Here’s an interesting high-tech milestone: In a story on Shamil Basayev — the warlord who masterminded the horrid Russian slaughter — CNN cites a Wikipedia entry:

During the rebel pullout from Grozny in January 2000 Basayev lost a foot after stepping on a landmine, according to the Wikipedia Web site, but he and other rebel fighters eluded Russian capture by hiding in forests and mountains.

Last month I wrote a piece for Slate about whether mobs of people could produce art — and cited Wikipedia as the leading example of a creative work. I frequently use Wikipedia myself, but I’m fascinated to see that CNN now regards it as an authority.

(Thanks to Boing Boing for this one!)