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, lost his cool during a podcast interview when the host asked him 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 topic is still a sensitive one for him.
The interview, which was supposed to be a discussion about Wikipedia and its impact on the world, took an unexpected turn when the host asked Wales to clarify his role in the founding of the website. Wales, who had introduced himself as the founder of Wikipedia, was taken aback by the question and responded angrily. “It’s the dumbest question in the world,” he said, his voice rising in frustration.
The host, seemingly taken aback by Wales’ reaction, tried to press on with the question, asking Wales to explain why he was so upset. However, Wales was having none of it. He repeated his statement, saying that the question was “dumb” and that he didn’t see the point of discussing it further. The host, still trying to salvage the interview, asked Wales if he was willing to talk about his role in the founding of Wikipedia, but Wales had already had enough.
In a dramatic turn of events, Wales stood up and walked out of the interview, leaving the host and the audience stunned. The whole incident lasted less than a minute, but it has sparked a lot of debate and discussion about the role of Larry Sanger in the founding of Wikipedia.
For those who may not know, Larry Sanger is often credited as the co-founder of Wikipedia, along with Jimmy Wales. However, Wales has previously contested Sanger’s contributions to the project, saying that Sanger’s role was not as significant as he has claimed. Sanger, on the other hand, has said that he was instrumental in the development of Wikipedia, and that his contributions were essential to the website’s success.
The debate about the role of Larry Sanger in the founding of Wikipedia is not new. It has been going on for years, with both Wales and Sanger presenting different versions of events. However, the incident during the podcast interview has brought the issue back into the spotlight, with many people weighing in on the matter.
Some people have come to Wales’ defense, saying that he is the sole founder of Wikipedia and that Sanger’s contributions were minimal. Others have argued that Sanger’s role was significant, and that Wales is being unfair by downplaying his contributions.
The incident has also raised questions about the nature of Wikipedia and its founding. Wikipedia is a collaborative project that relies on the contributions of thousands of volunteers from around the world. While Jimmy Wales is often credited as the founder of the website, the reality is that Wikipedia is a collective effort that has been shaped by many people over the years.
In the end, the incident during the podcast interview is a reminder that the history of Wikipedia is complex and multifaceted. While Jimmy Wales may be the public face of the website, the reality is that many people have contributed to its development and success. Perhaps it’s time to revisit the story of Wikipedia’s founding and give credit to all those who have played a role in shaping the website into what it is today.
