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I Spend Too Much Time on Ricochet. I Should Leave. But I Can’t Seem to Do So.
I recently got my 300th post up on the Main Feed. I think that’s more than anybody who’s not a contributor, although I’m sure I’m probably missing somebody. Please jump in and correct me, if you know someone else who also can’t seem find anything better to do with their time, like me. I’m going to struggle to catch up with Susan Quinn and Clifford Brown, since their teams of researchers, editors, and writers seem to work around the clock. But I’m proud of what I’ve contributed to the conversation here. Well, most of it. Sorry about the rest.
I joined Ricochet seven years ago, but I didn’t write my first post until four years ago. I’ve had a wonderful time. This really is a great community, and I’ve learned so, so much from my group of friends here. And I’ll stop arguing with you, briefly – just long enough to say ‘Thank You!’ for all I’ve learned here. I appreciate your willingness to share your knowledge, in such a collegial and friendly manner. Well, most of the time. Pretty much.
My membership fee came due last week. I thought about stepping aside for a while. I spend too much time on Ricochet. Maybe get a…um, you know…whatchacallit…oh yeah – a hobby. I’ve heard those are fun.
And for a couple days, I had decided to hang up my laptop, and wander off for a while. I walked away from Ricochet. I figured it was time.
But then I had a bad day at work, and I needed to clear my head. Booze is not a good way to do that. I don’t like television. I live in a suburb now, so I can’t walk in the woods. So I sat down at my laptop, and started tapping away. It forces me to focus on something other than my troubles, and is a good way to clear my head. As good as I’ve found so far, anyway.
So I guess I’m back. I sent in my membership fee, and I’ll get a hobby later, I suppose.
One thing about Ricochet that gets too little attention is that the best articles often have nothing to do with politics or current events. Since I suspect you’re probably as sick of politics as I am right now, down below I’ll link to some happy stuff I’ve written over the years, that might cheer you up, as it did me. Just to take a break for the steady drumbeat of negativity these days…
And once again, thanks everyone for helping me learn about the world, and helping me cope with life. I look forward to continuing our journey together.
Yours,
Dr. Bastiat
This essay from a couple years ago won Ricochet’s weekly competition, “Best essay on the topic of Tinder, Spanish, genderqueers, and Victor Borge.” Or at least, it should have.
This is one of the few articles I’ve posted that I really like. In it, I wonder if the fans of Thoreau have actually read Thoreau: Shallow Thoughts on Walden Pond.
This one isn’t comedy, but it’s a nice story, that reminds us of the importance of human kindness in difficult times: A Small Act of Kindness.
And lastly, a quick reminder on what’s really important in life, despite all the craziness: Little Girls are Magic.
Thanks for hanging out with me, everyone. I hope you’ve enjoyed this brief respite of happiness and community.
We now return to our regularly scheduled squabbling about unpleasant things…
Published in General
Wait…What?
I always look forward to your posts – you are simply fantastic. Thank you for being here!
18,306 comments and just as many identity changes. Take that, world.
When I pour myself a drink and type it always comes out “Moss Bongo”
Couldn’t you just do it less often? Or this like an online crack thing?
You should sell your services to NASDAQ public corporations for the ultimate in trans representation.
I spend too much time on Facebook! I was planning to delete my FB account to up my time spent on Ricochet.
I take periodic breaks from Ricochet. You need a pallet cleanser every so often. Or an enema. Depends how you look at it…lol.
Politics has been decreasing as a passion in my life over the last few years. But it’s hard to pull away from it. I enjoy Ricochet because it has a variety of types of discussion, all on a very smart level. But I do focus elsewhere from time to time.
I’ve got you beat at 342, and I haven’t written a post in over a year. ;)
But yes I understand your point.
Ok fine you win.
But… I will say that 10 years ago it was much more of a challenge to get something on the main feed. I was rather proud of myself the first time, and hoped it meant that even Likes and Robinson would be reading my writing. No such luck, but it still felt like an accomplishment. There was a big argument over member-promoted posts, many years back, and my side lost.
Please write that post! It sounds very interesting! Thank you.
I took a 18 month hiatus from Ricochet to clear my head and “continue my studies while traveling Feudal Japan improving my fighting skills, seeking adventure, wisdom and romance. No wait that’s the plot line for Samurai Trilogy, just kidding on the traveling Feudal Japan seeking romance part (or was I?).” I too felt I was spending too much time on the site, but I limit my time here to about one hour a day, a little more on Sunday afternoons.
It’s the long, dark tea-time of the soul.
Quitter talk.
Airplanes. A great technology. Hilton Head is a good time.
With the combination of Hilton Head and doctor, isn’t golf sort of assumed?
You would think so.
I play golf about 1-2 times per year. I like it, but not like some people do. Not really my thing, for some reason.
I should try to play more, I guess. But after a few holes, my mind starts wandering…
When I play golf, it is for comic relief.
Since I had the four crumb-crunchers the only golf I’ve ever played was festooned with windmills and dinosaur statues ‘n stuff.
I’ve learned to never trust a Navy guy who says, “Eh – I don’t play all that much…”
Indeed. One of the main reasons I will renew my subscription, which I believe is in a week or two. Glad he realized both that this is his hobby and that it’s not the worst one to have.
We used to take the kids down there for a week every summer. But that was back in the late 80’s-early 90’s. God only knows what it looks like now. My wife prefers the mountains to the beach.
I’m thankful you’re here! Keep writing!
Done.
I read your post before 5 this morning. It was such a good read, I felt that I needed to come up with something better than “thank you for writing”. 13 hours later, all I have is – thank you for writing! (In my defense, I have to earn a living for 10+ hours.)
May I have your permission to email your post to my children? I especially want them to read the section “Human, All Too Human”.
In case anyone here have missed this post, (it’s already off the first page), here’s the link –
https://ricochet.com/840046/a-commencement-address-from-a-different-america/
You may send it to anyone you wish. I’m glad you thought it worth your time.
I’ve re-read that address periodically — every three or four years — since I got my hands on it. I’ve passed it along in hard-copy to a few people and have always been fascinated by the varied responses. I’m still guessing what my changes in my own assessment say about me. Sliding the way he predicted?
I have wondered what it would have been like to sit in the audience and listen. The man seemed particularly hard on himself.