How Did You Find Ricochet?

 

We are having a nice discussion on the member page talking about ways to improve Ricochet and advertising is coming up.

It led to my remembering how I found Ricochet a few years ago. I was watching Uncommon Knowledge on YouTube and Peter Robinson was interviewing John Yoo; they talked about something called Ricochet and I wondered what it was. A few more videos and the constant mentioning of the site came up and I decided to come here. I started listening to podcasts and became hooked pretty soon after.

It might help The Powers That Be find more members if they learn why you joined the club. Share your stories here.

If nothing else, I would love to hear more peoples’ “finding stories.”

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  1. Samuel Block Support
    Samuel Block
    @SamuelBlock

    CarolJoy, Above Top Secret (View Comment):

    Having Peter out there on youtube might bring more people here if there currently is a way to insert the mention of Ricochet at the intro section of each youtube Pete’s in.

    Maybe they could put it on the chyron. Also, whenever people are going introduce him – whether on a Fox segment, or elsewhere – it should be floated to them that he is Ricochet co-founder first, followed by research fellow and former speechwriter. 

    I know he probably considers his time with Reagan to be his greatest honor, but he really has long since graduated from that being his highest achievement.

    • #31
  2. Randy Weivoda Moderator
    Randy Weivoda
    @RandyWeivoda

    Samuel Block (View Comment):

    CarolJoy, Above Top Secret (View Comment):

    Having Peter out there on youtube might bring more people here if there currently is a way to insert the mention of Ricochet at the intro section of each youtube Pete’s in.

    Maybe they could put it on the chyron. Also, whenever people are going introduce him – whether on a Fox segment, or elsewhere – it should be floated to them that he is Ricochet co-founder first, followed by research fellow and former speechwriter.

    I know he probably considers his time with Reagan to be his greatest honor, but he really has long since graduated from that being his highest achievement.

    It would be gauche to suggest that Rob and Peter should don a trucker cap with the Ricochet logo each time they make a television appearance.  But how about a straw hat or fedora with a hat band that has the Ricochet logo?  I think it would make them look quite dashing.

    • #32
  3. Samuel Block Support
    Samuel Block
    @SamuelBlock

    Randy Weivoda (View Comment):

    Samuel Block (View Comment):

    CarolJoy, Above Top Secret (View Comment):

    Having Peter out there on youtube might bring more people here if there currently is a way to insert the mention of Ricochet at the intro section of each youtube Pete’s in.

    Maybe they could put it on the chyron. Also, whenever people are going introduce him – whether on a Fox segment, or elsewhere – it should be floated to them that he is Ricochet co-founder first, followed by research fellow and former speechwriter.

    I know he probably considers his time with Reagan to be his greatest honor, but he really has long since graduated from that being his highest achievement.

    It would be gauche to suggest that Rob and Peter should don a trucker cap with the Ricochet logo each time they make a television appearance. But how about a straw hat or fedora with a hat band that has the Ricochet logo? I think it would make them look quite dashing.

    Yeah! I’m sure Peter would be thrilled to be associated with any garment that isn’t a sweater.

    Are you listening @peterrobinson?

    • #33
  4. JamesSalerno Inactive
    JamesSalerno
    @JamesSalerno

    @ToryWarWriter, my story is identical! I listened to a lot of Daily Wire stuff and somehow I got linked to an Uncommon Knowledge with John Yoo. He mentioned the Law Talk podcast, which led me here. I checked around and really liked what I saw, and here I am.

    Just want to add, there are a lot of really smart people here. Great place to be.

    • #34
  5. TBA Coolidge
    TBA
    @RobtGilsdorf

    Mendel (View Comment):

    I discovered Uncommon Knowledge in grad school and would binge listen to episodes after everyone else had left for the day (I was something of a night owl back then).

    On one episode, Peter’s two guests were Rob Long and Mark Steyn, and the topic was New Media. Peter introduced the topic by mentioning that Rob and Mark were teaming up to launch a new conservative website with a unique concept. Rob and Mark politely pointed out that Peter was also a founding member and could dispense with the “you guys” schtick. That was enough to make me hunt down the site and join.

    aardo vozz (View Comment):

    I read Mark Steyn on a regular basis, and his website had a link to a ricochet podcast on which he was a guest. Liked the podcast, liked the site, and joined in September 2012. Maybe TPTB should have Mark Steyn on more often 🙂

    My understanding is that Steyn was one of the original founders (together with Peter and Rob), but left shortly thereafter under mysterious circumstances. As he seems to do with most of his professional relationships save for Rush.

    If only the mods weren’t against conspiracy theories, we might get to the bottom of this…unless they’re actually in on it! 

    ;) 

    • #35
  6. Samuel Block Support
    Samuel Block
    @SamuelBlock

    TBA (View Comment):

    Mendel (View Comment):

    I discovered Uncommon Knowledge in grad school and would binge listen to episodes after everyone else had left for the day (I was something of a night owl back then).

    On one episode, Peter’s two guests were Rob Long and Mark Steyn, and the topic was New Media. Peter introduced the topic by mentioning that Rob and Mark were teaming up to launch a new conservative website with a unique concept. Rob and Mark politely pointed out that Peter was also a founding member and could dispense with the “you guys” schtick. That was enough to make me hunt down the site and join.

    aardo vozz (View Comment):

    I read Mark Steyn on a regular basis, and his website had a link to a ricochet podcast on which he was a guest. Liked the podcast, liked the site, and joined in September 2012. Maybe TPTB should have Mark Steyn on more often 🙂

    My understanding is that Steyn was one of the original founders (together with Peter and Rob), but left shortly thereafter under mysterious circumstances. As he seems to do with most of his professional relationships save for Rush.

    If only the mods weren’t against conspiracy theories, we might get to the bottom of this…unless they’re actually in on it!

    ;)

    Whoa! 

    Mind blown!

    • #36
  7. Laura Gadbery Coolidge
    Laura Gadbery
    @LauraGadbery

    The Conservatarians podcast via twitter. I’m more of a lurker, I’m ashamed to say. I read, rarely comment or write, but hope to change those habits and hang out here more instead of so much on the twitterverse. That place is cra-zy. You all seem nice. :)

    • #37
  8. Samuel Block Support
    Samuel Block
    @SamuelBlock

    Laura Gadbery (View Comment):

    The Conservatarians podcast via twitter. I’m more of a lurker, I’m ashamed to say. I read, rarely comment or write, but hope to change those habits and hang out here more instead of so much on the twitterverse. That place is cra-zy. You all seem nice. :)

    Yay! This is good news!

    • #38
  9. Annefy Member
    Annefy
    @Annefy

    Heard Pat Sajack interviewed and he mentioned Ricochet. I’m thinking maybe 2010?

    Joined in 2011.

    My sisters live 45 miles from me, and think all of my friends are imaginary. My kids know I have friends IRL, but think all of you are imaginary.

    • #39
  10. The Dowager Jojo Inactive
    The Dowager Jojo
    @TheDowagerJojo

    My husband thinks Ricochet people are imaginary, and he is not entirely wrong. 

    I found Ricochet in 2011 via NR and Mark Steyn, who was with NR at the time. I joined so I could tell Paul Rahe he was wrong, haha. My sister who had enlightened me joined also when I told her about it, but after a while she left, and it had to do with her mistrust of the formulation “center-right.” I believe she was not entirely wrong either.

    • #40
  11. Umbra Fractus Inactive
    Umbra Fractus
    @UmbraFractus

    Jonah Goldberg (who I still respect) mentioned on The Corner that he would be on the Ricochet podcast. I looked it up and saw Rob Long, Peter Robinson, and Mark Steyn, all of whom I also respected/enjoyed, so I gave Jonah’s episode a listen. (I think Jonah got in trouble for cussing on the air, or something.) I was hooked on the podcast, and signed up for the website later.

    • #41
  12. Seawriter Contributor
    Seawriter
    @Seawriter

    As I recall, my wife Janet got addicted to the Ricochet podcast (today’s Flagship podcast) back in 2o12. She dragged me in to Ricochet. Not sure how she discovered it, and she isn’t around to ask anymore. Probably through NRO. We ended up joining in Dec 2012.

    I did not post anything for nearly a year. Then I started with my book reviews in October 2013.

    • #42
  13. Aaron Miller Inactive
    Aaron Miller
    @AaronMiller

    I followed Mark Steyn here from SteynOnline. Then he ditched me like a cheap date. But by then I had claimed a chair.

    • #43
  14. Bob Armstrong Thatcher
    Bob Armstrong
    @BobArmstrong

    Undoubtedly NRO-related, although I cannot recall the exact sequence of events. Pretty sure that it was some comment from @bossmongo on some post that convinced me to pony up for a membership!

    • #44
  15. Eustace C. Scrubb Member
    Eustace C. Scrubb
    @EustaceCScrubb

     

    “How Did You Find Ricochet?”

     

    Very entertaining.

    • #45
  16. Zed11 Inactive
    Zed11
    @Zed11

    Stephen “redsteeze” Miller drove a bunch of people crazy when he dared attend a female-only screening of Wonder Woman, and that led to sticking my nose in here to check him out with Jon “The Chief” Gabriel on The Conservatarians. Even though Miller left, still a fan of both.

    When Carol Roth got a podcast, I put my money down for a membership. She’s stellar.

    Very happy with the cross-section of talent.

    • #46
  17. Samuel Block Support
    Samuel Block
    @SamuelBlock

    Bob Armstrong (View Comment):

    Undoubtedly NRO-related, although I cannot recall the exact sequence of events. Pretty sure that it was some comment from @bossmongo on some post that convinced me to pony up for a membership!

    Boss is the best!

    • #47
  18. Matt Bartle Member
    Matt Bartle
    @MattBartle

    Turn left at Greenland.

    • #48
  19. Cow Girl Thatcher
    Cow Girl
    @CowGirl

    It says on my information that I joined in April 2012. I don’t remember how I found it! Maybe NRO, maybe Uncommon Knowledge. I am just very glad that I DID find it. I love it!! I’m happy to be a member, a contributor, a lurker, and a friend of many of you. May we keep up this site for a long, long time.

    • #49
  20. Aaron Miller Inactive
    Aaron Miller
    @AaronMiller

    Annefy (View Comment):
    My sisters live 45 miles from me, and think all of my friends are imaginary. My kids know I have friends IRL, but think all of you are imaginary.

    Imaginary, my foot! But the rest of me is real. Mostly.

    • #50
  21. She Member
    She
    @She

    ToryWarWriter: If nothing else, I would love to hear more peoples’ “finding stories.”

    I tell mine here, in my ninth RicoVersary post.

    Long story (aren’t they all?) short:  I found out about R> on Powerline in 2010, only a couple of months after it went live.  John Hinderaker wrote a post called Moonlighting at Ricochet, in which he suggested PL readers check the place out.

    I “lurked” for a few months, enjoying the posts on the Main Only Feed, but didn’t sign up for the privilege of commenting, which is what a membership gotcha at the time.

    However, on November 9, the following post appeared on the feed:

    member-feed

    and I was hooked.  I signed up on December 12, 2010.  And I’ve been here ever since.

    At first, posts were promoted based on editorial recommendation only (no “Likes” feature).  There wasn’t a “PM” function when I joined either. And there were no groups.

    • #51
  22. Merrijane Inactive
    Merrijane
    @Merrijane

    Arahant (View Comment):

    I was hanging out around NR mostly when they started it. I would listen to the podcasts. Eventually joined.

    Me too

    • #52
  23. ParisParamus Inactive
    ParisParamus
    @ParisParamus

    RushBabe49 (View Comment):

    Hillsdale College online course in Western Civilization, one lecture by Professor Paul Rahe. His bio mentions that he posts on Ricochet, so I checked it out. It only took me a few minutes to decide to join, and I urged Hubby to join too. That was in December of 2012.

    I can’t remember. What I do remember is that Rob Long and Peter Robinson had a Drudge-like news aggregating web site (“Robinson and Long”, I think) promotes, maybe, by John Batchelor on his show (or some radio show…?) and then Ricochet must have been promoted on some radio show; and then POOF! I was hooked.

    • #53
  24. Mark Camp Member
    Mark Camp
    @MarkCamp

    ParisParamus (View Comment):

    RushBabe49 (View Comment):

    Hillsdale College online course in Western Civilization, one lecture by Professor Paul Rahe. His bio mentions that he posts on Ricochet, so I checked it out. It only took me a few minutes to decide to join, and I urged Hubby to join too. That was in December of 2012.

    I can’t remember. What I do remember is that Rob Long and Peter Robinson had a Drudge-like news aggregating web site (“Robinson and Long”, I think) promotes, maybe, by John Batchelor on his show (or some radio show…?) and then Ricochet must have been promoted on some radio show; and then POOF! I was hooked.

    It’s strange, and nice, to hear an interesting comment from a long-standing member whom one doesn’t recall ever hearing from before. Makes me wonder what I’m missing by their reticence!

    • #54
  25. YankeeBruce Coolidge
    YankeeBruce
    @YankeeBruce

    Like a number of people here, I’m not really sure when I found Ricochet.  Probably heard about it a couple of times when I used to hang around in NRO.  

    Then I found Powerline.  Enjoyed the articles and they eventually started podcasting.  As they are also hosted here, I eventually poked around, realized I need to support what I like, and joined.  

    I need to come here more often, but that is a story for another link. :-) 

     

    • #55
  26. Zafar Member
    Zafar
    @Zafar

    It was behind the couch the whole time!

    I was fanboying Berlinski.

    • #56
  27. Richard Easton Coolidge
    Richard Easton
    @RichardEaston

    I listened to some of the early podcasts with Mark Steyn. I’ve been a big fan of his for a long time. As some of you know, he was a good friend of my friend Milt Rosenberg (legendary Chicago radio talk show host). But I joined in 2015 after finding through a search anonymous’s brilliant review of my book “GPS Declassified”. 

    • #57
  28. colleenb Member
    colleenb
    @colleenb

    Like many I can’t remember exactly how I found Ricochet: Powerline, Mr. Steyn, National Review, Instapundit? I tried to read comments on other sites (thinking especially of The Federalist) but they so quickly evolved into shouting that I gave up. I lurked for a number of months but finally paid the man (or maybe in this case the men). I comment but have yet to write a post. I am just so grateful for the real discussions and debates on Ricochet. Just (almost literally this moment) finished “America’s Great Debate” by Fergus Bordewich and I appreciate the politicians who did what the did in 1850. I think I would go to a liberal/left website like Ricochet if there was one – and there were enough sane liberals to populate it – to hear their thoughts. And let’s face it – Ricochet can be a hoot and definitely keeps me sane.

    • #58
  29. Kozak Member
    Kozak
    @Kozak

    I used to go to the Robinson and Long website that was a kind of primitive early version of Rico.

    Saw the ads for the upcoming Ricochet with Robinson Long and Steyn and couldn’t wait to sign up…

    • #59
  30. I Walton Member
    I Walton
    @IWalton

    I had heard Peter Robinson on uncommon knowledge,  came here because of Clair Berlinski and discovered Robinson and everybody else.  Joined immediately

    • #60
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