Constant Reader discussion

I have a 21-page document that Allen Crocker put together with the bios of the then Constant Readers. Since Sherry, Ruth, Barb and I joined in 1995, our bios aren't there, but I will be happy to scan this document and email it to anyone who is interested. Several of our deceased friends are included, like Thom Hanser, Ernie Belden, Allen Crocker, and our dear Dale Short. There is also a profile of Steve Warbasse. Just let me know if you want this document in your mailbox!

Yes, Jane, please!

Also, Tonya joined in 1995, just before we all met in New Orleans!!

Thanks, Jane! I got the document and look forward to enjoying it slowly so I can savor each bio.

Yes please.

Good to see you, Sherry!

Thank you, Jane! And hi, Sherry!!!

Sherry! I'm glad you're here. The place doesn't seem like home without you.

Sherry! Good to see you!

We’re in France right now. Staying for about five more weeks.

Oh, how lovely!

Oh, France, Sherry! I’m happy for you and envious as well.

When I read Cathy Hill's bio I realized that it had been a long time since I'd thought about her. A little Googling revealed that she died in April of 2021: https://www.springhillfh.com/obituari....

I wondered about Cathy, too. Thanks for follow up, Lynn.

Thanks, Lynn. She was unique. I am imagining what she would say about our current political situation.

Yes, Barb, I imagine Cathy has probably been rolling in her grave for years, but I'll bet she's cheering now!

I think the best part of the document is the closing comment by Allen:
"In closing this first collection of C.R. profiles, let me say that, as a person who has never organized so much as a Sunday picnic in the “real world,” I stand in awed bewilderment at my unexpected success at creating this group of friends in cyberspace. That I should have been able to have such an impact on the lives of so many wonderful people is yet beyond my ability to comprehend, and I thank you all for the very deep influence – immeasurably for the better – you’ve had on mine."

RIP, Allen - this group that you created has also had an immeasurably good influence on my life. I am forever grateful.

I second that, Lynn!

Lynn, I do agree with Allen. CR is a wonderful group of people. We have had so many good times online and in person.

As part of my nostalgia kick, I was looking at the photos posted from some of our conventions. Another CR friend that we have lost is Felix Miller. So many have died in the past few years.

I remember my mom complaining that all her friends had died. Now it’s happening to me.

It's happening to my mom right now too, Ruth. At least you still have some CR friends left :)

Keep healthy, you guys!

Jane, when you referenced this document in the topic regarding Dale's passing, I was terrified. You have now confirmed my worst fear. I had better take a look at it, although I know that the rest of it will break my heart. Please. You have my email address.

Don't worry about me, Ruthie.

Ooops, Jane. There it had been sitting in my inbox for six days already. I need to check my email more often.

Thank you . . . I think.

I was reading a BBC article today (https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20...) about the community on connectivity servers that were the precursors to the eventual Internet, and this bit made me think of CR's relationship with Goodreads and how sometimes intended improvements on things actually break all the good stuff. "Looking back at the history of virtual communities and social media since the Well's heyday, Rheingold reflects on the fact that small, dedicated affinity communities are a dying breed. "Facebook really put a damper on the proliferation of smaller communities of people with a shared interest," he says, in favour of larger platforms full of audiences which could be mined for data and served with advertisements. "Once your community members are the product rather than the customer, you don't have a community," says Eisenhart." I'm really glad that the CR core has held tight to its community vibes over the years, regardless of where it lives.

So true, Molly!!

Yes!

Yes please

I missed this before, Jane. Would you please send it to me?

Molly, thank you for that article. It never occurred to me that there were other unique communities out there that struggled or were undone by the changes. Our Prodigy days were probably the glory ones but Constant Reader has been a consistent home for me.

I agree, Barb.

Jane wrote: "I have a 21-page document that Allen Crocker put together with the bios of the then Constant Readers. Since Sherry, Ruth, Barb and I joined in 1995, our bios aren't there, but I will be happy to sc..."

I would like a copy of these bios, if possible. Oh, those Prodigy days and all our wanderings among the sites in those early days were truly a lot of work for a few of our core contingent and we owe a lot to the founder. To have this group at the touch of a button when sitting at the desk on Kuringersteenwg, BE while the news of 9/11 hit every tv station on the air in Hasselt was the most grounding thing I have even experienced.

Would love the bios, as I said. This group is definitely my book family forever.

Oh, Dottie. I’d forgotten you were living in Belgium on that dreadful day.

Dottie,

I will need your email address. I have Barb's.

Jane wrote: "Dottie,

I will need your email address. I have Barb's."

Sent it to you via FB messages, Jane.

Ruth wrote: "Oh, Dottie. I’d forgotten you were living in Belgium on that dreadful day."

I believe it was a post from Candy saying something cryptic about events in New York -- I wish I had copied our exchange but have no notations to quote. It was the only time in our five years there that all the TV channels Belgian, Dutch, German, -- every last one went 24/7 reporting on that event.