A Thank You Note
Inspired by Denise's recent post and the example of the recently published (admittedly sappy, maudlin and self-congratulatory) 365 Thank Yous, I thought I would pen a note to the founders of Ricochet and its not-so-long suffering staff and extended family.
Who knew I needed a debating society membership? But I did. Ricochet has has helped the news come alive for me, opened my mind to ideas and stories I had never considered, and on several occasions forced me to change what I thought was a firmly-held position through the force of persuasive argument and frequently, laughter.
Though I did not realize it, there was a dearth of intelligent, principled discourse in my life and Ricochet has filled that void. The site and its features grow better as it matures but the essential charm remains. Participating in the site is rewarding enough, but now there is a second entertainment in watching it expand and thrive as an enterprise. I am sure I am not alone among the membership when I say that if there is anything that I can do to help it become self-sustaining and indeed profitable, please do not hesitate to ask.
So thank you Peter and Rob for the inspiration. Thank you Mssrs. Schwab and Murdoch and anonymous others for the investment support. Thank you Logo, Blue Yeti and BusySysAdmin for not only making the trains run on time, but for your dedication to making them better and faster each month. Thank you Claire, Diane, Emily, James, Adam and Josh for prompting and patrolling tirelessly 24/7. Thank you esteemed contributors for generously sharing your considerable talents with this enterprise. And of course thank you Ricocheterians for your erudition, your wit, your thoughtfulness, and your patience.
Happy New Year everyone!
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Comments :
May '10
Re: A Thank You Note
Hear, hear!
May '10
Re: A Thank You Note
Great post, Trace! And thank you to Ricochet for the wonderful people I have been introduced to and the wonderful friendships that have developed from it. Even the battles that I've engaged in feel more like sibling fights with hand shakes at the end. Only Ricochet offers such a continuous challenge to explore and examine what we think and who we are. As Socrates said, "An unexamined life is not worth living".
Jul '10
Re: A Thank You Note
Well said, Trace. Happy New Year to all.
May '10
Re: A Thank You Note
What a kiss up!
But then again, I agree with everything you wrote, Trace. Thank you contributors and opinionated commentors. It's people like you who make life interesting and so much fun to live. And I gotten some great friendships out of this, too. I can't wait to meet you all in person!
Jul '10
Re: A Thank You Note
Hear, here!
And I've discovered Encounter Books through Ricochet. Thanks for that too.
Re: A Thank You Note
You are all too kind. It's been a hugely fun undertaking.
And, yet, since you asked, Trace: in order to keep this particular undertaking from a trip to the actual undertaker, please feel free to invite your friends and family and other like-mindeds to join the community. It really is all about the conversation....and of course, the members.
And Happy New Year to all.
May '10
Re: A Thank You Note
Rob Long: You are all too kind. It's been a hugely fun undertaking.
And, yet, since you asked, Trace: in order to keep this particular undertaking from a trip to the actual undertaker, please feel free to invite your friends and family and other like-mindeds to join the community. It really is all about the conversation....and of course, the members.
And Happy New Year to all. · Dec 28 at 11:43am
The automatic invitations are a great feature Rob. I understand that 5 free 3-month trials per member might be an upward limit, but what about adding another invitation button that does not necessarily include a free offer but still makes it easy to introduce the site and/or podcast?
May '10
Re: A Thank You Note
duplicate post
Edited on Dec 28, 2010 at 12:10pmJun '10
Re: A Thank You Note
Thanks for that, Trace. My thoughts exactly -- if my thoughts were that articulate.. Happy New Year to All.
May '10
Re: A Thank You Note
Love you too, Keith Urban. Just make sure you never, ever utter those words on a National Review cruise, or they won't let you off the ship til you fork over the bulk of your vast fortune.
Sep '10
Re: A Thank You Note
Even for the most finicky of your members, Ricochet has exceeded my expectations. Happy New Year Richochetoise!
Aug '10
Re: A Thank You Note
Have to throw into this gracious group. Feliz ano nuevo estimadas.
May '10
Re: A Thank You Note
About to try to wing my way back to JFK, via LAX. Thanks to all my new friends here at Ricochet. You don't know how much you help me with your thoughtful discussions and reasonable discourse. With your help I am ready to interact with my kooky lib friends. Sadly, most of them are uninterested in hearing the other side. Happy new year, y'all!
May '10
Re: A Thank You Note
Ah man. You were in my 'hood, and I didn't even get to meet you.
Re: A Thank You Note
Thank you, Trace. You've been keeping us honest since our pre-launch days on Facebook -- I think you objected to the overt partisanship apparent in a post related to some of Obama's biggest gaffes -- and we're honored that you've stuck with us. Your participation has been invaluable.
As to those making the preceding comments: the quality of the discourse has exceeded our most optimistic expectations, and each one of you has played a distinctly recognizable role in making it that way. Thank you for 2010, and we're looking forward to an even better 2011.
May '10
Re: A Thank You Note
Thanks for the reminder Trace, and for your and other members' contributions, Rob Long , Peter Robinson et al for the actual site as a business, your long-suffering Sys Admin for its maintenance, and your Editors for their refined taste and discernment in posts.
A Happy Feast of St John the Evangelist to all, and a more prosperous New Year in 2011.