1,680 days ago I created my Hubski account. My friend Mark had been telling me about this website he visited called reddit for some time and I never really gave it a try. Then, one day he told me about how he created a site called Hubski, and it was what he had hoped reddit could be. It was specifically for high quality content, the kind of posts that challenge your thinking and introduce you to new ideas. And, it only had an "up vote." (ask mk for old screenshots, they're a trip to see now)
I signed up but I was a bit intimidated that the content I would share wouldn't be high-integrity enough. I was pretty leery of posting at first. When I joined there were only a few regulars on the site. cgod, steve, mike and alpha0 were users that I would interact with regularly. Then b_b, lessismore, fr33lunch, scrimetime, scarp and others came by...oh and kleinbl00 of course.
But back to 1650 days ago...
About a month after I joined Hubski as a user (thenewgreen), Mark (now mk to me) asked me to join him on Hubski as his partner. We were already becoming friends, but little did I know that this invitation would foster one of the strongest friendships I've made in my adult life.
We were out to dinner with our wives and Mark asked if I'd like to join him on his "project." I said yes and shared with him my idea to have the Hubski logo be the sharing and voting mechanism. -Still my biggest contribution to the site from a functional standpoint, imo.
As for our friendship, it's crazy how much I've shared in life with Mark because of Hubski. We have hundreds of the same friends. We have shared in the "influxes" that come and we have worked together and seen each other almost every Monday night for the last 4+ years. We work very well together. Our strengths compliment each others weaknesses. Though Mark will be quick to tell you that I have no weaknesses. Such is his regard for me.
I don't know about you, but I find that as an adult it's much harder to forge close friendships. It's actually easier for me to make substantive friendships on Hubski than it is IRL.
It's amazing to me how much I have shared of myself on this site over the years. Recently, when back in MI, I was having dinner with mk and gq and in a sincere, but perhaps odd gesture, I asked that in the event of my untimely death, mk visit my kids once a year and tell them about me. That's how much I trust him. That's how much I feel like he knows me. Why? Because of Hubski. I asked that he give my kids access to my Hubski account when they're old enough to appreciate it.
Ideally, he will NEVER have to do that, but anyways, I know that if it came to it, he would.
So, to all of you Hubskiers out there, thank you for your friendship. I've enjoyed the last 1,680 days very much. mk, I am very glad you invited me to be a part of this. As for Hubski, I've been kind of a shitty friend lately, in that I've been absent from the site. I shall return to my once prolific ways, I promise. Also, I have good reason for my absence. I can't wait to share it with you all!
Your friend,
-Steve
Aw man, Steve, now I miss y'all even more. So sorry I haven't been around nearly as much as usual! Colgate is keeping me busy with great classes, cool clubs, and new friends. But I really do miss Hubski! It's been, what, 400 days now? And I've enjoyed every one spent with y'all. I feel like this site has made be a better person. lil taught me to remember kindness always. Quatrarius, that erstwhile rivals can become good friends. _refugee_'s great example helped me write Bette poetry. kleinbl00 and waywardsamurai talked some much-needed sense into me on multiple occasions. nowaypablo and demure inspired me to pursue excellence always. And Steve, you showed me what it means to be truly welcoming. I'm sure there are others that I've missed; if you're reading, please know that I love you all, and I don't mean it as anything personal. There's only so much I can type from my phone just before an 11:20 ;) Take it easy, Hubski. See you again soon. Dawson
Hi, Steve! (It feels odd to call you that; I've only ever known you as thenewgreen. Same goes for "Mark" vis-à-vis mk.) Nice to hear from you. I am definitely guilty of being absent from the site as well. In fact you have been single-handedly keeping me in the loop with hubski with your occasional shout-outs to my old posts and comments. I might try to get back to being a regular here, although I'm no longer sure I know how the site works. :) I hope all is well with you. Judging by that last sentence, I'm betting you have some interesting stories to share. Keep me posted! - John
Yeah, it's really odd to think of you as "John," too. You'll always be scarp to me. I'm glad that you still have a toe in the site because of my badgering you :) I'll not relent. I used to enjoy our conversations quite a bit. Who knows, maybe sometime at a Hubski meet up Steve and John could have one of those conversations over a pint. You never know what the future holds.
I'm glad that nothing has changed in almost 4 years.
Coincidentally that thread also has one of my favorite NotPhil comments.
Though Mark will be quick to tell you that I have no weaknesses. Such is his regard for me. -After re-reading this, I think I need to clarify that his was sarcasm.
Aww, very personal insight! Thanks for sharing. I always knew some people here are more personal with each other than others, but that's a good example that sheds some light on some of them and gives you an perspective, especially to the anonymity of other big sites where your name means nothing.
At 1,484 days I'm glad to see, albeit on and off, what has come of this place. There are surely pockets of interaction that are likewise developing and living my their own will. Cheers, thenewgreen, it's been sick.