Wales snaps & leaves interview after host asks, ‘You’re Wikipedia’s Founder or Co-Founder?’
In a shocking turn of events, Jimmy Wales, the founder of Wikipedia, walked out of a podcast interview after being asked if he was the founder or co-founder of the online encyclopedia. The incident has sparked a heated debate about the role of Larry Sanger, who is often credited as the co-founder of Wikipedia. Wales has previously contested Sanger’s contributions to the project, and it seems that the issue is still a sensitive topic for him.
The interview, which was supposed to be a discussion about Wikipedia and its impact on the world, quickly took a turn for the worse when the host asked Wales about his role in the founding of the website. Wales had introduced himself as the founder of Wikipedia, but the host seemed to be unsure about his title. “You’re Wikipedia’s Founder or Co-Founder?” the host asked, to which Wales responded with frustration.
“It’s the dumbest question in the world,” Wales said, his voice rising in annoyance. “I am the founder of Wikipedia. I founded the website in 2001, and I have been involved with it ever since.” The host seemed taken aback by Wales’ response and tried to clarify the question, but Wales was having none of it.
When the host asked him to explain why he was being so sensitive about the issue, Wales shot back, “Because it’s a stupid question. You’re implying that I’m not the founder of Wikipedia, and that’s just not true.” The host tried to apologize and move on, but Wales was already standing up and preparing to leave.
“I don’t have time for this,” Wales said, his voice firm. “I’m not going to sit here and be questioned about my role in founding Wikipedia. I know what I did, and I know what I’ve accomplished. If you don’t believe me, then that’s your problem, not mine.” With that, Wales walked out of the interview, leaving the host and the audience stunned.
The incident has sparked a lot of debate about the role of Larry Sanger in the founding of Wikipedia. Sanger is often credited as the co-founder of the website, but Wales has previously contested his contributions. According to Wales, Sanger was involved in the early stages of Wikipedia, but he did not play a significant role in the website’s development.
Sanger, on the other hand, has a different story to tell. He claims that he was instrumental in the founding of Wikipedia and that he worked closely with Wales to develop the website. Sanger has also stated that he was the one who came up with the idea of using a wiki to create an online encyclopedia, and that Wales was initially skeptical of the idea.
Despite the controversy surrounding the founding of Wikipedia, one thing is clear: Jimmy Wales is the face of the website, and he is widely recognized as its founder. Wales has been instrumental in promoting Wikipedia and has worked tirelessly to ensure its success. He is also the chairman of the Wikimedia Foundation, the non-profit organization that operates Wikipedia.
The incident has also raised questions about the importance of accuracy and clarity in journalism. The host’s question may have been well-intentioned, but it was clearly poorly phrased and insensitive. Wales’ reaction may have been extreme, but it highlights the importance of getting the facts straight and being respectful of people’s achievements.
In conclusion, the incident between Jimmy Wales and the podcast host is a reminder that even the most successful and accomplished people can be sensitive about their achievements. It also highlights the importance of accuracy and clarity in journalism, and the need to be respectful of people’s contributions. As for the question of who founded Wikipedia, it’s clear that Jimmy Wales is the founder, and his contributions to the website are undeniable.
