Slashdot Mirror
Jimmy Wales To Become UK Government Adviser
judgecorp writes "Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales is to become a U.K. government adviser on open government. The unpaid post, announced at SXSW, will see him contributing ideas on issues including the single government portal open.gov.uk, among other things. Wales has been an outspoken critic of some government intiatives in the U.S., including the SOPA act on copyright — whose British counterpart, the DEA, is already law."
oh, sorry, Jimbo beat me to it.
Seriously.
This is about the most sensible government related news (especially from teh UK) I've heard in about a decade.
Some people may or may nhot have objections to Mr Wales personal politics and drives (I can't think of any right now, myself). Some people object to anything. But having a guy with a deep dedication to freedom of information in a place where he can at least get a point of view across to government, even if it's then ignored, is a huge step forwards.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secretary_of_State_for_Wales (Although constitutionally he'd be ineligible, of course)
Not only is the DEA not SOPA, it was also pushed through under very dubious circumstances right before the last election (most MPs didn't even vote on it, never mind discuss it properly) and is subject to ongoing legal challenges on several counts.
It's a silly bit of law, made on a technicality, but let's not get hysterical.
If you disagree, post your argument. (-1, Overrated) isn't your personal censorship tool for views you don't like.
How could they ignore him, just think of all the personal appeals he'll be making.
horror vacui
Seeing his mug on Wikipedia's "beggin strips" made me cringe.
The cute college girl with the labret piercing, on the other hand...
In a world of the blind, the one-eyed man is king--and the two-eyed man is a heretic.
Does this mean that Jimmy Wales/Wikipedia can no longer comment (negatively) about the DEA (Digital Economy Act)? That would be a stunt; get him appointed on another noble cause (open government) but muzzle him on unrelated government issues...
Invade Pakistan - a personal appeal from Jimmy Wales.
#DeleteChrome
The guy who brought edit wars, [citation needed], and ceaseless begging to the great hordes of the Internet is going to be a consultant to the UK gubmint? Despite doing it pro bono, he's overpaid.
Jesus was all right but his disciples were thick and ordinary. -John Lennon
He should have become advisor to the government of WALES
If the purpose is merely to appease the masses by putting in someone and then not listening to a thing they say - just to have the appearance of trying to make things better, then it is worse than not putting him into that role at all. For more details:- http://canadajobsnew.com/
The true reason is, so that they can put him behind bars for protesting
against content tyranny with the SOPA blackout.
-- no sig today
His smug face is going to be plastered all over the place in an attempt to mooch more cash for the queen.
Hmm...could be a good thing though
A man in charge of a site that polices additions to its content and will not allow certain ideas to be posted or themes to be followed, is going to advise the UK Government on openness.
Coming soon - Bill Gates to advise on Open Source.
His site has a paranoid psychotic definition of the ancient Norwegian heathen religion. Despite complaints, this hate assault persists.
The purpose of existence is to make money.
But having a guy with a deep dedication to freedom of information in a place where he can at least get a point of view across to government, even if it's then ignored, is a huge step forwards.
Personally, I'm expecting his position to be deleted for lack of notability in the future.
Who was only made a Lord by Gordon Brown, who in turn wasn't elected as Prime Minister, he sort of whined his way into the job and was kicked out at the next election.
Mandleson's first name is 'Twice Disgraced', or at least that's what I think it is from the way he's always referred to in headlines like 'Twice Disgraced Mandleson is under suspicion of...'
hmm good one
And if they do ignore him, at least he'll have a position he can leave in protest :)
Though, I do see any reason why they would ignore him?
Now we'll get David Cameron begging for donations to the government.
Science advances one funeral at a time- Max Planck
The government is full of egotistical douchebags.
What's one more?
His Wikipedia page on Barack Obama will not allow criticism or negative comments on Obama, while his page on Bush 43 will. Not particularly "open", but politicized. I don't trust Jimmy Wales any further than I can throw him. Good concept, but the wrong person.
Freedom of speech includes the right of editoral control to decide both what and what not to publish.
It's a trap!
he has to sign an NDA??? and as such remove anything from wikipedia that contridicts that NDA?