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 casual conversation about Wikipedia and its impact on the world, took a dramatic turn when the host asked Wales to clarify his role in the project. 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 a mixture of frustration and annoyance.
“It’s the dumbest question in the world,” Wales said, his voice rising in indignation. “I am the founder of Wikipedia. I started the project, I created the website, and I have been involved with it since its inception.” The host, seemingly taken aback by Wales’s response, tried to clarify the question, asking if Wales was the sole founder or if he had any co-founders. However, Wales was having none of it.
“I don’t know why you’re asking me this question,” Wales said, his tone becoming increasingly agitated. “It’s not a difficult question to answer. I am the founder of Wikipedia. If you want to know more about the history of the project, I’d be happy to tell you, but I’m not going to engage in a debate about my role in the project.” The host, still trying to get a clear answer, asked Wales if he was saying that Larry Sanger was not a co-founder of Wikipedia. This was the final straw for Wales, who stood up and walked out of the interview.
The entire exchange lasted less than a minute, but it has sparked a heated debate about the role of Larry Sanger in the creation of Wikipedia. Sanger has been credited as the co-founder of Wikipedia, and he has been involved with the project since its early days. However, Wales has previously contested Sanger’s contributions, saying that Sanger’s role was limited to helping with the development of the project’s early software.
The incident has also raised questions about the accuracy of Wikipedia’s own history. The online encyclopedia has a page dedicated to its own history, which credits both Wales and Sanger as co-founders. However, Wales’s outburst suggests that he may not agree with this assessment. The incident has sparked a lively debate among Wikipedia editors and users, with some defending Wales’s role as the sole founder of the project, while others argue that Sanger’s contributions should not be dismissed.
The controversy surrounding Wales’s role in the creation of Wikipedia is not new. In the past, Sanger has spoken out about his role in the project, saying that he was instrumental in developing the concept of a wiki-based encyclopedia. However, Wales has disputed this claim, saying that Sanger’s contributions were limited to helping with the development of the project’s early software.
Despite the controversy, Wikipedia has gone on to become one of the most popular websites in the world, with millions of users accessing its pages every day. The online encyclopedia has become an essential resource for students, researchers, and anyone looking for information on a wide range of topics. However, the incident highlights the complexities and challenges of creating a collaborative project like Wikipedia, where multiple individuals can contribute to its development and growth.
In conclusion, the incident involving Jimmy Wales and the podcast host has sparked a heated debate about the role of Larry Sanger in the creation of Wikipedia. While Wales has contested Sanger’s contributions to the project, the online encyclopedia’s own history page credits both men as co-founders. The incident highlights the complexities and challenges of creating a collaborative project like Wikipedia, where multiple individuals can contribute to its development and growth. As the debate continues, one thing is clear: Wikipedia’s history is complex, and its creation involved the contributions of many individuals.
