Unless you live under a rock or have never used the web for research, you are almost certainly aware of the ongoing debate over the veracity of Wikipedia vs. the traditional encyclopedias such as Britannica and World Book. On the one hand, Wikipedia supporters point to the breadth and currency of its articles and the rapidity with which errors are corrected. On the other hand, supporters of traditional encyclopedias point out that the paid, expert editorial staff guarantee uniformly high quality to the articles.
I think that the debate is over; Wikipedia is well recognized as a reliable source of information, not just by individuals but by the publishing giant Condé Nast. If you trust Condé Nast then you are trusting Wikipedia. For example, yesterday’s article on Wired.com, May 18, 1953: Jackie Cochran, First Woman to Break the Sound Barrier, ends with a reference to just one source: Wikipedia.
