The Struggle to Define Notability in Online Writing and Content Creation

The Struggle to Define Notability in Online Writing and Content Creation

In the realm of online content creation, notability is a hotly debated topic. This issue is particularly prevalent on platforms like Wikipedia, where creators often face challenges in having their work recognized as notable. The subjectivity of notability poses a significant hurdle, as determining what constitutes a "reliable" secondary source is a complex task. Moreover, the credibility of publications can vary greatly depending on the country in which they are based.

Wikipedia, with its vast collection of biographies, struggles to address this issue. Shockingly, only 20% of the 1.7 million biographies featured on the platform are about women. Notability, as a concept, is inherently subjective, and Wikipedia attempts to navigate this by implementing detailed guidelines for satisfying notability requirements. The more reputable and secondary media coverage a biographical subject has, the higher the chances of their biography being approved. However, this approach raises questions. For instance, if the third-most followed creator on an app with approximately 700 million global users is not considered notable enough for Wikipedia, then who is?

The problem lies in the lack of clear criteria for notability, leaving it open to interpretation by individual reviewers. Wikipedia relies heavily on citations to ensure the credibility of its pages. However, the source of these citations and the determination of whether they are neutral and notable enough can be subjective. Twitch and creator circles, for example, are often overlooked by mainstream publications like The Wall Street Journal. Consequently, the publications reporting on significant achievements by creators may not meet Wikipedia's standards of reputability. In the eyes of Wikipedia, such achievements would only be significant if they were covered by publications like The New York Times.

Content creators themselves play a crucial role in establishing their notability. Through their content, they build an audience and make an impact. In fact, studies show that 92% of consumers trust an influencer's product recommendation more than a celebrity endorsement. Given this, it becomes essential to question the system and contemplate how creators fit into the future of documentation and history. Currently, Wikipedia's editorial team is predominantly male, with 90% of the platform's top editors being male. This gender disparity further highlights the need for a more inclusive and diverse approach to determining notability.

As one Wikipedia editor, Natureium, expressed in 2019, "I guess that's the problem with Wikipedia. We cover what reliable sources cover." This statement underscores the reciprocal relationship between Wikipedia and the media. Wikipedia's influence on the media is just as significant as the media's influence on Wikipedia. As the Creator Revolution continues to gain momentum, the struggle to define a creator's notability, particularly on a large and free source of knowledge like Wikipedia, will only intensify.

While the challenges of defining notability persist, there are actionable steps that creators can take to enhance their online writing and content creation endeavors. David Perell, an advocate for writing on the internet, offers valuable insights in his guide to online writing.

Perell emphasizes the importance of consistency and frequency in writing. By dedicating 90 minutes every morning to writing, he has made it his most important habit and the key to unlocking numerous opportunities. Writing consistently allows creators to build a body of work that resonates with audiences and attracts new opportunities. Quality writing acts as a force multiplier, amplifying the impact of ideas and increasing the number of available opportunities.

To overcome writer's block and generate fresh ideas, Perell advocates for writing from abundance and writing from conversation. Writing from abundance involves curating a bank of inspiration, capturing epiphanies, saving quotes, and jotting down ideas that resonate. By capturing ideas when they are at the forefront of the mind, creators can avoid relying on memory and ensure a steady supply of material to fuel their writing.

Writing from conversation entails using dialogue to identify the best ideas and focusing on developing them further. By engaging in conversations with others, creators can refine their ideas and gain valuable insights. This approach helps creators double down on their best ideas and produce high-quality content.

In addition to these insights, it is crucial for creators to curate their information diet. Reading widely and seeking out unique sources allows creators to have a fresh perspective and generate ideas that others may not have considered. Warren Buffett, for example, gained an edge by going beyond the common sources and delving into less-accessible information. By reading papers that others overlook and synthesizing them for a broader audience, author David Epstein has achieved great success.

While the struggle to define notability in online writing and content creation continues, it is essential to prioritize the accumulated wisdom of humanity over fleeting trends. Subscribing to newsletters of people whose recommendations consistently resonate with you and curating the best parts of what you read can enhance the quality of your ideas. By collecting and saving the best material, you create a repository of inspiration that can be easily referenced when needed.

To ensure that ideas are not lost or forgotten, creators should adopt a central note-taking system. Whether it be a massive Google Doc like James Clear or a physical box filled with notes and phrases like Eminem, having a central location for storing ideas is crucial. This central repository allows for easy searching and retrieval of information, facilitating the writing process.

In conclusion, the struggle to define notability in online writing and content creation is a complex issue that requires ongoing examination and debate. The subjectivity of notability poses challenges for platforms like Wikipedia, where credibility is secured through citations from reputable sources. However, content creators play a vital role in establishing their notability through their impact and audience reach. By writing consistently, curating an information diet, and adopting effective note-taking practices, creators can enhance their online writing and content creation endeavors. As the Creator Revolution continues to reshape the landscape of information sharing, it is essential to ensure that the gatekeepers of knowledge reflect the diversity and inclusivity of the creators themselves. Only through such efforts can we create a more equitable and representative documentation of our history and culture.