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Why I Left Ricochet (and came back)
Here in the United States only about five percent of the land is developed. The rest is “rural open space.” In that small five percent dwells 75% of our population. We choose to cram ourselves into close quarters. We choose to do this, just as we choose to be a part of an online community.
Why is the site here? Center-right conversation? Well, wherever it skews, it definitely provides a forum for conversation. Lively debate? Absolutely. Enlightening debate, invigorating, challenging, and sometimes even meaningful.
I don’t know why others joined and left, but I did because there were things that people simply couldn’t leave alone, and not just regarding my opinions. The back and forth turned personal, rather than topical. It’s fine. Everyone wants to feel secure and find a comfort zone. Maybe that’s what I wanted, but now…I want to crack it open a bit.
The truth of it is if you came here for affirmation, you won’t find it. I won’t find it. It is beyond all our power to grant this.
The best we all can do for each other is to be stewards of this site, of this community, rather than of our own orthodoxies. Defend our opinions? By all means we should do so and it is each person’s choice how best to approach it. My assumption is this: when I share thoughts, it is an invitation to others. Whether the response is agreement or not, it doesn’t matter. I put it out there, now let there be consequences. Heck, thanks for taking the time to read!
There is a lot of space out there and we choose where to go. I chose Ricochet…again. Mainly because I had a few thoughts rolling around in my head and wanted to get others’ opinions. This, certainly, is an easier place to do it than most. It’s why the site is here.
Or I have it all wrong. I trust you’ll let me know.
Anyway, that’s why I’m here and glad to be back. Thanks, all!
(Want to join this community? It’s just $5/month and the first one’s on us?)
Published in General
Glad you decided to come back Chris.
Just don’t go making any controversial statements like “The Sky is Blue”, or you’ll be set right mighty fast. Not that there’s anything wrong with that…
Glad you came back, Chris. This time around, I hope you find plenty of good fellowship here, even with the occasional bumps.
Good post. Welcome back! I don’t think you have it wrong at all.
Oh, sod off, you vacillating lackwit.
KIDDING! Thanks for coming back. I made the mistake today of reading some comment threads on some other sites, and when I came back to Ricochet it was like leaving the hot humid outdoors and entering an air-conditioned room. I read your piece, and it’s entirely reasonable and well-considered, and hence unfit for the internet in general. Glad you put it here, where it belongs.
I don’t trust people who think and talk like I do. They creep me out.
I’m back too. Been gone for a few years and find I’m craving well-crafted writing and intelligent arguments. This used to be the place for that…we’ll see.
Give us a chance, Babci. We’re sometimes uneven, choleric, and hot tempered; but to be honest, we also have bad qualities, too…
Why not indeed! Have fun.
I rejoined a little while back after lapsing for a couple years due to all-consuming work. Ricochet had grown up from a sleepy niche to a bubbling lake of lava. Absurdly polite compared to rest of the internet, but the content of the debates often generate a “Holy [expletive]!” from me.
Affirmation is boring.
Great post, Chris and welcome back.
It’s totally within our power.
And a very hearty “Welcome back!” to you, as well.
Great post, Chris!
Anyone who thinks that only 5% of this country is developed has a skewed definition of what development is and what develop-able land is.
Likewise, I’ve seen some of the bickering on here. Most between conservatives is relatively harmless and often times enlightening. The rest is usually surrounding individuals who are clearly not conservative in anyone’s mind but their own. This country has defined borders just as conservatism is a defined belief system and world view.
The few people that I’ve seen that have left in a huff have done so because they weren’t actually conservatives. They were squatters who came here and thought they could just pitch a tent because they thought this was a wide open, undeveloped land. However, when the ranchers who own this “undeveloped” prairie came through with their herd, the conflict got hairy and they got run-off.
I’m back again as well. I left because the site upgrade was so horrible that I just couldn’t follow conversations anymore. I checked back a few months ago and it appears to be formatted more like it was when I first joined so I jumped back in the pool.
You’ll have to ask the Census Bureau about how they determine it, Ryan. There were two figures when I researched it. The more specific was 5.4 percent. The other number was lower.
If you like this place, you may want to be less exclusive. This is a business, not a dominion.
Yep. I’m not worried about it. I’m here because there aren’t many people in my social circles that talk politics.
Ah, you should have seen the rough draft. Thanks!
Thanks, Gary. I’m canceling.
“Boring” is probably the word. Could have made it much more dull with some organizational culture (group dynamics, I suppose) research, a couple of interviews, and the like. If someone was buying, I would. Thanks, James.
Intend to. Hey, thanks, by the way. After two-and-a-half years gone, I had a friend request.
I enjoyed your post.
I too have walked away from Ricochet, only to tell myself that I could keep it in control this time and come back, like a junkie, unable to… wait a minute, that’s a little dark. How ’bout I just confess that I’m addicted. Sometimes I let life get in the way of my Ricochet, but I keep coming back. Hmmm. That might not be the best thing to say either.
Well, I’m glad you’re here now, @chriso. The more the merrier!
Yes, well, no danger of that with a small business and four and five year-olds.
I just joined for those very same reasons. Glad you’re here taking the approach you’re taking.
Welcome, C-Dog. See you soon, among the comments…
Was on the road all night and just wanted to thank @roblong, @peterrobinson, and @jameslileks (again) for the podcast mention of this post. It was most unexpected and appreciated. Thanks for keeping this venture going and I’ll see you all in the comments!