2025:Program/Depths of Wikipedia: More reasons an encyclopedia can make you laugh
Session title: Depths of Wikipedia: More reasons an encyclopedia can make you laugh
- Session type: Lecture
- Track: Community Engagement
- Language: en
Recording: https://w.wiki/FQQ3
Wikipedia is funny! Have a look and a laugh at more unusual articles, oddball contributors, and quirky disputes on Wikimedia projects, particularly English Wikipedia. For the past five years, Annie Rauwerda (Depths of Wikipedia) has shared interesting and lighthearted corners of Wikipedia to millions of followers across several social media platforms, along the way getting a sense of which communications about Wikimedia actually work. Wikimedia huge and decidedly human, and the things that make it delightful are the same things that make it increasingly valuable amid AI slop. Learn which behind-the-scenes stories resonate consistently with non-contributors and hear tips on how to explain the project to the public in a way that makes people listen.
Description
Overview: A rapid-fire survey of goofy corners of Wikipedia. Prepare to laugh! (approx 15 minutes) Annie's story: posting about Wikipedia to 1m+ followers (5 minutes) How to talk about Wikimedia to non-Wikimedians! (5 minutes)
Aims and objectives: 1. Laugh, appreciate Wikipedia's quirks, highlight the positive attention Wikimedia gets online that doesn't makes headlines 2. Offer useful and not-obvious tips to public outreach
- How does your session relate to the event theme, Wikimania@20 – Inclusivity. Impact. Sustainability?
The session promotes sustainability by encouraging and appreciating Wikimedia's dedicated contributors as well as inspiring listeners to invite newbies into the world of Wikimedia. The best way to turn Wikipedia fans into Wikipedia editors is to tell them the honest details of the work — and how exciting, empowering, quirky, and tedious it can be!
- What is the experience level needed for the audience for your session?
Everyone can participate in this session
Resources
Speakers
- Annie Rauwerda
- I run social media accounts called "Depths of Wikipedia" and I have regularly performed Wikipedia-focused comedy shows for two years. I've written about Wikipedia in the press and am working on a book about English Wikipedia's interesting articles and contributors.