"The WELL is the smartest person in the world."

Twenty five years ago Steward Brand and Larry Brilliant changed the world with a computer discussion system called the Whole Earth 'Lectronic Link. Online social connections have never been the same.

It's all about who's here. For certain sharp, articulate people who resist categorization, there is simply no place like The WELL. Inside this famous walled garden, all sides of your authentic expertise, wit and reflection can come out. You are in a different context here, a step removed from your other circles. Yet you use your real name. This leads to real conversations, real collaborations and real relationships.

Are the members experts in their fields?

Here's what WELL-member Alan Turner has to say about that:

There are expert sites for everything, and I am not here for advice on my profession. But for everything else, there is at least one interesting person here who knows about any subject.

If a Russian submarine sinks, there's a former submariner. If a sinkhole opens in Guatemala, there's a geologist. If somebody is caught publishing a plagiarized book, there's an IP lawyer. If you're thinking about getting chickens we've got people who have been there, are doing that. Maybe some day somebody will ask about growing heaths and heathers, and I'll be ready.

The WELL is a clearinghouse of smart people with expertise in a huge range of subjects. My file quote on the subject is: "The Well is the smartest person in the world. That its brain is in many different heads is just a technicality."

That's what we have going in the experts field. And I don't know of any other social networking sites that do.

Will The WELL be a good fit for you? Find out. You don't have to commit to a full year. Get your feet wet, and take a good look around for a few weeks or months. You'll know.