Archive:Stories: Difference between revisions

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+{{cquote|Wikipedia embodies some of my most cherished values: I believe that open access to knowledge is an avenue to a more open society. It's not enough. We must cultivate an attentive and equanimous spirit. Yet, Wikipedia is a necessary condition for a more democratic and freer society. After I graduated from my doctoral program in the US and then got a position at a college, I never hesitated to encourage my students to go to wikipedia as a starting point of their inquiries. When I was a young student, checking specialized dictionaries, such as the Dictionary on Politics, a superb collection of articles edited by Norberto Bobbio and Niccola Matteucci, was very important to me: each article I read provided me with a basic grasp of fundamental concepts. Wikipedia is for me what used to be that Dictionary of Politics but ten times, one hundred times, one million times much more useful and important.
+I'd like to add that I have a debt with wikipedia that I plan to redeem. I am about to open an account and become one of its anonymous contributors. This is Renaissance for all of us. By participating in this project, we become involved in a wonderful transformation of the way we see and experience the world. This is what Douglas Rushkoff aptly captured in his oposcule “Open Source Democracy.” When I read his work, I said to myself, “I have to make this work become available to people who only speak Spanish.” Then I translated it and published it at archive.org and added a copyleft sign to my signature as a translator. As I said, it's time for me now to make a similar contribution to a wikipedia. I want to have the honour of being not only one of its advocates, promoters, supporters, but also become one of its anonymous, humble makers.}}
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 {{cquote|I have two children on the autism spectrum. I quickly realized the medical community does not have what my children need to survive and cope in this world. I began searching the internet, reading books and connecting with other parents willing to try anything to rescue thier children from this dreaded and pervasive disease. My time was spent caring for my kids which meant I couldn't pursue traditional education avenues for help. Wikipedia became my source of knowledge. I treaded the backs of many intellectual giants like stepping stones to cross a massive river. I now am considered on the other side. My children are recovered enough to be considered "normal" thanks to Wikipedia's community of help and knowledge that propelled me into life, health and happiness. 'Thank you's will never be enough. No dollar amount can repay the years that have been restored to me and my future generations.