What is the WELL?
Welcome to a gathering that’s like no other.
The WELL, launched back in 1985 as the Whole Earth ‘Lectronic Link, continues to provide a cherished watering hole for articulate and playful thinkers from all walks of life.
For more about why conversation is so treasured on The WELL, and why members of the community banded together to buy the site in 2012, check out the story of The WELL.
If you like what you see, join us!
No advertising? Really?
Yes, really. Our conferences are ad-free. The WELL is entirely user-supported, which means we don’t have to serve you ads to make money. It also means that what you talk about on The WELL will stay there–if you post about your new pair of running shoes in the fitness conference, you won’t suddenly see ads for other fitness equipment the next time you visit a different social media site. Plus, our posts aren’t spider-able so they won’t show up in web searches.
Come on, everyone sells data. I’m sure you’re doing it too.
Nope. We collect almost no personal data from our users, and what we do collect, we don’t sell. A wise person once said “if you’re not paying for the product, you’re the product.” On The WELL, the product is the great content that our members create, not the members themselves. We won’t sell you out to some massive aggregator of online data. Here, you don’t just Own Your Own Words, you own your identity, too.
What’s wrong with anonymous posting?
Nothing, I guess, if you’re not interested in building community. Requiring our users to register with their real names means every user knows who every other user is. It cuts down on drive-by posting and helps build real connections between people.
Currently in the Inkwell:
Unlike most conversations on The WELL, you don’t need a WELL member account to participate – this one is open to all!
Coming in January:
“The State of the World 2022” Conversation goes live January 4
A tradition for two decades, Bruce Sterling, Jon Lebkowsky and special guests start the new year by spending two weeks in conversation about “The State of the World.” This time they will be joined by Emily Gertz and Vinay Gupta.
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Recently in the Inkwell
December 7 – 21, 2021
Bad Motherfucker: The Life and Movies of Samuel L. Jackson
Author Gavin Edwards visits for a two-week discussion of his latest book, “Bad Motherfucker: The Life and Movies of Samuel L. Jackson, the Coolest Man in Hollywood.” “A fascinating exploration and celebration of the life and work of the coolest man in Hollywood, Samuel L. Jackson—from his star-making turns in the films of Spike Lee and Quentin Tarantino to his ubiquitous roles in the Star Wars and Marvel franchises, not to mention the cult favorite Snakes on a Plane.”
Check out the 2021 conversation here. Visit the rest of the topics:
I was looking into the origins of the Global Lives Project when I stumbled upon the Long Now Project, and then the name of the long-familiar Stewart Brand, and then mention of the WELL, which I’ve known about for decades.
I’m feeling adventuresome in my third year of retirement, so I decided to join the WELL at last. I look forward to plumbing its riches!