One thing I left out of the "Let's Fight About Copyright!" post from yesterday: I believe TOP readers are the best group of people on the entire far-flung World Wide Web. Yeah, I'm prejudiced, but that's what I believe.
Even people who get full-on pissed off—a rarity—will usually turn friendly and nice if I remember to keep my own calm. And our commenters, who are only a small subset of the audience—well, they're the people who keep me interested. They educate me every day, contribute to every discussion, lend credibility to abstract discussions with firsthand knowledge and experience, help me write the material for the website, tip me off to things I had no clue existed, and make me laugh with their wit, drollery, or singular skill in self-expression.
No one who writes for the web would mind more readers, but the ones I've got are the best there are, and please, never let my occasional kvetching imply otherwise.
Cheers,
Mike the Moderator
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Original contents copyright 2011 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved.
Aww shucks, we love ya too!
Posted by: David Nicol | Tuesday, 28 June 2011 at 04:03 PM
Thanks Mike. We think you are pretty great, too.
Posted by: Rob Atkins | Tuesday, 28 June 2011 at 04:33 PM
I'm very very happy if I could become an active member of your discussions, but I'm spanish (from Spain, Europe) and I don't know write in your language (as you can see clearly). I read your blog every (yes, every)day of my life several years ago, and I like very much. Even I'm dreaming of fly to Waukesha and met you ¿in person?, and know your contry, "dreaming is free".
Cheers. Paco.
P.S. Sorry for my horrible english.
Posted by: Paco | Tuesday, 28 June 2011 at 05:22 PM
Paco,
It's a lot better than my Spanish!
Glad to have you as a reader. Commenting is absolutely optional.
Mike
Posted by: Mike Johnston | Tuesday, 28 June 2011 at 05:31 PM
Well Mike, it's always nice to read your thoughts. If you ever come to Argentina let me know, i'd be happy to pay you back with any insight you find interesting!
Posted by: Max | Tuesday, 28 June 2011 at 08:13 PM
Bring it on Mike. Yes I shoot digital too but am really hooked on B&W film. My development of B&W film is spot on but I'm poorly self taught in traditional print making and would love to know more.
Also add serious cooking to your list above. I love Italian food and decided to give it a go myself. The rewards are worth the effort.
Posted by: MJFerron | Tuesday, 28 June 2011 at 10:24 PM
Wouldn't dream of it Mike.
Posted by: Dennis Huteson | Wednesday, 29 June 2011 at 12:34 AM
Mike - I second your kudos. I have posted here on occasion and the only fear I have ever had was a fear of seeming foolish. I don't have any concern that people here might levy personal attacks if they disagree with me - this blog feels like a very safe place for me to join in the exploration of ideas. Because of this atmosphere and because of the diverse backgrounds and opinions of your audience I have found joining discussions to help me grow and develop deeper understandings and flesh out some of my ideas.
So thank you Mike for your careful efforts in curating this collection, and thank you fellow TOP readers for being the sorts of people who can comprise this motley yet safe and challenging community.
Posted by: Christian | Wednesday, 29 June 2011 at 08:32 AM
As I sometimes tire of telling my clients on leadership courses, leading by example is the only way of ensuring quality participation;)
You get the audience you deserve.
Posted by: Steve Jacob | Wednesday, 29 June 2011 at 12:13 PM