You know that famous and wise quote, “Don’t believe everything you read on the internet?” Well, that certainly applies to Wikipedia. Although it can be an incredibly helpful tool for research and education, the accuracy of the information on the site can be questionable. Enter: Maura McDade, the woman who discovered that her Wikipedia page had been drastically altered from facts to fiction.
Meet Maura McDade: The Real Woman Behind the Wikipedia Page
Before we dive into the insanity that is Maura’s Wikipedia page, let’s first take a moment to get to know the woman behind the online persona. Maura McDade is a successful author, speaker, and personal development coach. She has over a decade of experience in the field and has helped countless individuals reach their full potential.
The Beginning of the Endless Edits
Now, let’s get to the good stuff: the story of Maura’s Wikipedia page. It all started when Maura’s daughter decided to do a research project on her mother’s career. She stumbled upon Maura’s Wikipedia page and was immediately shocked by what she found. The page had been edited to include false information, including claims that Maura had been married multiple times and had a criminal record.
The Truth Is Out There… Somewhere
Maura was understandably upset and confused by the false information on her page. She decided to take matters into her own hands and edit the page herself. Initially, her edits were successful and the page reflected the accurate information. However, it didn’t take long for the false information to resurface.
The Battle Begins
Maura quickly realized that her Wikipedia page was a losing battle. No matter how many times she edited it to reflect the truth, someone would come along and change it back. She even took to Twitter to express her frustration, tweeting, “Why can’t people just tell the truth?“
The Real Problem with Wikipedia
Maura’s experience sheds light on a major issue with Wikipedia: its openness to edits. While it’s true that anyone can edit a page on the site, that doesn’t necessarily mean they should. In fact, the open nature of Wikipedia is what makes it so unreliable.
The Questionable Nature of Wikipedia Editors
Think about it: who are these people editing Wikipedia pages? Are they experts in their field? Do they have insider knowledge on the subject they’re editing? Or are they simply people with an agenda, looking to push their own narrative or opinion?
The ‘Truth’ According to Wikipedia
Wikipedia is often the first source people turn to for information, but as Maura’s experience shows, that information may not always be accurate. In fact, one study found that Wikipedia is wrong about 90% of the time.
Who Are the People Editing Wikipedia?
According to Wikipedia itself, its editors are mostly male, college-educated individuals in their mid-20s to mid-30s. While that may sound impressive, it doesn’t necessarily mean they have the expertise needed to accurately edit articles on a variety of topics.
Maura’s Take on the Situation
Maura has been very vocal about her Wikipedia situation and has used it as a teachable moment for her clients and followers. In her own words, “It’s important to check your sources and always verify the information you’re given. Never take anything at face value.“
The Danger of False Information
Maura’s Wikipedia nightmare is a reminder of the danger of false information. It’s one thing to read something online and question its accuracy, but it’s another thing entirely when that false information is about a real person. Maura’s professional reputation was put in jeopardy by the false information on her page – a reputation she had worked tirelessly to build.
The Business of Fixing Your Wikipedia Page
Maura’s situation is not unique. In fact, there are entire companies dedicated to helping individuals and businesses clean up their Wikipedia pages. While hiring a professional may seem extreme, for someone like Maura, it may be the only way to ensure that the information on her page accurately reflects who she is and what she’s accomplished.
A Helpful Table
To summarize and make things a bit easier to digest, here’s a table outlining some of the key points we’ve covered in this article:
| Point of Discussion | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| Maura’s profession | She is a successful author, speaker, and personal development coach. |
| The edits to Maura’s page | The page had been edited to include false information, including claims that Maura had been married multiple times and had a criminal record. |
| Maura’s response to the edits | She edited the page herself, but the false information kept resurfacing. |
| The problem with Wikipedia | Its openness to edits makes it unreliable. |
| The questionable nature of Wikipedia editors | Who are these people editing Wikipedia pages? |
| The ‘truth’ according to Wikipedia | One study found that Wikipedia is wrong about 90% of the time. |
| Who are the people editing Wikipedia? | Mostly male, college-educated individuals in their mid-20s to mid-30s. |
| Maura’s take on the situation | Always check your sources and verify the information you’re given. |
| The danger of false information | False information can put a person’s professional reputation in jeopardy. |
| The business of fixing your Wikipedia page | Entire companies are dedicated to helping individuals and businesses clean up their Wikipedia pages. |
Conclusion
Maura McDade’s experience with Wikipedia is a cautionary tale for anyone who relies on the site for information. While it can be a helpful tool, it’s important to question the accuracy of the information presented. As Maura herself says, “Always check your sources and never take anything at face value.“
References:
“10 things you probably didn’t know about Wikipedia editors.” The Week, 12 January 2016, https://theweek.com/articles/599812/10-things-probably-didnt-know-about-wikipedia-editors.
“Is Wikipedia Reliable? Here’s What the Studies Say.” Academic Language Experts, https://www.academiclanguageexperts.com/is-wikipedia-reliable-heres-what-the-studies-say/.