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Wikipedia's Wales Reverses Decision on Problem Admin

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the who-can-you-trust dept.

ToiletDuck writes "Wikipedia co-founder Jimbo Wales appears to have changed his mind concerning Essjay, the administrator who was caught lying about his academic credentials. Wales issued a statement today on his User Talk page requesting that EssJay voluntarily step down. Wales defended his earlier comment about EssJay, claiming 'I only learned this morning that EssJay used his false credentials in content disputes ... I want to make it perfectly clear that my past support of EssJay in this matter was fully based on a lack of knowledge about what has been going on.' Wales did not comment on whether EssJay would continue to serve in his paid position at Wikia, the for-profit cousin of Wikipedia."

5 of 241 comments (clear)

  1. He didn't reverse his decision by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    He simply edited it with updated information.

  2. O RLY? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    was fully based on a lack of knowledge about what has been going on.'

    When has lack of knowledge about a subject ever stopped anyone on wikipedia? If it's good enough for ordinary users, it's good enough for Jimbo!
  3. Innevitable by nEoN+nOoDlE · · Score: 5, Funny

    "my past support of EssJay in this matter was fully based on a lack of knowledge about what has been going on."

    Well, that's what happens when you get all your info from Wikipedia.

    --
    Don't trust a bull's horn, a doberman's tooth, a runaway horse or me.
  4. This is all a terrible misunderstanding by Rix · · Score: 4, Funny

    Essjay has faith in the idea that he holds a PhD. Doesn't that qualify him in the field of theology? ;)

  5. Jimbo shows it again... by Erwos · · Score: 4, Funny

    Jimmy Wales shows us the qualities of a good Wikipedia administrator:
    1. Doesn't know what he's talking about, yet talks anyways.
    2. Soft on folks who deliberately falsify information.

    What more could you ask for? Er, wait...

    --
    Plausible conjecture should not be misrepresented as proof positive.