Perhaps the most remarkable feature of wikipedia is that it has so quickly become the first point of call as a reference point for so many of us. In short, it's a genuine phenomenon.
By and large we trust it... it's quite possibly the best example of the wisdom of crowds - as per my earlier post.
These thoughts triggered by this excellent piece from the ever-insightful John Naughton in the Observer last week.. well worth a read:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/apr/05/digital-media-referenceandlanguages