[SUBuddha]

Ok so some back story. My wife is a self published author and Blogger. For her blog this week the topic was social media and authors. The question posed on her site NAAlley was does social media hurt or help you as a fan? The basic premise being, does knowing more about your favorite authors increase, decrease or have no bearing on your status as a fan of their work? We had a long talk about the subject with regards to my status as a fan of athletes and actors.

For my part, I have a hard time watching movies with actors that I know to be bad people. For example, I stopped watching Mel Gibson films and Sean Connery movies after I found out about accusations of spousal abuse. Sorry but hitting a woman does not fly with me. I have also stopped paying attention to, and rooting for players, that I have since found out to have violated my particular set of criteria or show generally negative (douche like) behaviors.

So here is my question, does social media, and the access it allows us to our sports icons, impact your status as a fan? For instance, if Andrew Luck was convicted of misdemeanor assault on his girl friend, would it impact his appeal to you? What if one of your favorite players tweeted something you found abhorrent (for me, a player coming out and bashing the LGBTQ community would be a big hit on my ability to root for them)?

[SUBuddha]

Ok so some back story. My wife is a self published author and Blogger. For her blog this week the topic was social media and authors. The question posed on her site NAAlley was does social media hurt or help you as a fan? The basic premise being, does knowing more about your favorite authors increase, decrease or have no bearing on your status as a fan of their work? We had a long talk about the subject with regards to my status as a fan of athletes and actors.

For my part, I have a hard time watching movies with actors that I know to be bad people. For example, I stopped watching Mel Gibson films and Sean Connery movies after I found out about accusations of spousal abuse. Sorry but hitting a woman does not fly with me. I have also stopped paying attention to, and rooting for players, that I have since found out to have violated my particular set of criteria or show generally negative (douche like) behaviors.

So here is my question, does social media, and the access it allows us to our sports icons, impact your status as a fan? For instance, if Andrew Luck was convicted of misdemeanor assault on his girl friend, would it impact his appeal to you? What if one of your favorite players tweeted something you found abhorrent (for me, a player coming out and bashing the LGBTQ community would be a big hit on my ability to root for them)?

[SUBuddha]

Ok so some back story. My wife is a self published author and Blogger. For her blog this week the topic was social media and authors. The question posed on her site NAAlley was does social media hurt or help you as a fan? The basic premise being, does knowing more about your favorite authors increase, decrease or have no bearing on your status as a fan of their work? We had a long talk about the subject with regards to my status as a fan of athletes and actors.

For my part, I have a hard time watching movies with actors that I know to be bad people. For example, I stopped watching Mel Gibson films and Sean Connery movies after I found out about accusations of spousal abuse. Sorry but hitting a woman does not fly with me. I have also stopped paying attention to, and rooting for players, that I have since found out to have violated my particular set of criteria or show generally negative (douche like) behaviors.

So here is my question, does social media, and the access it allows us to our sports icons, impact your status as a fan? For instance, if Andrew Luck was convicted of misdemeanor assault on his girl friend, would it impact his appeal to you? What if one of your favorite players tweeted something you found abhorrent (for me, a player coming out and bashing the LGBTQ community would be a big hit on my ability to root for them)?

[SUBuddha]

Ok so some back story. My wife is a self published author and Blogger. For her blog this week the topic was social media and authors. The question posed on her site NAAlley was does social media hurt or help you as a fan? The basic premise being, does knowing more about your favorite authors increase, decrease or have no bearing on your status as a fan of their work? We had a long talk about the subject with regards to my status as a fan of athletes and actors.

For my part, I have a hard time watching movies with actors that I know to be bad people. For example, I stopped watching Mel Gibson films and Sean Connery movies after I found out about accusations of spousal abuse. Sorry but hitting a woman does not fly with me. I have also stopped paying attention to, and rooting for players, that I have since found out to have violated my particular set of criteria or show generally negative (douche like) behaviors.

So here is my question, does social media, and the access it allows us to our sports icons, impact your status as a fan? For instance, if Andrew Luck was convicted of misdemeanor assault on his girl friend, would it impact his appeal to you? What if one of your favorite players tweeted something you found abhorrent (for me, a player coming out and bashing the LGBTQ community would be a big hit on my ability to root for them)?

[stupac2]

I don't really see why those are social media things. One of your examples has nothing whatsoever to do with social media, and the other is just social media as a venue for someone to make an ass of themselves (and typically people who make asses of themselves via social media are plenty adept at doing so through regular media).

Anyway, I don't really use social media in any meaningful way, so it means more or less nothing to me. I think the main way it changes the fan experience is by speeding up the news cycle, and as I mentioned before by giving yet another venue for people to embarrass themselves. I guess it makes it easier to interact with otherwise inaccessible people, but I'm not sure that's all that common and I don't think it's really a big step up above non-social means (e-mail, etc).

[stupac2]

I don't really see why those are social media things. One of your examples has nothing whatsoever to do with social media, and the other is just social media as a venue for someone to make an ass of themselves (and typically people who make asses of themselves via social media are plenty adept at doing so through regular media).

Anyway, I don't really use social media in any meaningful way, so it means more or less nothing to me. I think the main way it changes the fan experience is by speeding up the news cycle, and as I mentioned before by giving yet another venue for people to embarrass themselves. I guess it makes it easier to interact with otherwise inaccessible people, but I'm not sure that's all that common and I don't think it's really a big step up above non-social means (e-mail, etc).

[stupac2]

I don't really see why those are social media things. One of your examples has nothing whatsoever to do with social media, and the other is just social media as a venue for someone to make an ass of themselves (and typically people who make asses of themselves via social media are plenty adept at doing so through regular media).

Anyway, I don't really use social media in any meaningful way, so it means more or less nothing to me. I think the main way it changes the fan experience is by speeding up the news cycle, and as I mentioned before by giving yet another venue for people to embarrass themselves. I guess it makes it easier to interact with otherwise inaccessible people, but I'm not sure that's all that common and I don't think it's really a big step up above non-social means (e-mail, etc).

[stupac2]

I don't really see why those are social media things. One of your examples has nothing whatsoever to do with social media, and the other is just social media as a venue for someone to make an ass of themselves (and typically people who make asses of themselves via social media are plenty adept at doing so through regular media).

Anyway, I don't really use social media in any meaningful way, so it means more or less nothing to me. I think the main way it changes the fan experience is by speeding up the news cycle, and as I mentioned before by giving yet another venue for people to embarrass themselves. I guess it makes it easier to interact with otherwise inaccessible people, but I'm not sure that's all that common and I don't think it's really a big step up above non-social means (e-mail, etc).

[Leftcoast]

Don't use social media in any meaningful way?

Is The Cardboard social media?  And, if so, does it change your experience as a fan?  For me the fan experience is changed through ever-present access to a community of like-minded fans that I could not recreate in the physical world.  How often do the 100 or so most frequent visitors check this site?  Without it how often would they interact with knowledgeable fans?  Such frequent and, in my opinion, informative dialog can't help but intensify your involvement and deepen your knowledge.

I visit  once per day - truthfully, more now that it's a link on my iPhone.  Without it I'd probably talk with fans at most once every two weeks and even less in the off-season.  And, I live in the Bay Area!  For readers in Boston, NYC, Miami or overseas this could be their main/only link to similar fans.  Just think of all the Stanford fans who might otherwise be Patriot, NY Giant or Dolphin fans without the Cardboard.

So I'd say the best in social media creates rich communities highly unlikely to form where interaction is bounded by geography rather than the web.  The worst social media turns us into tech enabled voyeurs and/or mobs in an echo chamber of the uninformed.. 

The Cardboard - Making the sporting world safe for Stanford fans one post at a time.

[Leftcoast]

Don't use social media in any meaningful way?

Is The Cardboard social media?  And, if so, does it change your experience as a fan?  For me the fan experience is changed through ever-present access to a community of like-minded fans that I could not recreate in the physical world.  How often do the 100 or so most frequent visitors check this site?  Without it how often would they interact with knowledgeable fans?  Such frequent and, in my opinion, informative dialog can't help but intensify your involvement and deepen your knowledge.

I visit  once per day - truthfully, more now that it's a link on my iPhone.  Without it I'd probably talk with fans at most once every two weeks and even less in the off-season.  And, I live in the Bay Area!  For readers in Boston, NYC, Miami or overseas this could be their main/only link to similar fans.  Just think of all the Stanford fans who might otherwise be Patriot, NY Giant or Dolphin fans without the Cardboard.

So I'd say the best in social media creates rich communities highly unlikely to form where interaction is bounded by geography rather than the web.  The worst social media turns us into tech enabled voyeurs and/or mobs in an echo chamber of the uninformed.. 

The Cardboard - Making the sporting world safe for Stanford fans one post at a time.

[Leftcoast]

Don't use social media in any meaningful way?

Is The Cardboard social media?  And, if so, does it change your experience as a fan?  For me the fan experience is changed through ever-present access to a community of like-minded fans that I could not recreate in the physical world.  How often do the 100 or so most frequent visitors check this site?  Without it how often would they interact with knowledgeable fans?  Such frequent and, in my opinion, informative dialog can't help but intensify your involvement and deepen your knowledge.

I visit  once per day - truthfully, more now that it's a link on my iPhone.  Without it I'd probably talk with fans at most once every two weeks and even less in the off-season.  And, I live in the Bay Area!  For readers in Boston, NYC, Miami or overseas this could be their main/only link to similar fans.  Just think of all the Stanford fans who might otherwise be Patriot, NY Giant or Dolphin fans without the Cardboard.

So I'd say the best in social media creates rich communities highly unlikely to form where interaction is bounded by geography rather than the web.  The worst social media turns us into tech enabled voyeurs and/or mobs in an echo chamber of the uninformed.. 

The Cardboard - Making the sporting world safe for Stanford fans one post at a time.

[Leftcoast]

Don't use social media in any meaningful way?

Is The Cardboard social media?  And, if so, does it change your experience as a fan?  For me the fan experience is changed through ever-present access to a community of like-minded fans that I could not recreate in the physical world.  How often do the 100 or so most frequent visitors check this site?  Without it how often would they interact with knowledgeable fans?  Such frequent and, in my opinion, informative dialog can't help but intensify your involvement and deepen your knowledge.

I visit  once per day - truthfully, more now that it's a link on my iPhone.  Without it I'd probably talk with fans at most once every two weeks and even less in the off-season.  And, I live in the Bay Area!  For readers in Boston, NYC, Miami or overseas this could be their main/only link to similar fans.  Just think of all the Stanford fans who might otherwise be Patriot, NY Giant or Dolphin fans without the Cardboard.

So I'd say the best in social media creates rich communities highly unlikely to form where interaction is bounded by geography rather than the web.  The worst social media turns us into tech enabled voyeurs and/or mobs in an echo chamber of the uninformed.. 

The Cardboard - Making the sporting world safe for Stanford fans one post at a time.

[stupac2]

The traditional definition of social media are things like facebook and twitter. I don't think forums or chat rooms are typically included. I think this is because people are sort of myopically focused on how THIS LATEST NEW THING is going to revolutionize the world, even though it's basically the same thing that's existed online for decades now.

[stupac2]

The traditional definition of social media are things like facebook and twitter. I don't think forums or chat rooms are typically included. I think this is because people are sort of myopically focused on how THIS LATEST NEW THING is going to revolutionize the world, even though it's basically the same thing that's existed online for decades now.

[stupac2]

The traditional definition of social media are things like facebook and twitter. I don't think forums or chat rooms are typically included. I think this is because people are sort of myopically focused on how THIS LATEST NEW THING is going to revolutionize the world, even though it's basically the same thing that's existed online for decades now.

[stupac2]

The traditional definition of social media are things like facebook and twitter. I don't think forums or chat rooms are typically included. I think this is because people are sort of myopically focused on how THIS LATEST NEW THING is going to revolutionize the world, even though it's basically the same thing that's existed online for decades now.

[SUBuddha]

I agree with Stupac on this and should have clarified. Things such as Facebook and Twitter were what I was referring to.

[SUBuddha]

I agree with Stupac on this and should have clarified. Things such as Facebook and Twitter were what I was referring to.

[SUBuddha]

I agree with Stupac on this and should have clarified. Things such as Facebook and Twitter were what I was referring to.

[SUBuddha]

I agree with Stupac on this and should have clarified. Things such as Facebook and Twitter were what I was referring to.

[Leftcoast]

Hmmhh .... I 'd say any definition of social media that excluded the Cardboard and other forums was too narrow.  Social Media's defining characteristics are web based interactions, user generated content and  content dissemination as distinct from traditional "push" media (newspapers, TV, radio, mass mail).

If you're just talking about Twitter then toss it in the nearest blackhole along with Lindsey Lohan, Miley Cyrus and anyone with the last name Kardashian and my quality of life would noticeably improve.  I'll get my recruiting news in some other way.

[Leftcoast]

Hmmhh .... I 'd say any definition of social media that excluded the Cardboard and other forums was too narrow.  Social Media's defining characteristics are web based interactions, user generated content and  content dissemination as distinct from traditional "push" media (newspapers, TV, radio, mass mail).

If you're just talking about Twitter then toss it in the nearest blackhole along with Lindsey Lohan, Miley Cyrus and anyone with the last name Kardashian and my quality of life would noticeably improve.  I'll get my recruiting news in some other way.

[Leftcoast]

Hmmhh .... I 'd say any definition of social media that excluded the Cardboard and other forums was too narrow.  Social Media's defining characteristics are web based interactions, user generated content and  content dissemination as distinct from traditional "push" media (newspapers, TV, radio, mass mail).

If you're just talking about Twitter then toss it in the nearest blackhole along with Lindsey Lohan, Miley Cyrus and anyone with the last name Kardashian and my quality of life would noticeably improve.  I'll get my recruiting news in some other way.

[Leftcoast]

Hmmhh .... I 'd say any definition of social media that excluded the Cardboard and other forums was too narrow.  Social Media's defining characteristics are web based interactions, user generated content and  content dissemination as distinct from traditional "push" media (newspapers, TV, radio, mass mail).

If you're just talking about Twitter then toss it in the nearest blackhole along with Lindsey Lohan, Miley Cyrus and anyone with the last name Kardashian and my quality of life would noticeably improve.  I'll get my recruiting news in some other way.

[stupac2]

Hmmhh .... I 'd say any definition of social media that excluded the Cardboard and other forums was too narrow.  Social Media's defining characteristics are web based interactions, user generated content and  content dissemination as distinct from traditional "push" media (newspapers, TV, radio, mass mail).

If your just talking about Twitter then toss it in the nearest blackhole along with Lindsey Lohan, Miley Cyrus and anyone with the last name Kardashian and my quality of life would noticeably improve.  I'll get my recruiting news in some other way.

Right, I hence my saying that the typical definition as being "WEB TWO-POINT-OH TWITTERSPHERE FACE-O-VERSE" is myopic. But that's usually what people mean, and I'm fine ignoring all that and letting other people who care filter it out for me. (I think there are a number of big twitter users on here, and they do a good job posting the actual news from it.)

[stupac2]

Hmmhh .... I 'd say any definition of social media that excluded the Cardboard and other forums was too narrow.  Social Media's defining characteristics are web based interactions, user generated content and  content dissemination as distinct from traditional "push" media (newspapers, TV, radio, mass mail).

If your just talking about Twitter then toss it in the nearest blackhole along with Lindsey Lohan, Miley Cyrus and anyone with the last name Kardashian and my quality of life would noticeably improve.  I'll get my recruiting news in some other way.

Right, I hence my saying that the typical definition as being "WEB TWO-POINT-OH TWITTERSPHERE FACE-O-VERSE" is myopic. But that's usually what people mean, and I'm fine ignoring all that and letting other people who care filter it out for me. (I think there are a number of big twitter users on here, and they do a good job posting the actual news from it.)

[stupac2]

Hmmhh .... I 'd say any definition of social media that excluded the Cardboard and other forums was too narrow.  Social Media's defining characteristics are web based interactions, user generated content and  content dissemination as distinct from traditional "push" media (newspapers, TV, radio, mass mail).

If your just talking about Twitter then toss it in the nearest blackhole along with Lindsey Lohan, Miley Cyrus and anyone with the last name Kardashian and my quality of life would noticeably improve.  I'll get my recruiting news in some other way.

Right, I hence my saying that the typical definition as being "WEB TWO-POINT-OH TWITTERSPHERE FACE-O-VERSE" is myopic. But that's usually what people mean, and I'm fine ignoring all that and letting other people who care filter it out for me. (I think there are a number of big twitter users on here, and they do a good job posting the actual news from it.)

[stupac2]

Hmmhh .... I 'd say any definition of social media that excluded the Cardboard and other forums was too narrow.  Social Media's defining characteristics are web based interactions, user generated content and  content dissemination as distinct from traditional "push" media (newspapers, TV, radio, mass mail).

If your just talking about Twitter then toss it in the nearest blackhole along with Lindsey Lohan, Miley Cyrus and anyone with the last name Kardashian and my quality of life would noticeably improve.  I'll get my recruiting news in some other way.

Right, I hence my saying that the typical definition as being "WEB TWO-POINT-OH TWITTERSPHERE FACE-O-VERSE" is myopic. But that's usually what people mean, and I'm fine ignoring all that and letting other people who care filter it out for me. (I think there are a number of big twitter users on here, and they do a good job posting the actual news from it.)

[Hulk01]

Familiarity easily breeds contempt.  For someone aspiring to passionate fandom, it's best to keep some mystery and let people assume the best of you.  I think that's the tendency of most people.

For an author, J.D. Salinger demonstrated that there's great value in being a total mystery.

For years, I avoided tweeting or Facebooking for that reason and the added reason that my intimacies are for my intimates.  Sometime last year, I stopped caring, a reflection of that spirit you get when you decide that you are old enough to wear purple whenever you please.  I wanted to sky dive a little.  So far, I love it.  But I am not invested in selling a few books much less a few thousand. 

[Hulk01]

Familiarity easily breeds contempt.  For someone aspiring to passionate fandom, it's best to keep some mystery and let people assume the best of you.  I think that's the tendency of most people.

For an author, J.D. Salinger demonstrated that there's great value in being a total mystery.

For years, I avoided tweeting or Facebooking for that reason and the added reason that my intimacies are for my intimates.  Sometime last year, I stopped caring, a reflection of that spirit you get when you decide that you are old enough to wear purple whenever you please.  I wanted to sky dive a little.  So far, I love it.  But I am not invested in selling a few books much less a few thousand. 

[Hulk01]

Familiarity easily breeds contempt.  For someone aspiring to passionate fandom, it's best to keep some mystery and let people assume the best of you.  I think that's the tendency of most people.

For an author, J.D. Salinger demonstrated that there's great value in being a total mystery.

For years, I avoided tweeting or Facebooking for that reason and the added reason that my intimacies are for my intimates.  Sometime last year, I stopped caring, a reflection of that spirit you get when you decide that you are old enough to wear purple whenever you please.  I wanted to sky dive a little.  So far, I love it.  But I am not invested in selling a few books much less a few thousand. 

[Hulk01]

Familiarity easily breeds contempt.  For someone aspiring to passionate fandom, it's best to keep some mystery and let people assume the best of you.  I think that's the tendency of most people.

For an author, J.D. Salinger demonstrated that there's great value in being a total mystery.

For years, I avoided tweeting or Facebooking for that reason and the added reason that my intimacies are for my intimates.  Sometime last year, I stopped caring, a reflection of that spirit you get when you decide that you are old enough to wear purple whenever you please.  I wanted to sky dive a little.  So far, I love it.  But I am not invested in selling a few books much less a few thousand. 

[CompSci87]

Twitter is different from fan message boards in that a lot of celebrity athletes tweet, but few post on message boards. I think a lot have a Facebook presence that fans have access to as well.

[CompSci87]

Twitter is different from fan message boards in that a lot of celebrity athletes tweet, but few post on message boards. I think a lot have a Facebook presence that fans have access to as well.

[CompSci87]

Twitter is different from fan message boards in that a lot of celebrity athletes tweet, but few post on message boards. I think a lot have a Facebook presence that fans have access to as well.

[CompSci87]

Twitter is different from fan message boards in that a lot of celebrity athletes tweet, but few post on message boards. I think a lot have a Facebook presence that fans have access to as well.

[Hulk01]

As usual, the ADD/reading comprehension issues that explain my first-crack 479 on the SAT verbal handicapped me here: I missed that your wife is self-published.

That changes the game for me.  I am blessed with a great publisher (Hachette, formerly Warner/Tim Warner) and editor (Rick Wolff) and Hachette's publicists.  They have spared me from having to do any of the promotion that Rick and the staff know that I never do anyway.  And I first got published in 1997, which in media years was 75 years ago.

Not until 2011 did I even open a Twitter or Facebook account, and I went entire solistices without posting to either one.  Over the last six months, however, I have become a relentless poster on Facebook on subjects ranging from my tips for coaxing a child to sleep to Richard Sherman, Brian Job, the Golden Gloves, faux patriotism, Cathleen Caballero, my tongue-in-cheek bucket list and New Year's resolutions, Tiny Fey's itty bitty husband, and the most brilliant man that i have ever met (Stanford 1973 Rhodes Scholar John Tillman).  Not much mystery left but I don't care. 

My sense is that it's deepened the attachment of some of my distant quote, fans, end quote; I get a lot of playback from Europe, Asia, South African and Australia.  It also seems to connect me to some old high school and college friends back in the West.  And i have to say that it has deepened some friendships; people know me better.  I cannot imagine anyone hearing all of that and saying "I'll pass."  So I'd tell your wife, "Go."

[Hulk01]

As usual, the ADD/reading comprehension issues that explain my first-crack 479 on the SAT verbal handicapped me here: I missed that your wife is self-published.

That changes the game for me.  I am blessed with a great publisher (Hachette, formerly Warner/Tim Warner) and editor (Rick Wolff) and Hachette's publicists.  They have spared me from having to do any of the promotion that Rick and the staff know that I never do anyway.  And I first got published in 1997, which in media years was 75 years ago.

Not until 2011 did I even open a Twitter or Facebook account, and I went entire solistices without posting to either one.  Over the last six months, however, I have become a relentless poster on Facebook on subjects ranging from my tips for coaxing a child to sleep to Richard Sherman, Brian Job, the Golden Gloves, faux patriotism, Cathleen Caballero, my tongue-in-cheek bucket list and New Year's resolutions, Tiny Fey's itty bitty husband, and the most brilliant man that i have ever met (Stanford 1973 Rhodes Scholar John Tillman).  Not much mystery left but I don't care. 

My sense is that it's deepened the attachment of some of my distant quote, fans, end quote; I get a lot of playback from Europe, Asia, South African and Australia.  It also seems to connect me to some old high school and college friends back in the West.  And i have to say that it has deepened some friendships; people know me better.  I cannot imagine anyone hearing all of that and saying "I'll pass."  So I'd tell your wife, "Go."

[Hulk01]

As usual, the ADD/reading comprehension issues that explain my first-crack 479 on the SAT verbal handicapped me here: I missed that your wife is self-published.

That changes the game for me.  I am blessed with a great publisher (Hachette, formerly Warner/Tim Warner) and editor (Rick Wolff) and Hachette's publicists.  They have spared me from having to do any of the promotion that Rick and the staff know that I never do anyway.  And I first got published in 1997, which in media years was 75 years ago.

Not until 2011 did I even open a Twitter or Facebook account, and I went entire solistices without posting to either one.  Over the last six months, however, I have become a relentless poster on Facebook on subjects ranging from my tips for coaxing a child to sleep to Richard Sherman, Brian Job, the Golden Gloves, faux patriotism, Cathleen Caballero, my tongue-in-cheek bucket list and New Year's resolutions, Tiny Fey's itty bitty husband, and the most brilliant man that i have ever met (Stanford 1973 Rhodes Scholar John Tillman).  Not much mystery left but I don't care. 

My sense is that it's deepened the attachment of some of my distant quote, fans, end quote; I get a lot of playback from Europe, Asia, South African and Australia.  It also seems to connect me to some old high school and college friends back in the West.  And i have to say that it has deepened some friendships; people know me better.  I cannot imagine anyone hearing all of that and saying "I'll pass."  So I'd tell your wife, "Go."

[Hulk01]

As usual, the ADD/reading comprehension issues that explain my first-crack 479 on the SAT verbal handicapped me here: I missed that your wife is self-published.

That changes the game for me.  I am blessed with a great publisher (Hachette, formerly Warner/Tim Warner) and editor (Rick Wolff) and Hachette's publicists.  They have spared me from having to do any of the promotion that Rick and the staff know that I never do anyway.  And I first got published in 1997, which in media years was 75 years ago.

Not until 2011 did I even open a Twitter or Facebook account, and I went entire solistices without posting to either one.  Over the last six months, however, I have become a relentless poster on Facebook on subjects ranging from my tips for coaxing a child to sleep to Richard Sherman, Brian Job, the Golden Gloves, faux patriotism, Cathleen Caballero, my tongue-in-cheek bucket list and New Year's resolutions, Tiny Fey's itty bitty husband, and the most brilliant man that i have ever met (Stanford 1973 Rhodes Scholar John Tillman).  Not much mystery left but I don't care. 

My sense is that it's deepened the attachment of some of my distant quote, fans, end quote; I get a lot of playback from Europe, Asia, South African and Australia.  It also seems to connect me to some old high school and college friends back in the West.  And i have to say that it has deepened some friendships; people know me better.  I cannot imagine anyone hearing all of that and saying "I'll pass."  So I'd tell your wife, "Go."