The LCHC polyphonic autobiography as a wiki: why not a book?

ABSTRACT

This article offers a discussion of some advantages and disadvantages afforded by the format collaborators chose to create and launch the Laboratory of Comparative Human Cognition (LCHC) Polyphonic Autobiography. It is divided into three sections: first, I review research on alternative modes of publishing, peer production as a public good, and the pros and cons of tradeoffs and social filtering processes. Second, I connect themes in that conversation 1) to the LCHC Polyphonic Autobiography creators’ decision to use a web-based format for the project and 2) to the multiple audiences, goals, and interests the resource serves. Third, I end with conclusions and lingering questions about how and by whom the LCHC Polyphonic Autobiography will be used.

Acknowledgments

I worked as an editor on the Polyphonic Autobiography. I mention this at a fairly general level in the text of the paper, though I do not identify myself.

I am currently a tenured Associate Professor at California State University, San Marcos, California (2001-present). I was employed by LCHC at UC San Diego as both a student and as a researcher before and after completing my PhD there in 1996.

In fall, 2011, I had a one-semester research sabbatical leave from CSU San Marcos. My visitor status at the University of California San Diego LCHC at that time was by courtesy.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.