From James Burt
Guy Dugdale writes correctly about some of the issues facing Wikipedia articles on scientific topics. He identifies one article in particular – on the weak nuclear force – as incomprehensible to the lay reader (11 May, p 30).
I agree, but not without comment, for I wrote much of that particular article. I studied physics only to the age of 18, and my level of understanding (my status as a “layperson”) greatly limited the article’s ability to explain difficult concepts to the reader.
Complexity is not always the product of over-expertise. I would encourage your readers to get involved, lest the world’s most popular reference source remain dependent on the enthusiastic hobbyist.
Oxford, UK
