[WikiEN-l] An open letter to Jimmy Wales

[Sheldon Rampton]

I haven't written anything on wikien-l in a long time, but I've been  
following a bit of this thread about Larry Sanger's open letter and  
thought I'd propose something.

Wikis are good for purposes other than creating encyclopedias, and it  
might be interesting to see if Jimmy and Larry could use a wiki to  
resolve their differences.

Currently the way in which the conflict is being expressed is leading  
toward more polarization and hostility rather than less. One of the  
things we see frequently often on wikis, however, is that people who  
have strong disagreements about some topic can nevertheless agree to a  
considerable degree on what an article about that topic should say.  
The process of reiteratively editing a single article often leads to a  
synthesis that multiple parties accept. (In some cases, a mediator or  
arbitration committee may need to render a judgment, but this is only  
necessary in a minority of cases.)

So here's my proposal, if Jimmy and Larry would agree to it: Why don't  
they both start a wiki page in which they both edit and revise a  
statement describing the history of Wikipedia and their roles within  
it? Rather than do this on Wikipedia, I would suggest doing this on a  
private wiki that only they and other parties of their choosing are  
allowed to see. If they would both agree to go through this process, I  
think they might find it possible to work out something that they can  
both accept. And if they can't reach and agreement, they can look for  
some independent third parties to mediate.

Right now there is some obvious hostility between them, but I think  
they both should have good reason to want to overcome that. They both  
played crucial roles in creating what has now become a remarkable  
project of great benefit to the world, and they both should feel pride  
and satisfaction in what they've accomplished. Watching this conflict  
simmer and bubble (as it has now for years) is a bit like watching the  
Beatles feuding after the band broke up. I think it would be better  
for both parties' reputations, and for their personal happiness as  
well, if they could find some way to reconcile, and the current  
process doesn't seem to be leading that way.

Just a suggestion.

-------------------------------------------

SHELDON RAMPTON
Research director, Center for Media & Democracy
Center for Media & Democracy
520 University Avenue, Suite 227
Madison, WI 53703
phone: 608-260-9713

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