What is That's Plenty for?
The site is in a state of crisis. Nothing, of course, compared to the global environmental crisis, the crisis in Iraq (or lots of other countries where things are even worse for the general population on a day-to-day basis), the current American leadership crisis, etc. But insofar as That's Plenty can have a crisis, it is as bad as things can get.
A few years ago, when Ryan was visiting he suggested that we start a blog. I thought it was a great idea, but was unsure that he and I could provide sufficient content to make the site interesting or worthwhile, so I invited a bunch of people that we went to school with to be writers. Dylan and Michelle moved on to another project that requires most of their time, so I invited my sister and Missi St. Pierre to join the staff. Julie Lou and Wythe wanted to be a part of the site, so I asked them on too.
The contributors who make the site run are all some of the most intelligent, funny, interesting people I know. There is a feeling of mutual respect and admiration among everyone who posts here. So why is it that, lately, no one is posting?
The stock answer, the easiest, is that we're short on time. I am, we all are. But we all have some measure of discretionary time. My sister being the exception, of course. She's in med school, an institution notorious for draining the lifeblood of all applicants to ensure the highest possible standards in the profession.
I've found, for my part, that I am busy. I'm extremely busy. But I still find time to play video games, read books, and take walks with my wife (and our dogs). I read quite a bit of material on the internet, check my e-mail, take photographs, party and eat with friends. I just haven't made That's Plenty a priority. And lately, with the hosting and domain renewal coming up and the recent purchase of a pro account on flickr, I've been wondering why.
I think that one of the reasons is that over time, we've lost sight of what That's Plenty is for, why we started it. When I consider posting something that I've been thinking about, or something weird or interesting I've seen on the internet, I've worried that my post was too personal... or if I'm taking something from Digg or just reposting a video or news article, not personal enough.
Or, for example, Karen doesn't want to post about makeup and makeup artistry because she believes it's too off-topic for the site. But I think that the topic for the site is pretty broad: each other and ourselves.
Maybe the other posters here have been struggling with similar thoughts.
What I'm suggesting, then, for those of you who have been thinking along similar lines, is to remember what this site is for. When the site was at its most active, it was a place for me to watch, listen, and read about all the things my smart, funny, interesting friends were thinking about, working on, and interested in. It has been a touchstone for me to reconnect in a small way with some of the people I care most about.
For me, that is what the site is for. And I miss it. I miss That's Plenty!
So I hope we can get this conversation started again.
And please, anyone, even the readers, let me know: What do you think That's Plenty is for?
In the interest of whining fairly, I'm going to make a commitment to post once a day. It might be something stupid or short, but I'm going to do it. And I hope you all will help us, too.
And don't ever be afraid to comment on the posts! I know, for me, anyway, that seeing a comment on my posts reminds me that people are reading and paying attention. It makes me feel good about posting and makes me want to post more. I think everyone here, to a greater or lesser degree, feels the same way.
See you tomorrow!
Well, I found you relatively recently, while searching for posts about a particular artist's show at a particular museum a while back.
I don't know any of you.
I enjoy the site anyway...though it's pretty clear that this is now an untended garden.
Every once in a while there's a lovely weed sprouting up, with fascinating buds, or leaves.
In the blogosphere, that's still OK. *g*
i work too much. i keep thinking of blog ideas on car rides, then dont follow through.
wah wah, i think ill just bank a bunch of dif moms and have them all set up to post in future dates.
lack of comments/feedback is another thing. i did some posts on forbidden zone, then came to visit and showed sam some of the clips and he'd never even seen 'em.
also, the server sucks, i double post all the time by accident, and the wyswyg editor is weird.
but i love tp and all of you.