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How long will we remember the Malaysia Airlines plane that disappeared back in 2014? About 45 years, say scientists who used Wikipedia page views to develop a new way of studying our collective memory (the memory we share as a society).

For a study published today in the journal Science Advances, researchers analyzed Wikipedia page views to monitor how frequently people visit topic pages after a news event. In this specific study, the team collected page views of airplane crashes from 2008 to 2016 and labeled these current events. Then, they collected the same information on all plane crashes from before 2008 and labeled them past events. Analyzing the relationship between the two sets of data shows how different topics are related to each other. The researchers found that terrible current events can help keep past events alive, because people reading about the current event follow links to learn about something from years ago.

For example, when the Malaysia Airlines flight 17 was shot down while flying over Ukraine, there were more page views for a similar event in the 1980s, when an Iranian airline was shot by down by the US Navy in the Persian Gulf. Not many people today know about that crash, according to study co-author Taha Yasseri, a research fellow at the Oxford Internet Institute. But because the two events were categorized similarly in Wikipedia, people who were originally reading about the Malaysia Airlines crash could click through and read about a past event they wouldnt know about otherwise.

Similarly, there was more traffic to the Wiki page for a 2001 American Airlines crash right after the 2015 Germanwings crash, even though the two pages arent directly connected by a hyperlink. The researchers arent exactly sure how the two got connected, but the association means that the memory patterns are not just an artifact of how articles are linked on Wikipedia but shows something more fundamental, says Yasseri.

The data also provide some insight into which events are more likely to be remembered. Huge events, of course, are intrinsically more memorable: whenever theres a plane crash, people tend to look at the 9/11 Wikipedia page more. Crashes where either a lot of people or none died, more recent crashes, and crashes operated by Western airlines also receive more traffic. On the other hand, the geographical location didnt seem to matter much.

The research found that airplane crashes more than 45 years old do not get many page views even when there when a new crash occurs, suggesting that these incidents are lost to memory. This could be explained by the fact that people who remember things from 50 to 60 years ago might not be the typical Wikipedia users, says Yasseri.

A lot of research on collective memory online focuses on the people doing the writing, according to Michela Ferron, a digital communication researcher who was not involved in the study. Todays paper offers a novel perspective because it doesnt focus just on people who are actively writing and editing the pages, but captures the behavior of people on the web.

The internet shapes our memory in paradoxical ways. Because of the online news cycle, our attention spans are rather short, says Yasseri, and interest in any given airplane crash quickly disappears. But on the other hand, the news event plus Wikipedia provides more opportunity to educate ourselves about the past. Our attention span might have been shortened by tech and by online environments, but then at the same time long-term memory has become more persistent and things from the past are more accessible, he says.

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Traffic to Wikipedia articles shows how we remember plane crashes ... - The Verge

Abigail Wise, left, and Kassondra Cloos organized group to edit and add Wikipedia entries to make sure more women in the outdoor industry are represented in the online encyclopedia. (Cliff Grassmick / Staff Photographer)

Visitors to Wikipedia in the coming weeks will for the first time be able to find facts on Claire Marie Hodges, the country's first female national park ranger. They'll also be able to read about American freeskier Elyse Saugstad, who survived the infamous 2012 Tunnel Creek Avalanche, or Shannon Galpin, the 2013 National Geographic Adventurer of the Year.

This information is available thanks to a pair of Boulder women whose efforts to highlight influential females in the outdoor recreation industry are part of a nationwide push to edit the pages of history with an eye on gender inclusivity.

"If you're looking for information on the outdoor industry, women are not well-represented," said Kassondra Cloos, an assistant editor at Boulder-based industry publication SNEWS. "We need to fix that."

It was a search for information that led Cloos to spearhead change. Researching a story about Patagonia CEO Rose Marcario, Cloos realized the executive's only presence on Wikipedia was a mention in the entry for her company.

"She works for basically the most powerful company in the outdoor industry," Cloos said. "For her not to be on Wikipedia seemed wrong."

Around that time, another Boulder outdoor media professional, Abigail Wise, shared a tweet about a New York event, hosted by Her Girl Friday, to edit and add pages to the online, user-generated encyclopedia to include more women. Cloos saw the tweet and contacted Wise with an idea: Why not host their own event and focus on women in the outdoors industry?

"We decided to look at who was missing," Wise said. "It was a lot. And the pages that were there were very small."

In a recent survey of 2,100 women conducted by retailer REI, 63 percent of respondents could not name even one female mentor in the outdoor industry. Those who did name role models picked athletes like Serena Williams or public figures such as Michele Obama who, while associated with being active and healthy, are not part of the outdoor recreation world.

"It's important, especially for young girls, to have powerful female role models, so that they can aspire to get outdoors and find their own level of adventure," Cloos said. "The fact that these women aren't on Wikipedia is indicative of a bigger problem; they're not well-known enough to be seen as universally important."

Wise and Cloos came up with a list of 13 individuals and organizations who merited new or longer articles. A small group of mostly outdoor media professionals spent a full day adding new entries and extending others, with some help from Wikipedia volunteers.

The work is still ongoing both women have continued editing in their spare time on nights and weekends. Some pages have yet to go live, and the idea of a follow-up event is still being tossed around.

"Our goal was not only to add pages and expand on pages, it was more to teach people these tools and pique people's interest so this can be an ongoing things in their lives," Wise said.

That might mean extending efforts beyond the outdoor world. Wise has already been contacted by someone interested in doing the same thing for the tech industry.

"We really have the power here to make a difference," Cloos said. "We are literally writing history, and in some cases rewriting it, to make sure women are part of the record and that their contributions have been recognized."

Shay Castle: 303-473-1626, castles@dailycamera.com or twitter.com/shayshinecastle

Originally posted here:
Women in Boulder's outdoors industry work for better gender ... - Boulder Daily Camera

In an image posted to Reddit the annoyed inhabitant of the home appears to have sellotaped a piece of paper to the wall with helpful hints to people making deliveries

A FRUSTRATED tenant has hilariously posted a Wikipedia article about how doorbells work at the entrance to his home after failing to receive deliveries.

The irritated shopper claimed the reason for the sign was that Amazon delivery drivers repeatedly posted sorry we missed you cards through his letterbox despite someone being home.

MacronX/Reddit

In an image posted to Reddit the annoyed inhabitant of the home appears to have sellotaped a piece of paper to the wall with helpful hints to people making deliveries.

The top half of the post is a screen shot from the Wikipedia page about doorbells.

Underneath a note bearing a large black arrow reads: To Amazon/Couriers/Food delivery drivers etc;

This is a Doorbell, it seems people are having difficulty understanding its purpose.

Above is an Encyclopedia article explaining what it is for and what it does.

For those of you knocking fruitlessly on the door, we cannot hear you at he back of the house or upstairs.

The post then continues in block capitals: So although it might be a complex operation: PLEASE PRESS THE BUTTON SO WE CAN ANSWER THE DOOR. THANK YOU

The post was made by a Reddit user from the UK who said that it had been made because of Amazon Logistics.

Other users also posted their frustrations with delivery drivers, many claiming to have experienced similar issues.

One posted: Ive gotten a Sorry we missed you sticker on the frame of an open door. I was home.

Another added: Yeah, Ive been near an open screen door and gotten one of those, had to spend an inordinate amount to go and collect the package.

A further Reddit user said: I work from home and my home office window is right next to the front door.

Ive literally watched a delivery driver come up to my door and just place it on the porch without trying to notify me.

I opened the door and thanked them and they seemed genuinely shocked that someone was home and watching them.

But some posts blasted the note as patronising even suggesting it would have a counterproductive effect.

A disgruntled user said they wouldnt even bother knocking, Id just leave the missed you slip and leave.

Another, claiming to be a delivery person added: Thats how you get in trouble.

One more said: I had the same problem. This worked well: Delivery drivers: Please ring bell..'

A fourth user commented on the previous comment describing that as far less patronising.

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Housemate posts Wikipedia article about how DOORBELLS work on front door after Amazon couriers keep posting ... - The Sun

Well, we all saw it coming but I didn't expect it to be this painful. After the L&L losses (Lyon, Lazio), Roma bounced back and defeated both teams at the Olimpico... just not with the right scoreline. Lyon fell to a 2-1 defeat which was just enough for the Frenchies to ensure them qualification. Roma got the better of Lazio on Tuesday, 3-2, but again, a mere one goal difference didn't suffice as Rome's blue side will go to the final of the Coppa Italia and not the red one. Yeah, that's Roma for you.

After both the EL and Coppa elimination, Roma now needs to put all its eggs in one basket: Serie A. Just like last season. Aaand the season before. Aaaaaand the season before. While the Scudetto isn't a distant dream just yet (let's say an uphill struggle and challenging task sound better), Lenny Kravitz was right: "It ain't over till it's over". The Giallorossi narrowed the gap at the top by 2 points last weekend, there's still Roma-Juventus in which we can get a better head-to-head result + Juve still have Coppa and Champions League fixtures to worry about.

One might say they're fed up with the Scudetto for now and are aiming for trophies like the Champions League, yet they have such a deep and talented squad, they can easily concentrate on all three fronts. Nonetheless, Roma will be more rested than Juve from now on until at least May, so we got to benefit from that to at least reduce the gap some more before Allegri and co visit the Olimpico at May 14. FC Barcelona is next for Juve so obviously they're thinking about that one and not Chievo or Pescara.

In fact, Juve have dropped points in two of their last four games in Serie A, something that has happened for the first time this season. Sadly, out of all the remaining matches on their schedule, only two teams can realistically give them trouble: Roma and Atalanta away. So yeah, fingers crossed I guess. It's Roma's only goal right now, to finish as close as possible.

While Serie A has always been a long and winding road ever since Conte took over at Juve, the Europa League and Coppa were more doable this time around. To be fair, Spalletti and co were in a great position back in March. Over the past years Roma had the advantage in derbies while in Europe, out of all teams only ManU could be seen as a threat. Soooo, we all know how that worked out.

Roma faltered in both Lyon and Lazio, but did win the return legs. Alas, it was just a tiny band aid on a huge bloody flesh wound. For the umpteenth time, Roma and its fans could be looking at a rather disappointing end of the season. At times we played spectacularly and some players really impressed under Spalletti: Fazio, Woj, Salah, Dzeko and Radja for example. But it still wasn't enough. A first prize since 2008 looks more and more difficult after every week.

Was it fatigue? Not enough rotation? A too busy schedule? Loss of concentration? Did Spal use the wrong subs or formations? Florenzi and Rui's injuries? Is this AS Roma simply not up for the task (yet)? What needs to change in order to bring home some silverware? Kick Spal out? Sell Manolas or Radja and buy some reinforcements? Once again we're left with a lot of questions after a Roma game, it never ends it seems.

Ironically and after all the drama recently, Roma are still doing great for its standards. They won 7 of the last 8 games in Serie A and just won five games in a row, in all competitions. They can still easily reach 80+ points in the league, maybe even surpass the record 85 points set by Garcia's team.

So what the hell are we exactly complaining about? It's not that it was a lot better under Zeman, Enrique or Garcia. Will we never be satisfied? Of course not. We see the bigger picture. What's the point of all your wins if nobody remembers them after two or three years? Will someone remember the 0-3 in Palermo or 0-2 in Crotone?

No, people do remember Coppa and European finals or Scudetto winners since 1990. You know, things that look good on a Wikipedia page. After all these nice wins in 2016-2017, Roma could still be left empty-handed in May, just like at the beginning of the season. Some things never change, do they?

Damn you Wiki, for making me feel this way!

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Totti Today #114: Worries about Wikipedia - Chiesa Di Totti

It is unclear if the user is connected to Gorka. Gorka did not respond to a request for comment.

A Wikipedia editor flagged the user's edits in August as potentially violating the site's conflict of interests guidelines, which discourage users from editing pages to which they have a personal connection. An editor's note currently sits at the top of the page warning: "Th neutrality of this article is disputed."

The details of the charge were also changed by the user to include Gorka's explanation of the incident and removed a clause that stated that the charge could carry a jail sentence. "Sk-Gorka" also added a sentence about how bringing firearms through airport security by accident is a common phenomenon.

Here's how the incident read before the edit:

Gorka is currently awaiting sentencing at 9:30 AM on 3 February 2017, after pleading guilty in Arlington County Circuit Court on 8 August 2016, to a weapons charge for illegally carrying a firearm in the terminal at Reagan National Airport on 31 January 2016. He faces up to one year in prison.

And here's how "Sk-Gorka" changed it when it was moved to the bottom:

"Gorka is currently awaiting sentencing at 9:30 AM on 3 February 2017, after pleading guilty in Arlington County Circuit Court on 8 August 2016, to a weapons charge for illegally carrying a firearm in the terminal at Reagan National Airport on 31 January 2016. He accidentally brought the wrong bag to the airport and didn't realize his gun was in it. In 2015, TSA discovered 2,653 firearms in carry-on bags at airport checkpoints across the country, the majority of whom cite as a reason that they forgot their gun was in the bag."

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Wikipedia user 'Sk-Gorka' edited info about WH aide Sebastian Gorka's gun charge - CNN