As I know from my own experience, it is unwise to rely on Wikipedia for anything psi-related,
driven as it is by pseudo-sceptics determined to cast the subject in as
negative a light as possible. This is
extremely detrimental because of Wikipedia’s status as the default online
knowledge resource. Craig Weiler’s book Psi Wars: TED, Wikipedia and the
Battle for the Internet addressed the unsavoury business of those
antagonistic to psychical research distorting content associated with it. He eloquently showed how a core group,
‘Guerrilla Skeptics', aided by a number of independent editors sharing its
general outlook, had between them rendered Wikipedia’s psychical research and
parapsychology pages untrustworthy.
That is why the SPR’s new Psi Encyclopedia, which has just been launched in tandem with its
new website, is to be welcomed. Unlike Wikipedia the undertaking is not
crowd-sourced, a method that is fine in theory but unfortunately gives the
upper hand to those who have most stamina pressing the delete key, to the detriment
of balance. Rather it takes the form of
invited articles, often lengthy and detailed, written by experts who, unlike
many Wikipedia contributors, are named.
They have endeavoured to present a rounded picture, acknowledging fraud
and error where demonstrated, but minus the reflexively negative agenda so
damaging to Wikipedia’s coverage.
The encyclopaedia’s ‘about’ page lists four
different types of entries: there are broad overviews; articles breaking those
overviews down into smaller themes to be examined in greater depth; case
studies; and lists. These categories
combine to provide information to suit a wide range of needs. Apparently at launch the site’s total word
count was half a million words, with a lot more to come. A very useful section is ‘New to Psi
Research?’, describing major areas and linking to specific articles. As someone who regularly handles students’ enquiries
I anticipate that the encyclopaedia is going to make my job a lot easier.
One may not agree with everything in it – psychical
research is a lively affair after all – and those who are hostile will
naturally moan about a lack of ‘balance’ (as they see it, i.e. not conforming
to their particular view); but one can be confident that at least the
information has been carefully compiled to be as accurate as possible and is
designed to inform rather than mislead.
The editor has provided a contact form and will be glad to receive
feedback, suggestions for additional topics, and offers from suitably qualified
writers to contribute. This is a work in
progress but early comments have been overwhelmingly positive, and in the years
to come it will undoubtedly prove to be the standard source for reliable online
information on psychical research. Project
funding came from the late Mr Nigel Buckmaster, and the entire field owes him a
huge debt for enabling the Psi Encyclopedia to become a reality.
