Oxford University researchers took a look at Wikipedia's most controversial pages, studying which ones saw the most instances where an editor changed something, then someone changed it back to its previous form. Here are their top 10.
The 10 most controversial Wikipedia pages —
Oxford University researchers took a look at Wikipedia's most controversial pages, studying which ones saw the most instances where an editor changed something, then someone changed it back to its previous form. Here are their top 10.
Aaron Brodie/CNN/File
The polarizing 43rd U.S. president topped the list. The busiest period of editing was in the days before Bush's 2004 re-election. It got so bad that Wikipedia froze Bush's page, as well as that of Democratic rival John Kerry.
1. George W. Bush —
The polarizing 43rd U.S. president topped the list. The busiest period of editing was in the days before Bush's 2004 re-election. It got so bad that Wikipedia froze Bush's page, as well as that of Democratic rival John Kerry.
MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images/file
Chaos on a page about anarchism? Who would have thought? Many changes on the page about the political philosophy -- which opposes the control of official government states -- add or clean up loaded language.
2. Anarchism —
Chaos on a page about anarchism? Who would have thought? Many changes on the page about the political philosophy -- which opposes the control of official government states -- add or clean up loaded language.
Stock Photo/Getty
The prophet of Islam (CNN's style is "Mohammed") is no doubt targeted in some cases because of anti-Islamic sentiments. But a big number of the changes on the page come because of disputes about the dates of significant events in his life.
3. Muhammad —
The prophet of Islam (CNN's style is "Mohammed") is no doubt targeted in some cases because of anti-Islamic sentiments. But a big number of the changes on the page come because of disputes about the dates of significant events in his life.
Hani Mohammed/AP
No, we didn't see a pro wrestling page making the list either. But with an ever-changing roster and the titles, descriptions and even names of its performers constantly changing, it makes sense that it would be among the site's most frequently tweaked pages.
4. List of WWE personnel —
No, we didn't see a pro wrestling page making the list either. But with an ever-changing roster and the titles, descriptions and even names of its performers constantly changing, it makes sense that it would be among the site's most frequently tweaked pages.
Jern Pollex/Getty Images
Mainstream science is pretty much in lockstep over the reality of climate change. But a handful of vocal dissenters, and the political nature of the global-warming debate, keep its page in flux.
5. Global warming —
Mainstream science is pretty much in lockstep over the reality of climate change. But a handful of vocal dissenters, and the political nature of the global-warming debate, keep its page in flux.
Circumcision has become a controversial medical procedure in some circles. Some Wiki editors have been removing positive information about it, while others delete negative reports.
6. Circumcision —
Circumcision has become a controversial medical procedure in some circles. Some Wiki editors have been removing positive information about it, while others delete negative reports.
Photo Illustration/Thinkstock
Hey, it's a big country. On its expansive page -- which includes sections on history, population, government, demographics and more -- there are a lot of moving parts, as well as lots of things to disagree over.
7. The United States —
Hey, it's a big country. On its expansive page -- which includes sections on history, population, government, demographics and more -- there are a lot of moving parts, as well as lots of things to disagree over.
Alex Wong/Getty Images
There's the obvious controversy that comes from most religious discussions here, as well as frequent tweaking of terminology, abbreviations and other details.
8. Jesus —
There's the obvious controversy that comes from most religious discussions here, as well as frequent tweaking of terminology, abbreviations and other details.
American Stock/Getty Images
It's pretty well documented that there are systemic differences on IQ tests among various racial and ethnic groups. And yes, there are opposing views among Wikipedia editors about the role genetic factors play in those differences.
9. Race and intelligence —
It's pretty well documented that there are systemic differences on IQ tests among various racial and ethnic groups. And yes, there are opposing views among Wikipedia editors about the role genetic factors play in those differences.
Getty Images
Again, almost any religion produces strong differing views. On this page, it's usually references to the fine points of Christian doctrine that are tweaked, and retweaked, and tweaked again.
10. Christianity —
Again, almost any religion produces strong differing views. On this page, it's usually references to the fine points of Christian doctrine that are tweaked, and retweaked, and tweaked again.
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