From a young age we are used to being ‘told’ to read this or that; mums, older siblings, teachers, counsellors, mentors, bosses and even competitors come up with forceful suggestions which have the advantage of making their job easier as well as providing topics for conversation.

Authorial authority is a self reinforcing things: how do people know you are an expert: because you have written a peer-reviewed book.  But how come it was reviewed at all, because you are an expert!

Authority is hardly a new concept: but internet collaboration does not seem to enhance it: Wikipedia may be a popular site, but how far can we trust entries? What is the educational level at which entries are written.