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Encyclopedia Bias

The systemic editorial slant found in crowd-sourced or traditionally edited encyclopedias, where articles are shaped not by pure facts, but by the consensus of their most active, vocal, or ideologically motivated editors. This creates a bias toward mainstream, established, or "acceptable" viewpoints, while marginalizing fringe, controversial, or emerging perspectives—regardless of their factual basis. It mistakes consensus for truth and editorial policy for objectivity.
Example: On a major online encyclopedia, the article for a controversial political theorist is relentlessly framed with labels like "conspiracy theorist" and "widely debunked," while their substantive arguments are buried. This Encyclopedia Bias reflects the victory of one editorial faction in the "edit wars," presenting a settled, negative narrative as neutral fact.
by Dumu The Void February 4, 2026
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