For years, I've happily repeated that party line that "Wikipedia is cute, but it can't be used for serious research." I never even considered using it for an academic paper, and we fired a reporter at the newspaper for using it as a source.

In recent years, the new line has been "bad for facts, but good to find sources." True, Wikipedia entries do have a handy list of internet links on the bottom, many leading to legitimate academic resources, but I've discovered better ways to find internet sources. Like, you know, Google and stuff.

However, earlier this month, I realized Wikipedia's true saving grace: standardization of organization. All Wikipedia articles are organized exactly the same way. Table of contents, major headings, minor headings, sources, internet resources, media. In an era of overinformation on the internet, it's comforting to be able to glance at a page and instantly recognize where each piece of information is presented, and how and in what order. I still hesitate to use it as a primary academic source, but I've looked up countless bits of trivia recently, and never once been disappointed.