Bill's Digest Means the World to Subscribers

Adam An-tAthair-Siorai <litterateur@t-online.de> in Germany: I was approached by Bill Brown to join Thinkers International as I am an active member of British Mensa (#43522). I am also a member of about ten other discussion and literary groups, but find that many of them lack intellectual stimulation that the immediacy of e-mail is capable of giving. <> With Thinkers International, the link to others around the world is practically immediate, friendly, but also mind- stretching and innovative. The Thinkers International discussion group goes beyond any Special Interest Group, stimulates conversation, thought and exploration. <> Thinkers International is exactly the sort of private enterprise that Mensa organisations should be sponsoring or supporting with the appropriate software and funding to bring the International aspects of Mensa around the world into greater harmony and closer contact. <> BB has managed all that admirably so far, without funding. Imagine what he could do with the power of the Mensa organisation, or any of the other High IQ groups behind him. (An-tAthair-Siorai Press Group : Dual Text English/ German/French Small Press and Specialist Limited Edition Publishing)
 

StuLucas <StuLucas@aol.com> in New Jersey: Elders shouldn't be fearful of this new wonderful technology. If two luddites (maybe that should read trog- luddites) can learn it, so can anyone. I have only one caveat. Thinkers International is not a Bill and Stu creation. "And" is NOT an operative word, for it was Bill who conceived the idea, and he alone who did the hard work of getting it off the ground.  He and I snail-mail corresponded from, I think '95, bouncing ideas back and forth. When he got a computer (something just a little better than an old rebuilt Commodore <g>) he taught himself DOS, enough to use it. I sent him a hand-me-down modem, he got onto "free" Juno, and Dale Parish's Int'l Mensa email list.  The rest is history. All I've done is encourage, chastise, and boost the idea; starting the Humor thread as a strictly ancillary outlet for the kind of SPAM (or so regarded by many intelligent folks) that I understand has "spoiled" similar forums.  So far it's worked! (Bill Brown says, "Stu outlines very well the start of the effort and downplays his part, but the fact is that it would not have gotten off the ground without him." And then Bill says what is true for all of us who enjoy Bill's Digest: "When we started the group I was intellectually starved. Now I am well fed.")
 

Oktay Ahmed <genius67@writeme.com> of Macedonia: Bill's first message sent to me was written 19 February 1997, the second on 26 February 1997, the third on 27 February 1997, and so on. Thinkers group was set up shortly after that, when Bill picked up enough intelligent staff for intelligent discussion. I think to write a very short 'story' about this important step, by your side. We have to celebrate this wonderful (passed) one year worldwide. [Message received 3/28/98:] We are safe at the moment, but who can guarantee what can be after few hours? I live in Skopje, capital of Macedonia. Skopje is JUST 28 km from Kosovo [site of ethnic cleansing by Serbians]. Situations vary from hour to hour. There are signs that the biggest problem's past, but the tensions are still here. I still have multicultural company, and am trying to keep them. I am really too busy, and have not a time to contribute for Bill's Digests, at the moment. I'll try to keep contacts with you. I'll try to inform you if situation here escalates. Please, inform Bill about me. Say "hi" to all Thinkers. Bye.
 
Oktay AHMED, Research and teaching assistant,
University of "St. Cyril and Methodius," Faculty of Philology,
Department of Turkish Language and Literature, 91000 Skopje, MACEDONIA
E-mail: <genius67@writeme.com> <oktay@ukim.edu.mk> <oktay@flf.ukim.edu.mk>
Web: <www.geocities.com/paris/rue/3131/> <members.xoom.com/genius67/>

 

David Smith <dsmith@coil.com> in Ohio: Bill Brown's Thinkers mailing list is a pleasant island in the chaotic and often impersonal sea of Internet chatter. In assembling his digest by hand, editing lightly and commenting sparingly, Bill gives both a human face and a welcome structure to what could otherwise easily become merely a mechanically echoed and tiring drone of unfocused and endless conversation. <> His benign moderation provides just enough structure to keep the conversation from flying apart of its own momentum, yet not so much structure that spontaneity and enthusiasm are stifled. <> I'm grateful to Bill for the curiosity that pointed him in this direction, the enthusiasm that pulled him up what must have been at times a frustratingly steep learning curve in the infant field of computer communications, the imagination that let him see the wealth of possibilities here and that keeps him open to new possibilities, and the patience and dedication that compel him to devote a huge amount of his life to this extremely enriching enterprise.  (Bill Brown, in turn, thanks his "guru/maven" David Smith for his unselfish help in keeping BB up and going, saying that David has traveled from Columbus to Richwood maybe a dozen times to date, and won't even accept so much as a cup of coffee for his help. Certainly a value added to Thinkers International.)  *Visit the Thinkers' Web Pages at http://www.coil.com/~dsmith/thinkers/
 

Steve Gatlin <sgatlin@hotmail.com>: I have only been a member of Thinkers International for about a week.  But I can say that for me it has been a God- send! I have found that TI isn't about intelligence.  It's more about open- mindedness and the desire to examine life.  You don't have to have a high IQ to be a member.  I can tell a lot of members DO indeed have high IQs, but that is beside the point.  I think the thing that draws people to TI is the intellectual stimulation. I have found that most people get that "deer-in-the- headlights" look when I start a sentence with "Isn't it interesting..." But on TI when people see things like that, their ears perk up and they sit up in their chairs.  Just the other morning I was so lost in thought over the thread of conversation that I forgot that I had already taken a shower and took a second one!!!  Made me late for work even! But it was worth it.  I too find TI addictive.  I can easily spend two to three hours reading and responding to the day's digests if I let myself.  Even if I don't have a response, I still tend to think about the topics all through the day. <> I especially like to read the posts from the "Non-American" members. Most Americans (myself included) tend to forget that the USA *isn't* the entire world!  I find other perspectives quite enlightening. I know that I, for one, am much happier now that I have found Thinkers International.
 

Alexandra H. Corwin <Alexandra.H.Corwin@Hitchcock.org> in New Hampshire :  If memory serves, and it's scary how often it doesn't, Bill invited me to join the Thinkers' string on the basis of letters I had written to the Isolated Mensans' magazine.  I'm not just a "lurker" but I only respond when there are subjects I have strong feelings about and when I have time do so.  (My only e- mail is at work, on 11-7 shift)  My knowledge of politics, taxes and such is too scanty to merit giving input, but I enjoy others' contributions (I scroll and skim).  I think Bill does an admirable job of screening and wish I had a similar monitor on my mouth sometimes! It's just fascinating to see how other people think.
 

James Fraley (*USS Nimitz*) <022lpo@nimitz.navy.mil>:   It was wonderful to hear from a few people in the group and they really did help out a lot. It was so thoughtful that people I have never met before would have taken me in for a day if I had pulled into their area.  I really want to say thanks on behalf of everyone (my fellow shipmates that I work with) and that we all appreciated your hospitality.  All those times that people were emailing and say "stop in, come by, barbeque at my place," it was so wonderful.  The reason I kind of kept off the subject was because we were not pulling in, and I knew that but I couldn't say that on the email (email is always monitored).  Anyhow "THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT!" Ok...I'm not a book writer, so I'm going to go. Ha! Ha!  I just want you all to know that I really did enjoy your emails and hope to hear from you soon.  Only about 60 more days until I report to SEAL training and I will give you all my email if I have one.   (Bill Brown notes, "James Fraley [called Fraley by the family] is a good friend of stepson Joe Jezerinac who spent much time at my home during his high school years. Fraley was on the USS Nimitz during this fateful cruise in Arabian Gulf waters. I do not know his job, he has been rather secretive about it. He has been accepted for Navy SEAL training, this is the elite commando unit of the USNavy. If he completes the course and lives through "Hell Week" he will be one of the toughest men walking the earth.")
 

Ollie Mikosza <ollie@singnet.com.sg> from Mensa New Zealand, living in Singapore: All I can say is that it is "wasting" between 1-2 hrs of my time--very addictive --as I am flying a kite of own software development company. This is time I give to myself and it is rewarding. It is not a forum for any nonsense or ego flashing. No one needs to be impressed or impress by Mensa linage. Common sense people feeling free to share what comes up on their mind, while sprinkling it with good humour.
 

Danilo Ivovich <danilo@barenton.com> in Spain : I like TI as it is, and really appreciate Bill's dedication. As a European, sometimes TI gets too "local" for me and I'm not in position to follow it up or to participate. But most of the time it's OK. Why am I a lurker?  I'm listening to see how the group feeling is.
 

Paul Anderson <nght-owl@swbell.net> -  A Texas "Word-Slinger" from the Silicone Hills: I was invited and did join Thinkers International in the last days of July, 1997.  At that time, Bill Brown was just referring to the operation as Thinker Digests. I am the Publicity Chair and do news releases for the Lonestar (group of) Mensa (Central Texas) <> I have two web sites. One refers to me as a Night Owl; the other introduces the moniker "word-slinger":
http://www.angelfire.com/tx/nightowlnest  
http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/Senate/3393
<paul.anderson@cheerful.com>    <paul.anderson1@juno.com>

 

Paul F. Bruce <pfbruce@cybersol.com> of New Zealand: I think I have lurked long enough.  O lurking largamente quizas.  I think this is my kind of group. In fact I have been biting my tongue at some of the stuff I've been lurking over.