What is The WELL?

Welcome to a gathering that's like none other — remarkably uninhibited, intelligent and iconoclastic.

The regulars in this place include noted authors, programmers, journalists, activists and other creative people who swap info, test their convictions and banter with one another in wide-ranging conversations.

The WELL, originally the Whole Earth 'Lectronic Link, provides a literate watering hole for some articulate and unpretentious thinkers. [more about The WELL...]

Fresh Conversations

The Science of Snooping
What messages do your possessions send to those around you? (Guests welcome)

Straight to Hey-el
The view from inside the Grand Canyon as flash floods threaten residents and tourists alike. (Members only)

Georgia On My Mind
How should the West respond to the Russian invasion of Georgia? (Members only)

More discussions...

Membership is not for everyone: partly because we are non-anonymous here. This means that as a member, you know the names of the people you're talking with and they know you, leading to real relationships. Here's how to decide whether The WELL is for you, and whether you're for The WELL. [more on how to join...]

Brady Lea, playwright/teacher:
My home on The WELL is the convivial chow.ind. It's the best place online to talk about food -- eating it, cooking it, going out for it, and heck, even making dioramas from it. You'll also find me in the San Francisco conference, which I co-host. There we discuss all aspects of city life from arts to sports to politics to -- okay, eating again. I'm also a fan of Plumage, where a fashion reality check is always available from friendly cohorts. [more recommendations...]

Use the search box below to explore those goodies that are open for everybody to enjoy. Find FAQs, sites created by members and a few topics being discussed out front. (Members log in at the top of the page to the acclaimed forums on the inside.)

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