A thinky blog in response to the wikiblackout. So thinky I doubt it’ll top 30 comments.
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The Unusual Suspects
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- Ysambart
Hmm, that is interesting Tarl. I guess I found it odd because, well, if I am going to do research, I’m going to get paid to do it. It probably helps if I actually ENJOY the research I am doing. Thus my research spectrum tends to be much more narrow.
Having typed that (seems strange but I didn’t really say it, did I?) I freely admit that I read wikipedia as a sort of mental popcorn to keep the wheels turning. And now that I teach history on a regular basis I make it a point to read the articles which are related to test topics. Invariably I get the student who memorizes sections of wikipedia and regurgitates that on their essays. It helps to be familiar with the potential target material.
Insofar as using wiki for fiction research, I do not think I am out of line by saying that Birmo and I both use it as a starting point. I can frequently read up on weapons or the projected strength of a nation-state’s military there but I will usually follow that up with a more reliable source.
On the other hand, Fifi’s PKM from Without Warning came straight from an old U.S. Army manual on Soviet Weapons. I will just as frequently refer to that book as I will the web. And it doesn’t hurt that I can ask folks like the real James Kipper what firing a PKM is like or if I need a bit of Arabic, I can ask the real Dan Colvin for a few pointers.
Lastly, insofar as using wiki in the classroom, I am not enamored of the over reliance on technology which is frequently demonstrate by students and instructors alike. I think there is some value in writing your notes out using a pen on a sheet of paper, looking up a source in an actual book, and learning how to find information without simply resorting to google.
My students, of course, do not agree with me.
Respects,
Murph
On the Outer Marches
I’ll post something about the Monster books soon.
Off topic but good news indeed, Barnesm. I like the idea of monsters. Exploding monsters? I don’t think JB’s brought it up yet tqft cos he’s still got two e-books to write before the monsters trilogy. Wonder if there’ll be a M Yuppy character. Started my first AOT book (Weapons of Choice) today. Chapter One read. Impressed that you got a whole submarine named after you, Havoc.