This is my last post as a WorldChanging staffer.
Few things in my life have made me happier, or prouder, than my work at WorldChanging. We have created something truly wonderful here -- and by "we," I mean all of us: Alex Steffen, my partner in creating the site; the team of contributors, many of whom have become lasting friends of mine; the network of weblogs and allies that stimulate and extend our discussions; and, most of all, you folks who take the time to read WorldChanging. It's not often that one gets to have a hand in the creation of a movement that could change the world. I suspect that helping build this site will remain my calling card for years to come.
I'm not disappearing from the site entirely, mind you. My email here will still work, I'll still have a spot on the side-bar, and I will occasionally post items of interest. But we've done here what we set out to do, and it's time to see what I can do next.
I can't say where you'll see me next, in part because some of the opportunities that have arisen are not yet ready for public discussion. I can say that I'll be doing more direct consulting on the kinds of issues I've covered here, and have a couple of book ideas I intend to pursue. I will carry with me the lessons I've learned helping to bring this site into existence: we must make choices that better ourselves, better our communities, and better the world, even though those choices are rarely easy. For me, few decisions have been harder than this one.
It's the right time to do make this decision, however. The book is done, so Alex and the rest of the team will once again have more time to bring their diverse voices to the WorldChanging page. Sarah Rich has stepped into the role of Managing Editor with great enthusiasm. I feel quite confident that WorldChanging is about to move into an even better stage in its life, with the kind of variety of ideas and expanse of perspectives it needs to help reshape how we think about the world, its future, and our own capacities for change.
Thank you all for making the last two-and-a-half years simply incredible. See you in The Future...
Comments (50)
Thanks for all your hard work Jamais. We'll all be eagerly awaiting those books!
Posted by Alex Steffen | March 31, 2006 6:58 PM
Posted on March 31, 2006 18:58
I've come to look forward to your articles, Jamais. You and WorldChanging have made a unique contribution. I hope you will continue your writing and research.
Posted by Bart Anderson | March 31, 2006 7:01 PM
Posted on March 31, 2006 19:01
Thanks for the great work Jamais! Good luck in your future endeavors.
Posted by Chris Albon | March 31, 2006 7:09 PM
Posted on March 31, 2006 19:09
The warmest of wishes and sincerest of thanks to you. Worldchanging has become a small piece of the big puzzle that leads to a fulfilling pursuit of knowledge and understanding. Jamais, your passion and words of integrity will be missed.
Posted by Randy J. Hunt | March 31, 2006 7:37 PM
Posted on March 31, 2006 19:37
Jamais,
I want to send warm wishes and heartfelt thank you for all of your amazing work on Worldchanging over the last couple of years. You have made many amazing contributions here, and I look forward to seeing the results of your upcoming projects!
With my deepest respect, Jon Foley
Posted by Jon Foley | March 31, 2006 7:45 PM
Posted on March 31, 2006 19:45
DUDE *salutes*
Jamais -
Although I read Alex's email, and just now this post, your departure is quite a system quake. Who's gonna keep up the tempo of this band?
Here's wishing you a fun time with your new secret projects.
Will you have more time on your hands now to discuss comics etc?
cheers,
RG
Posted by Rohit Gupta | March 31, 2006 8:25 PM
Posted on March 31, 2006 20:25
Dear Jamais,
Thank you for your devoted work, and your passionate and distinctive perspective. I've loved reading your articles & will look forward to reading your books someday. In the meantime, I'm sure I'll be using your archived WC articles as resources.
May your next adventures be thrilling and satisfying.
Posted by Christy Lee-Engel | March 31, 2006 8:38 PM
Posted on March 31, 2006 20:38
Jamais - good luck, and keep in touch! Wonderful work the past few years; it amazes me how much of your life you must have put into it...
Posted by Arthur Smith | March 31, 2006 9:15 PM
Posted on March 31, 2006 21:15
Jamais, thanks for the brilliant, clear, and passionate writing you have brought to this site. I've learned a lot from your writing, and hope your voice reaches ever wider!
Posted by Ted | March 31, 2006 10:47 PM
Posted on March 31, 2006 22:47
Good luck!!! Keep up the good work :) I'm sure we won't just see you on the flip side of change - you'll be right there at the wheel with the rest of us.
Posted by MIchael O'Brien | April 1, 2006 12:04 AM
Posted on April 1, 2006 00:04
Jamais, you're the man! Thanks for inspiring me!
Posted by JN2 | April 1, 2006 1:13 AM
Posted on April 1, 2006 01:13
Fabulous work. Groundbreaking. Worldchanging. Will follow future pursuits with keen interest.
Posted by Will | April 1, 2006 3:12 AM
Posted on April 1, 2006 03:12
Thanks Jamais for your great work, your broad vision, your openmindedness and your dedication to making this site to what it is today: an inspiration to many, to think things through and to act on them.
I have no doubt we will hear from you again, in some bright green way.
And please do write the books you're planning, because your pieces always show a fine combination of vision, strength of argument, and style. I wish you lots of courage!
Yours, Lorenzo
Posted by Lorenzo | April 1, 2006 4:10 AM
Posted on April 1, 2006 04:10
You're leaving an astounding legacy, Jamais, and you should be tremendously proud of what you've accomplished here. I'm anxiously waiting to learn about your next projects as I have to imagine they will be bright green, future-rooted and fascinating. Congratulations on your fantastic work and thank you.
Posted by Ethan | April 1, 2006 6:02 AM
Posted on April 1, 2006 06:02
i love this site! discovering it has been the high point of my year so far and given me a much needed infusion of energy and hope. thanks so much and i will definitely be keeping a look out for your future projects - good luck and all the best!
Posted by joy | April 1, 2006 6:23 AM
Posted on April 1, 2006 06:23
Jamais,
Thank you for acting upon the inspiration to help create WorldChanging, and for doing such a wonderful job of it. I wish you the best in your next endeavors.
Your words about choosing to better ourselves even when it is not easy call to mind the words of Nelson Mandela:
"Don't ask what the world needs. Find out what makes you come alive and go do that. Because what the world really needs are people who have come alive."
The success of WorldChanging shows just how alive you have become. It is awesome. Good luck to you--
Kim
Posted by Kim Allen | April 1, 2006 6:28 AM
Posted on April 1, 2006 06:28
You'll be missed, Jamais. I've come to look forward to, and even count on, your keen insights. Best of luck in your new endeavors.
Posted by Jeff at sustainablog | April 1, 2006 7:27 AM
Posted on April 1, 2006 07:27
Best of luck, Jamais. You did a fantastic job here.
Posted by Joseph Willemssen | April 1, 2006 7:29 AM
Posted on April 1, 2006 07:29
I have been browsing this site since merely a few month, and I want to thank for your rich -worldchanging - insights about our present world and its future prospect. I sincerely beleive in this realist, positive and constructive attitude that transcend all your writings.
Be well, and good luck in your next endeavors.
Posted by Guillaume Pomerleau | April 1, 2006 7:35 AM
Posted on April 1, 2006 07:35
Jamais, heartfelt gratitude and admiration for all do and all you've done. You've made a real difference, and no doubt you'll continue. I felt a surge of panic, wondering how your departure will affect this wonderful resource. But you're part of an amazing peer group, and I bet others will help fill the gap - though they'll have their work cut out for them.
Namaste, friend.
Posted by David Foley | April 1, 2006 8:00 AM
Posted on April 1, 2006 08:00
Best wishes to you good luck in all your endeavors.
Posted by csven | April 1, 2006 9:10 AM
Posted on April 1, 2006 09:10
Thanks for everything, Jamais. Yours will be a tough act to follow.
Posted by Joel Makower | April 1, 2006 9:34 AM
Posted on April 1, 2006 09:34
Wow Jamais so sad to see you go and to know that I wont be able to easily read your perspectives wiuth teh constancy that its been.... but excited for you and new ventures (will definitely be buying your books) and just wanted to thank you for your tireless inspiration. You have made such a huge difference for so many of us (hey you even made BruceS less gruff!)
can't wait to see what you do next!!!! and with the kind of karma points you've amassed, it's going to rock! Make us proud!
Posted by lee schnaiberg | April 1, 2006 9:59 AM
Posted on April 1, 2006 09:59
Wow! I had no idea you were thinking of leaving! Will miss you -- and best of luck with whatever you decide to do next :)
Posted by green LA girl | April 1, 2006 11:01 AM
Posted on April 1, 2006 11:01
Thanks for working so hard to create such a great and inspiring site. I learn so much here!
Will be looking forward to your future endeavors as well - good luck!
Posted by donna | April 1, 2006 11:05 AM
Posted on April 1, 2006 11:05
Good luck in your future endeavors Jamais!
I do hope you'll still post a few articles here every once in a while. Your work was one of major reasons why I read this site on a near daily basis--not that I don't find the rest of the WC authors excellent, I do!
Be assured I will search around for your latest stuff on the Web in future.
Be assured I will continue to read and comment at WC daily!
Posted by Pace Arko | April 1, 2006 11:22 AM
Posted on April 1, 2006 11:22
Jamais, I'm in awe of the quality and breadth of the work you've done here. Clearly whatever you do next will be ... world-changing!
Posted by Jon Lebkowsky | April 1, 2006 11:59 AM
Posted on April 1, 2006 11:59
Jamais - Congrats on all you've created. Looking forward to keeping in touch and seeing what's next.
Posted by Chris | April 1, 2006 12:19 PM
Posted on April 1, 2006 12:19
What a wonderful chorus of admiration and support!
You should be proud of all you've done here, I'm excited to see what's next - both for you and for Worldchanging.
Good luck, keep in touch.
Posted by justus | April 1, 2006 1:41 PM
Posted on April 1, 2006 13:41
I get the sense that you've been consistently writing some of people's favorite stuff on the internet. Thanks for it...and please push the envelope, eh? I'm inspired to try to do the same.
Posted by mackay | April 1, 2006 3:05 PM
Posted on April 1, 2006 15:05
Congratulations, and thank you, and good luck in whatever you're doing next.
Posted by Bill Hooker | April 1, 2006 4:36 PM
Posted on April 1, 2006 16:36
Gee, I was really hoping this was an April Fools joke, but it was sent 12 hours too early.
Posted by Ben | April 1, 2006 6:08 PM
Posted on April 1, 2006 18:08
Jamais, you've been a one-man inspiration squad to us all. May you contribute as much to your future projects as you have to Worldchanging.
All the best!
Posted by Hassan Masum | April 1, 2006 11:01 PM
Posted on April 1, 2006 23:01
Jamais, thank you for all the wonderful posts you have written during your time with WorldChanging - you've been my favourite writer on the web for a long time now - I hope we'll still see more of your work from time to time...
Good luck with your new endeavours !
Posted by Big Gav | April 2, 2006 4:09 AM
Posted on April 2, 2006 04:09
Jamais,
Thank you for feeding the hungry with worldchanging insights.
Keep us posted on your whereabouts, we will need all the help we can get to further push worldchanging ideas into the mainstream.
Never say _jamais_
Ciao,
Serge
Posted by Serge de Gheldere | April 2, 2006 6:43 AM
Posted on April 2, 2006 06:43
Noooooooooooo! (said in a comic strip diminuendo style). Jamais - I can't beleive it. I mean no disrespect to anyone else here, but you've always been my favourite writer. Have been ever since I found this site nearly 3 years ago. Your perspectives were always interesting and your discoveries always exciting. This may sound over the top, but you have genuinely become one of my heroes in your time here (and I don't say that lightly)! Good luck, and I hope you don't disappear from view - but find new important enthusiasms to share with the rest of us. Keep communicating - you're one of the best! (Got to go - lump in throat)
Posted by Daniel Johnston | April 2, 2006 7:50 AM
Posted on April 2, 2006 07:50
Jamais - so sorry to hear that you are leaving WC - I have greatly enjoyed your work here and it's been keeping the hope alive... I can't imagine what new opportunity you have which could top WC but I am certainly looking forward to finding out! Best of luck in your new endevors. I'll be first in line to buy an book with your name on it :-)
Posted by Eric Boyd | April 2, 2006 10:08 AM
Posted on April 2, 2006 10:08
Oh no! Best of luck with what comes next, JamaisÂ… you've been my favorite WC author also. I'll miss your work here.
Posted by john t unger | April 2, 2006 12:14 PM
Posted on April 2, 2006 12:14
...and thanks for all the fish!
I wish you all the best with your future activities, Jamais, and look forward to hearing about them.
Yes folk, such changes are usually associated with a tinge of sadness and loss. But look at it this way: The Worldchanging team is all about picking up the pieces for a better world. What sort of future would the site have if it was predominantly Jamais?
Time to find out!
Posted by Tony Fisk | April 2, 2006 5:57 PM
Posted on April 2, 2006 17:57
Jamais:
Thank you for your leadership in bringing this wonderful site to life. What an amazing impact you've had, and how grateful we all are that you invested your energy and vision to create a hub where we all can learn, get inspired, exchange ideas, and from that... change the world.
Thank you also for your wonderful writing. Your inviting prose could lure me into even the most offbeat of topics, and you've always done a great job of explaining how the particular relates to the meta-topics of interest to the worldchanging audience.
Best of luck in all your future ventures. Can't wait to see what books you put out. Your insights are wonderful and your writing is like buttah!
Posted by Irma | April 3, 2006 1:07 AM
Posted on April 3, 2006 01:07
You won't get away from me, Jamais! I will track down your hyper-intelligent writing wherever it may be.
Posted by Micki Krimmel | April 3, 2006 3:32 PM
Posted on April 3, 2006 15:32
Jamais,
Your articulate vision shall shine forth. Thank you for your helpful suggestion for the U.S. City oil crisis preparedness index in particular.
Methinks our paths will converge again.
All My Best,
Warren
Posted by Warren | April 3, 2006 8:40 PM
Posted on April 3, 2006 20:40
Must admit it's a bit of a shock to hear that you're leaving -- your writing style has become firmly associated with Worldchanging in my mind. But hey, change is half of what Worldchanging is all about!
I look forward to finding other stuff you write!
Good luck Jamais!
-Pat Hall
Posted by Patrick Hall | April 4, 2006 2:26 AM
Posted on April 4, 2006 02:26
Jamais,
A sincere thank you for all of your hard work and excellent writing. WorldChanging has been an inspiration for me as I deepen my design practice and work to create positive change. The future is bright and the tide is turning.
Best wishes in all of your future endeavors.
-Kristen
Posted by Kristen Andersen of Exquisite | April 4, 2006 12:55 PM
Posted on April 4, 2006 12:55
So grateful for the creation of this space and this cohort of thinkers!
bon voyage jamias!
Posted by Cityzen Jane | April 4, 2006 4:21 PM
Posted on April 4, 2006 16:21
Kudos, Jamais!
What a great project this is, and hooray for leaving it swimming happily along. All the best for the next adventure.
-Gail
Posted by Gail Ann Williams | April 4, 2006 4:38 PM
Posted on April 4, 2006 16:38
Thank you, everyone. It's been humbling and gratifying to read these comments. I promise to live up to your expectations.
Posted by Jamais Cascio | April 5, 2006 2:33 PM
Posted on April 5, 2006 14:33
Thanks so much for all you've done, here and everywhere. I'll always look for your work with great interest.
Posted by jnfr | April 5, 2006 3:27 PM
Posted on April 5, 2006 15:27
Jamais -- Collaborating with you has been a high point of being part of Worldchanging. Congratulations on everything you've achieved here, and good luck with your new endeavors. I'm looking forward to hearing about them in your patented deadpan style!
Posted by Emily Gertz | April 5, 2006 4:20 PM
Posted on April 5, 2006 16:20
Well, it's the end of an era. Let's see what the next era holds. :-)
Posted by Taran | April 13, 2006 2:46 PM
Posted on April 13, 2006 14:46