Why do you have to be famous to have a wikipedia bio?

[bluestateguy]

Why not allow bios for ordinary Americans?

I'm talking about taxi cab drivers, and folks who stock the shelves at Wal-Mart, waiters, hotel maids and factory workers. Why do you have to be famous or "noteworthy" to have a bio on wikipedia.

Seems kind of elitist to me.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

1. I thought you could post about anybody.

I could be wrong, though. :shrug:

[AllegroRondo]

2. Wikipedia is not meant to be an encyclopedia of everything

so they have to place some limits on what gets entered.

[bluestateguy]

3. Again, that strikes me as kind of elitist

If there can be an article on shower caps, there should be an article on the man who takes out the garbage in the neighborhood.

[AllegroRondo]

6. Not necessarily elitist, just practical

do you really want to sort through an entire worldwide phone book of people just to find information on the one you're looking for? we already have the entire internet for that.

how much effort are people willing to put into keeping the listings of all garbage collectors updated? if people arent going to keep up the data, its going to be out of date and useless very quickly.

[Crazy Dave]

4. I don't think

kids can turn in a report about the "Domino's Pizza Guy" for homework.

[northzax]

5. why not?

I once wrote a report on my next door neighbor who worked at, not owned, the local ACE Hardware store. the research and writing is what's important, not the actual subject. plus, it's hard to get a sit down interview with Abe Lincoln these days.