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I really must add my two cents worth here. David Gerard wrote: I'm guessing that all the hoopla about editors mostly requiring PhDs and that the project will be "guided by experts" has put the frighteners on some folks. For some who have little experience of academics or academe in general the idea of having their work scrutinised by an editor with a string of letters after his/her name may at first seem daunting, off-putting or just plain scary....nobody likes to be made to feel inferior after all.BTW, this list has 453 members. That means that probably over 200 people on this list aren't in the pilot project. Why not? And yet, in a project such as this, such perceptions are actually quite false. I can name so many types of articles that someone without any formal academic training could write about that the list would be as long as a telephone book. Even in areas considered "academic", the contributions of "laypersons" can make a huge difference to the quality of an encyclopaedia. For instance, many academics simply cannot write very well in English (either because it is a second language or, well they just aren't very good at writing). Collaborating with Joe Bloe from Boston who has a deft way with words would therefore convert a jumble of meaningless gobbledegook into a riveting article on, well, anything. Most people interested enough in this project so as to join this list will have pet likes, hobbies, quirky information on some local subject...whatever. Are we saying that we don't want that information to be added? Hell, no! I have virtually no formal qualifications at all in regards to ancient history or classical Latin for instance and yet I'm fascinated by it and am happily getting stuck into editing articles to do with the ancient world. Sometimes I can add new and interesting facts, sometimes I just stop and read the article because it already is interesting and well written. By working together as enthusiasts and friends we can not only have a lot of fun but get to share our fun with millions of others.....not bad for thinking, reading and banging away on a keyboard when one has the opportunity! So come on David and all, jump in.....the waters fine!!!!!! |
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