experiencing the social part of social media

I spent much of today going through last night’s post comments, and making sure that people I’d inadvertently blocked on Twitter were unblocked.

But, uh, the thing is … after going through about 250 links, I’d only actually blocked three of them. Everyone else was “just in case” or something like that. I thought, gee, maybe I didn’t make the instructions for finding out if you’d been blocked clear enough.

But the other thing is, I ain’t even mad. Because I did that today, I saw a couple hundred real people’s faces, and got a tiny little glimpse into what all of those people have been doing with their lives. It made me feel connected in an unexpected way (it put the “social” in “social media”), and though it was time consuming, it turned out to be a nice way to take a break from doing actual work.

And it gave me an idea: Why don’t you introduce yourself to me and other WWdN readers?

Leave a comment in this post that tells us a little bit about yourself, if you feel comfortable sharing that sort of thing. Don’t post personal stuff that could be too revealing or hurt your privacy, but maybe share your first name, if you’re married, have kids, what sort of work you do, and maybe something that you like.

The idea is that, when you see the actual, real, human person behind a screen name or twitter handle or whatever, it’s a tangible reminder that we are all people on the other end of the connection. We’re people with families and jobs and hobbies and passions and hopes and fears and we all live on the same piece of rock, hurtling through space.

Of course, you don’t have to do this, and I can’t stress enough how important it is that you protect your personal information, but since I enjoyed the social experience of feeling connected to actual humans, maybe you will, too.

Or maybe you won’t. I’m not the boss of you.

1,054 thoughts on “experiencing the social part of social media”

  1. Hi, I’m Lexy. (*waves all the way from Australia *) I’m 40, married with an 11 year old stepson, who I absolutely adore.

    I work in software engineering after a failed attempt to make a career in molecular genetics. I’ve had the opportunity to work with fantastic people and be respected for my work. (Yay!)

    My husband and I were both widowed suddenly in our early 30’s. People tend to get uncomfortable when they find that out but it’s ten years ago now so we’re mostly fine to talk about it if anyone ever asks.

    I knit and crochet in my spare time and also sing with a choir.

    It’s been a rough year as both my Mum and my father in law were diagnosed with stomach cancer. I’m feeling quite low right now and I don’t know whether the black dog would have been here anyway or whether he heard about the cancer and decided to jump on the bandwagon. I’m getting through the days though, mostly functioning….

    Hi everyone!

  2. I’m Adrienne. I live in Pennsylvania and work in banking. I’m not married but my boyfriend and I have been together for almost 14 years. No kids but we have a dog that is as spoiled as a child.

    Wil, my first introduction to you was actually on The Big Bang Theory. (Sorry, not a Trekkie and somehow I’ve never seen Stand By Me.) I like your writing and the fact that you don’t seem to feel like you need to be a “celebrity.” I also live the work you and your wife do with animals and rescue organizations.

    In my spare time I like reading, particularly fantasy and historical fiction. I was an English major in college so I’m also a Shakespeare nerd. 🙂

    Happy holidays everyone, whatever you celebrate!

  4. Ohai, my name’s Kat and I’m just blown away by the positive impact Mr. Wheaton has on the geek/nerd community. Thanks to you, sir, and to everyone that keeps tabs on you.

  5. Hi, my name is Derek. I’m a twenty year old going to school in Virginia, planning on going into disability law. I am legally blind and have a nineteen month old guide dog named Howard. I love sci-fi and fantasy, and play whatever games that I can (the market for visually impaired gamers is depressingly small and generally targeted at young children).

  6. Hi! J here. I’m an Australian but I moved to Massachusetts this year to join my husband, who is American. I’m married with no kids. I’ve been working at renovating the house here, trying to assimilate and slowly making a routine. I’m not really able to work full time anymore but I am starting to feel like a new challenge or two is in order and slowly I’m getting enough energy to make it so. Thanks for your email updates for the blog, Will. You do good. There’s been a lot of days when your emails have been really helpful to me. A bit of a lifeline. I’m grateful to you. Happy Holidays everyone who celebrates and hang in there anyone struggling and wishing it would go away. Only a few more days and it’s done for another year.

  7. I’m Matt. I run an engineering group at a big software company. I’ve loved fandom in all it’s aspects for years. I’m probably the world’s authority on Disney’s animated Alice in Wonderland.

  8. I’m Nicole & I crochet things (can’t follow a pattern, but I do alright; I’ve made Tauntauns & light sabers, so I’m pleased), & almost compulsively fold paper cranes (I’ve made over 12,000)! I’m also into stilts, & I’m teaching myself how to use different kinds, & it’s a blast!
    I’m married to an amazing guy, who happens to be a wonderful blues musician. He’s also awesome because he’s introduced me to more games in 5 years than I’d even known existed for my whole life previously!
    Thank you for being so great, & real about the issues you have with depression, & life in general. You & Anne are phenomenal people, & I’m glad you both share your lives with us!

  9. I’m Katie from Sydney Australia. I’m a doctor, training to be a Paediatrician. I love my job! I don’t love the shiftwork though.
    I turned 40 in September and it didn’t bother me a bit. I had a fantastic 40th birthday party at a local craft beer pub. I’m single, never married, no kids. Enjoying the never-dull world of online dating – it’s been a mostly positive experience. I’m a sci-fi, fantasy, and board game geek. I have very few people to play board games with, and I need to work on that! I love baking; I just finished making a batch of salted butter caramels for Christmas…

  10. Hi ya’ll waves

    So, I’m Beth and i live in Los Angeles, where I’m trying to make a tangible living as an actress. I’m originally from Florida. Um, unmarried, no kids/pets. Bisexual, so I’m really into GLBTQA issues and being an activist.

    Let’s see. I love Supernatural, Doctor Who/Torchwood, Orphan Black, and the way some people will never be over the cancellation of Firefly (Nathan Fillion coming foremost to mind 🙂 ), I will never be over the cancellation of Leverage. I lived two years in Portland, Oregon where I worked on Leverage often as an extra and it has a safe, warm place in my heart forevermore.

    Um, I already met one friend (my dear @snarke) through this website and I met my friend Lynette through going to tapings for The Wil Wheaton Project ( we still mourn its loss), so I like the idea of meeting even more people here. Bring on the internet friends! I’m trekkiepirate…everywhere really. waves again

  11. Hi wil, I’m elizabethe, I’m 42, am a sahm with a PHD in history of science and have four little kids whom I homeschool. I write fantasy in my “spare” time. Not so much into sci fi but I make an exception for TNG and Firefly. Wesley was always my fav!

  12. Hello Readers,
    I’m Tucker. I’m currently working at a grocery store until I can figure out what I want to be when I grow up (if you don’t consider 29 ‘grown up’). I’m single and live alone, save for a cat that I refer to as the Bart Simpson of felines. I enjoy movies, comic books, tabletop gaming and mindlessly browsing the internet.

    2. I went back to college at 40 to actually get a degree in the work I enjoy. Sometimes you have to try a few things before you know what you like. :0)

  13. Hello, My name is Jason. You killed my father, prepare to die.
    I’m an entertainment tech, a hobby photographer, and board game lover. I contribute to a blog, ruleofthedice.com
    Married, have a dog, and enjoy pretty much everything on G&S.

  14. Hello Wil and everyone else,
    I am Chris from Berlin, Germany. I am 37, I work as a software developer and I also teach.
    I am a fan since Stand By Me and TNG, but totally lost sight of you for years. I played DAOC for some time and therefore fell in love with Felicia’s “The Guild”. On Geek and Sundry I found Table Top and stumbled across your blog. Since then I follow both very closely, as I really like what you do with the show, but also what you share here.
    I have a passion for good tv shows and comics and i spend my holidays going sailing and skiing.
    Best regards from Berlin and please stay awesome 🙂

  15. Hey, Wil ! I’m Sarah. I attended your panel at Gen Con this year. We streetpassed ! 😀 I’m a huge fantasy and sci-fi geek, I play with LEGO, I love to read, and cats are my favorite. 🙂 I wish I could tell you my favorite tabletop game, but I just can’t decide !

  16. I’m a 58 year old gamer who loves science fiction, computer programming, and hanging out with people. I started playing computer games in 1975 on a PDP-8 that used a Model 33 Teletype and baudot code on paper tape to save programs. Hammurabi and Star Trek were absolute favorites of mine back on that computer. I’ve been programming and gaming for decades but really enjoy real-life interaction in gaming – a la D&D style RPGs with friends.
    I wanted a Video Toaster so much when they rolled out – I was truly blown away by what you could accomplish with one.
    I enjoy reading your blog and books Wil, I appreciate your honesty and the integrity of your writing and am continually inspired by you to be more creative and try new things.
    I appreciate you and the things you bring to the world every day – when you get time I’d love another Radio Free Burrito!

  17. Hi, I’m Kevin. I used to be in IT, but now I’m a welder. Married with two kids, one of each. Hobbies include motorbiking, photography, and gaming.

  18. I am Dave. Canadian, living in the YS for the past 6 years. Husband, father of two toddlers, dog owner, geocacher.

    I live in western North Carolina now, and work as a reliability engineer for a medium sized Internet Company which shall remain nameless but I guarantee you’ve seen our products today.

    I keep a personal blog of my adventures which no one needs to read but me, however it is at debaere.blogspot.com, and is the best way to catch up with me.

    I am also an amateur photographer, really amatuer author, and guest host on the occasional geocaching themed podcast.

  19. I’m Rob. 45 years old with three kids ranging in ages from 7-19. All with the same mother. I’m a DBA by day. I’m currently really into D&D and the “history of the English language” podcast which is way more interesting than it sounds. I’ve got massive social anxiety that’s gotten worse with the years and I take meds to keep it somewhat in check. I live pecan pie, stuffing, and turkey and am frothing at the mouth to eat Christmas dinner.

  20. Hey everybody! My name is Sarah. I am currently finishing up my college education(psychology major at Uni. of Southern Maine) and I was born & raised in the pine tree state(a.k.a. Maine). I am single, young and my hobbies include writing, sewing, watching Youtube videos, and comic books when my nose isn’t in a textbook.

  21. Hello, my name is Craig. I’m a 30 year old married father of two. I live in the land of ice, snow, and free healthcare (Canada). I work as a registered pharmacy technician, primarily making chemotherapy for cancer patients.

    My claim to fame was my involvement catching a major chemotherapy under dosing error from a Canadian manufacturer.

    I’m a big fan of all things “nerdy”. Star Wars, Star Trek, firefly, penny arcade, dungeons and dragons, this wonderful website, Tabletop, and list goes on.

    Two best nerds moments; playing a session of D&D with Elminster himself – Ed Greenwood, and meeting Robert Jordan before he passed away.

    Love your work sir.

  22. Hi!

    I’m Andy and I’m from Australia. Believe it or not but it is a really amazing place to live and not everything is trying to kill you (despite what you have read on the internet).

    Married for 5 years to an amazing woman. We often laugh at Wil and Anne’s conversations on twitter as my wife was not exposed to any sci-fi/fantasy before we met and is not so technically minded.

    I work for a Telco company, which I love because I’m smothered in technology all day. I love reading fantasy, watching sci-fi and playing video games and just being a geek.

  23. I am Nathan, married two kids, i am a tower rigger for a small wireless isp.

    I have been programming applications since i was 8 years old (i am 34). It’s what i do.

    I am a weekend gamer (console). I was born and raised in the bush in northern ontario… and therefore just as comfortable outsidr as i am inside….. so no i won’t go for a hike…. i might as well walk down my hallway.

  24. Hello, fellow followers of Wheaton. My name is Chris and I’ve been reading Wil’s blog from the very start of wwdn. I am an accountant in Tulsa, Oklahoma and have been a bona fide geek my entire life. My email address ([email protected]) is an ode to a D&D character I played for years in high school.

    I’ve e-mailed Wil a few times in the past and he’s always been gracious enough to respond. I started playing poker on Pokerstars because of him and really miss the experience of playing poker online.

    I’m enjoying reading everybody’s posts and think this was a stroke of brilliance on Wil’s part.

  25. My name is Michael. I’m an artist who is interested in sci-fi & fantasy books, hockey (Go Flyers), comics, and board games.

    I spend a lot of time at my day job and with my wife and son, so I don’t draw as much as I want to. Still, if you were interested in checking out my artwork, you can find it at http://MichaelLinkJr.deviantart.com

  26. I’m Kate. I lurk. I’m a lawyer, married to an engineer turned patent lawyer. We have a kid; she had brain surgery when she was 6 months old, but she’s three now and is a total rockstar. I just finished writing a (legal) book, and it’s at the publishers as I type. We have a dog that eats everything–about two months ago, he actually ate a Bible one day, and then Harry Potter And The Half Blood Prince the next day.

  27. Hello! My name is Sarah. I live in NYC, I’m a web developer by day, and I blog/vlog about TV in my free time — check me out on Twitter @bigdamntvgeek if you’re curious. I’m also a big movie and comic book nerd as well as a hockey fan (I still hold a grudge against your Kings for beating my Devils in 2012, Wil.)

    This is fun!

  28. I’m Emma, I’m British but live in the US, I’m married with 2 kids, and I stay home with them.
    I like to lurk around here but this seem liked a good time to come out of my hole.

  29. I’m Alex and I make comics with heroes who just happen to like other guys. I’m with a great guy right now myself; we’ll be celebrating our 4 year anniversary on Christmas Eve. I loved playing tabletop RPGs as a teen and in my twenties (Rolemaster was a fave), but haven’t done it for it bit. Very tempted to start up again.

    I mostly follow you on Tumblr, and I really admire your writing and I especially admire your commitment to diversity and feminism. And how upfront you are with wrestling with depression. I think you do a lot of good for a lot of people. It’s inspiring.

  30. I’m Valerie, I’m 27 and living in Seattle. I’m currently a full time cake decorator at Whole Foods and a full time student; I’m pursuing a degree in hydrology and want to work in water quality and water sustainability.. My partner, crochet, and video games keep me sane. I’m an all around nerd with an Ocarina of Time tattoo 🙂

  31. Hi, I’m Mark. 45, married, and we have a 10 year old who just discovered D&D. I’m a lawyer (don’t hate me, we’re not all bad) and I’m currently working as a Court Commissioner who decides custody disputes, issues restraining orders, and other things along those lines. (Sounds depressing, I know, but I think it’s important work that I’m passionate about, and I sort of love it.) I’m in revisions on a probably awful fantasy novel and I like to dabble in not-so-great wildlife photography, mostly owls, wolves, hawks and the occasional bear.

  32. Hi! Chris from Milwaukee here, my dog is the love of my life so I really enjoy your tweets about your dogs. Riley: “I’m a dog!” Never gets old. Discovered your blog, then Twitter through the Nerdist podcast, then also started following Anne. You two give me hope that great relationships exist, it has not been my experience. I don’t usually post on the internet, more of a reader, but wanted to let you know how much I appreciate both of you. Be well.

  33. Hi there. I’m a pop culture geek that’s married to a “normie” in the military on the East Coast. I work as an office assistant in a non-profit organization. I’m a new member of the Rebel Legion (my Twitter “handle” is @JediAmyLynn98), and in February, I’m going to my first con (just a local one). I like to lurk here and on Imgur. I’d like to someday to have my own used book store and do some furniture refinishing on the side.

  34. LOL!!! No, you’re not the boss of me! I’m 58 years old and married to my best friend for 32 years. He’s 13 years my senior, so everyone said it would never last 🙂

    When I saw the first ST: Next Generation episode when it first aired, I thought I was going to HATE it…being an original ST fan. But when Picard said to “Shut off that noise!” when the klaxons were sounding, I was hooked.

    I love the fact that you put yourself out here. You posted “You stand at the edge while people run you through” back in May when I was going through a depressive period. I was able to forward parts of that to people that helped them see what I was going through.

    Go go, Wil! Merry Christmas to you and your family!

    Elizabeth

  35. I am Martin. I’m happily married and have been for over 20 years. I have a daughter whom I love that has a almost-unheard-of learning disability. I live near portland, or and am unhappily unemployed at this time. I don’t remember how I found Wil or his blog but I do enjoy it.

  36. I’m Jennifer. I’m a single mom of 2 wonderful boys, substitute teacher, and love all things Geek & Sundry.

  37. Hello everyone! I’m Nicole aka @reclinerjockey and I’m married, currently breaking people’s routers for a living, and I have three kitty furbabies: Nola, Buscemi, and Bellatrix.

    I love games of pretty much any variety. I got into board gaming from birth as my Grandma had me playing UNO and Sorry! before I could read or count.

    I got my first video game system (an original Playstation) in high school when my brother agreed to trade his Super Nintendo and I traded in my Sega Game Gear (the first and last co-operative thing we ever did) because my family refused to get it for me for any reason: “Your brother has a Nintendo, why can’t you just play that?” or “You don’t want to play video games.”

    I grew up with Wesley Crusher, and I loved him because no other show had kids being SMART.

  38. Hi, my name is Mary. I’m an archaeologist working in the Southeast US. I like me some reddit, and British/Canadian/Australian murder mysteries. I’m the youngest of 4 children and am now looking after my elderly mother (for which I am grateful to do). I am very appreciative Of Wil’s blog and all of his projects. His writing strikes a chord in my life.
    Thanks Wil!

  39. I’m Jenn. My midlife crisis action was to go back to university to complete a Bachelor’s Degree in English. It probably costs as much as a Ferrari, but is less fun to drive.

    Thank you, Wil for doing this. Your request turned me from a multi-year lurker to a participant.

  40. Hi Wil and his fans.

    I’m Jon. I live on the west coast of Canada, am married, have four kids over 18, work as an IT Manager, and have been a geek all my life. I used to be very reserved about my geekdom, but now wear it proudly and have 4 geeky talented offspring to show for it.

    I’m a board gamer, role-player, miniatures gamer, Star Trek and Star Wars fan. I play bass and synthesizer and I make things; such as a garage studio, a lighted lava terrain board, a home made projector and screen and the Savage Worlds version of Darwin’s World RPG.

    Looking forward to retiring from local government in a few years and putting all my effort into creative endeavors, and hanging with my sweetie and maybe grand-kids.

    I run a micro-gaming convention for friends and family at my house every November. It’s called JonCon and was started by my friends. My hope is to have Wil come and game with us one year.

    I met Wil really briefly at GenCon 2013 at the Star Trek Catan charity event. I got a quick chance to say “good job” and that I made something for him, and hand over a bag with a JonCon t-shirt and a custom printed Star Fleet mini of the USS Wil Wheaton. I often wonder if that starship found a place on a shelf somewhere.

    You can follow me on Google+, as that is where I post publicly about my hobbies, and beer.

    Nice to read all your intros.

  41. I’m … well, I don’t use my actual first name all that often even offline, so call me spoon. I’m 31 and live in Madison, Wisconsin (“77 square miles surrounded by Reality”; I like it here.). I’m a sysadmin with a keen interest in computing – especially interested in old classic PC games and building computers from scratch. I still have a goal of building a ‘console’ that is really just a small computer with DOSBox that loads games automagically from either an SD or CF card like a console cartridge.

    No kids, but three adorable and freakishly intelligent cats. It is creepy and awesome at the same time. The pair of littermates I have (see twitter pic) came from the Friends of Ferals league here, and the third was my father’s cat before he died last year. They plus my beloved make up my little family. They all mean the world to me and I’m happy that they’re in my life.

  42. Hey all! I’m Tyler. I’m a 26-year-old guy working in cancer research by day, but at night I get to work on my true passion: writing and illustrating my comic book series The UNFORGIVEN. Being creative and making comics is all I’ve ever wanted to do for a living, and I hope one day soon my ship comes in. I should get off the internet and get back to drawing…but it’s nice to [sorta] meet you!

  43. Hi Wil and everyone! I’m Tesha, I’m in Florida. I have a 5 year old son who is a geek in his own right. I love comics, games and gadgets. I use my son as an excuse to watch some of my favorite cartoons and movies from childhood. Shhhhh! Don’t tell anyone! lol

  44. Hi, y’all. Village Cat Dad here. I am a 50-ish sci-fi fan. Day job is as program manager for a defense contractor (yes, they ask us to do the “hard” stuff. It is rocket-science, after all.) My wife runs an animal welfare charity. In 2014, we had about 40 cats adopted, approx 60 dogs helped with medical expenses or adopted, around 1,100 animals spayed/neutered, arranged for 160 sterilizations county-wide as part of National Feral Cat Day, and arranged for 740 dogs, cats, and rabbits to be fixed as part of World Spay Day. All with donations from the local community. I wish I had time for the gaming, but the animals take a lot of our wall-clock time. Wil, Anne: keep up the good work and fighting the good fight on many fronts. We’ll be admiring all that you do.

    1. Should have also mentioned. I’ve been around the interwebs since USENET. If anyone remembers alt.romance.chat in its heyday, let me know. We’ve probably written some wonderful group fiction together.

  45. I’m Tillia. I’m a book/word nerd, but I also love tech, sci-fi and tabletop games. I live in a city someplace in the world and work in finance. I die a little at work each day because I’m a writer by passion, if not profession. I’m trying to be more brave and send my ideas and stories out into the world. But I have a mild to moderate panic attack at the mere thought of sharing my words. You, Wil Wheaton, are an inspiration. I’ve always been impressed by your frankness and the level of honesty infused into your writing; about your life, thoughts, fears and anything else that’s important to you. Please never stop sharing snippets of your awesome world with us.

    I’m not good at the social part of ‘social media’, so I’m probably not one of the ones you blocked on Twitter. But just in case, @TilliMM.

  46. My name is Rod and I am 54 years old, which is cool since I born with Spina Bifida and was not expected to live, I was in a home for terminal children until I was 4. I am again battling for my life, having been hospitalized since 10/1 with an infection that is life threatening. I am doing better now and if things go well over the next month, I should be able to go home(I live alone) and resume my life.(I worked full time until this issue forced me onto disability). If things don’t go well, I get to spend the rest of my life in a nursing home :(. Regardless, I refuse to focus on the negative and fortunately I have a great sister who keeps me sane.

    I enjoy reading Wil’s posts because they are thoughtful and obviously heartfelt, even when I disagree.

    I am sharing this because I know there are people going through a rough time and all I can say is don’t quit. You can beat the odds and turn things around in your life but you have to fight and in the words of Jim Valvano, “Don’t give up,don’t ever give up!”

    1. Rod, you spirit is inspiring. 🙂 We have a great community of gamers here. Maybe we can arrange some multiplayer games with you while you’re in the nursing home? I think a lot of people would like to cheer you on.

      1. I’d like that, StoryDreamer. Not sure how to pull it off though since I’m on the East Coast and am using a weak laptop my brother gave me.

  48. Hello awesome people! I’m Sonja, 47 yr old hospice nurse. I worked at a battered women’s shelter for 10 years and I became a big Wil fan when he wrote about his family’s experience with Anne’s ex. I became an Anne fan when I saw how she survived that with so much joy, grace, and openness.

    I love Tabletop and my 9 yr old son was sooo happy to finally be able to watch an episode! There’s usually just a little too much swearing.

    My wife doesn’t understand the appeal of sci fi or fantasy but loves the cute dog pics so there’s something for all of us!

  49. Hi folks! I’m BJ! I’m 28, and I tend to live by the Mythbusters credos “Failure is always an option” and “If something’s worth doing, it’s overdoing”. I tend to way overdo it when I am passionate about a particular topic (up to and including tabletop gaming), so hopefully I get some followers that stick around. And I tend to tweet alot, so be warned.

    My Twitter handle is @bjwanlund as well, so hopefully good things come of this!

  50. My name is Sandi, I enjoy following your blog and your tweets. I am a library director, married with two second generation fen. I have been going to SF conventions for over 35 years and enjoy your insights into fandom. I just bought the Cory Doctorow audiobook you narrated, Information Doesn’t Want to be Free, I am really enjoying the book and your narration. No DRM is a bonus.

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