The demise of Wikipedia

In the early 2020s, Wikipedia faced mounting criticism due to its inability to address problems within its editing community. The community had become divided between many factions, such as between inclusionists and deletionists, and this division had led to a series of controversies and disagreements over what content should be included on the site.

Despite repeated efforts to address these issues, Wikipedia was unable to find a satisfactory solution, and as a result, many of its most dedicated contributors began to lose faith in the site. Some even began to leave the site altogether, taking their knowledge and expertise with them.

As the quality of the site's content began to decline, so did its popularity. By the mid-2020s, Wikipedia had lost its position as the go-to source for information on the internet. Other sites had emerged to fill the void, offering more curated and reliable information.

By the 2030s, Wikipedia was all but forgotten, remembered only as a cautionary tale of what can happen when a community fails to address its problems. Its once-mighty database lay dormant, an archive of a bygone era when the internet was still young and full of promise.

## Timeline

* 2022: Wikipedia experiences multiple controversies when high-profile pages on some controversial topics becomes the subject of editing disputes. Many editors on the site begin to take increasingly extreme positions on the issue, leading to accusations of bias and censorship.
* 2023: Grabowski and Klein published a research paper exposing distortions within Holocaust topic areas. Wikipedia's Arbitration Committee (Arbcom) opens a case on Holocaust distortion controversy, ultimately resulting in verdicts which some commented as not adequate enough to prevent similar distortions in the future. Advent of AI writing tools cause all sides of the issue using bots and other automated tools to try to manipulate public opinion. As a result, trust in Wikipedia begins to erode. As the controversy over the site continues to simmer, rival platforms such as Justapedia emerges, offering a more permissive approach to content and attracting many of the disaffected inclusionist editors from Wikipedia.
* 2024: Scathing article published on New York Times detailing stories of power abuse and toxicity within Wikipedia community. The conflict between the editors remaining at Wikipedia reaches a breaking point when an editor is accused of promoting pro-authoritarian views on the site. Despite calls for their removal, the editor remains in place, leading to widespread anger and frustration among the others. Regarding the New York Times article, it details a slew of incidents involving sexual harassment and pedophilia. Widespread public shock and outrage ensue. Social media platforms amplify the news, leading to trending hashtags and discussions. Other major media outlets pick up the story, intensifying scrutiny on Wikipedia's practices. Calls for accountability and systemic changes grow louder.

* 2025: The controversy over the editor becomes a major news story, with critics of Wikipedia accusing the site of allowing pro-totalitarian content to flourish. The Wikimedia Foundation, which oversees the site, comes under intense pressure to take action. Government officials express concern over the allegations as put forth by the New York Times article, with some calling for investigations. A blue ribbon committee is formed to investigate the extent of the issues and potential legal violations on Wikipedia. Law enforcement agencies initiate investigations into criminal aspects of the allegations. Legal actions are taken against implicated individuals, potentially leading to arrests.
* 2026: In response to the controversy, the Wikimedia Foundation announces a major overhaul of the site's editing policies. The new policies aim to crack down on extremist content and improve the quality of articles, but they are seen as too restrictive by many inclusionists remaining within the site. IP editing by now has been phased out at English Wikipedia.
* 2027: The new policies lead to a sharp decline in editing activity on the site, as many inclusionist editors leave in protest. At the same time, deletionist editors become increasingly vigilant in enforcing the new standards, leading to accusations of censorship and bias. Donors express hesitancy to support Wikipedia in light of the scandal. Funding declines, affecting Wikipedia's ability to maintain operations.
* 2028: Wikipedia's decline accelerates as more and more editors leave the site in favor of new platforms. Despite efforts to reform the site's policies, it is unable to regain its former prominence, and by the end of the year, it is widely seen as a relic of a bygone era in online information. Users worldwide are turning away from Wikipedia, seeking alternative sources of information in the wake of the scandal. The decline in user contributions further exacerbates the platform's woes, as its once-vibrant community dissipates. Despite Wikipedia's attempts to implement reforms, issue public apologies, and enhance transparency, the damage appears irreversible. The global public and user base remain skeptical, with many viewing these efforts as too little, too late.
* 2029: A major scandal rocks Wikipedia as it is revealed that a group of deletionist editors had been colluding to remove content related to certain topics and communities. This further erodes public trust in the site's neutrality and reliability.
* 2030: Despite efforts to reform its editing policies, Wikipedia's reputation is irreparably damaged. In a heartbreaking turn of events, Wikipedia, unable to weather the storm of scandals, financial strain, and declining user trust, announces its closure and liquidation. The once-mighty online encyclopedia, which played an integral role in shaping the digital age, succumbs to the weight of its own downfall. The demise of Wikipedia serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of online platforms and the imperative for transparency, accountability, and vigilance in maintaining the trust of users worldwide. Its archives are preserved by other organizations, such as the Internet Archive, but the era of Wikipedia as the world's go-to source of knowledge has come to an end.