Iran’s “Blogfather,” Hossein Derakhshan, in a recent interview on the NiemanStoryboard…
“The decline of the web in favor of social media entails grim consequences. Hyperlinks were the founding principle of the web; it secured a diversity, nonlinearity, decentralization and interactivity, which made the web so powerful. But social media’s very philosophy and monetization strategy, or the stream, cannot be friendly to hyperlinks, since they do not want their users to leave their space. This new environment, in addition to the currently dominant algorithms, which favors popularity and now-ness rather than diversity and quality, is worse than television in its potential damage to representative democratic societies, where majority is supposed to take informed decisions without jeopardizing minorities. The rise of identity politics and intolerance for diversity is directly linked to the current form of the internet. This is the deepest shock of this transition to me since my release. This shift from what I call books-internet to TV-internet.”
Unlike some other social media platforms, Front Porch Forum doesn’t aim to lure people in and hold their attention 24/7. FPF, for many Vermonters, is a 10-minute-a-day habit that leads to more face-to-face conversations with neighbors… and to friendlier, more informed, and more resilient local communities. Hyperlinks in FPF postings are an important part of that.
Neighbors across the state turn to their local FPF for recommendations on who to turn to when they need help and to support local entrepreneurs.
“Thank You for the Seamstress Reco’s! This forum is the best! Donna from SSE wins by popular demand. Will be sure to tell her of her overwhelming popularity when I see her.”
• Kate in Waterbury
“I’d like to offer a recommendation for Casey and her eggs. I’ve been buying them for a couple of months and they are tasty and fresh. Fun too as some are light blue shells… help support a local family!”
• Bets in Barre
“When we were looking for a carpenter/handyman/painter I looked here on Front Porch Forum and found recommendations for Jeremiah. Thank you, FPF, because he is great!”
• Martha in Shelburne
Local police in many neighborhood utilize FPF as a way to keep abreast of community concerns.
“The Vermont State Police – Williston Barracks has joined Front Porch Forum. We look forward to communicating with our neighbors. Our goal is to inform everyone with what VSP is doing in and around our communities. We would appreciate your thoughts and suggestions on any community concerns as well.”
• Paul at VSP Williston Barracks
Neighbors helping neighbors….it happens everyday on Front Porch Forum.
“I found a very nice cordless drill in the road this morning. Please let me know if you are missing one.” • Judd in Bridport
“Found: Gold Chain and Cross – Yours? Describe it and it will happily go back home to you.” • Katherine in Charlotte
“I found a 5 gallon gasoline canister in the road this evening. Email if this is yours.” • Ann in Waterbury
“Found Flash Drive on N. Street – Yours? It is little and blue. I found it and would love to get it back to you.” • Noah in Burlington
Find something you think someone would like to have returned? Post it on FPF!
“I want to thank you so much for the work that FPF does. It connects communities in such an organic way. As a new homeowner I would be up a creek without it. Professionally I can cite it as a reason for my growth.”
• R.J. in Middlebury
New homeowner? Consider posting in your neighborhood FPF for answers you need.
“My successful, mostly Montpelier-based, business has been given a tremendous boost by Front Porch Forum…just a few ads, and many recommendations and referrals later, I can say that it works well for many things, in many ways. Please support FPF if you can…just use this link: https://frontporchforum.com/supporting-members”
• Todd in Montpelier
Have a small business? Use the FPF Business Directory and start posting to your neighbors!
Ghost of Midnight is an online journal about fostering community within neighborhoods, with a special focus on Front Porch Forum (FPF). My wife, Valerie, and I founded FPF in 2006... read more