Crowdsourcing is the practice of obtaining input, ideas, services, or funding from a large group of people, typically from an online community. This approach leverages the collective intelligence and resources of the community to achieve a common goal or solve complex problems.
Historical Context
The term “crowdsourcing” was coined in 2006 by Jeff Howe in an article for Wired magazine. However, the concept predates the internet era. Historical instances of crowdsourcing include:
- The Oxford English Dictionary (1857): Contributions from readers were solicited for the compilation of the dictionary.
- Lindbergh’s Transatlantic Flight (1927): Financed by contributions from ordinary citizens.
Types of Crowdsourcing
Crowdsourcing can be categorized into several types, each serving different purposes:
- Crowdfunding: Raising funds for a project or venture from a large number of people, often via online platforms like Kickstarter or GoFundMe.
- Crowdwisdom: Gathering knowledge or insights from a group, such as polling the audience in “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.”
- Crowdcreation: Generating content or ideas collectively, as seen in platforms like Wikipedia.
- Crowdsolving: Solving problems by leveraging a community’s collective expertise, such as InnoCentive.
- Microtasking: Breaking down a large task into smaller, manageable tasks distributed among many people, exemplified by Amazon’s Mechanical Turk.
Key Events in Crowdsourcing
- 1999: Launch of iStockphoto, a crowdsourced stock photography platform.
- 2006: Introduction of Kickstarter, revolutionizing crowdfunding.
- 2009: Waze app, utilizing user-generated data for real-time traffic updates, gains popularity.
- 2012: Pebble Time smartwatch becomes the most funded Kickstarter project at that time.
Importance and Applicability
Crowdsourcing is significant for several reasons:
- Innovation: Tapping into a diverse pool of ideas.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Lower operational costs by distributing tasks.
- Engagement: Enhanced community and customer engagement.
- Scalability: Ability to scale efforts quickly.
Examples of Crowdsourcing
- Wikipedia: The world’s largest encyclopedia created through crowd contributions.
- Kickstarter: Platform enabling project creators to fund their ventures through community support.
- Duolingo: Uses crowdsourcing for translating and creating new language lessons.
Considerations
- Quality Control: Ensuring the accuracy and reliability of crowdsourced content.
- Intellectual Property: Handling of contributions and ownership rights.
- Diversity and Inclusion: Encouraging participation from a diverse group of contributors.
Related Terms
- Open Source: Community-driven software development.
- Peer Production: Collaborative content creation without hierarchical organization.
- Collective Intelligence: Group-based intelligence enhanced by collaboration and diversity.
Comparisons
Crowdsourcing vs. Outsourcing:
- Crowdsourcing: Involves an open call to an undefined group.
- Outsourcing: Contracting out tasks to a specific third party.
Interesting Facts
- The first crowdsourced novel, “The Cult of the Amateur,” was created by contributions from hundreds of authors.
- NASA frequently uses crowdsourcing for space exploration innovations through competitions like NASA Tournament Lab.
Inspirational Stories
Pebble Time: Over $20 million raised on Kickstarter, transforming a small startup into a major player in the wearable tech market.
Famous Quotes
“None of us is as smart as all of us.” — Ken Blanchard
Proverbs and Clichés
- “Many hands make light work.”
Jargon and Slang
- Backer: A person who funds a project on a crowdfunding platform.
- Microtasking: Small tasks distributed to a large number of people.
FAQs
What is the main advantage of crowdsourcing?
How do companies ensure the quality of crowdsourced content?
Is crowdsourcing limited to online communities?
References
- Howe, Jeff. “The Rise of Crowdsourcing.” Wired Magazine, 2006.
- Brabham, Daren C. “Crowdsourcing.” The MIT Press Essential Knowledge Series, 2013.
Summary
Crowdsourcing is a transformative approach that leverages the power of the crowd to fund, create, and solve. With roots tracing back to historical collaborations, modern crowdsourcing harnesses the connectivity of the internet to drive innovation, community engagement, and efficient problem-solving across various fields. The diversity, inclusivity, and sheer potential of crowdsourcing continue to make it a pivotal strategy in the modern digital era.
