Reflections on 100

[Mike Ferguson]

Relative to how many focused social networking sites are out here on the internet, very few reach 100 members. TEN having reached 100 members speaks in part to that something none of us can quite put our finger on in any universal sense…that inherent appeal of ephemera and/or what ephemera reflects. I’ve heard many explanations but they all amount to personal testimony. And like all personal testimony, our reasons, or what we think our reasons, for being drawn to ephemera are a reaching out and asking, “You too?”

A site like TEN answers that question in a way that membership to traditional organizations cannot, as vital and important as those institutions are, because it says, in very specific, sometimes painstakingly specific ways, “Yeah, me too,” and it says it almost instantly. I called TEN a community from the beginning because I understand any community to be, on its outskirts, a simple exchange of Are You and Yes I Am. Many of us would likely have nothing in common beyond rescuing trash because it isn’t.

So, firstly, TEN is still here because ephemera touches us or speaks to us and it’s good, meaning good for us and good in some larger sense I don’t pretend to understand, to connect to others who have the same experience. But beyond this somewhat ethereal explanation, TEN is still here because you keep it here by participating. Every time you post a blog or comment on a posting or picture, you breathe more life into the community and you say, “Yes…yes, me too.”

Simple math would dictate that we should continue to grow, but there are no guarantees. Rather than leave it to chance, keep posting and inviting others. Remember to post deeper into the network. By that I mean look for photographs that interest you and post comments. Leave comments for members who have something in common with you. TEN is already a treasure that it would be difficult to explore fully in one sitting. Soon it will be impossible to capture because there will be too much new added too fast and visiting will be a series of choices on where to dip your pen or bend your ear. Imagine that. And you made it happen.

Cheers to you all and happy 100.

[Frank DeFreitas]

Mike F., congratulations for your insight into starting this community (and reaching the 100 member mark).

Tom M., thanks for your early Antiquarian Holographica article/review. I found TEN through you.

Everyone: It's wonderful to be introduced to all of you here. I live with my own collection day after day after day . . . so it's more fascinating to me to see and learn about other people's collections!

[Tom Murphy]

Well said Mike.... and CONGRATULATIONS on hitting this milestone. Now on to 200!

Tom