Technology

This is bad.

…But I’m very worried about the future of Wikipedia.

Questionable leadership or not, it is a lighthouse in the information dystopia of the 2020s, which literally helps hold society together.

The far right wants it gone, and are not shy about screaming it, because Wikipedia is not compatible with fascism.

If it becomes hated by the left too, and ignored by the masses because of Big Tech blacklists it, I worry it won’t have the political support to keep its prominence.

And to be clear, I’m not worried about it dying. Wikipedia will stay where it is for decades.

I’m worried about it ceasing to be popular.

It doesn’t function as a uncontrolled source of information if no one sees it. Modern censorship works by simply shifting attention.

Might as well mirror the whole site, run it elsewhere where the suits don't have control over people.

Cancelled my monthly. I'll start it again when I receive info that the workers have a union.

Yet more evidence for my “never trust a self described libertarian” stance. Hasn’t failed me yet.

A few months ago I cancelled my donations due to them firing a group of workers who stated their intent to unionize.

Perfect timing. I just started donating to a new startup that seems as promising as Wikipedia once was. Nonprofit whose goal is to start their own universal basic income for users who don't want to wait for the government to start one. Now I can cancel my Wikipedia donations and not feel so bad

I don't understand this, the employees are few and the pr fallout + fighting this is much more expensive than just agreeing to what they demand

Plus it's a foundation and shouldn't have profit

Wikimedia definitely doesn’t need your money and hasn’t for years

I hate this. I really hate this.

Wait wait wait, you mean the one place that literally shows the commentary of how unions actually do work, and show all of the evidence and STILL WON'T ACKNOWLEDGE UNIONS WHEN WORKING UNDER THEM? Holy shit, that's just evil. That's not stupid like a boomer or some tryhard trump supporter who clearly doesn't know anything. That's just evil.

I was initially 80/20 against/for Wikipedia's stance. I tentatively agreed with Wales' criticism of identity tracking for the initial vote, but needed more information to form a solid opinion. Then I saw the mention of their hiring a union busting firm in addition to their current relationship with a known union busting law firm.

Fuck them, 100%. I immediately cancelled my ongoing monthly donation, which I've provided for years. Until the Wikimedia Foundation recognizes their unionized employees and works with them in good faith, they will get not a penny from me

I only donate from time to time but people who cancel recurring donations should write to them the reason as to why.

Whats going on here? I read wikimedia's statement and they seem open to staff unionizing if the majority vote to be represented by CWA. Why are they hiring union busting lawyers?

I instantly regret every donation I've made to Wikipedia, and won't be making more in the future.

We should probably all be downloading the website and printing off the important stuff, like how to make fire and why the sky-spirits get mad sometimes.

Wikimedia please fire whatever consulting firm told you it's a good idea to do extractive capitalism as a non-profit foundation, reliant on long-term community goodwill and sustainable work ethics with low turnover rate

I never would have heard about this if not for the fediverse

Was wondering when they were going to enshittify.

Fuck you, Dimmy.

EDIT: just realized something. I listen to Cory Doctorow's podcast and he starts each episode off with a lengthy list of scheduled appearances. He's been mentioning an upcoming appearance with Jimmy Wales. Looked it up. They'll be on the same stage on August 17th. Wonder if this will come up.

God dammit, this is like the moment the Titanic first hit the iceberg. No matter how this labor issue is resolved, it will permanently demonize Wikimedia. No matter how valuable Wikipedia is or has ever been, current culture provides no foregiveness or path of redemption after an ethical transgression. Again, dammit, I love Wikipedia and have been donating steadily for years.

If your so called free society has laws to protect child murderers and racists but nothing to support the right to join a labour union it's not a free society. Go back to the beginning and try again.

I'm not familiar with how unions work in the USA. Why does a union need to he recognized by a company? Just to have a formal communication pathway or is there more to it?

Aaand bye bye any intent I ever had to donate again. Fuckers.

Wikimedia, what the actual fuck...

Obligatory "Wikipedia has Cancer" link

You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.

Can't wait for ol' Jimbo to come by with his hand out this year