Angry in the Great White North

From the Wikipedia entry for the element polonium:

Applications

When it is mixed or alloyed with beryllium, polonium can be a neutron source: beryllium releases a neutron upon absorption of an alpha particle that is supplied by 210Po. It has been used in this capacity as a neutron trigger for nuclear weapons. Other uses include:

• Devices that eliminate static charges in textile mills and other places.[1] However, beta sources are more commonly used and are less dangerous. Another alternative is to use a high voltage direct current power supply to ionize air positively or negatively.[2]
• Brushes that remove accumulated dust from photographic films. The polonium used in these brushes is sealed and controlled thus minimizing radiation hazards.
• As 210Po, a lightweight heat source to power thermoelectric cells.
• Killing (former) spies [3].

Killing spies, former or otherwise, as an application?

OK, I laughed despite myself when I saw that, but really, murder is not an application. That was written by Mausy503, an engineer from the Netherlands.

But then Wikipedia works at breakneck speed. In the time it took me to start writing this piece, the section changed:

Applications

When it is mixed or alloyed with beryllium, polonium can be a neutron source: beryllium releases a neutron upon absorption of an alpha particle that is supplied by 210Po. It has been used in this capacity as a neutron trigger for nuclear weapons. Other uses include:

• Devices that eliminate static charges in textile mills and other places.[1] However, beta sources are more commonly used and are less dangerous. Another alternative is to use a high voltage direct current power supply to ionize air positively or negatively.[2]
• Brushes that remove accumulated dust from photographic films. The polonium used in these brushes is sealed and controlled thus minimizing radiation hazards.
• As 210Po, a lightweight heat source to power thermoelectric cells.
• Radioactive poison [3].

Better, thanks to user Mieciu K of Poland, who probably has a less lighthearted view to Russian intelligence operations (though he does have a lighthearted view of how to deal with Poles).

So another example of how the Wikipedia model of collaborative but unorganized social editing can result in a better product. As long as no one is acting in a deliberately malicious manner, inferior writing still adds value, if only as the substrate upon which to add better writing. Was Mausy503's choice of words poor? It certainly came off as frivolous. But it still created a link between polonium and this news story. Others will build on what Mausy503 did, improve on it, and the marketplace of ideas will make sure only the best revisions survive.