I wrote something long and lovely and I'm afraid I lost it to a dead link. I shall pass along the gist: Hubski has been life- and internet-changing for me. I would never have gone out to meet a bunch internet randos, let alone drive to DC for it, before Hubski came into my life and I begrudgingly was won over by the community and spirit of this place. Hubski has changed the way I see interaction on the internet, and connection with real people. (Before, there was this divide, between "internet" and "real" people.) Last night was wonderful. Nothing beats in person. But what we do on the net and what we do in person are also very different things: I wouldn't trade this website for being able to hang out with you guys every night (no offense!). I love what we do here as well as all you brilliant, lovely, welcoming, cool people. I would love to hang out with basically anyone on Hubski, those I met and those I haven't. I think it's very different and raucously fun while maintaining the whole questioning, discussion-based side of Hubski and who Hubski is. Having really met you guys changes things for me, I know what you look like and your expressions and it gives me a depth of information I didn't have before. I guess it really means a lot to me to meet you guys in person. But, even without meeting you in person, I feel very personally connected to many Hubskiers in a way I've never felt before. My Hubski experience is already so much above the experience I normally have online that, in person or not, you're special to me. Ahhhhhgghhhhh I sound so emotive
i feel this! This is getting my next badge I promise.. you people could be anyone, anywhere. You could be everyone, everywhere. Normally that would make me judge you first, try to understand who you are, whether you're the right type of people for me to spend time with, if that makes sense. On Hubski, I don't. I don't care if you are gay or straight or both or neither. I don't care if you shoot heroin (but dont :D) or hoops on the weekends, I love listening to all of you talk and share and be upset and angry and indifferent and cynical and calm and loving and everything in between. This is a good place. But seriously guys, New York. Srsly.
Thanks, _refugee_. This is so very nice to hear. I believe that one of the most important aspects of this place will remain to be a 'je ne sais quoi'. It's something that we can't operate on directly, but we can know what's good or bad for it. Each meetup has confirmed my feeling that we are doing something worthwhile, and Friday's meetup was no exception. That was a lot of fun.