Media outlets (and Wikipedia) fooled by Irishman

If any of you have ever studied sociology, you'll know that it largely consists of making stuff up about society and pretending that you've discovered an astonishing truth.

This might be at least the acorn for an oak of explanation as to why an Irish sociology student named Shane Fitzgerald decided to make up a quote and slip it into a Wikipedia entry.

Fitzgerald chose the Wikipedia entry of recently deceased French composer Maurice Jarre, who wrote the music for films such as "Doctor Zhivago," "Dead Poets Society," and "Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo."

He inserted his poetry into the dead man's mouth, only to see Wikipedia's incisive editors excise it.

He tried again. Within 6 minutes, Wikipedia's editors flicked it off as if it were a defecating fly. However, the third time he tried, the editors were, perhaps, drinking a little herbal tea or copulating in a virtual broom cupboard, because the quote stayed up for 25 hours.

This Irish bog pony appeared in Dead Poets Society.

(Credit: CC Jim Linwood/Flickr)

This was enough time for the Guardian, the Independent, and many other newspapers and blogs to insert it in their obituaries of Jarre.

Fitzgerald is not without guile. He made sure that his quotes were just intelligent enough not to be jarring. One read: "My life has been one long soundtrack. Music was my life, music brought me to life."

This lyrical masterpiece was followed by: "Music is how I will be remembered. When I die, there will be a final waltz playing in my head, that only I can hear."

Of course, this would all have sounded even better in the native French. But what is truly disheartening is Fitzgerald's explanation for his descent into Wikidness.

He told the Guardian: "My aim was to show that an undergraduate university student in Ireland can influence what newspapers are doing around the world and also that the reliance of newspapers on the Internet can lead to some faults."

I fear that he will not go far.

If only he had said: "Look, newspapers are dying out there. They're not making any money. They're closing their doors. They're firing their staff. Journalists have even stopped drinking because they can't afford it. So they're turning to bloody Wikipedia for their quotes."

That way, he may have received the instant attention of Rupert Murdoch and perhaps several other forward-thinking media moguls. Instead, he went with the following argument (more or less). "I'm just a bloke from Ireland, and I was just saying how the Internet isn't perfect."

How sad. Especially as he never used his 'work' in the sociology project for which it was allegedly intended.

In honor of Mr. Fitzgerald, I have slipped a couple of inaccuracies into this post. One just might be in describing Maurice Jarre's finest works. And the other? Well, I won't pony that one up.

[eldris_]

I am shocked that those newspapers relied purely on wikipedia for their quotes. Even at university we're told to check the article's sources.

Fitzgerald may have had unjustifiable reasons behind what he did, but I hope the newpapers that used the quote learn from this. If not, then perhaps they don't deserve to be making money.

[padraig-f]

Slightly racist comments there about how irish speek im surprised with you

[Paul Isaac]

The Irish aren't a race, so this must have been a nationalist comment.
Leprecauns were also insulted and I won't stand for this.

[ChrisMatyszczyk]

@paul Isaac,

Yes, Leprechauns. Perhaps I went a little far when it comes to the leprechauns. Thank you for pointing that out.

Chris

[adioslse]

Four points, yes your tone is rather racist. Secondly, I suspect that you have never in your life read a sociology book. Thirdly, you need to go on some kind of writing course - please stop relying on reheated 'ironic' cliches. Do please try to be clear, concise, and reasonably original. Fourthly, I have a feeling that this article is really driven by pique- admit it, you are a Wikipedia user...

[ChrisMatyszczyk]

Adioslee,

I fear I may disappoint. Yes, I studied sociology. And I was educated in an Irish school. And it was a lovely Irish school.

Strange world, isn't it?

Chris

[Rants&Raves]

Adioslse: I'm surprised by the comments; Chris Matyszczyk is one of the better bloggers on CNet; limpid, fun, sparks a few offbeat ideas, generally a good read (reading him after Dave Rosenberg always makes him look a lot better too... why is Dave still being published here btw ? The man can't ever connect his conclusions with his premises !) If you don't like what he does, perhaps you should read something else ? (although I still read Dave just for the intellectual trainwreck that will always ensue, it's a bit like slowing down by a really bad accident: horrible; shouldn't look; can't help.)

[assman]

I'm just guessing.. but is the ""Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo" the untrue statement you slipped in?

[yanchineseguy]

Given the Irish prankster and French composer, at least he should have gone with "Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo".

[j17su]

This is just pathetic. I can't believe you're mocking the poor guy (with disgusting tone and lack of respect for another culture) for trying to prove a point, which he clearly DID succeed to prove.

I hate people who pretend to be greater than someone else, whom they have never even met just, to try to gain some attention or fame. OVER THE INTERNET. Sadly this is where it is most rampant.

No, I'm not a journalist so perhaps I have no place in saying this, but people reading a journalist's work do not want to read something that makes them want to punch the person who wrote it for being an ignorant jerk. Few people care for the writer's opinion. Nobody cares for it when they're being rude.

[jrs_skaz]

Well I'll be diddled! Thankfully, these days, as an Irish person, you don't have much occasion to feel racially offended, but this article did the trick nicely. I'm afraid your inferences from the students comments revealed only your own bias, and nothing of what I believe most would take from it. Now I know why only African Americans can use the N word. Begorrah !

[johnisfun]

When will CNET finally sack this guy? His attempts at humour are pathetic and (in this case) offensive.

[caroline.mccarthy]

hey, hey, give my people some credit, we don't talk like THAT.

and do recall, Stephen Colbert punked Wikipedia a few years ago on his show by encouraging his fans to make edits about elephants.

[medezark]

Wikipedia is an invaluable resource that this type of behavior will destroy. The idea of a one stop shop for (with enough hard drive space and contributions) the entirety of human knowledge! WOW!! Now if only we can stop idiots from trying to throw monkey-wrenches into it. It's disengenuos (sp?) at the least, for him to claim "pointing out news outlets reliance" as a reason for this prank

[ChrisMatyszczyk]

@caroline. mccarthy,

You're Irish? No!

I was educated by lovely nuns, so whatever I have become, you can blame the Irish:).

I will go to confession this weekend.

Chris

[dm1-1]

Very cheap comments about the Irish.
"Chris Matyszczyk is an award-winning creative director "
Did you blog this?

[jthemsley]

Stereotypes and cliches exist for a reason, whether they apply now or not, obviously someone got that impression at some time. Little too PC if that line "racially offends" you. "He brings an irreverent, sarcastic, and sometimes ironic voice....", really should expect the copy given seeing how his writing style is going to be from that description. Troll elsewhere and don't read his articles if your feelings get hurt, some of us can laugh at ourselves.

[ubik83]

As an Irishman I found your inaccurate sterotyping unfunny and was suprised at its underlying vitriolic tone. That said, I find it further perplexing that you earn your crust as a journalist? You are neither ironic, witty or relevant in what you spout. Fair enough, you made your point but backing it up with your misinformed Irish accent immitation and dialect nonsense was cheap and sad.

[sting7k]

Wikipedia will probably need a disclaimer soon;

"For personal entertainment purposes only."

[pandaseatpeople]

Eh...whats funny about this drivel is that you have clearly missed the point he was trying to make. You are trying (poorly) to mock something you don't understand...

"...he went with the following argument (more or less). "I'm just a bloke from Ireland, and I was just saying how the Internet isn't perfect."...." - Mmm, no, no he didn't.

You even quote the guy - yet still miss the point!

He was saying that Journalists sources should be from well documented fact, not from a user submitted encyclopedia. A journalists job primarily involves disseminating factual information and as proved by this the information on Wikipedia cannot be considered 100% fact.

Your arrogant tone makes your lack of understanding even more amusing...

Come, write some more articles so we can all rejoice once again in your arrogant stupidity.

And to
medezark

www.wolframalpha.com - problem solved.

[ballmerisanape]

Is there a new definition for the word "racism" that I don't know about? Maybe I should check Wikipedia ;)

What is "racist" in this article???? My God people... get a life.

[biffhenerson]

Media... what a joke! These phony frauds have been serving us made up rubbish for decades. Only now do we have the means to easily challenge them using a public forum. Yes, the internet is plump full of crap but it does enable us, the public, to communicate with each other instantly. Communicating with each other in mass is something the Media doesnt want us to do. They would rather that ALL communication occurs through them. They are the true censors that use their power to steer society with ease. Sociology.

[MonicaCote]

Please somebody explain what I missed? Has this article been "cleaned up", so to speak, after complaints about racism?

[Darliomsa]

The original version of the article included the word "begorra" used as an interjection in its own sentence after the quote by the Irish student. This word is often used to stereotype the Irish or the Irish way of speaking. In conjunction with the tone and the placement of the word in the (original) article, some people may have deemed the piece ever so slightly racist. (And yes, the Irish are a race.) The author has since modified the article and excluded the potentially offending word. I'm sure no offence was intended.

But really, what point was the author trying to make? That he thinks sociology is a wishy washy kind of science, especially so after the up-to-no-good antics of one Irish student? That said student won't go far (in the journalistic world)? Probably not, but then again, he is a student of sociology. But you never know.

No, in the end, there isn't really much point to this article in its current form. It could have gone in so many more interesting directions, many of which would have been far more useful to readers: for example, the never ending debate on the need for some sort of authenticity system on Wikipedia; the seemingly dying profession of (investigative) journalism; that what-you-see-is-not-always-what-you-get is an inherent part of the Internet; that indeed, an Irish university student can reach out to the world and influence what others read, see, and believe; or that as the social Web evolves, sociology will get a whole lot more interesting and will in fact have a bigger role in how we use this technology in the future.

So, roll on the next chapter of The Internet - I can't wait to see where we're going...!

[Paul Isaac]

@Darliomsa
How are the Irish a race?? Are they genetically different from the Northern Irish who live in the UK? Wouldn't they be Celts, same as the Scots, Welsh, Cornish (where I'm from) or Brettons from Northern France?
I must ask someone, but it won't be you.

[MonicaCote]

Darliomsa, thank you for explaining it to me. I guess I was late to the party. ;)

[Apollonius]

BLACK AMERICA AND THE N-WORD:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dP2U0jmZjec

[Blogtrotter]

Hmmm. Well Chris-Unpronounceable-Polish-Name, humour clearly isn't well developed in the Polish coalmines. I'd have thought your Irish education would have helped a bit, but as we say in Eire ya can't make a silk purse of a sow's ear. I think you should reflect on your tone as you sit sipping your cabbage soup. And if you're not Polish but merely got saddled with that handle for some more fortunate reason then I apologise to any Poles I may be in the process of insulting. Thankfully, few of them can read English, so we're probably OK.

[Blogtrotter]

You silly billy. Chris is obviously American - (1) Look at the timezone. (2) Check out the quality of his writing. Yuk! Quad eratz demonstrandum. (As an Irish nun might put it).

[Blogtrotter]

Look Bogtrotter (if that's your real name), Chris is irreverent, sarcastic, and sometimes ironic. The irony in the piece is the guy sneering at the Paddies is POLISH. Geddit?

[Blogtrotter]

Get real. He is no more Polish then my peat briquettes. Conrad was Polish. He wrote Lord Jim for chrissakes! Chris would be expelled from the local graffiti gang for illiteracy.

[Blogtrotter]

I dunno about that Trotter. Anyone who can come up with the phrase "This might be at least the acorn for an oak of explanation" has got to have a complex mind. Or maybe he got distracted halfway through the sentence and took a wrong turn. Or he reached the finish but didn't spot he 'd started in the wrong place. This piece poses, like, just soooo many questions.

[Blogtrotter]

It does indeed pose many questions Bogger. Not least of which is who the heck this Cornish Isaac drone with his racial theories is? What is a race? Black people? Hardly. So, therefore, per Isaac, I can use the N-word combined with references to bananas without fear of being called racist, 'cos black folk aren't a race? No Newton this Isaac I tell ya.

[Paul Isaac]

@blogtrotter
I absolutely am not condoning racism or any form of hatred, just pointing out that some people need to read a dictionary before throwing words around they don't understand. Ireland is a country not a race.
Leprechauns are a species.
For further clarifications see Wikipedia, but not before I alter the entries.