Billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk is making headlines once again, this time with an extraordinary proposal that has left the internet abuzz. In an unexpected move, Musk has offered Wikipedia, the renowned online encyclopedia, a staggering $1 billion – with a peculiar condition attached. The catch? Wikipedia must change its name to “Dickipedia.”
Musk, the brains behind X (formerly Twitter), took to his platform to pen this extraordinary proposition, initially shared by Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales, who had asserted that the platform was “not for sale.” Musk’s unconventional offer has left the cyber world both astonished and amused.
“I will give them a billion dollars if they change their name to Dickipedia,” Musk declared, along with a tongue-in-cheek request to embellish his Wikipedia page with cow and poop emojis “in the interests of accuracy.”
The tech magnate, known for his quirky humor and audacious ventures, added a twist when journalist Ed Krassenstein supported the idea, suggesting that Wikipedia could always revert to its original name after collecting the billion. In response, Musk humorously amended his proposal, stating, “One-year minimum. I mean, I’m not a fool, lol.”
Musk had previously voiced his criticism of the Wikimedia Foundation, the nonprofit organization hosting Wikipedia, for its fundraising efforts. On X, he questioned the need for substantial funds, given that the entirety of Wikipedia’s text can easily fit on a mobile phone. He urged, “So, what’s the money for? Inquiring minds want to know…”
In response, Wikipedia’s “Community Notes” highlighted the website’s colossal activity, citing over 25 billion page views and 44 million page edits per month, leading to substantial operational expenses. The organization also clarified that it employs third-party financial auditors whose reports are accessible to the public. An updated note detailed the organization’s $146 million in expenses and provided a breakdown of how the funds are allocated.
Jimmy Wales, one of Wikipedia’s co-founders, has been a vocal critic of Musk in the past. In May, he condemned Musk’s decision to censor critics in the lead-up to the Turkish presidential election. Wales emphasized Wikipedia’s unwavering commitment to principles and free expression, asserting, “This is what it means to treat freedom of expression as a principle rather than a slogan.”
Elon Musk has faced substantial backlash for the misinformation and changes he implemented on X since acquiring the platform. This peculiar offer to Wikipedia adds another layer to the ongoing saga of Musk’s online endeavors, leaving the internet community both bewildered and amused.