Dan Quayle interview

It's well known that Wikipedia has acquired a number of prominent and influential admirers -- Wil Wheaton, for instance. Among one of the best known of these is former U.S. vice president J. Danforth Quayle. I recently had the opportunity to speak with Mr. Quayle, and these were a few of the thoughts he shared with me on his experiences on Wikipedia and the project's future:

• "One word sums up probably the responsibility of any Wikipedian, and that one word is 'to be editing.'"

• "When I have been asked during these last weeks who caused the vandalism and the edit-warring on Wikipedia, my answer has been direct and simple: Who is to blame for the vandalism? The vandals are to blame. Who is to blame for the edit-warring? The edit-warrers are to blame."

• "We are ready for any unforeseen vandalism that may or may not occur."

• "Verbosity leads to unclear, inarticulate edit summaries."

• "People that are really very weird can get into sensitive positions and have a tremendous impact on Wikipedia."

• "I have made good edits in the past. I have made good edits in the future."

• "We're going to have the best-educated Wikipedia readers in the world."

• "I believe we are on an irreversable trend toward more accuracy and neutrality -- but that could change."

• "I am not part of the problem. I am a Wikipedian."