Is it flattering to have people mistake you for Julian Assange? That’s what happened to Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, who confused UK border controls when they thought the Wikipedia man was notorious international man of mystery Assange.
The story comes from Wales himself, who’s clearly quite flattered about it all. Arriving at UK immigration, Wales attempted to impress security by referring to himself as “the founder of Wikipedia” which, according to Wales, made the security lady literally drop her pencil in surprise.
“WikiLeaks!” she excitedly enquired.
“No, no, no. Different guy. Not wanted in Sweden,” said Jimmy.
And there ends his interesting anecdote about the time someone almost recognised him outside of his own world. [SMH via TechEye via Gizmodo UK]
Gregory Kohs
Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at 10:33 AMWell, Jimbo did father a child with a third woman even before his divorce from his second wife was through the court system in Florida, so, there is that somewhat tangential affinity with the accused Assange.
Daniel
Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at 10:53 AMWhat a douche, usually the kind of thing a D-grade celebrity would try! The immigration form asks just for your occupation, not your life story.
Stew
Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at 11:02 AMI hope the pencil was OK, and that if it broke, Jimmy did the right thing by offering to pay for a replacement.
Nathan
Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at 1:11 PMIn Wikipedia land you won’t need pencils.
Steve
Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at 9:02 PMWaiting for Motormouth to chime in with more uninformed Wikileaks ‘facts.’