I have been emailed an extract from the Wikipedia site on Merthyr Tydfil by a suitably named 'Keir Hardly'. I haven't read this page before, and I must admit that its not a glowing account of my home town. It is especially denigratory towards women- the stereotypical analysis of women in valleys communities. This must be one of the worst descriptions of the town that I've ever read below ( it goes on, but I really don't want to quote it on this blog)-
'Selective out migration of the more intelligent and talented people is also a problem, which leaves behind a yet-more-concentrated residue of the dull and talentless, who, with no manual-labouring jobs to occupy them....... find themselves with nothing better to do than to breed.'
Of course, you can't ignore the fact that there are social problems in the town, but this is true of other parts of Wales. Merthyr is developing, and has a history to be proud of, but needs much more investment like most valleys communities. Wikipedia is a 'free content' online Encyclopedia, which is too often taken as gospel for many who read it, and for many students who ( wrongly) base essays on this fountain of knowledge on the web.
I have had an unpleasant experience on Wikipedia previously, when someone set up a page about me and filled it with false, quite scathing remarks ( I duly contacted the site and the piece was removed) So while I believe that the growth of the Internet is a positive thing, I can't help but think that there should be more regulation of such sites on the web.
I intend to edit the paragraph, and try and create a balanced piece on Merthyr. Anyone else from the area should help with this also!
..............................................................................................
Newydd dderbyn e-bost o ddarn ar y wefan Wikipedia ar Merthyr Tydfil, gan yr enwog 'Keir Hardly'. Nid wyf wedi darllen y dudalen o'r blaen a nid yw'n adlewyrchu'n wych ar fy nhref. Mae'r darn yn enwedig yn bychanu merched y cymoedd. Un o'r disgrifiadau gwaethaf o Ferthyr a welais erioed:
'Selective out migration of the more intelligent and talented people is also a problem, which leaves behind a yet-more-concentrated residue of the dull and talentless, who, with no manual-labouring jobs to occupy them....... find themselves with nothing better to do than to breed.'
Wrth gwrs, mae problemau cymdeithasol yn y dref, fel yng ngweddill y wlad, ond mae Merthyr yn datblygu, a gyda hanes disglair, er fod angen mwy o fuddsoddiad, fel ar hyd y cymoedd. Mae Wikipedia yn safle we 'free content' sydd yn aml golygu fod gwybodaeth anghywir arno - a weithiau geiriau cas wedi eu anelu at y pwnc, fel yr wyf innau wedi profi yn bersonol.
Rwy'n bwriadu mynd ati i olygu'r dudalen, a chreu darlun fwy mesurol o Merthyr. Gofynaf i bawb arall o'r ardal helpu!
16 comments:
Don't be too hard on Wicipedia. It has the potential of becoming a good Welsh resource. Yes there is always the threat of vandalism but what is needed is more contributors and monitors on the site. The more support it gets the better it will be. Its probably the only chance we will ever get to have an up to date Welsh language encyclopedia
Indeed, a problem throughout Wales, even up here in Caernarfon, Talented or skilled individuals leave and we are surrounded by untalented dullards who pump out babies. I am the product of this terrible social disease, and consequently thich and lazy. Woe is me...
I don't think I'm being too harsh. I'm flagging up an issue I think is quite important. Yes, more people monitoring the site would suffice.
Hang on, I didn't say that. Someone nicked and posted with my name!
cymro= I think you are too harsh on yourself! Another trait in Welsh people- lack of confidence!
Yup, lack of confidence is a big problem for us. Most of the time. It's not unusual...
lol, "and no religion to give them a moral framework within which to live their lives"
Well that's me damned then :)
It sounds like an entry in chav towns. Whoever published that is mixing up fact and opinion.
Wikipedia can be great, some of the technical stuff is very useful. But at the end of the day idiots can contribute too.
Well said Bethan.
Beth ydych chi'n meddwl am Welsh Ramblings? http://welshramblings.blogspot.com/
Bethan,
One of the cymros is right, we shouldn't be harsh on Wikipedia.
When reading, particularly on the Interweb thingy, responsibility always lies with the reader to question the authority of anything read. You may not trust or believe what you read in The Sun, The Daily Mail the Western Mail, a leaflet through the door, a blog or Wikpedia.
"Reader beware!"
Knowing who the author of a piece of writing sometimes helps us. That I guess is why this blog does not allow anonymous comments, unless your name is cymro!
Some of your readers may not have noted the differences between the welsh language wicipedia and english language wikipedia entries about Merthyr Tudful and Merthyr Tydfil.
Why is there such a difference in content between the two articles? Should there be?
What's to be done about it?
As with all Wikepdia articles the Merthyr description can be edited. I'm no expert on wikepedia but I can see from the history of the page that the paragraph you have been referred to is very new. I can't work out who wrote and added it but I do think it was done deliberately to cause mischief.
The beauty of Wikipedia is that it can be edited, and a more carefully crafted paragraph inserted (possibly by you). Once Wikipedia become aware of intentional vandalism its usually sorted.
I can't but help wonder why Keir Hardly emailed you in the first place?
Looking at the wikipedia discussion realting to Merthyr it's been a while since there was any real dialogue about the place. The last controversies related to Merthyr revolve around a discussion about whether Merthyr was the inspiration for Tolkien's Isengard, and Merthyr's alleged reputation as "white sock capital of the UK"
Not quite the same as dealing with stereotypical analysis of women in valleys communities.
Some people are suggesting that I am wrong in making this statement about Wikipedia. I do intend to change the paragraph, I was merely wondering what others thought of misrepresentation.
I am not sure sometimes why I blog as some people will tear you apart whatever the subject.
I am furious bethan - you go ahead and change it I was born in Merthyr and its not the place being potrayed in Wikipedia. The internet is only as good as it is accurate, otherwise it will become a liability not an asset.
May be we should have a concerted effoert to link that site to some accuate sites too including the old merthyr one
i've added a few sections, but someone had been before me to take out the paragraphs I mention in the blog, thankfully!
It's much better now!
There have been lots of complaints about Wikipedia. I would never look it up for information, there are other more relible sites for accuracy.
That write up about Merthyr was awful. Ask for it to be removed.
Its been removed.
Have just read the updated article on Merthyr.
It makes me even more depressed and I live there.
I have seen Merthyr portrayed as one of the most deprived and crime-ridden areas in the UK. This partly accounts for the fact that it continues to attract a heavy Labour vote, and it needs attention from Plaid to devise a radical social and economic programme to make a difference in Merthyr and similar locations, to transform the community and create the conditions for real and lasting change. It should be given special attention leading up to the next election, in the form of house calls, canvassing
and presentations.
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