Wikiality

Wikiality: Reality as defined by consensus, particularly in collaborative endeavors such as Wikipedia. Attributed to Stephen Colbert, The Colbert Report,  31 July 2006.  (Word Spy)

Monica Hesse at the Washington Post explores the relationship between truth (fact), information and knowledge in Truth: Can You Handle It? In addition to discussing “Wikiality,” Hesse also takes us behind the scenes to talk with librarian Chad Stark, taking a turn at Maryland AskUsNow, a 24-hour research chat service.

“Librarians,” she writes,  “reliably on the front lines of truth protection. ”

The article goes on to examine the implications for information literacy, as teachers and librarians  encourage students to develop critical thinking skills.