Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
At a time when misinformation thrives, institutions crumble, and algorithms mediate truth, trust has become one of democracy’s most fragile foundations. Our team at Open to Debate has been thinking twice recently about trust — how it’s earned, how it breaks, and how it might be rebuilt between one another in a time of deep division. Jimmy Wales, the founder of Wikipedia, the Internet’s encyclopedia with an English-language version that has been viewed 11 billion times alone and allows anyone to contribute and edit a page, says that trust is a living treasure that can and must be cultivated. In this episode, geopolitical strategist and Wickett Advisory moderator Xenia Wickett sits down with Jimmy Wales to discuss his new book, "The Seven Rules of Trust: A Blueprint for Building Things That Last.” In this "Think Twice" episode, the interview explores how Wikipedia leveraged trust to help it become a global authority while the public’s trust in other institutions has faded.
Our Guest: Jimmy Wales, Founder of Wikipedia and the Wikimedia Foundation; Author of "The Seven Rules of Trust: A Blueprint for Building Things That Last"
Xenia Wickett, Geopolitical strategist, moderator at Wickett Advisory, and Trustee of Transparency International UK, is the guest moderator.
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed on our curated weekly debates, dynamic live events, and educational initiatives. opentodebate.substack.com
#wikipedia #trust
===================================
Subscribe on Substack: opentodebate.substack.com
Official site: opentodebate.org
Newsletter: opentodebate.org/insight
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Open to Debate Apple Podcasts: tinyurl.com/bdzmz5xt
Open to Debate Spotify Podcasts: tinyurl.com/22tuxu7h
===================================
00:00:00 – Is Trust Really In Decline?
00:02:02 – Why Did You Write This Book Now?
00:02:58 – What are the Seven Rules of Trust?
00:04:22 – Rule #1: Make it Personal
00:07:15 – Rule #2: Create a Clear Purpose
00:08:24 – How Do You Decide What Belongs On Wikipedia?
00:11:12 – How Do You Define a Fact?
00:13:47 – Does Wikipedia Take Sides?
00:16:18 – Does Being a Nonprofit Matter For Trust?
00:19:30 – Why Is Trust Essential For Prosperity?
00:21:28 – How Do You See Truth?
00:24:13 – Is AI Good or Bad For Trust?
00:26:33 – What Can AI Companies Learn From Wikipedia?
00:28:58 – Can Institutions Stay Neutral and Still Have Values?
00:31:36 – What Is the Lesson For Corporate Leaders?
00:34:12 – How Do Societies Bridge Political Divides?
00:37:01 – Have You Ever Made A Mistake You Changed Your Mind About?
00:39:47 – Have You Ever Had To Restore Trust And If So, How?
00:45:02 – To What Extent Does Participation Build the Trust in Wikipedia?
00:47:52 – How Is Wikipedia Managing Today’s Crisis of Trust?
00:53:47 – Why Do Wikipedia Editors Push Back So Hard On AI?
00:58:11 – What Lessons Have You Had To Relearn?
01:01:11 – Final Thoughts
At a time when misinformation thrives, institutions crumble, and algorithms mediate truth, trust has become one of democracy’s most fragile foundations. Our team at Open to Debate has been thinking twice recently about trust — how it’s earned, how it breaks, and how it might be rebuilt between one another in a time of deep division. Jimmy Wales, the founder of Wikipedia, the Internet’s encyclopedia with an English-language version that has been viewed 11 billion times alone and allows anyone to contribute and edit a page, says that trust is a living treasure that can and must be cultivated. In this episode, geopolitical strategist and Wickett Advisory moderator Xenia Wickett sits down with Jimmy Wales to discuss his new book, "The Seven Rules of Trust: A Blueprint for Building Things That Last.” In this "Think Twice" episode, the interview explores how Wikipedia leveraged trust to help it become a global authority while the public’s trust in other institutions has faded.
Our Guest: Jimmy Wales, Founder of Wikipedia and the Wikimedia Foundation; Author of "The Seven Rules of Trust: A Blueprint for Building Things That Last"
Xenia Wickett, Geopolitical strategist, moderator at Wickett Advisory, and Trustee of Transparency International UK, is the guest moderator.
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed on our curated weekly debates, dynamic live events, and educational initiatives. opentodebate.substack.com
#wikipedia #trust
===================================
Subscribe on Substack: opentodebate.substack.com
Official site: opentodebate.org
Newsletter: opentodebate.org/insight
X: twitter.com/OpentoDebateOrg
Facebook: facebook.com/BeOpentoDebate
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/opentodebate
Instagram: instagram.com/opentodebateorg
TikTok: tiktok.com/@opentodebateorg
Open to Debate Apple Podcasts: tinyurl.com/bdzmz5xt
Open to Debate Spotify Podcasts: tinyurl.com/22tuxu7h
===================================
00:00:00 – Is Trust Really In Decline?
00:02:02 – Why Did You Write This Book Now?
00:02:58 – What are the Seven Rules of Trust?
00:04:22 – Rule #1: Make it Personal
00:07:15 – Rule #2: Create a Clear Purpose
00:08:24 – How Do You Decide What Belongs On Wikipedia?
00:11:12 – How Do You Define a Fact?
00:13:47 – Does Wikipedia Take Sides?
00:16:18 – Does Being a Nonprofit Matter For Trust?
00:19:30 – Why Is Trust Essential For Prosperity?
00:21:28 – How Do You See Truth?
00:24:13 – Is AI Good or Bad For Trust?
00:26:33 – What Can AI Companies Learn From Wikipedia?
00:28:58 – Can Institutions Stay Neutral and Still Have Values?
00:31:36 – What Is the Lesson For Corporate Leaders?
00:34:12 – How Do Societies Bridge Political Divides?
00:37:01 – Have You Ever Made A Mistake You Changed Your Mind About?
00:39:47 – Have You Ever Had To Restore Trust And If So, How?
00:45:02 – To What Extent Does Participation Build the Trust in Wikipedia?
00:47:52 – How Is Wikipedia Managing Today’s Crisis of Trust?
00:53:47 – Why Do Wikipedia Editors Push Back So Hard On AI?
00:58:11 – What Lessons Have You Had To Relearn?
01:01:11 – Final Thoughts
