[WikiEN-l] An open letter to Jimmy Wales

[Larry Sanger]

First, let me thank the moderators for approving my letter.

Replies to two different people here.

Jussi-Ville Heiskanen wrote:

> ... it is sadly regrettable that you were 
> not able to choose the initial forum where you published your 
> diatribe with more discernment.

I disagree.  As I said in the letter itself, there is not a better place for
this message than Jimmy Wales' user talk page.  This is because I am
deliberately confronting him.  If I can't confront a person on the talk page
for the leader (at least by reputation) of the project, where can I?

> User talk pages in current practice are not for blogging or 
> personal communication

I think you may not understand what an open letter is.  Why don't you look
it up on Wikipedia?  An open letter cannot be dismissed as either a blogs or
a personal communication.

> User talk should be 
> squarely about improving the encyclopaedia.

This *is* about improving the encyclopedia--by improving its leadership, the
way that the media reports about it, and what Wikipedians themselves know
about it.

> You may not have taken the trouble to acquaint yourself
> with the methods by which legitimate feedback and comment
> on wikimedian matters is currently channeled, but it would
> very much be worth your while, to facilitate a smoother 
> communicative experience.

This illustrates a sort of silly, condescending manner of speaking among
Wikipedians that really ought to stop.  Enough said.

Tris Thomas wrote:
> Can this just not stop?

Stop?  But I am not continuing something, I am starting something.  I have
never confronted Jimmy Wales publicly in this way for his lies, and
described them as lies, ever before.  I am absolutely insisting, once and
for all, that the record be corrected and that Jimmy Wales be held to
account for his appalling and self-serving behavior toward me.

The way to stop it is for Jimmy Wales to be shamed into ceasing his
misrepresentations of Wikipedia's early history--or else for him to earn a
wide public reputation as a completely unreliable source about it.  Either
way will suit me fine.  Until then, I will continue to confront and shame
him with archived evidence of his mendacity.

I would hope that those with an interest in sound leadership and honesty
would appreciate and support my efforts.

> Everyone knows that you once 
> described each 
> other as co-founders & therefore, if that's what Jimmy 
> described you as 
> back then, that's what you are.

I'm glad you're convinced.  Then let's ask the Wikimedia Foundation to
reaffirm what it said about me in its very first press release.

Anyway, this isn't just about the label "co-founder," as you'll see if you
read the letter.

> Why the continuous childish bickering-everyone knows what 
> happened & it 
> makes absolutely no difference now.

What I see as "childish" is the unnecessary tip-toeing around Jimmy Wales,
and people supporting and making excuses for what *really is* just
self-serving dishonesty.

> Please just get over it, it's damaging Wikipedia itself, 
> which I don't 
> think Larry wants to do, & just seems so pointless.

It is not pointless to get the record corrected and to hold our leaders to
high standards of honesty.  This may require courage, but it is essential to
having a truly open, transparent community that has any chance of deserving
the label "democratic."

In the end, assuming the Wikipedia community and Board reacts to this in a
mature, decent manner, it could come out of this stronger and better.  On
the other hand, if you pretend that it isn't happening, or dismiss my
concerns, you'll just be digging yourselves even deeper into the hole you're
already in.  Remember: the world is watching.

--Larry