...@yahoo.com<mailto:xoki...@yahoo.com>>> wrote:
> Africans! Here we go again, reacting to the work of others, complaining, Oliver Twist, asking for more. Always reacting, never proactive. Would it not be simply easier for us to get off our lazy butts and improve upon Wikipedia by setting up a literature page the way we want it? Who and what stops us? I mean, why are we like this? It is very simple, no one will do for you what you must do for yourself. Go set up your own page, or beg them nicely to do it for you. It is a volunteer group, they are running as fast as they can. This man, you have a lot of time on your hands!
>
> - Ikhide
>
> Stalk my blog athttp://www.xokigbo.com/
> Follow me on Twitter: @ikhide
> Join me on Facebook:www.facebook.com/ikhide<http://www.facebook.com/ikhide><http://www.facebook.com/ikhide>
>
> From: OLUWATOYIN ADEPOJU <tva...@gmail.com<mailto:tva...@gmail.com><mailto:tva...@gmail.com<mailto:tva...@gmail.com>>>
> To: nigerianauthors <nigerianauth...@yahoogroups.com<mailto:nigerianauth...@yahoogroups.com><mailto:nigerianauth...@yahoogroups.com<mailto:nigerianauth...@yahoogroups.com>>>; Jos ANA Discussion List <jos...@yahoogroups.co.uk<mailto:jos...@yahoogroups.co.uk><mailto:jos...@yahoogroups.co.uk<mailto:jos...@yahoogroups.co.uk>>>; mbariliterarysociety <mbariliterarysoci...@yahoogroups.com<mailto:mbariliterarysoci...@yahoogroups.com><mailto:mbariliterarysoci...@yahoogroups.com<mailto:mbariliterarysoci...@yahoogroups.com>>>; writerswithoutbord...@yahoogroups.com<mailto:writerswithoutbord...@yahoogroups.com><mailto:writerswithoutbord...@yahoogroups.com<mailto:writerswithoutbord...@yahoogroups.com>>; wolesoyinkasociety <wolesoyinkasoci...@yahoogroups.com<mailto:wolesoyinkasoci...@yahoogroups.com><mailto:wolesoyinkasoci...@yahoogroups.com<mailto:wolesoyinkasoci...@yahoogroups.com>>>; usaafricadialogue <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com<mailto:usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com><mailto:usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com<mailto:usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com>>>; Mwananchi <Mwanan...@yahoogroups.com<mailto:Mwanan...@yahoogroups.com><mailto:Mwanan...@yahoogroups.com<mailto:Mwanan...@yahoogroups.com>>>
> Sent: Tuesday, January 1, 2013 5:42 PM
> Subject: USA Africa Dialogue Series - CALL FOR ACTION ON WIKIPEDIA ESSAYS ON LITERATURE
>
>                                                                                                                         CALL FOR ACTION ON  WIKIPEDIA ESSAYS ON LITERATURE
>
>                                                                                                                                                               Oluwatoyin Vincent Adepoju
>                                                                                                                                                                               Compcros<http://danteadinkra.wix.com/compcros>
>                                                                                                                                   "Exploring Every Corner of the Cosmos in Search of Knowledge"
>                                                                                                                                                "Unifying the Cosmos in a Grain of Sand"
>
> The Wikipedia essay on literature has at its top the following comment-
>
> "The examples and perspective in this article deal primarily with English-speaking territories<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglosphere> and do not represent a worldwide view<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:WikiProject_Countering_systemi...> of the subject. Please improve this article<http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Literature&action=edit> and discuss the issue on the talk page<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Literature>. (May 2012)"
>
> On going to 'talk' or discussion page, I saw these comments, among others-
> "Huge problem with article
> "I think there is a lot that can be done to improve this page, which I also found to be problematic, to put it mildly. As a literature professor and scholar in the field, I'm concerned that this page is inaccurate, incomplete and a very biased article which does not reflect current thinking on the topic. I'll collate some references and see if I can learn what the issues have been through reviewing the history of the literature page. If anyone has any insight, please feel free to contact me on my talk page. (Note, I'm new to Wikipedia, so if I've violated any
>
> ...
>
> read more »

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the "USA-Africa Dialogue Series" moderated by Toyin Falola, University of Texas at Austin.
For current archives, visit http://groups.google.com/group/USAAfricaDialogue
For previous archives, visit http://www.utexas.edu/conferences/africa/ads/index.html
To post to this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue-
unsubscribe@googlegroups.com