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."

Comments

Fucking wow.

[Nursie]

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.

Re:Fucking wow.

[Fluffeh]

even if it's then ignored, is a huge step forwards.

That depends on the purpose of putting him into that role. If the purpose is to get input from someone who is actually trying to make things better, then it is a good thing. 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.

Sorry for the half empty tone here, it's been a frustrating day for me.

Please Read

[GonzoPhysicist]

How could they ignore him, just think of all the personal appeals he'll be making.

What I'm not looking forward to

[93 Escort Wagon]

Invade Pakistan - a personal appeal from Jimmy Wales.