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The Evolution of Wikipedia’s Norm Network

Author

Listed:
  • Bradi Heaberlin

    (Program in Cognitive Science, Indiana University, 1900 E 10th St, Bloomington, IN 47406, USA
    Department of Political Science, Indiana University, 1100 E 7th St, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA)

  • Simon DeDeo

    (Program in Cognitive Science, Indiana University, 1900 E 10th St, Bloomington, IN 47406, USA
    Center for Complex Networks and Systems Research, Department of Informatics, Indiana University, 919 E 10th St, Bloomington, IN 47408, USA
    Ostrom Workshop in Political Theory and Policy Analysis, 513 N Park Avenue, Bloomington, IN 47408, USA
    Santa Fe Institute, 1399 Hyde Park Road, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA)

Abstract

Social norms have traditionally been difficult to quantify. In any particular society, their sheer number and complex interdependencies often limit a system-level analysis. One exception is that of the network of norms that sustain the online Wikipedia community. We study the fifteen-year evolution of this network using the interconnected set of pages that establish, describe, and interpret the community’s norms. Despite Wikipedia’s reputation for ad hoc governance, we find that its normative evolution is highly conservative. The earliest users create norms that both dominate the network and persist over time. These core norms govern both content and interpersonal interactions using abstract principles such as neutrality, verifiability, and assume good faith. As the network grows, norm neighborhoods decouple topologically from each other, while increasing in semantic coherence. Taken together, these results suggest that the evolution of Wikipedia’s norm network is akin to bureaucratic systems that predate the information age.

Suggested Citation

  • Bradi Heaberlin & Simon DeDeo, 2016. "The Evolution of Wikipedia’s Norm Network," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 8(2), pages 1-21, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jftint:v:8:y:2016:i:2:p:14-:d:68595
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Vangelis Papadimitropoulos, 2018. "Reflections on the Contradictions of the Commons," Review of Radical Political Economics, Union for Radical Political Economics, vol. 50(2), pages 317-331, June.
    2. Frank Martela, 2023. "Managers matter less than we think: how can organizations function without any middle management?," Journal of Organization Design, Springer;Organizational Design Community, vol. 12(1), pages 19-25, June.
    3. Simon DeDeo, 2016. "Conflict and Computation on Wikipedia: A Finite-State Machine Analysis of Editor Interactions," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 8(3), pages 1-23, July.
    4. Marc Miquel-Ribé & Cristian Consonni & David Laniado, 2022. "Community Vital Signs: Measuring Wikipedia Communities’ Sustainable Growth and Renewal," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-41, April.

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