Nicholas Carr has been a loud and constant critic of Wikipedia.com. His latest lament against the online encyclopedia - "The death of Wikipedia" laments the fact there are now controls on who can write and edit entries - something Jimmy Wales describes as "semi-protection". I can see both sides of the argument but Carr's problems with Wikipedia boil down to Wales' role in the encyclopedia's future. As a living breathing online organism,  Wikipedia thrives and grows because it's a community entity that leverages the power of the Web and the willingness of people to freely contribute. The key question is whether Wales should continue to be Wikipedia's benevolent dictator? Is his "guidance" still needed even though Wikipedia has become a large and increasing prominent entity? While Wales will always be involved in one way, shape or form, it's probably time for him to move on and let Wikipedia walk on its own. Wales, after all, has moved into the commercial market with Wikia, which provides a Wiki platform supported - at least for the time being - by Google AdSense. With Wikia poised for growth, it's time for Wales to leave Wikipedia behind. He did a great job nurturing it, and it has become a wonderful online resource but sooner or later, you have to let the kids leave home.
Addendum: Ross Mayfield offers up a short, but cutting, rebuttal to Carr's claims - highlighted by these bon mots: "sensational stuff as always, but factually wrong as usual".