Addiction Stories: How Did Ricochet Hook You?
On the podcast, our two representatives (Senators Kenneth and Pilgrim) were asked how they first found out about Ricochet. Which caused me to wonder about others?
Here's my story: I received an I-Pod for Christmas 2009. After watching it for a couple of months waiting for it to do something, one my children showed me how to download podcasts (I didn't realize you have to do anything--I thought downloads automatically came down from heaven). Then my son, a conservative like me, told me he had heard of a new conservative podcast involving Messrs. Steyn, Long, and Robinson, all of whom I knew from either National Review or Uncommon Knowledge. I signed on and caught the second podcast--haven't missed one since. After carefully reviewing the family budget, I gave up gummy bears and joined when Ricochet was in the beta stage. And I am hooked, although I've never found it to be time wasted: it's great intellectual exercise each day. I even made Ricochet my home page.
Tell us your addiction story?
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Mar '11
Re: Addiction Stories: How Did Ricochet Hook You?
The podcasts. I listened to my first one 6 weeks ago, and I've been hooked ever since. In fact, I've gone back and listened to the old ones... I'm about halfway through them... and when they made Yoo and Epstein's law podcast members-only, I finally bit the bullet and joined.
Oct '10
Re: Addiction Stories: How Did Ricochet Hook You?
I'm a politics junkie. Heard about Ricochet on NRO Online. Peter is such a persuasive peddler that I passed on the new Beamer and joined Ricochet instead.
Jun '10
Re: Addiction Stories: How Did Ricochet Hook You?
Hi. My name is Brian and I'm addicted to Ricochet. It's been only a few minutes since I had my last Ricochet hit.
I first got addicted to Ricochet when I heard about it on Peter Robinson's Uncommon Knowledge videocast about Ronald Reagan that featured Rob Long and Mark Steyn. I heard the word "Ricochet". I leaned forward and rewound the video stream..."What was that?" I said to myself..."Rico-what?"
"Ricochet" said Peter. And then Rob outed Peter as being a Ricochet pusher like himself. I had to know more. I had to get my hands on this Ricochet substance. I had a feeling I could get hooked even if I tried it only once. It felt exciting and illicit especially in a state like California. Now, I can't get enough of it. I sweat and writhe in pain when I am separated from my Ricochet for too long. Please don't take it away...please...
I haven't shaved in several weeks. My home office is cluttered with old cups of coffee, plates of food, discarded socks. The weather outside has been beautiful...at least that's what people tell me.
Dec '10
Re: Addiction Stories: How Did Ricochet Hook You?
Aaron Miller
It started with Steyn. I heard him host for Rush a couple times and hunted down SteynOnline. . .
Unlike most folks here, I'm guessing, I own neither an iPod nor a smartphone. . .
It was the same for me.
I too own neither an iPod nor a smart phone, but since I spend a lot of time in front of the computer doing CAD/CAM work, I am always happy to have some educational noise to listen to while I'm working.
Steyn was the reason I listened to the very first podcast you all did, and it was good, so I subscribed using iTunes, and I've been hooked since.
Initially, I was too miserly to pop for the actual membership, but as time went on, I found myself making arguments to my monitor more and more often.
It felt like the place was woefully bereft of both stupidity and redneckery, and since I could supply both, in volume, I finally went ahead and spent the coin a few weeks ago for a year's membership.
Now I'm here 'till I get banned, or go broke, whichever happens first.
Jan '11
Re: Addiction Stories: How Did Ricochet Hook You?
I've been a Mark Steyn junkie since the turn of the century and SteynOnLine linked to some podcasts. Given Mr. Steyn was awol much of 2010 I was only intermittently drawn to Richochet. Cheap and lazy dominate the family coat of arms so I was perfectly content to take all the free stuff.
First week of January I listened to podcast # 51. They had me at Feckless Crap-Weasel, around minute 51 after a particularly spirited exchange I busted a gut.
Aaron Miller: Frankly, I'd have more faith in a less emotional Speaker to dominate negotiations.
"Yeah... ok." Perfect response, Rob.
Those two words and Rob's perfect comic timing (also noted by Aaron) made the sale. My only regret is that I did not choose "Feckless Crap-Weasel" as my screen name. I suppose my avatar would have needed to be a mammal so I guess I'll be content to be dialog written by Mr. Rob Long. I do not know the author of FCW.
I wish Ricochet would drop the prefix from "center right". I suspect it is a preemptive prefix, lest someone say "extreme right" but I consider "center right" squishy, borderline feckless.
Jun '10
Re: Addiction Stories: How Did Ricochet Hook You?
CoolHand
Aaron Miller
It started with Steyn. I heard him host for Rush a couple times and hunted down SteynOnline. . .
Unlike most folks here, I'm guessing, I own neither an iPod nor a smartphone. . .
It was the same for me.
. . .Steyn was the reason I listened to the very first podcast you all did, and it was good, so I subscribed using iTunes, and I've been hooked since.
Initially, I was too miserly to pop for the actual membership, but as time went on, I found myself making arguments to my monitor more and more often.
It felt like the place was woefully bereft of both stupidity and redneckery, and since I could supply both, in volume, I finally went ahead and spent the coin a few weeks ago for a year's membership.
Now I'm here 'till I get banned, or go broke, whichever happens first.
If you guys were real patriots you'd donate that $3.47 per month to help reduce the national debt. But no, you're a couple of self-centered plutocrat conservatives.
Jun '10
Re: Addiction Stories: How Did Ricochet Hook You?
Brian Watt: Hi. My name is Brian and I'm addicted to Ricochet. It's been only a few minutes since I had my last Ricochet hit.
I first got addicted to Ricochet when I heard about it on Peter Robinson's Uncommon Knowledge videocast about Ronald Reagan that featured Rob Long and Mark Steyn. I heard the word "Ricochet". I leaned forward and rewound the video stream..."What was that?" I said to myself..."Rico-what?"
. . . It felt exciting and illicit especially in a state like California. Now, I can't get enough of it. I sweat and writhe in pain when I am separated from my Ricochet for too long. Please don't take it away...please...
I haven't shaved in several weeks. My home office is cluttered with old cups of coffee, plates of food, discarded socks. The weather outside has been beautiful...at least that's what people tell me. ·
Are you in northern or southern California? We need to know because either Peter or Rob are going to have to oversee your intervention. Two weeks reading the New Republic and The Nation should bring you back.
Edited on Mar 12, 2011 at 10:08amDec '10
Re: Addiction Stories: How Did Ricochet Hook You?
tabula rasa
If you guys were real patriots you'd donate that $3.47 per month to help reduce the national debt. But no, you're a couple of self-centered plutocrat conservatives. · Mar 11 at 8:10pm
You damn skippy, Bubba!
Bwahahahaha!
I will begin to kick in extras to Uncle Sam when Mike Moore, George Clooney, Little Timmy Geitner, and George Soros do (though mine will by necessity be many orders of magnitude smaller).
Until then, I pay Unc what he's due and not a penny more.
The rest I use to buy sammiches and the like.
Edited on Mar 12, 2011 at 10:07amJan '11
Re: Addiction Stories: How Did Ricochet Hook You?
CoolHand
Aaron Miller
It started with Steyn. I heard him host for Rush a couple times and hunted down SteynOnline. . .
Unlike most folks here, I'm guessing, I own neither an iPod nor a smartphone. . .
It was the same for me.
I too own neither an iPod nor a smart phone, but since I spend a lot of time in front of the computer doing CAD/CAM work, I am always happy to have some educational noise to listen to while I'm working.
Steyn was the reason I listened to the very first podcast you all did, and it was good, so I subscribed using iTunes, and I've been hooked since.
Initially, I was too miserly to pop for the actual membership, but as time went on, I found myself making arguments to my monitor more and more often.
It felt like the place was woefully bereft of both stupidity and redneckery, and since I could supply both, in volume, I finally went ahead and spent the coin a few weeks ago for a year's membership.
Now I'm here 'till I get banned, or go broke, whichever happens first. · Mar 11 at 7:54pm
me too.
Jan '11
Re: Addiction Stories: How Did Ricochet Hook You?
The podcast for me. Lileks is magnificent, and RL and PR are wonderful as well. Goldberg is great - hope he stops by more now that a bit of time has passed. :-(
Jan '11
Re: Addiction Stories: How Did Ricochet Hook You?
Another Friday night on Ricochet; odd thing, seems Mrs Ok is frequently asleep by the time I go to bed.
Jun '10
Re: Addiction Stories: How Did Ricochet Hook You?
tabula rasa
Brian Watt:
. . . It felt exciting and illicit especially in a state like California. Now, I can't get enough of it. I sweat and writhe in pain when I am separated from my Ricochet for too long. Please don't take it away...please...
I haven't shaved in several weeks. My home office is cluttered with old cups of coffee, plates of food, discarded socks. The weather outside has been beautiful...at least that's what people tell me. ·
Are you in northern or southern California? We need to know because either Peter or Rob are going to have to oversee your intervention. Two weeks reading the New Republic and The Nation should bring you back. · Mar 11 at 8:14pm
Edited on Mar 11 at 08:16 pm
No way, bro...not moving to the center. Don't need no intervention. Don't need the squish...ah, just found my Tiger's Blood behind the cat's basket.
Re: Addiction Stories: How Did Ricochet Hook You?
You're going to be a happy guy this coming week...
Jun '10
Re: Addiction Stories: How Did Ricochet Hook You?
Brian Watt
tabula rasa
Brian Watt:
. . . It felt exciting and illicit especially in a state like California. Now, I can't get enough of it. I sweat and writhe in pain when I am separated from my Ricochet for too long. Please don't take it away...please...
I haven't shaved in several weeks. My home office is cluttered with old cups of coffee, plates of food, discarded socks. The weather outside has been beautiful...at least that's what people tell me. ·
Are you in northern or southern California? We need to know because either Peter or Rob are going to have to oversee your intervention. Two weeks reading the New Republic and The Nation should bring you back. · Mar 11 at 8:14pm
Edited on Mar 11 at 08:16 pm
No way, bro...not moving to the center. Don't need no intervention. Don't need the squish...ah, just found my Tiger's Blood behind the cat's basket. · Mar 11 at 8:50pm
Brian: When the nice men in the white coats come over, just go with them. They're going to take you out for ice cream.
Jun '10
Re: Addiction Stories: How Did Ricochet Hook You?
tabula rasa
Brian Watt
tabula rasa
Brian Watt:
Are you in northern or southern California? We need to know because either Peter or Rob are going to have to oversee your intervention. Two weeks reading the New Republic and The Nation should bring you back. · Mar 11 at 8:14pm
Edited on Mar 11 at 08:16 pm
No way, bro...not moving to the center. Don't need no intervention. Don't need the squish...ah, just found my Tiger's Blood behind the cat's basket. · Mar 11 at 8:50pm
Brian: When the nice men in the white coats come over, just go with them. They're going to take you out for ice cream. · Mar 11 at 10:44pm
As long as it's not Ben & Jerry's. :-)
Jan '11
Re: Addiction Stories: How Did Ricochet Hook You?
I'm a big fan of Uncommon Knowledge, and so when I saw Peter Robinson listed on one of the podcasts, I gave it a try, and I enjoyed what I heard.
I must say, what I liked most was that the other guests listened to the speaker, and seemed to take delight in what they heard ... instead of jockeying for pundit-like airtime. I liked that.
Jul '10
Re: Addiction Stories: How Did Ricochet Hook You?
Let's see. I went to see what this Ricochet thing was mentioned on the NRO Web Site and discovered Peter Robinson, who I knew from many years watching Uncommon Knowledge, Rob Long, whose "Long View" is frequently read aloud in the Sisyphus house, Richard Epstein, whose book on takings was a treat I found in my hairy libertarian days, Victor Davis Hanson, who's historical works on Western exceptionalism and the implacable rage of draft armies from liberal societies fill my book cases, and then a bunch of new people like Paul Rahe, who very often takes the same positions and even the same arguments that I do, but does it way, way better, Claire Berlinski, who shares my interest in the Iron Lady and the Mohameddans, Dave Carter, whose writing is pure gold, John Yoo, the imperturbable warrior, Andrew Klavan of the excellent short videos, Mark Steyn, who rants more articulately than the opposition writes, and then there's folks like pseudodyonisius, making me sneeze philosophically, and EJHill and Paules and Paleo and Lady Kurobara who just keep the ball in the air whatever the topic.
I would mention Silent Cal, but, he never says anything.
Edited on Mar 12, 2011 at 9:30amDec '10
Re: Addiction Stories: How Did Ricochet Hook You?
The three wise people -- Peter, Claire & Diane. Peter started to mention Ricochet on "Uncommon Knowledge" and his interview with Claire on her latest book on Margaret Thatcher provided me with enough incentive to take a peek. I not only am a proud owner of her book, but a "newbie" here on Ricochet. I listed to my first pod-cast (#60) last night. I now find myself checking the website first thing in the morning and throughout the day. I totally enjoy the various thoughts and opinions and pray that it remains a "troll free" zone -- both from the left and right. I've had my share of both thank you. We can disagree without being disagreeable and no I don't mean that in a mushy way.
By the way, they mentioned on the podcast they were soon going to release Ricochet gear..I was hoping it would only be a matter of time before the shameless attempts at capitalism and promotion would occur and to that I say --- Bring it on!
Feb '11
Re: Addiction Stories: How Did Ricochet Hook You?
Reading STEYN ON LINE everyday and subscribing to NRO lead me here from the very beginning. I have made it a routine to get up very early on Sunday mornings and listen to it on my desktop with a huge cup of Dunkin Donuts coffee.
Jan '11
Re: Addiction Stories: How Did Ricochet Hook You?
I first found Ricochet via Mark Steyn's website. He is a must read, and now the Ricochet podcast is a must listen.