2023:Program/Submissions/A Cybernetic-Epistemic Synopsis of Wikidata - QFJV7R

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Title: A Cybernetic-Epistemic Synopsis of Wikidata

Speakers:

Loren Koenig

European-educated computer scientist • <a href="http://l-koenig.com/" title="personal website">http://l-koenig.com/</a> • volunteer at <a href="https://www.wikimedianyc.org/">Wikimedia NYC</a>

Pretalx link

Etherpad link

Room:

Start time:

End time:

Type: Poster session

Track: Open Data

Submission state: submitted

Duration: 5 minutes

Do not record: true

Presentation language: en

Abstract & description

Abstract

Cybernetic epistemologies emphasize the circular nature of knowledge- and reality construction, positing feedback loops linking the world and our knowledge of it. Building on such epistemologies, this poster lays out a cybernetic understanding of how knowledge is constructed in Wikidata and highlights both human and technical mechanisms of control and bias.

Description

Cybernetic epistemologies, among them notably Heinz von Foerster’s ‘cybernetics of an epistemology’ (Kybernetik einer Erkenntnistheorie; 1985) but also Ian Hacking’s ‘looping effects’ (1986, 1995, 1999, 2007) and Daniel Guagnin and Jörg Pohle’s account of ‘modelification/inscription/impact’ (Modellifizierung/Einschreibung/Wirkung; 2018, 2019), emphasize the circularly interdependent nature of knowledge construction and reality construction, particularly in the social domain. These theories posit feedback loops from the world to our knowledge of it and back to the world, but also feedback loops within systems of knowledge themselves.

This poster proposes to understand knowledge construction in Wikidata on such a cybernetic account. It gives an overview not only of Wikidata contributors and their work as well as Wikidata (re-)users, but also of internal mechanisms such as property proposals and Wikibase architecture. Particularly the latter are shown to exert both human and technical control over Wikidata content, making them potentially complicit in the embodiment of bias in Wikidata.

The poster aims to inspire its viewer to pursue a bigger picture of Wikidata encompassing not only the encoded knowledge, but also its knowers and knowees, and to sensitize them to potential inequities among these stakeholders brought forth by the epistemic particularities of Wikidata.

Further details

Qn. How does your session relate to the event themes: Diversity, Collaboration Future?

The proposed cybernetic-epistemic view of Wikidata is expected to facilitate understanding of opportunities for, and obstacles to, diversity of both contributors and content in the collaborative knowledge-creation process, thus providing a basis for prediction of, and possibly intervention into, future developments.

Qn. What is the experience level needed for the audience for your session?

Some experience will be needed

Qn. What is the most appropriate format for this session?

• Onsite in Singapore
• Remote online participation, livestreamed
• Remote from a satellite event
• Hybrid with some participants in Singapore and others dialing in remotely
• Pre-recorded and available on demand