Ricochet is the best place on the internet to discuss the issues of the day, either through commenting on posts or writing your own for our active and dynamic community in a fully moderated environment. In addition, the Ricochet Audio Network offers over 50 original podcasts with new episodes released every day.
Why I Joined Ricochet Is Not Why I Stayed
I first heard of Ricochet from that sophisticated salon of ideas known as Twitter. I had long been a fan of Peter Robinson’s thoughtful insights and Rob Long’s smart wit, but what set their website apart was the goal of civility. Web traffic is great, making money is wonderful, but the rarest commodity online is intelligent discussion.
Like many Ricochet readers, I had belonged to several internet fora and found civility at none. Whether it was a general news site, a no-opinions-barred political community, or a strictly conservative outlet, each was riddled with infighting, trolling and personal invective. Inadvertently tick off an admin and be swamped with profanity for days. Tell an ill-timed joke and get your IP address blocked. (In my defense, it was a pretty great joke.)
I didn’t know if Robinson and Long could pull it off, but I knew I wanted to be there if they did. There would finally be a “safe space” where like-minded souls and I could discuss those ideas which we agreed upon. What a breath of fresh air.
Now that I’ve been on Ricochet for a while, that original goal is mostly in the rear-view mirror. While I appreciate those blessed souls wise enough to agree with everything I say, I began to enjoy even more those with other opinions, backgrounds and experiences.
As I noted in a recent comment in the member feed (open only to members, by the way), Ricochet is at its best when every viewpoint from across the center-right is expressed. I enjoy the relentlessly analytical approach of the fiscal conservatives. I love the focus on the ancient, tried and true of the traditionalists. Social conservatives tether the rough-and-tumble world of politics to our humanity and His divinity. The libertarians empirically show how markets and liberty can maximize our potential as a nation and as individuals.
In essence, Ricochet is fusionism put into practice. Back in 1955, William F. Buckley, founded National Review and staffed it with a passionate group of non-conformists from across the right-of-center spectrum. Sounds like a fun mix, right? Not so much.
But it didn’t work out well. His group of soldiers was strong (you might say, “set”) in their ideological underpinnings. In-fighting was rampant, editorial sessions, explosive – feelings were hurt. Freedom theorists could not find commonalities with their Order/Virtue colleagues.
Standing in the midst of this internecine struggle was Frank S. Meyer (a former communist, as were other NR staffers), a co-founding editor of the new weekly and quite probably the closest advisor-warrior-confidante of Buckley’s. Both were seeing a weakening in the with-it-ness of the magazine’s crusade due to the variegated viewpoints represented on the masthead.
And so it came to pass that fusionism was born. Meyer saw little reason to believe that libertarianism with its classical notions of individual freedom and traditionalism with its Judeo-Christian belief in order and virtue couldn’t make nice. For him, freedom is an individual goal and can best be achieved in a society in equilibrium.
Fusionism was able to unite the disparate factions at NR and proved to be a political winner. The philosophy was at its height under President Reagan and for the GOP takeover of Congress of 1994. Just like Meyer and Buckley, Ricochet wants to hear from all voices on the center right and we want them presented in a civil, intelligent and entertaining matter. Not only does our diverse collection of contributors provide this service, our members do too, both in their posts and their comments.
Though I joined Ricochet to surround myself with the like-minded, I stayed to learn from those who disagree. The many strains of conservatism force me to think, add to my education, and help me better define my own ideology.
If you want to learn and laugh with some of the brightest lights on the web, why don’t you stay around for a while? We’ll even give you a free month so you can kick the tires a bit. Just use the coupon code “JOIN” when you do.
Published in General
This is me agreeing with your insight…why you came but not why you stayed ; )
I think that you are making an important point. For people (especially those who don’t expect to post, or non-techno types), the civility is the key. Also, I wanted to hear more conservative thought–given the non-conservative environments I’m otherwise in.
Once you get here though, the relationships and savvy wit keep you…or kept me. But, the other thing I’ve come to appreciate is the diversity of views here. The Right isn’t simply SoCons and Libertarians (an easy mistake to make based on media), but a community with far more diversity and tolerance that than the Left actually has.
With any other discussion forum, you get the ugly, time-wasting, soul withering quarrels instigated by those who aren’t interested in anyone’s thoughts but their own, and whose world revolves around “winning” an argument.
With little time to spare, I’d rather share and learn with the best. So I stay.
True… Tolerance is usually exemplified by those who don’t hit you over the head with theirs.
Meanwhile, the internet is an unwelcome place for
anyoneConservatives with more to say than 140 characters. Just re-upped another year.I came for the snacks, but stayed for the conversation.
SNACKS? No one told me there were snacks.
You haven’t seen the Food thread then I take it.
Joined for the podcasts, haven’t listened to them in years. Am here now for the friends and the never ending give and take.
I was told there would be punch and pie.
Step closer.
I’ll be honest. I came because I had something to say, and I thought people might listen. They did. They engaged my ideas, refined my concepts, tolerated my outbursts, and they continue to teach me every day. I stay because it is home. It’s my community.
Let’s hear the joke then. Jokes that get your IP Address banned are the best jokes.
This is what I love about Ricochet too. For example, while I disagree with Fred Cole on most things, I admire his scrappiness and am grateful for all the great discussions and debates he’s started.
My sojourn on Ricochet has been for less than a year but once joining I knew quickly that I had found a home. A lifelong conservative I cut my teeth on Barry Goldwater’s book “Conscience of a Conservative” in the early ’60’s. Knowing how instinctive my beliefs are I have tried to expose myself to views from the left to challenge the validity of my positions. I found that opposing views from the left were driven primarily by emotion, not reason. I have found on Ricochet a variety of opposing views, albeit mostly right of center, that are well founded and reasonably stated. Smart is not always wise. What a treat to daily feast on intellectual discourse both intelligent and wise.
I came to because Mark Steyn was an original podcast member. Though Mark is long gone, I hung around, and have listened to every single flagship podcast — all 200+ of them. The combination of Rob Long’s RINO street smarts, Peter Robinson’s genteel, old fashioned conservatism, and James Lileks’ quicksilver humor is just…magical. The flagship podcast has replaced Rush Limbaugh as my favorite conservative entertainment, and that’s saying something.
In addition to the great podcasts, there is this unbelievably smart bunch of people to hang out with. Philosophy, science, music, horse-race political analysis — it’s all here, and it’s all first rate. More than worth the $5.00 a month.
I joined to throw out the occasional silly comment but now all these years later . . . no, that’s still pretty much all I do.
I came because my husband got tired of me talking politics, and I wanted someone to talk to who wouldn’t say, “Not again!” (He will talk politics, but not every night.) I came for that, but discovered so much more. Talks about food, raising kids, pets, things going on in the world, the environment (both sides), alcohol, health questions, advice on relationships and life—conservatives are such a well-rounded group, at least here. And most of the time, we’re polite, civil, and courteous, unless we’re talking about bad smells (40 year gasoline, anyone?).
I thought AUMom was supposed to bring the snacks. Since she hasn’t come through yet, I’m still hanging out waiting. Waiting.
Alcohol?. To hell with the snacks; where’s the booze?
BYOB.
The only enlightenment you will find here is the enlightenment you bring here, and I am about to enlighten you of about 750ml.
Let’s compromise and say it’s drinking water. [backs slowly away from badly exposed, heavily outgunned “outcropping” of three rocks and a goat]
I don’t see any goats. You into the absinth again?
Come for the jokes. Stay for the compromising situations.
My bio details how I came here for the civility, but now I mostly stick around so I’ll have something to read while enjoying my boxed scalloped potatoes and Dr. Pepper.
Eeyore
My bio details how I came here for the civility, but now I mostly stick around so I’ll have something to read while enjoying my boxed scalloped potatoes and Dr. Pepper.
And Twinkies for dessert.
I second the request – let’s hear the joke.
I’m not sure why I decided to say something at this time. Perhaps it’s because of the recent discussions of the past and future of Ricochet and who stays, who left, who will come tomorrow. As Ricochet tells me I’ve been here since 8/19/10. I have never posted anything because I was just a freeloader. Since I don’t have anything to say that’s useful and would never post anything I figured no harm, no foul. However I was shamed into joining recently. As soon as I do all heck seems to break loose. I have no problem accepting the blame for the recent carnage My apologies to everyone. My next post should be up around 2020.
When I look back at my decision to join, the two pillars of the Ricochet brand drew me: civil conversation and ideological affinity.
The founders have talked often of civil conversation. The CoC’s opening sentence refers to “civility” — courtesy and politeness — as something that needs to be maintained. I don’t get what’s so hard to get about this concept, and it has always been the key differentiator for me. As many others have noted, one can find flame-wars anywhere. The relative civility of Ricochet is an oasis.
Ideological affinity is trickier. The terms “center-right” and “conservative” are what the founders use. Those terms, unlike civility, aren’t so clear cut. In fact, one of the most consistent forms of personal attack is to say that someone shouldn’t even be here, that they aren’t conservative or center-right. Even if we extended the definition to include “libertarian,” we would simply open another front in the argument. I don’t believe we can ever come up with a rule that provide ideological clarity.
Therefore, I suggest that we adopt a dodge that is most famously done by AA: allow anyone who believes they’re one of us can join. The short form of AA’s Third Tradition says:
Perhaps the only ideological requirement for Ricochet members should be a desire to be in a center-right community.
The only behavior required is civil conversation: in writing, speaking, and listening.