One of the most useful websites out there - and I often wonder exactly where that is - must be Wikipedia. It's actually so useful that I am using it at this very moment to look up a bunch of information about Wikipedia itself. That's what they call a strange loop by the way, self-reference for the win! But despite the obvious advantages of having access to this free, web-based encyclopedia, there are obviously also a few disadvantages.
Being a teacher at university for example, I am too often confronted with students quoting Wikipedia as the only source they consulted, confusing what they've read on the web with sound arguments or scientific facts. I'm not saying I blame them for that, growing up in an age in which the word 'library' is associated to a folder on your laptop rather than a place where they hide all the books (the latter is not my joke by the way, big up yourself if you know who said this) must have its consequences, but I wish people would at least realize that Wikipedia does not necessarily tell you the truth...
So, just in case you're one of my (future) students reading this: you will be deducted points if you quote Wikipedia in either a paper or an exam answer. On the other hand, there are points to be gained by quoting passages from the Uncyclopedia. For those of you who have never heard of this website, I give you the Wikipedia entry on the Uncyclopedia. Or what is the other way round?
Wikipedia ("the 'free' encyclopedia") is a website that parodies Uncyclopedia. It was founded in 2001, when it began its noble goal of spreading the world's misinformation in the most inconspicuous way possible. For this reason, academic experts strongly urge students not to cite Wikipedia. Originally written exclusively in Klingon, the project currently spans all the known languages of history. The English version has over twelve million pages, most of them capitalization redirects.
Only one vehicle for article humor is employed at Wikipedia: actual information. However, much of the behind-the-scenes aspects of Uncyclopedia are also parodied, from the abundance of maintenance templates to the system for rating articles. Like Uncyclopedia, Wikipedia has guidelines regarding what is and is not acceptable content, and these guidelines have become exceedingly long and complex as a parody of Uncyclopedia's comparatively simple rules. The site has gained media attention due to its articles on places, people, and painfully obscure pop culture.
Have fun.
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