Wikipedia:Quoting Jimbo is not a replacement for a good argument

Jimbo Wales has said a lot of things and done a lot for Wikipedia. But he is only one editor.

On Wikipedia, Jimmy Wales (also known as Jimbo) is a highly respected figure, and for good reason. He is one of this site's initial founders and in its early days was responsible for much of its day-to-day operation. These accomplishments and their positive outcomes for this website and, by extension, the Wikipedia community and wikis at large, are not to be downplayed.

However, Jimbo's opinion is occasionally treated by some editors as gospel, or at the very least as validating their own opinion. He is sometimes quoted in other user essays, and during some high stakes evaluation of policy or other matters, his opinion is sometimes requested at his talk page. This is all fine. However consideration should be taken as to if the argument being made would be convincing at all if you didn't quote the much ballyhooed founder of Wikipedia in it.

Jimbo is only human. He is not above criticism, he has made mistakes as we all have, and his support of one or another position does not guarantee that it will garner wider support with the Wikipedia community or even that it is a good idea. And, much like anyone who has said literally anything ever, things he have said are susceptible to being cherry-picked in the name of an idea that he may not have supported or may have even at one point spoken out against.

Quoting Jimbo is fine, but don't use that as a get-out-of-jail free card for making your own, persuasive, well-reasoned, and compelling arguments.

Conversely, editors should also take care to not take an argument more seriously simply because Jimbo is quoted in it. Think about whether or not you think the the idea is good, and speak in support or opposition to it on its own merits or lack thereof.