Peer Production and Collaboration

February 21

The free software movement is one example of a trend towards distributed volunteer networks of individuals collaborating on collective projects that were formerly the domain of the for-profit private sector. In this session, we explore how far such peer production can go in redefining the economic and social structures of modern society.

Download this week's slides (PDF)

Assignments

Assignment 2 due

Readings

• Yochai Benkler, News, Information and the Wealth of Networks (watch from 8:32 to 26:07)
• Joseph Reagle, ”Be Nice”: Wikipedia Norms for Supportive Communication

Additional Resources

Joseph Reagle's book: Good Faith Collaboration: The Culture of Wikipedia

The following audio streams from NPR may be interesting:

• Wikipedia, Open Source and the Future of the Web
• Wikipedia Wins Users and Critics by Jenny Lawton
• Wikipedia's Growth Comes with Concerns by Laura Sydell

Class Discussion

February 21: Peer Production and Collaboration

I like the Yocha's Idea that "what we see now is the emergence of social sharing and exchange as a major additional modality of production." He says this has created new competition, like the PSP to the recording industry, the Free Open Source Software to Microsoft, Wikipedia to Grollier and Encarta, and Skype to Telecomms. I like these new opportunities that have been arising and personally think they are unstopable. As he said, at the beginning nobody would have thought that an the collaboration of many users could create an encyclopedia, but now we have Wikipedia as another source of information, differing from Britannica in scope but with the same aims, to spread knowledge. Indeed, Wikipedia is a source of controversy itself, but opinions are diverse and personally i liked the one in the NPR program from a participant who said that he relies on Wikipedia more than another encyclopedia because more people participate in the building of the articles.Fabiancelisj 22:33, 21 February 2012 (UTC)

I think it was rather interesting how Uricchio described Benkler and Jenkins as having reciprocity in that they come from two different directions (culturally or socially), but occupy the same terrain. Can't wait to hear more in class. Mvalerio 21:11, 21 February 2012 (UTC)

February 21: Peer Production and Collaboration

Perhaps what is most interesting about this modality of social plurality is that we are seeing new modes of essentially ritualistic human behavior. These processes are seemingly age old. At its core, we have an interesting problem of copying and corporate control, yet is something inherently human in design. There is a need to share and communicate, to have a cup of coffee with friends, yet is not easily controlled by a monetary system. So we are seeing a fundamental changing of the architecture underneath. This is what Benkler is notably commenting on with the rise of social media – flickr, youtube, and so forth, all add to the new dynamic of on the scene exchange of information. We wonder, why do we even need an authority news source to look to? The wealth, so it seems, then becomes within networks. What is also interesting about this is that we are changing the dynamics of class structure, making the playing fields more equal so to speak. There are still things that can be enjoyed without the use of a monetary system – food, exercise/sport, and … the internet. A stomping ground for the middle class to continue to generate ideas. And, what is interesting is how this ties into Reagle's "be nice" article. Sure, we have more ways to communicate, but we should also not stray from our human principles simply because we are averting the system of corporate control. There are ethics and codes within normal human contact, as is seen in everyday social situations. These codes are established norms within a community. Although, here we see these becoming merged with the architecture in place by Wikipedia. In this instance we have Wikipedia dictating these rules to us, which are basically agreed on values established in society. So, what is the difference here? Well, we now have a set of rules being dictated to us. Just as we look to the "news authority." There is a shift in self-sustainability, to simply deferring to authority figures. So this is interesting in how these unopposed norms interact within these differing architectural frameworks. Just Johnny 17:09, 15 February 2012 (UTC)

Great discussion with Yochai Benkler on economics of social production and politics. The Diebold example is a perfect indication of showing how this system of the “structured web” is effective in "offering visibility to more people" and easier for each "individual and small group to speak and be heard." Has anyone by chance seen the HBO documentary, Hacking Democracy? If not, check it out ([[1]]), which gives a more in depth and detailed insight into the investigation Bev Harris and her associate Kathleen Wynne (Black Box Voting, Inc.) did to expose security weaknesses in electronic voting systems. Also demonstrates the "battle with institutional ecology" and how Benkler indicated the law usually "favors the incumbents and institutions” which is what you see happening in Harris’ case. Imagine if Harris would have started this investigation now with the increasing amount of online power that stems from individuals in the social sphere? Or for example, what we’ve recently seen with the power of public influence on legislation like SOPA/PIPA or with the Komen debacle. Could Harris have gone further or have state/county officials act much quicker? Possibly. I do agree and believe that it is easier to make a change or create these movements where “networked” individuals are banding together to act for various reasons be it politics, social injustice, etc and as Benkler puts it now on a “global, not only local" scale. JennLopez 23:30, 20 February 2012 (UTC)

The wiki norms laid out in "Be Nice" can, as Reagle states, foster better conflict resolution offline. I also agree with Reagle's stance that the sometimes caustic environment/arguments on wikipedia are "necessary to properly appreciate the scope of the community and its culture." When there are millions of people hailing from a wild variety of social and cultural norms in one online arena, these disputes are to be expected. However, this somewhat negative aspect of peer production and collaboration is the same thing that makes it so great -- so many different people with a variety of skills and insights. Aberg 22:12, 21 February 2012 (UTC)

Very impressive points by Benkler, great summation. I'm very curious about his idea that even further expansion of the sorts of things that are peer sourced will continue inexorably. I agree with him, but I can't see how that will work in some cases where the goods are too integral to a specific industry or company's survival. It may be well and good that the online group can produce wiki entries or sift through pictures of Mars, but what happens when the task that needs to be completed is one that only a small handful of extremely highly trained experts can do? What about heart surgery techniques, or certain complex nuclear systems? The examples I make aren't perfect but I hope the point is clear. Those experts need a large framework both to be created and supported as they work (through the large cost of schooling, training, getting experience, sustaining work with expensive materials, etc.) Whether the companies pay that or whether the "future experts" pay it themselves with the promise of a high-paying job that will recoup their expenses when they become full experts, that is still a very very expensive system. Can it exist in a world where there is so much less profit attached, and where the other functions that company used to perform and fill its coffers with are now totally outsourced to the online crowd? I know this is in some ways a rehashing of the classic "Innovation is Good and Can Happen Free!! vs. You Have To Allow Patents and Profit or Innovation Dies!!" argument, but I'm curious about the ripple effect that can have. (AlexLE 01:58, 21 February 2012 (UTC))

I found Yochai Benkler’s speech to be very interesting, especially when he talked about individuals’ contribution to information in the BBC example that he gave. Another interesting aspect was that concerning democracy and the open sources of information. For what concerns the Reagle article on Wikipedia, I found it to be very true. I have noticed on various occasions that disputes are very common over Wikipedia articles and they can be characterized by a variety of reasons going from differing personal ideals to politics and many other issues. The point is that people should focus more on the reason for which Wikipedia was created and put aside hatred and personal issues/debates and cooperate to make Wikipedia a better source of learning and not a forum where an online battle should take place. I really enjoyed the statement regarding conflict as being “Addictive as cocaine” and totally agree with it since human beings are attracted to conflict to a certain extent. I also agree with Reagle when he states that “The relative “anarchy” of wiki culture, the malleability of Wikipedia content, the pseudonymity of contributors, and its consensus-based decision-making make Wikipedia particularly vulnerable to such strategic action.” Emanuele 15:51, 21 February 2012 (UTC)

I found one portion of Reagle's "Be Nice" article to be particularly interesting: his contrasting of the challenges (disputes, etc.) created by online interaction against the positives of collaboration (discussion boards and other collaborative tools). In particular, some of the elements of a positive prosocial community are (i) "behavior that is intentional, voluntary and of benefit to others"; (ii) relationships that rely upon "trust, empathy, and reciprocity"; and (iii) community character that is facilitated by "cultural norms" that enhance the well-being of a community. In my opinion, the first two items are fairly easy to define and can be measured when assessing online activity. The third, however, "cultural norms", seems too amorphous to define. What cultural norms exist in a new environment that attracts users from all over the globe from different cultures and age groups? I dont believe there is a starting point for cultural norms within Wikipeia to begin to assess how one may have veered off from those established norms. Cfleming27 19:00, 21 February 2012 (UTC)

I was quite fond of Benkler's analysis of peer collaboration. It certainly is present today, but I'm curious to know what he thinks the depth of it could be. It seems as though he leaves it open-ended to allow for peer collaboration on multiple levels, with no end in sight. I could see this in highly specialized fields as well, including open heart surgery. While those that can perform at such a level are few and far between, that does not preclude that they would be able to network and learn from each other. In this sense it seems as though there is no field that could not be touched by peer collaborations.

I do wish, however, that Benkler would have spoken more about Linux and the emerging network that this enables. He did show the graphic, but it was fleeting; Linux is much deeper than just digging into the pockets of Microsoft. Being an operating system, it enables everything that a computer, microchip, or any kind of electronic device is able to do. Through peer collaboration it is able to supersede the proprietary systems such as Windows or Macintosh. What is great about this is that every part of the system can benefit from the collaboration, to the point where it can become greater than any other system because it has enabled so many options that were either limited on other machines for financial/profit or control purposes or were not incorporated because they had not been considered as a viable option for the OS. Furthermore, being a system that is open to modification, it also enables integration of other devices and electronics into that system that are not enabled in other operating systems.

But the drawback to these systems are the individuals or groups that differ in opinion, much like Reagle spoke of. Since group collaboration is seems to be the greatest emerging economy, not only will it enable more through the long tail, but it will also have more detractors because of the long tail. But it seems as though these are weeded out eventually through either fracturing, or through stifling. However, with the mass advent of the Cloud, as well as multiple devices completely incorporated with one another, it seems as though it will only be a matter of time. I'm very curious, though, to know how this will play out with legal norms of the institutionalized ecology, since those laws and regulations exist for tangible objects in specific areas, rather than virtual objects in an international arena.Nthib 19:22, 21 February 2012 (UTC)

@Cfleming27 I believe that it may be possible to define Reagle's "cultural norms." Reagle acknowledges that users of Wikipedia have developed a set of norms, constellation of values, and common lingo. A basic norm or value that exists without boundaries and can be translated into any common lingo in any language is the concept of the “golden rule.” Reagle quotes Bowles & Gintis on page 3, “cultural traits governing actions” that “enhances the average level of well-being.” Can cultural norms be defined as something that enhances the average level of well-being similar to the golden rule? User:Hds5 15:29, 21 February 2012 (UTC)

When reading the article about Wikipedia I was amazed at the volume of various articles and guidelines that sought to maintain a neutral point of view, how to avoid disputes and engage in a collaborative effort. I initially wrote my assignment 1 on the NPOV and looking back didn't realize how many other guidelines that can be found by wandering down that path to become fully informed. In my article I outlined that one of the drawbacks to Wikipedia is in the quality of tools used to edit the pages. I noted while they are generally easy to use for editing bodies of main text, it can be difficult to edit something more complicated like a table which contains cells, where you have to rely on the ability to analyze raw code. I liken this to the ongoing disputes that exist regarding cooperation and NPOV. As good as it currently is, Wikipedia needs to become more accessible to additional would-be users. This includes not only improving the code editing tools but also the ways in which NPOV is maintained. I believe the best way to do this is to improve systems that make it easier for people to collaborate on disputes which impede the desired end result (peer production!) is the generally accepted neutral truth. Much like a wizard is used to create a letter or resume in MS Word (for this purpose a very simple example of automation), automating the way that people engage in disputes with more accessible tools that make it easier for people to recognize points of contention and address them in a collaborative effort will improve the end product and please critics. Brendanlong 20:40, 21 February 2012 (UTC)

I found the contrasts between Benkler and the “Be Nice” article interesting. Benkler believes that the internet has led to more social “sharing, collaboration,” and “exchange,” such as on discussion boards and Wikipedia. The “Be Nice” article emphasized how disputes on Wikipedia can be counter-productive. Since Wikipedia is open for editing by anyone, disputes can hard to avoid since people can be defensive and hold grudges, while others enjoy instigating disputes, such as “vandals” and “trolls.” I find it interesting and agree that disputing is addicting, since some people with big egos do not like to admit they are wrong. Qdang 21:09, 21 February 2012 (UTC)

What Benkler is promoting and encouraging, I really rejoice for. There is so much opportunity for new things to happen in the world. I am interested in social movements for peace and a more harmonious society. Sometimes those things get suffocated under a blanket of commercial interests. I used to play in a band in the 60's. There was a short window of time when it seemed commercial interests did not weigh so heavily on what sort of message came out in the music, but it was very short-lived. After that, commercial interests were so obviously what dictated what got recorded, and so whatever new fad was invented by the marketing experts was pretty much what came out on the radio. Today, it is possible to promote many causes through the openings we have to self-publish music, art, or literature. New ideas can be spread through a variety of means without commercial interests or often, even governments being able to stop it. It really is a new day in many ways, but I wonder how long this freedom will last. I don't think it will last, as there are already attempts to stifle it. I love studying about this, though, and want to learn how to make the most of it while we can.Mike 22:49, 21 February 2012 (UTC)

Benkler's lecture highlights a collaborative spirit in which the collective community perpetuates innovation through organized common-interest highways. Since the internet is vast and the offline individual is limited to his or her personal mission and expertise without the strength of collective innovation, an online users' access to the expertise and inspiration of thousands of people who are willing to share, coupled by access to materials and innovations that are accessible through the Common's system, inspires each of the individuals to create and collaborate. In many cases, as in the blackbox example, this internet collective may not produce music or technology but the spread of information, which is a cornerstone to the millions of informational transactions that occur each day online. --Jimmyh 01:30, 22 February 2012 (UTC)