Lex Fridman Podcast #385 – Jimmy Wales: Wikipedia
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Jun 18, 2023 
Jimmy Wales, the co-founder of Wikipedia, shares insights into the platform's inception and its evolution towards collaborative knowledge sharing. He discusses the challenges of misinformation and the importance of maintaining neutrality in editing controversial topics. Wales emphasizes Wikipedia's ad-free model and the unique trust it fosters in an age of biased platforms. He also highlights the role of community contributions and the significance of diverse representation among editors, fostering a welcoming environment for knowledge seekers.
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Nupedia's Plagiarism Issue
- Jimmy Wales co-founded Nupedia before Wikipedia, employing a rigorous seven-stage review process.
- An early Nupedia entry, despite academic review, was retracted due to plagiarism, highlighting the limitations of the process.
Intimidation by Criticism
- The fear of criticism and potential embarrassment can hinder intellectual contributions.
- Wales found Nupedia's review process intimidating, which limited his own participation.
Wikipedia's Early Success
- Wikipedia's collaborative model enabled rapid progress, surpassing Nupedia's output in two weeks.
- Wales enjoyed the simple act of contributing and watching others improve upon it.