“Ideal Speech” on Wikipedia: Balancing Social Marginalization Risks and Social Inclusion Benefits for Individuals and Groups

Abstract

On Wikipedia, editors use talk pages to debate whether/how to include associations with marginalized social groups in highly visible digital information. Despite efforts to promote social inclusion, digitally cocreated information on Wikipedia is vulnerable to marginalizing content. We study the case of Tim Cook's Wikipedia biography prior to him coming out as a member of the LGBTQ community. Editors cocreating his biography discussed at length whether/how to include information about Cook's sexual orientation. Our critical hermeneutic investigation of these discussions reveals a paradox of social inclusion. That is, efforts by activist editors to promote social inclusion at the group level may bring about the unintended consequence of marginalizing an individual. Applying critical social theories, we conclude that deference should be given to individuals over groups when collaborative decisions are made about whether to publish associations in highly visible digital information. This research highlights the complexity of governance for social inclusion online.