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The Seven Rules of Trust: Why It Is Today's Most Essential Superpower
Not yet published
Expected 3 Mar 26Trust: like water, like electricity, our society can't function without it. It's a treasure, a living thing that can be cultivated and grown. But it can also wither and die, and it is increasingly under threat.
From neighbourhoods to nations, we must get serious about trust and act before this precious resource runs out entirely.
When Jimmy Wales founded Wikipedia more than two decades ago, he changed the landscape of knowledge forever – although almost no one realised it at the time. Today, people view Wikipedia 11 billion times every month in the English language alone. But in our 'post-truth' era, where the internet is a sea of disinformation and facts are increasingly malleable, Wales reminds us that it's more important than ever to return to the problem at the heart of it all: that without trust, we have no knowledge. And without knowledge, we can't fight back.
Derived from decades of observation, participation and discussion with leaders across the world, these are his clear, actionable rules for building trust in business, leadership and life. The Seven Rules of Trust reveals the fundamental principles that transformed a website which was once regarded as a highly dubious source of information to a universally trusted source for facts.
This book will help you become a trust-maker. To build deeper connections with others so you can be a better neighbour, a more understanding friend, even someone who can turn back the tide and inspire others to follow you. If you want to strengthen your relationships or simply bring more happiness and fulfilment into your life, then this is where to start.
From neighbourhoods to nations, we must get serious about trust and act before this precious resource runs out entirely.
When Jimmy Wales founded Wikipedia more than two decades ago, he changed the landscape of knowledge forever – although almost no one realised it at the time. Today, people view Wikipedia 11 billion times every month in the English language alone. But in our 'post-truth' era, where the internet is a sea of disinformation and facts are increasingly malleable, Wales reminds us that it's more important than ever to return to the problem at the heart of it all: that without trust, we have no knowledge. And without knowledge, we can't fight back.
Derived from decades of observation, participation and discussion with leaders across the world, these are his clear, actionable rules for building trust in business, leadership and life. The Seven Rules of Trust reveals the fundamental principles that transformed a website which was once regarded as a highly dubious source of information to a universally trusted source for facts.
This book will help you become a trust-maker. To build deeper connections with others so you can be a better neighbour, a more understanding friend, even someone who can turn back the tide and inspire others to follow you. If you want to strengthen your relationships or simply bring more happiness and fulfilment into your life, then this is where to start.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published October 28, 2025
109 people are currently reading
1548 people want to read
About the author
Jimmy Wales
9 books17 followersJimmy Donal Wales, also known as Jimbo Wales, is an American Internet entrepreneur and former financial trader. Most notably, he co-founded Wikipedia, a nonprofit free encyclopedia, and Fandom (formerly Wikia), a for-profit wiki hosting service. He has also worked on Bomis, Nupedia, WikiTribune, and Trust Café (formerly WT Social).
Born in Huntsville, Alabama, Wales attended Randolph School and earned finance degrees from Auburn University and the University of Alabama. While in graduate school, he taught at two universities, but left before completing a PhD to work in finance, later becoming chief research officer at Chicago Options Associates.
In 1996, he co-founded Bomis, which funded the free peer-reviewed encyclopedia Nupedia (2000–2003). On January 15, 2001, with Larry Sanger and others, he launched Wikipedia, which grew rapidly. Wales became its promoter and public face, though he has at times disputed Sanger's role, claiming sole founder status.
Wales has served on the Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees since its creation, holding its board-appointed "community founder" seat. He gives annual "State of the Wiki" addresses at Wikimania. For his role in creating Wikipedia, Time named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2006.
Born in Huntsville, Alabama, Wales attended Randolph School and earned finance degrees from Auburn University and the University of Alabama. While in graduate school, he taught at two universities, but left before completing a PhD to work in finance, later becoming chief research officer at Chicago Options Associates.
In 1996, he co-founded Bomis, which funded the free peer-reviewed encyclopedia Nupedia (2000–2003). On January 15, 2001, with Larry Sanger and others, he launched Wikipedia, which grew rapidly. Wales became its promoter and public face, though he has at times disputed Sanger's role, claiming sole founder status.
Wales has served on the Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees since its creation, holding its board-appointed "community founder" seat. He gives annual "State of the Wiki" addresses at Wikimania. For his role in creating Wikipedia, Time named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2006.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
November 11, 2025
Not shockingly a great book from the founder of a web site that literally changed how information flows in the world. There’s one part of me that worries that Wikipedia is from a bygone era of the internet, but he makes a strong case that I’m wrong.
By sticking to a proven set of principles, all which they are willing to change in the service of the encyclopedic mission, Wikipedia is leading with integrity by example. I generally see eye to eye with Wales on his practice of radical transparency, putting your money where your mouth is and giving people the benefit of the doubt.
I find it so interesting that the site logs all changes and conversations publicly. The IT nerd in me is fascinated by the complexity of that problem. I’m also just shocked that I have not seen those logs brought up in more news stories. I guess that fact that Wikipedia is so serious about facts, tone and kindness comes through and keeps those discussions from being too controversial.
By sticking to a proven set of principles, all which they are willing to change in the service of the encyclopedic mission, Wikipedia is leading with integrity by example. I generally see eye to eye with Wales on his practice of radical transparency, putting your money where your mouth is and giving people the benefit of the doubt.
I find it so interesting that the site logs all changes and conversations publicly. The IT nerd in me is fascinated by the complexity of that problem. I’m also just shocked that I have not seen those logs brought up in more news stories. I guess that fact that Wikipedia is so serious about facts, tone and kindness comes through and keeps those discussions from being too controversial.
November 28, 2025
Jimmy Wales was a founder of Wikipedia; his 2025 self-congratulatory manifesto The Seven Rules of Trust, written with Dan Gardner, attempts to draw life and business wisdom from this Wikipedia experience.
It may or may not be surprising that, as a teen in the early 2000s, I went through a phase of being an unsolicited Wikipedia editor, mostly about articles on my niche interests in the time, as well as taking pleasure in as monitoring change logs and reverting vandalism (which I'm sure bots and AI do these days). I remember getting a few barnstars (the free prize fellow Wikipedians can give to each other) for my effort, but otherwise my efforts were largely unremarkable and unremarked upon, and occasionally frustrating when legitimate edits I would make citing reliable sources would be removed by other editors with differing opinions who'd more fiercely gatekeep pages. Nowadays every time I visit Wikipedia and have to scroll past obnoxiously long solicitations for donations, I scroll by guilt-free knowing that I did my time, unpaid, and I won't be investing further.
So it is with some cynicism that I listened to this audiobook, where Wales glowingly gushes about everything Wikipedia has ever done right (and mentions almost nothing it's done wrong) and how it is an amazing example that every other business/organization should be following. In what other setting would a business model where everyone works for free in perpetuity be sustainable? I agree in principle with most of Wales' points, I do think this book is more of a victory lap for Wales than a practice, scalable solution for the masses.
My statistics:
Book 352 for 2025
Book 2278 cumulatively
It may or may not be surprising that, as a teen in the early 2000s, I went through a phase of being an unsolicited Wikipedia editor, mostly about articles on my niche interests in the time, as well as taking pleasure in as monitoring change logs and reverting vandalism (which I'm sure bots and AI do these days). I remember getting a few barnstars (the free prize fellow Wikipedians can give to each other) for my effort, but otherwise my efforts were largely unremarkable and unremarked upon, and occasionally frustrating when legitimate edits I would make citing reliable sources would be removed by other editors with differing opinions who'd more fiercely gatekeep pages. Nowadays every time I visit Wikipedia and have to scroll past obnoxiously long solicitations for donations, I scroll by guilt-free knowing that I did my time, unpaid, and I won't be investing further.
So it is with some cynicism that I listened to this audiobook, where Wales glowingly gushes about everything Wikipedia has ever done right (and mentions almost nothing it's done wrong) and how it is an amazing example that every other business/organization should be following. In what other setting would a business model where everyone works for free in perpetuity be sustainable? I agree in principle with most of Wales' points, I do think this book is more of a victory lap for Wales than a practice, scalable solution for the masses.
My statistics:
Book 352 for 2025
Book 2278 cumulatively
Read
January 10, 2026In "The Seven Rules of Trust: A Blueprint for Building Things That Last" by Jimmy Wales and Dan Gardner, the authors explore an often overlooked but decisive factor behind lasting success in business, organizations, and human relationships: trust. While leaders frequently concentrate on strategy, revenue, and efficiency, this book argues that none of those elements function properly without trust as their foundation. Trust operates like an invisible currency, shaping how people collaborate, return as customers, or advocate for a brand. The book challenges readers to move beyond instinctive approaches to trust and instead understand the underlying principles that determine how trust is created, sustained, damaged, and repaired. Through examples drawn from history, business, and modern digital platforms, Wales and Gardner demonstrate that trust is neither accidental nor abstract, but the result of deliberate choices made consistently over time.
A central idea in the book is that trust begins at the individual level, not the institutional one. People do not trust companies or brands in the abstract; they trust the individuals they interact with. No amount of marketing or polished messaging can substitute for the impressions formed during real human encounters. Because of this, every interaction matters, especially in the early stages of a business or project. People are naturally inclined to trust others, and organizations succeed when they work with this instinct rather than trying to control or suppress it. Trust grows most easily when people feel they are being treated as collaborators rather than as risks to be managed. This natural tendency toward trust becomes powerful when leaders design systems that encourage responsibility, contribution, and good faith.
The authors explain that trust rests on three essential elements that must exist together. The first is authenticity, which reflects character, honesty, and consistency between words and actions. The second is empathy, the ability to understand and care about the needs and perspectives of others. The third is competence, meaning the capability to deliver results and fulfill promises. Weakness in any one of these areas undermines the others. An organization may be skilled and efficient, but without empathy it feels cold and untrustworthy. Another may appear caring and well-intentioned, but without competence it quickly loses credibility. Trust requires balance, and sustaining that balance is an ongoing effort rather than a one-time achievement.
Wikipedia serves as a powerful example throughout the book. When it was launched, few believed an encyclopedia built by anonymous volunteers could survive, let alone become reliable. Critics expected chaos, vandalism, and misinformation. Instead, Wikipedia became one of the most widely trusted information sources in the world. Its success came from choosing to trust contributors by default, making processes transparent, assuming good intentions, and correcting mistakes openly. By combining authenticity, empathy, and competence, the platform demonstrated that trust, when extended thoughtfully, often inspires people to behave responsibly. This lesson applies equally to new businesses, emerging teams, and unfamiliar brands trying to earn credibility from scratch.
As organizations grow, trust becomes even more important within teams. Without trust, collaboration slows, people withhold ideas, and decision-making becomes cautious and inefficient. A shared sense of purpose is essential to prevent fragmentation. People need to understand not only what they are working on, but why it matters. When purpose is clear and meaningful, it guides behavior even in the absence of supervision. Equally important is the willingness of leaders to extend trust before demanding it. Relationships are reciprocal, and suspicion tends to generate defensive behavior, while trust encourages initiative and accountability.
Historical examples illustrate how giving trust first can produce long-term benefits. Quaker merchants, for instance, rejected deceptive pricing practices common in their era and treated all customers equally. Their transparency eliminated suspicion and negotiation, building reputations for fairness that attracted loyal customers. While others pursued short-term gains through manipulation, these merchants built durable trust that supported lasting success. The lesson is clear: trust-based practices may seem risky or idealistic, but they often outperform cynical approaches over time.
The book also addresses how trust behaves under stress. Conflict, criticism, and pressure are unavoidable, especially as visibility increases. In these moments, civility becomes crucial. Treating others with respect, even in disagreement, preserves trust and protects reputation. Modern communication technologies, particularly social media, have made incivility easier and more widespread by removing face-to-face accountability. When people forget the humanity of those they argue with, trust erodes rapidly. The authors emphasize that maintaining civility is not weakness, but discipline. Stepping back from heated exchanges, separating people from their positions, and refusing to dehumanize opponents all help safeguard trust when emotions run high.
Another challenge to trust comes from polarization and external conflicts. Businesses and leaders are often pressured to take sides in political, social, or organizational disputes that fall outside their core mission. The book advises restraint in these situations. Aligning with external causes or controversies risks transferring someone else’s failures onto your own reputation. Historical cases, such as scientists who tied their credibility to the tobacco industry’s denial of health risks, illustrate how damaging such associations can be. Remaining focused on one’s mission, while maintaining respectful relationships across differences, protects trust and preserves independence.
Mistakes, however, are inevitable. Products fail, deadlines are missed, and people leave under difficult circumstances. What determines whether trust survives these moments is transparency. Attempting to hide problems or delay disclosure often turns manageable setbacks into crises. Honest communication about limitations, errors, and corrective actions signals respect and reinforces credibility. Wikipedia’s practice of openly flagging weaknesses in its articles demonstrates how acknowledging imperfection can actually increase confidence. Transparency reassures people that they will not be misled when it matters most.
When trust has been damaged, rebuilding it requires listening as much as explaining. Gathering feedback from customers, employees, and partners helps identify gaps between intention and perception. Accepting criticism without defensiveness and committing to improvement over time gradually restores confidence. Trust does not demand perfection; it demands consistency, honesty, and visible effort to do better.
In conclusion, "The Seven Rules of Trust: A Blueprint for Building Things That Last" by Jimmy Wales and Dan Gardner presents trust as the central force that determines whether organizations endure or collapse. By focusing on authenticity, empathy, and competence, working with human nature instead of against it, remaining civil under pressure, avoiding unnecessary entanglements, and practicing radical transparency, leaders can create environments where trust thrives. These principles do not offer shortcuts or guarantees, but they provide a reliable framework for building relationships, teams, and institutions that last. Over time, trust becomes the quiet advantage that turns ordinary efforts into sustainable success.
A central idea in the book is that trust begins at the individual level, not the institutional one. People do not trust companies or brands in the abstract; they trust the individuals they interact with. No amount of marketing or polished messaging can substitute for the impressions formed during real human encounters. Because of this, every interaction matters, especially in the early stages of a business or project. People are naturally inclined to trust others, and organizations succeed when they work with this instinct rather than trying to control or suppress it. Trust grows most easily when people feel they are being treated as collaborators rather than as risks to be managed. This natural tendency toward trust becomes powerful when leaders design systems that encourage responsibility, contribution, and good faith.
The authors explain that trust rests on three essential elements that must exist together. The first is authenticity, which reflects character, honesty, and consistency between words and actions. The second is empathy, the ability to understand and care about the needs and perspectives of others. The third is competence, meaning the capability to deliver results and fulfill promises. Weakness in any one of these areas undermines the others. An organization may be skilled and efficient, but without empathy it feels cold and untrustworthy. Another may appear caring and well-intentioned, but without competence it quickly loses credibility. Trust requires balance, and sustaining that balance is an ongoing effort rather than a one-time achievement.
Wikipedia serves as a powerful example throughout the book. When it was launched, few believed an encyclopedia built by anonymous volunteers could survive, let alone become reliable. Critics expected chaos, vandalism, and misinformation. Instead, Wikipedia became one of the most widely trusted information sources in the world. Its success came from choosing to trust contributors by default, making processes transparent, assuming good intentions, and correcting mistakes openly. By combining authenticity, empathy, and competence, the platform demonstrated that trust, when extended thoughtfully, often inspires people to behave responsibly. This lesson applies equally to new businesses, emerging teams, and unfamiliar brands trying to earn credibility from scratch.
As organizations grow, trust becomes even more important within teams. Without trust, collaboration slows, people withhold ideas, and decision-making becomes cautious and inefficient. A shared sense of purpose is essential to prevent fragmentation. People need to understand not only what they are working on, but why it matters. When purpose is clear and meaningful, it guides behavior even in the absence of supervision. Equally important is the willingness of leaders to extend trust before demanding it. Relationships are reciprocal, and suspicion tends to generate defensive behavior, while trust encourages initiative and accountability.
Historical examples illustrate how giving trust first can produce long-term benefits. Quaker merchants, for instance, rejected deceptive pricing practices common in their era and treated all customers equally. Their transparency eliminated suspicion and negotiation, building reputations for fairness that attracted loyal customers. While others pursued short-term gains through manipulation, these merchants built durable trust that supported lasting success. The lesson is clear: trust-based practices may seem risky or idealistic, but they often outperform cynical approaches over time.
The book also addresses how trust behaves under stress. Conflict, criticism, and pressure are unavoidable, especially as visibility increases. In these moments, civility becomes crucial. Treating others with respect, even in disagreement, preserves trust and protects reputation. Modern communication technologies, particularly social media, have made incivility easier and more widespread by removing face-to-face accountability. When people forget the humanity of those they argue with, trust erodes rapidly. The authors emphasize that maintaining civility is not weakness, but discipline. Stepping back from heated exchanges, separating people from their positions, and refusing to dehumanize opponents all help safeguard trust when emotions run high.
Another challenge to trust comes from polarization and external conflicts. Businesses and leaders are often pressured to take sides in political, social, or organizational disputes that fall outside their core mission. The book advises restraint in these situations. Aligning with external causes or controversies risks transferring someone else’s failures onto your own reputation. Historical cases, such as scientists who tied their credibility to the tobacco industry’s denial of health risks, illustrate how damaging such associations can be. Remaining focused on one’s mission, while maintaining respectful relationships across differences, protects trust and preserves independence.
Mistakes, however, are inevitable. Products fail, deadlines are missed, and people leave under difficult circumstances. What determines whether trust survives these moments is transparency. Attempting to hide problems or delay disclosure often turns manageable setbacks into crises. Honest communication about limitations, errors, and corrective actions signals respect and reinforces credibility. Wikipedia’s practice of openly flagging weaknesses in its articles demonstrates how acknowledging imperfection can actually increase confidence. Transparency reassures people that they will not be misled when it matters most.
When trust has been damaged, rebuilding it requires listening as much as explaining. Gathering feedback from customers, employees, and partners helps identify gaps between intention and perception. Accepting criticism without defensiveness and committing to improvement over time gradually restores confidence. Trust does not demand perfection; it demands consistency, honesty, and visible effort to do better.
In conclusion, "The Seven Rules of Trust: A Blueprint for Building Things That Last" by Jimmy Wales and Dan Gardner presents trust as the central force that determines whether organizations endure or collapse. By focusing on authenticity, empathy, and competence, working with human nature instead of against it, remaining civil under pressure, avoiding unnecessary entanglements, and practicing radical transparency, leaders can create environments where trust thrives. These principles do not offer shortcuts or guarantees, but they provide a reliable framework for building relationships, teams, and institutions that last. Over time, trust becomes the quiet advantage that turns ordinary efforts into sustainable success.
January 5, 2026
Not much to see here. Nuggets of useful information but repetitive and eye rolling writing style was hard to get through.
August 22, 2025
“The Seven Rules of Trust” by Jimmy Wales goes behind the scenes of Wikipedia to explain how it was founded and (more surprisingly) how it gained the trust of the masses and is still going strong, 20+ years later. Wales outlines seven principles that were at the heart of Wikipedia’s culture which led to their success. He also draws examples from other online endeavour (like AirBnB and Uber) to show parallels and effective counterexamples. Ultimately, Wales does a great job of illustrating what it looks like when you develop tools with the end user’s trust in mind.
Wales’ principles range from simple ideas like “transparency builds trust” to more nuanced ideas like ”the rules of trust will not deliver if you don’t.” I found his argument on the importance of a strong and clear purpose for individuals working together particularly interesting because we usually don’t think of trust in those terms.
There were a few parts of Wales’ argument I wasn’t 100% sold on, including his hyper-optimistic view of AI and the positive role technology can play in fixing our current crises of trust. With that said, I did really appreciate that Wales is self-aware of his own flaws and offers the critiques others have shared of him up-front in the book itself.
Overall, this was a super interesting book, well-written, and offers helpful insight for anyone looking to better understand the origins of Wikipedia. I’d argue this should also be recommended reading for anyone working in technology and AI today, because so many of Wikipedia’s “old school” principles are ones I wish the tech industry would listen to more carefully.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me early access to this book in exchange for an honest review.
Wales’ principles range from simple ideas like “transparency builds trust” to more nuanced ideas like ”the rules of trust will not deliver if you don’t.” I found his argument on the importance of a strong and clear purpose for individuals working together particularly interesting because we usually don’t think of trust in those terms.
There were a few parts of Wales’ argument I wasn’t 100% sold on, including his hyper-optimistic view of AI and the positive role technology can play in fixing our current crises of trust. With that said, I did really appreciate that Wales is self-aware of his own flaws and offers the critiques others have shared of him up-front in the book itself.
Overall, this was a super interesting book, well-written, and offers helpful insight for anyone looking to better understand the origins of Wikipedia. I’d argue this should also be recommended reading for anyone working in technology and AI today, because so many of Wikipedia’s “old school” principles are ones I wish the tech industry would listen to more carefully.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me early access to this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 23, 2025
Brother write a blog post Christ
Currently reading
January 10, 2026Most business failures trace back to failures in trust, yet most leaders operate by instinct instead of principle when it comes to building confidence in others.
come back to later - tb 3 stars
notes:
- rules won’t guarantee success, but ignoring them raises the risk
- The difference between failure and success came down to one thing: trust.Wikipedia's founders chose to trust people, and people responded by proving that the trust was reciprocated.This same principle determines whether your own business will thrive or collapse.To build trust, the first rule is simple but profound: trust is won person-to-person.You can’t build trust through corporate messaging or clever marketing alone.
- triangle thing - upholding honesty and integrity in everything you do.The second cornerstone is empathy, which means that you genuinely care about others and their needs.The third cornerstone is logic, or your competence and capability to deliver on your promises.
- Progress is slow because everyone waits for permission before they do anything.You’ve hired smart individuals, but they aren’t acting as a team.The missing ingredient?Mutual trust.
- Everything in human relationships is reciprocal.If you hoard authority and question every decision your team makes, they will respond by doing exactly what you tell them and nothing more
- give trust before demanding it
- Without the capacity to be civil, you can’t build trust (aka be nice)
- Maintaining your own civility protects your reputation and keeps doors open for future cooperation
- In the mid-twentieth century, tobacco companies faced mounting evidence that cigarettes caused cancer and other serious health problems.Rather than addressing these findings honestly, the companies hired scientists and researchers to produce studies that contradicted or cast doubt on the health risks
- Be transparent about what you stand for and what falls outside your scope.
- You can apply this same approach when your business faces problems.If a product has limitations, state them clearly.
- The goal isn’t perfection.Trust doesn’t require that you never make mistakes.
come back to later - tb 3 stars
notes:
- rules won’t guarantee success, but ignoring them raises the risk
- The difference between failure and success came down to one thing: trust.Wikipedia's founders chose to trust people, and people responded by proving that the trust was reciprocated.This same principle determines whether your own business will thrive or collapse.To build trust, the first rule is simple but profound: trust is won person-to-person.You can’t build trust through corporate messaging or clever marketing alone.
- triangle thing - upholding honesty and integrity in everything you do.The second cornerstone is empathy, which means that you genuinely care about others and their needs.The third cornerstone is logic, or your competence and capability to deliver on your promises.
- Progress is slow because everyone waits for permission before they do anything.You’ve hired smart individuals, but they aren’t acting as a team.The missing ingredient?Mutual trust.
- Everything in human relationships is reciprocal.If you hoard authority and question every decision your team makes, they will respond by doing exactly what you tell them and nothing more
- give trust before demanding it
- Without the capacity to be civil, you can’t build trust (aka be nice)
- Maintaining your own civility protects your reputation and keeps doors open for future cooperation
- In the mid-twentieth century, tobacco companies faced mounting evidence that cigarettes caused cancer and other serious health problems.Rather than addressing these findings honestly, the companies hired scientists and researchers to produce studies that contradicted or cast doubt on the health risks
- Be transparent about what you stand for and what falls outside your scope.
- You can apply this same approach when your business faces problems.If a product has limitations, state them clearly.
- The goal isn’t perfection.Trust doesn’t require that you never make mistakes.
December 15, 2025
Jimmy Wales' love letter to Wikipedia through the lens of trust. While overall it seems slightly too idealistic to me (honestly probably a "shoot for the next galaxy and you'll land among the stars" kind of thing), I do find the trust framework he presents to be applicable in various contexts from big organizations to individual person-to-person interactions. By the end, I'm leaving with a little more motivation and useful nuggets than before. Jimmy narrates the audiobook, which I appreciated for the authenticity, consistent with other times I've heard him speak. I'm glad to have listened to this book!
January 3, 2026
Important message on the fundamental importance of trust and its relation to basic human nature, even in a hi-tech era. The rules themselves aren’t exactly rocket science. But in a time where digitalization still far too often comes with a focus on technology and human behaviors and driving forces being forgotten or downplayed, this is a well-voiced call for putting human and trust back into the picture.
February 4, 2026
it was fine, of course some good points about trust but i didn’t think all the examples were chosen well or fully thought out - like many business books, could have probably been a blog post, so despite it being a short book, kind of dragged on.
still i like jimmy wales and love wikipedia :)
still i like jimmy wales and love wikipedia :)
November 30, 2025
I generally feel lukewarm about this book. Not particularly groundbreaking to me because I’ve spent a lot of time contemplating the mechanisms of trust at least on an individual level already, but I can think of at least a few people who could benefit from reading it.
I like his optimistic philosophy on solving the current political divides—I, too, often wish politicians had a greater propensity toward constructive discussions. I try to live optimistically and assume good intent of others, but in this current setting, it has gotten really damn hard to offer that to strangers. This was a good reminder why it’s important to keep trying.
I really appreciate Wikipedia as a resource. I’ve used it for many years to indulge my random curiosities. From quantum entanglement to the Kentucky Meat Shower incident to the plot of the entire Saw franchise because I’m morbidly curious but too scared to watch them myself—Wikipedia is a gift.
There are only a few things I didn’t like. First, it was pretty repetitive, which I didn’t really mind because I was listening to it on audiobook while doing housework, but I could see myself losing attention if I were reading a physical copy.
Second, something was said toward the very end that I admittedly had a pretty visceral gut reaction to but then considered further. Jimmy, if you ever read this, I’m taking a page out of your book and strictly assuming good intent until proven otherwise here. I really didn’t like the suggestion you had for adding an AI bot to Wikipedia. AI as it is right now would most likely make errors and spread disinformation that could otherwise be avoided, but even if/when it’s better later, it also just feels… wrong to the Wikipedians who’ve spent thousands of collective hours writing all the detailed pages Wikipedia has to offer. I think that rather than giving people the complete and utter convenience of a bot, they should be taught how to easily sift through information to find what they want to know. We need to foster curiosity in people! I’m a bit scared that we’re losing that these days.
Also, I do hear that AI costs tremendous amounts of energy and produces a lot of environmental waste, or at least that’s the norm for the AI industry right now. I don’t know a whole lot about that aspect of it so I cannot truly confirm or deny it, but it wouldn’t surprise me if I haven’t been lied to in this case. Corporations have been abusing the environment for their own profit for decades. I don’t think generative AI should be a widely publicly used tool UNTIL we can figure out a way to power it all with clean energy. I don’t know if these are things you’ve considered already, but I’m going to assume that we ultimately want the same thing—for everyone to have free access to the entirely of humanity’s knowledge, articulated as accurately and neutrally as possible. I trust you will uphold that. :)
I like his optimistic philosophy on solving the current political divides—I, too, often wish politicians had a greater propensity toward constructive discussions. I try to live optimistically and assume good intent of others, but in this current setting, it has gotten really damn hard to offer that to strangers. This was a good reminder why it’s important to keep trying.
I really appreciate Wikipedia as a resource. I’ve used it for many years to indulge my random curiosities. From quantum entanglement to the Kentucky Meat Shower incident to the plot of the entire Saw franchise because I’m morbidly curious but too scared to watch them myself—Wikipedia is a gift.
There are only a few things I didn’t like. First, it was pretty repetitive, which I didn’t really mind because I was listening to it on audiobook while doing housework, but I could see myself losing attention if I were reading a physical copy.
Second, something was said toward the very end that I admittedly had a pretty visceral gut reaction to but then considered further. Jimmy, if you ever read this, I’m taking a page out of your book and strictly assuming good intent until proven otherwise here. I really didn’t like the suggestion you had for adding an AI bot to Wikipedia. AI as it is right now would most likely make errors and spread disinformation that could otherwise be avoided, but even if/when it’s better later, it also just feels… wrong to the Wikipedians who’ve spent thousands of collective hours writing all the detailed pages Wikipedia has to offer. I think that rather than giving people the complete and utter convenience of a bot, they should be taught how to easily sift through information to find what they want to know. We need to foster curiosity in people! I’m a bit scared that we’re losing that these days.
Also, I do hear that AI costs tremendous amounts of energy and produces a lot of environmental waste, or at least that’s the norm for the AI industry right now. I don’t know a whole lot about that aspect of it so I cannot truly confirm or deny it, but it wouldn’t surprise me if I haven’t been lied to in this case. Corporations have been abusing the environment for their own profit for decades. I don’t think generative AI should be a widely publicly used tool UNTIL we can figure out a way to power it all with clean energy. I don’t know if these are things you’ve considered already, but I’m going to assume that we ultimately want the same thing—for everyone to have free access to the entirely of humanity’s knowledge, articulated as accurately and neutrally as possible. I trust you will uphold that. :)
December 19, 2025
Could’ve been half as short and just as informative - wonder why he wrote such unnecessary prose doing free marketing for Airbnb. Mad sus, low key trust eroding.
November 12, 2025
Simple, easy to read book, and I liked it, partly because I love Wikipedia so much. There’s much in the book about Wikipedia’s history and how it functions. The major part of the book is about “trust” of course, and it was fine, nothing revolutionary or surprising I don’t think. Good stuff, and I wish everyone would take it to heart. But I don’t think I would have been nearly as excited about the book if it weren’t by the founder and leader of Wikipedia.
November 23, 2025
Good and interesting, but many repetitions or arguments. Seems more time could have put into writing it, and was missing some more in depth analysis.
December 14, 2025
After nearly 25 years of existence, how can we learn about trust from Wikipedia?
From its inception, Wikipedia has been mocked and looked down upon: the media lambasts it, teachers discourage it, and Encyclopedia Britannica compares it to a public restroom. It makes sense in hindsight: how can an open encyclopedia be a source of reliable, trustworthy information? Everyone can edit, so there will be people vandalising, advertising, or pushing their own agenda. However, to the present day, if you Google anything, the first result that comes out (after the AI-generated response by Gemini) would likely be from Wikipedia. Heck, some of the search summaries Google did originate from Wikipedia.
The book may seem flattering at times, however, as someone who frequents Wikipedia, I believe many arguments Wales presented hold water. The book elucidates the rules of trust from Jimmy Wales' observations on Wikipedia and how it was able to maintain its position as the "last best place on the internet". Although the lessons may be intuitive to some (transparency, good faith, purpose,...), the use of Wikipedia as examples makes the lesson more intriguing and relevant. To show that this model can work outside of Wikipedia, he draws an example from a subreddit named r/Changemyview, a popular subreddit where people let their views be challenged. It has been immensely successful, with millions of followers and thousands of contributions per week. Not just a lesson of trust, Wales also reflect on the increasing polarization the world is facing (especially in the last chapter) and how Wikipedia maintains the level of trust unseen elsewhere online. While made to be a shining example, Wikipedia and our subreddit is not free from the polarization of discourse: Elon Musk and conservatives denounce Wikipedia, while r/changemyview has to ban topic on transgender people as it has become too hostile.
(also if you want to see how this polarization has affected Wikipedia, go to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict or the Gaza genocide talk page, where there is a myriad of banners advising users to remain calm and discussions long enough to fill an encyclopedia volume)
From its inception, Wikipedia has been mocked and looked down upon: the media lambasts it, teachers discourage it, and Encyclopedia Britannica compares it to a public restroom. It makes sense in hindsight: how can an open encyclopedia be a source of reliable, trustworthy information? Everyone can edit, so there will be people vandalising, advertising, or pushing their own agenda. However, to the present day, if you Google anything, the first result that comes out (after the AI-generated response by Gemini) would likely be from Wikipedia. Heck, some of the search summaries Google did originate from Wikipedia.
The book may seem flattering at times, however, as someone who frequents Wikipedia, I believe many arguments Wales presented hold water. The book elucidates the rules of trust from Jimmy Wales' observations on Wikipedia and how it was able to maintain its position as the "last best place on the internet". Although the lessons may be intuitive to some (transparency, good faith, purpose,...), the use of Wikipedia as examples makes the lesson more intriguing and relevant. To show that this model can work outside of Wikipedia, he draws an example from a subreddit named r/Changemyview, a popular subreddit where people let their views be challenged. It has been immensely successful, with millions of followers and thousands of contributions per week. Not just a lesson of trust, Wales also reflect on the increasing polarization the world is facing (especially in the last chapter) and how Wikipedia maintains the level of trust unseen elsewhere online. While made to be a shining example, Wikipedia and our subreddit is not free from the polarization of discourse: Elon Musk and conservatives denounce Wikipedia, while r/changemyview has to ban topic on transgender people as it has become too hostile.
(also if you want to see how this polarization has affected Wikipedia, go to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict or the Gaza genocide talk page, where there is a myriad of banners advising users to remain calm and discussions long enough to fill an encyclopedia volume)
January 30, 2026
I like and trust Wikipedia more than any religious or political institution in the US and it's one of the few organizations I consistently donate money to. Against all odds, this non-profit is radically inclusive, serves the global public interest and appears to be sustainable.
As a brief history or Wikipedia and the values that have contributed to its success, The Seven Rules of Trust delivers. The seven rules (trust is personal, take a positive view of the cooperative nature of humans, have a clear purpose, assume good faith, be civil, stick to your mission, be transparent) make sense as the underpinnings of Wikipedia's success and were valuable to think through. Because of that, I'm glad I read it.
I'm not enthusiastic about the "how to guide" theme of the book, which I think falsely assumes that a conventional for-profit tech company can be trustworthy in the same way Wikipedia is. It's telling that the examples of organizations Wales cites as having followed a similar path to building trust are Uber and Airbnb - companies famous for successfully reaping the benefits of disrupting transportation and housing markets while pushing the costs to workers, cities, and national governments.
Wikipedia is a mass-scale internet service that is broadly recognized as valuable -- that's where the comparison to the big, for-profit tech companies ends. Wikipedia is non-profit enterprise that doesn't feature advertising or sell user data, is free to users and provides anybody with an internet connection access to what's reasonably billed as "the biggest collection of knowledge in the history of the world." As such, it is a uniquely trustworthy, mass-scale organization. While for-profits can follow the principles of trust Wales outlines, they cannot BE trustworthy in the way Wikipedia is because their purpose is to grow and create shareholder value, not provide public benefit. This doesn't mean that for-profit companies are bad, but trust and public benefit are a means to an end for them (indeed, in Wales's account, Uber was manifestly untrustworthy in its first years of success and then decided to become trustworthy as a way maintain and grow its advantage). For Meta, Amazon, and all them, trust is a lightning bug; for Wikipedia, it is lightning.
As a brief history or Wikipedia and the values that have contributed to its success, The Seven Rules of Trust delivers. The seven rules (trust is personal, take a positive view of the cooperative nature of humans, have a clear purpose, assume good faith, be civil, stick to your mission, be transparent) make sense as the underpinnings of Wikipedia's success and were valuable to think through. Because of that, I'm glad I read it.
I'm not enthusiastic about the "how to guide" theme of the book, which I think falsely assumes that a conventional for-profit tech company can be trustworthy in the same way Wikipedia is. It's telling that the examples of organizations Wales cites as having followed a similar path to building trust are Uber and Airbnb - companies famous for successfully reaping the benefits of disrupting transportation and housing markets while pushing the costs to workers, cities, and national governments.
Wikipedia is a mass-scale internet service that is broadly recognized as valuable -- that's where the comparison to the big, for-profit tech companies ends. Wikipedia is non-profit enterprise that doesn't feature advertising or sell user data, is free to users and provides anybody with an internet connection access to what's reasonably billed as "the biggest collection of knowledge in the history of the world." As such, it is a uniquely trustworthy, mass-scale organization. While for-profits can follow the principles of trust Wales outlines, they cannot BE trustworthy in the way Wikipedia is because their purpose is to grow and create shareholder value, not provide public benefit. This doesn't mean that for-profit companies are bad, but trust and public benefit are a means to an end for them (indeed, in Wales's account, Uber was manifestly untrustworthy in its first years of success and then decided to become trustworthy as a way maintain and grow its advantage). For Meta, Amazon, and all them, trust is a lightning bug; for Wikipedia, it is lightning.
July 25, 2025
This book is brilliant, and so absolutely beautifully honest.
It's fascinating to get so much detail of what was/is going on behind something so huge and popular as Wikipedia.
The author's writing style felt so humble and relatable. And the entire time reading it, I just wanted to call up Jimmy Wales and exclaim a loud and excited, "Thank You! You're making the biggest difference in my book launch, and you don't even know it." Because sometimes hearing about someone else's early steps and where that's lead them over the years is EXACTLY the right medicine against giving up or feeling low.
It is my opinion that a good nonfiction book should always feel like talking to a great and very experienced friend. And I don't know whether it's because Jimmy Wales is talking about The Seven Rules of Trust as a subject, or perhaps it's just his impeccable decades honed business ethics, but reading his story (that also felt so personal) really did make me both trust him, and also rediscover new ideas regarding trust issues in people.
Overall, it's the perfect value of fact based and informative, and pleasantly soothing for anyone who's just starting some business adventure and needs a supportive outlook.
Thank you so much to Crown Publishing for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The best business book I've read this year!
It's fascinating to get so much detail of what was/is going on behind something so huge and popular as Wikipedia.
The author's writing style felt so humble and relatable. And the entire time reading it, I just wanted to call up Jimmy Wales and exclaim a loud and excited, "Thank You! You're making the biggest difference in my book launch, and you don't even know it." Because sometimes hearing about someone else's early steps and where that's lead them over the years is EXACTLY the right medicine against giving up or feeling low.
It is my opinion that a good nonfiction book should always feel like talking to a great and very experienced friend. And I don't know whether it's because Jimmy Wales is talking about The Seven Rules of Trust as a subject, or perhaps it's just his impeccable decades honed business ethics, but reading his story (that also felt so personal) really did make me both trust him, and also rediscover new ideas regarding trust issues in people.
Overall, it's the perfect value of fact based and informative, and pleasantly soothing for anyone who's just starting some business adventure and needs a supportive outlook.
Thank you so much to Crown Publishing for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The best business book I've read this year!
January 26, 2026
Strengths:
--Makes practical suggestions on how to promote and build trust based on Wikipedia's experience as an organization and an on-line space/encyclopedia--the two being almost synonymous.
--Points to some interesting new work on creating equitable, civil society spaces, such as Audrey Tang's Plurality project out of Taiwan.
--Is hopeful and optimistic in this dark and dangerous time period.
Weaknesses:
--There is a lot of gratuitous plugging of Wikipedia that should have been edited out, if Wale and Gardner had been more self-aware and their editor more rigorous.
--Borrows ideas from scholars of trust whose research is decades ahead of this book, without citing them, e.g. Orona O'Neill.
--Under-estimates and fails to analyze how erosion of trust is not only a person-to-person phenomenon but is systemic, intentional, and ingrained in the business models of most tech companies and right-wing political movements. Wales makes a few sweeping mentions of Big Tech as entirely profit-driven as opposed to public-interest and democratic but he does not take on this reality in suggestions for action.
It seems to me that without curbing the appetites of the Big Tech profit-machine and attention economy that there will never be enough space or investment for truly democratic approaches to governance to be piloted, much less implemented at scale.
--Makes practical suggestions on how to promote and build trust based on Wikipedia's experience as an organization and an on-line space/encyclopedia--the two being almost synonymous.
--Points to some interesting new work on creating equitable, civil society spaces, such as Audrey Tang's Plurality project out of Taiwan.
--Is hopeful and optimistic in this dark and dangerous time period.
Weaknesses:
--There is a lot of gratuitous plugging of Wikipedia that should have been edited out, if Wale and Gardner had been more self-aware and their editor more rigorous.
--Borrows ideas from scholars of trust whose research is decades ahead of this book, without citing them, e.g. Orona O'Neill.
--Under-estimates and fails to analyze how erosion of trust is not only a person-to-person phenomenon but is systemic, intentional, and ingrained in the business models of most tech companies and right-wing political movements. Wales makes a few sweeping mentions of Big Tech as entirely profit-driven as opposed to public-interest and democratic but he does not take on this reality in suggestions for action.
It seems to me that without curbing the appetites of the Big Tech profit-machine and attention economy that there will never be enough space or investment for truly democratic approaches to governance to be piloted, much less implemented at scale.
February 2, 2026
Jimmy Wales, founder and originator of Wikipedia, provides not only a history of the online encyclopaedia, but also a discussion, in seven steps, of how this revolutionary reference tool is edited by "the public."
Trust is the key. Trust that those who write articles are knowledgeable, trust that the articles are unbiased and correct, and trust that civility rules.
Readers learn about the underpinnings of Wikipedia and how articles are fleshed out; what it takes to be a contributor and/or editor. And the future of this incredible venture.
As a librarian who began in the analogue world, I've seen the rise of this tool and expressed my own skepticism about its veracity and reliability. Now, years later, I too turn to Wikipedia when I have a question, want a biographical sketch, or need birth & death dates. I might even query the resource for a geographical location. While I still yearn for a print encyclopaedia, I don't have one handy any more. Wikipedia is my go to along with other sources. Jimmy Wales slim book provides a backbone for my trust of this source.
Read the slim volume, think about its tenets of trust, and you decide.
BTW, I'm not ready to trust the AI aggregators. Then again, I'm an analogue librarian.
Trust is the key. Trust that those who write articles are knowledgeable, trust that the articles are unbiased and correct, and trust that civility rules.
Readers learn about the underpinnings of Wikipedia and how articles are fleshed out; what it takes to be a contributor and/or editor. And the future of this incredible venture.
As a librarian who began in the analogue world, I've seen the rise of this tool and expressed my own skepticism about its veracity and reliability. Now, years later, I too turn to Wikipedia when I have a question, want a biographical sketch, or need birth & death dates. I might even query the resource for a geographical location. While I still yearn for a print encyclopaedia, I don't have one handy any more. Wikipedia is my go to along with other sources. Jimmy Wales slim book provides a backbone for my trust of this source.
Read the slim volume, think about its tenets of trust, and you decide.
BTW, I'm not ready to trust the AI aggregators. Then again, I'm an analogue librarian.
January 12, 2026
After reading Jimmy Wales The Seven Rules of Trust I realized trust is never a formula but the courage to choose to believe first amid uncertainty The book shows Wikipedias journey from a crazy experiment to the worlds most trusted knowledge source and reminds us that rebuilding trust requires openness not control
My career has unintentionally illustrated these rules At Citibank New York I lived in a world of institutionalized trust where every transaction was audited and verified It was precise austere yet solid Later in France as a fashion designer trust became fragile and intuitive I had to trust fabrics clients collaborators and most importantly myself In finance I learned independence and transparency In design I learned to assume good faith and give trust first
Through it all clear purpose matters Whether creating value for shareholders or helping someone feel seen trust grows naturally when the purpose is pure I am grateful to Jimmy Wales for reminding me that life’s greatest gift is not unchanging success but the courage to restart trust again and again
My career has unintentionally illustrated these rules At Citibank New York I lived in a world of institutionalized trust where every transaction was audited and verified It was precise austere yet solid Later in France as a fashion designer trust became fragile and intuitive I had to trust fabrics clients collaborators and most importantly myself In finance I learned independence and transparency In design I learned to assume good faith and give trust first
Through it all clear purpose matters Whether creating value for shareholders or helping someone feel seen trust grows naturally when the purpose is pure I am grateful to Jimmy Wales for reminding me that life’s greatest gift is not unchanging success but the courage to restart trust again and again
December 25, 2025
This book is about Wikipedia, the largest online encyclopedia that many of us use on a daily basis. It explores how Wikipedia is not a typical company and is instead run largely by volunteers. The book takes a deeper look into the culture of this nonprofit organization that provides an enormous amount of knowledge to the world.
Some of the key principles the organization follows include assuming good faith and maintaining civility. It also emphasizes disagreement grounded in facts rather than personal attacks—something that is often lacking in social media today. Remaining independent is a challenging task in the modern world, where news sources frequently take political sides to retain viewership and content creators post polarizing material for attention. Wikipedia’s goal, however, is not to take a stance but simply to present the facts. Overall, this is an informative read on the policies and values that have kept Wikipedia alive and made it a household name today.
Some of the key principles the organization follows include assuming good faith and maintaining civility. It also emphasizes disagreement grounded in facts rather than personal attacks—something that is often lacking in social media today. Remaining independent is a challenging task in the modern world, where news sources frequently take political sides to retain viewership and content creators post polarizing material for attention. Wikipedia’s goal, however, is not to take a stance but simply to present the facts. Overall, this is an informative read on the policies and values that have kept Wikipedia alive and made it a household name today.
January 17, 2026
It’s fine. It’s harmless. But it falls into the same trap that a lot of these books do and that is that their contention and arguments are cyclical - “If we want a world where we trust people, then we simply must trust people!”
Jonah Hill saying “I guess, bro.”
But for the people who don’t defer to trust as a guiding philosophy (for whatever reason), this book provides very few solutions - which is disappointing because I gained quite an appreciation for Wikipedia as a success story.
Jimmy Wales clearly has a strong optimism which I appreciate (and agree with) and his insight into how Wikipedia is run (egalitarian trust) was valuable and interesting to read. But unfortunately, it was tied to a fairly naff argument which, as a fellow trust-maxxer, was again, just simply disappointing.
Give it a read if you’re depressed I guess. But if you’re looking for answers, read “Humankind” instead.
Jonah Hill saying “I guess, bro.”
But for the people who don’t defer to trust as a guiding philosophy (for whatever reason), this book provides very few solutions - which is disappointing because I gained quite an appreciation for Wikipedia as a success story.
Jimmy Wales clearly has a strong optimism which I appreciate (and agree with) and his insight into how Wikipedia is run (egalitarian trust) was valuable and interesting to read. But unfortunately, it was tied to a fairly naff argument which, as a fellow trust-maxxer, was again, just simply disappointing.
Give it a read if you’re depressed I guess. But if you’re looking for answers, read “Humankind” instead.
November 2, 2025
The irony of someone denying a globally accepted crime against humanity talking to us about trust. He is actively destroying trust and making money from it. The depths that human beings can sink to will always shock me.
This man is every bit a part of the group that has devastated our world and our lives. Him having so much influence over humanity's collective knowledge is equally terrifying and in character for people like him.
Every word in this book is just describing himself. This is like if Trump wrote a book about what's gone wrong with the USA since 2015. Spider man is pointing at himself.
This man is every bit a part of the group that has devastated our world and our lives. Him having so much influence over humanity's collective knowledge is equally terrifying and in character for people like him.
Every word in this book is just describing himself. This is like if Trump wrote a book about what's gone wrong with the USA since 2015. Spider man is pointing at himself.
November 9, 2025
Reads less like a revelation and more like a confident summary of ideas that are already well known — a bit of a self-congratulatory tour through the Wikipedia of trust-building. The rules themselves are sensible but hardly groundbreaking.
What struck me more was the larger question it skirts: how will our trust in AI evolve? The story of elevators offers a useful analogy — once, people feared getting into a lift without an operator; today, we step in without a thought. Perhaps trust in AI will follow a similar path — from anxiety to acceptance, not through persuasion, but through quiet familiarity and reliability over time.
What struck me more was the larger question it skirts: how will our trust in AI evolve? The story of elevators offers a useful analogy — once, people feared getting into a lift without an operator; today, we step in without a thought. Perhaps trust in AI will follow a similar path — from anxiety to acceptance, not through persuasion, but through quiet familiarity and reliability over time.
December 10, 2025
This book is simple and easy to read, diving into the history and workings of Wikipedia. I am a fan of the Wikipedia. While the discussion on "trust", etc. was fine; there is nothing revolutionary or surprising here. That said, it is good to talk about these things.
Here are the seven rules (I stole them from Wikipedia),
"For Wales, the solution to division in society lies in trust, for which he provides seven rules on how to build:
1. Make It Personal
2. Be Positive About People
3. Create a Clear Purpose
4. Be Trusting
5. Be Civil
6. Be Independent
7. Be Transparent
These rules serve as subheadings for each of the first seven chapters of the book."
Here are the seven rules (I stole them from Wikipedia),
"For Wales, the solution to division in society lies in trust, for which he provides seven rules on how to build:
1. Make It Personal
2. Be Positive About People
3. Create a Clear Purpose
4. Be Trusting
5. Be Civil
6. Be Independent
7. Be Transparent
These rules serve as subheadings for each of the first seven chapters of the book."
November 18, 2025
Picked this up after reading an interview with Jimmy Wales where I was impressed with his thoughtful perspective on polarization . I’m not sure that anything in here is groundbreaking, but the “rules of trust” are well thought and described with clear anecdotes. Moreover, by the end his infectious enthusiasm and optimism had chipped away at my cynicism over the current state of affairs.
Too much bandwidth is being consumed by the loudest and most extreme voices. I truly believe most people crave civility and this book charts a path for us to regain the personal connections to reunite us.
Too much bandwidth is being consumed by the loudest and most extreme voices. I truly believe most people crave civility and this book charts a path for us to regain the personal connections to reunite us.
January 7, 2026
Wow. This book was just what I needed at the right time. The book I thought I was reading turned out to be a deep introspection about my own relationships and trust with people and information. It read to me like Jimmy was speaking to me. He would guess that I had already googled something or that I would “trust but verify”. It was a great recruitment tool for Wikipedia, I have considered getting involved. Wales’s book is short and to the point with much needed anecdotal evidence as well as hard stats. A great read and highly recommend it to others.
November 14, 2025
As a Wikipedian, this book was a real joy to read. The 7 Rules of Trust reminds us that Wikipedia is an encyclopedia, one built on a simple principle: we assume good faith. Jimmy Wales, a self-declared pathological optimist, writes about how clarity of purpose and human collaboration can help us build trust against the odds. A thoughtful, hopeful read for anyone who believes that good and lasting things are built one well-intended act at a time.
December 15, 2025
This quick read spoke to me. It spends a lot of time talking about how other businesses and people gained trust to their benefit. From Quakers, to Airbnb, Uber, elevators, etc.
One example I really liked was Buckleys, a cold medicine brand. Their slogan was something like "It tastes awful, but it works" which worked super well. Who knew criticizing your product would be advantageous? People agreed with the first part, and said hey, they told the truth, since they clearly have a track record of doing so, maybe the second half is true too!
In this world where trust is slipping, and your faith in humanity has worsened, I think this book was a great read that restored some of my faith in humanity. And also encouraged me to understand that there are people out there that benefit from the chaos, and want solutions like Wikipedia to go away.
I liked learning about Wikipedia's origin, and all the disbelief. What their values are, some of their processes, how focused they are on "just the facts", and how debate oriented they can be (everyone has a say). I will say after reading this book, I am officially drinking the kool-aid, and a big fan of Wikipedia.
I recommend everyone takes a minute to read this!
One example I really liked was Buckleys, a cold medicine brand. Their slogan was something like "It tastes awful, but it works" which worked super well. Who knew criticizing your product would be advantageous? People agreed with the first part, and said hey, they told the truth, since they clearly have a track record of doing so, maybe the second half is true too!
In this world where trust is slipping, and your faith in humanity has worsened, I think this book was a great read that restored some of my faith in humanity. And also encouraged me to understand that there are people out there that benefit from the chaos, and want solutions like Wikipedia to go away.
I liked learning about Wikipedia's origin, and all the disbelief. What their values are, some of their processes, how focused they are on "just the facts", and how debate oriented they can be (everyone has a say). I will say after reading this book, I am officially drinking the kool-aid, and a big fan of Wikipedia.
I recommend everyone takes a minute to read this!
December 10, 2025
While Wikipedia has its faults, I use it almost daily as do most others. He mention several times how unlikely the creation of a free online encyclopedia seemed at the time and I do agree with that. Reading about the background and how it grew to what it is today was very interesting. This book got me thinking about what else could be possible that we now think of as impossible.
The rules he gives can be applied to a variety of scenarios and I overall enjoyed this read.
The rules he gives can be applied to a variety of scenarios and I overall enjoyed this read.
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