Social Media | Ghost of Midnight

Decline of open web in favor of social media… “grim consequences”

Posted on Friday, April 7, 2017 by Michael • No comments yet

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.

FPF Reaches Million-Posting Milestone

Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 by Front Porch Forum • No comments yet

2017 marked the moment when Front Porch Forum saw its one-millionth posting! Celebrating 10 years helping neighbors connect and build community, FPF has experienced tremendous growth and accomplishments to serve every community in Vermont.

Take note of these FPF Milestones:

• More than 1 million postings made by our members
• 3.5 million e-newsletters sent every month
• More than 130,000 membersin a state with only 260,000 households

Co-Founder, Michael Wood-Lewis notes “we couldn’t be happier about the impact FPF has had across Vermont. Once people have an easy and safe way to communicate with neighbors, they do! And that simple act adds up. The cumulative impact is huge… after months of FPF, people often report feeling more connected to neighbors, more tuned in to local goings on, and more a part of their community. And in many cases, people then become more active… organizing a group yard sale, mentoring a local kid, volunteering for a park clean-up, voting on election day, and, most recently, helping each other during Blizzard Stella. That’s what FPF is all about!”

Our Northeast Kingdom neighbors sum it up nicely….

Posted on Friday, March 17, 2017 by Front Porch Forum • No comments yet

“FPF is the Closest Thing to My Favorite Past-Time: Drinking coffee on the front porch of the General Store.” • Tim in Craftsbury

“FPF is the glue that keeps our rural conversations connected!” • Lian in Walden

“FPF keeps me informed of town and school issues thanks to posting by our town clerk and principal.” • Rhonda in Morgan

Satisfied members tell their friends about Front Porch Forum… that’s how the word gets out. Have a neighbor in the Northeast Kingdom looking to get connected? Invite them today!

FPF Hires, Achievements and Promotions: Sales Team Dedicated and Moving Forward!

Posted on Wednesday, March 1, 2017 by Michael • No comments yet

As Front Porch Forum celebrates 10 years helping neighbors connect and build community, our team has grown and evolved. FPF serves every community in Vermont, and 130,000 members participate out of the 260,000 households that exist in the state. Our staff has grown and evolved to better serve our members and business community. Take a look at our dynamic sales team.

New Additions
Jodi Harrington is an 8th generation Manchester, Vermont gal and 5th generation graduate from Burr and Burton Academy. Previous owner/editor of the Winooski Eagle newspaper and marketing director for both Onion River Co-op and Opportunities Credit Union, Jodi’s small business marketing skills are a great advantage to businesses utilizing FPF. She’s a strong activist in her communities having served on both the Winooski School Board and City Council. She loves the mountains and can be often found on the slopes (she is a level 3 PSIA ski instructor who has taught at Bromley, Smuggs, Whiteface, Bolton, Stowe and Burke).

Wendy Wilson brings her 20 years of experience in marketing, public education and communications to Front Porch Forum. She’s been actively involved in the fabric of Vermont through past work with Chittenden Solid Waste District, Vermont Commons School and Energy Action Network. In addition to her role at Front Porch Forum, Wendy also works part-time for VBSR. She has two teenage daughters and lives in Bristol where she enjoys cycling, traveling, cooking, reading and walking her dog Stella.

Celebrating Five Years
Suzie McCoy has helped local businesses connect with FPF members since 2012. She’s seen FPF membership double in that time, and has a genuine enthusiasm for the important role that FPF plays in our communities. Fluent in French, Suzie earned a master’s degree in education, and has taught at the high school and college levels. She’s an active volunteer and cofounded the Vermont nonprofit Action Coalition for Media Education, and currently serves as school board vice chair. Mom to her 12-year old son, you can find her pursuing a number of outdoor activities year round.

Promotion
Congratulations to Gisele Nelson, who after six years with FPF has been promoted to Sales Team Manager. Gisele started her tenure with FPF as an intern while she was a student at UVM. Her skills were quickly put to work as she took on a role in both Member Support and as an Online Content Manager. She built a strong rapport with many local businesses while in these roles which led her into the sales realm at FPF. Gisele’s strength in balancing her work and understanding of needs from both members and local businesses, combined with her strong inter-office communication skills, led her into this newly developed role at FPF.

Front Porch Forum celebrates 10 years helping neighbors connect and build community. Using technology to bring neighbors closer together, members of a local forum submit their own messages, which FPF distributes to nearby residents as an online newsletter. Because the service is moderated and real names accompany postings, the discussions remain civil, engaging, and relevant. FPF is popular, because it works. Ask any of our sales team staff how they can help put your business in the forefront of neighborhood conversations with our active, engaged membership.

Vermonter loves hearing from her State Senator. How does your Representative keep in touch with you?

Posted on Wednesday, January 25, 2017 by Front Porch Forum • No comments yet

“Recently our State Senator posted on FPF about a Public Hearing. I am so thankful to have an easy and bipartisan way to hear about local government issues.

“This posting was a perfect use of Front Porch Forum. No matter your political opinion, it is important to understand what is going on in our local government.

“I encourage all of our elected leaders to use FPF to announce opportunities to effect change! Remember that they are working for us and we deserve democracy. Think global, act local!”
—Chloe, Williston FPF

Ask your legislators to use FPF to keep you tuned in about what’s going on in the State house.

Watch your skis or snowboard… thieves strike slopes

Posted on Saturday, January 21, 2017 by Michael • No comments yet

“Just wanted to send out a quick PSA and let everyone know that there is apparently a ski/snowboard thief going around to most of the local resorts (Sugarbush, Smugg’s, Bolton, Stowe). My skis and poles were stolen last night from Bolton and the desk employee informed me there have been about 5-10 other reports just in the last 2 days. Please be cautious and lock/watch your things!”
• Jenessa, Richmond Front Porch Forum

Has your gear been stolen this season? Pitch in by telling your neighbors on FPF.

“Let’s Not Trump Maple Syrup”

Posted on Saturday, January 21, 2017 by Michael • No comments yet

“While some of you on this inaugural day (Jan. 20) might be mourning some kind of national tragedy, I’m most distraught by what my son told me: The breakfast waffle treat his class earned through safe, kind, responsible acts was served with… [deep breath, gather myself]…
Log Cabin syrup.

“While I appreciate our local education system maintaining fiscal responsibility, I think I speak for the entire universe when I say… let’s not be savages.”

• Lance, Westford Front Porch Forum

Thousands of business recommendations flow through Front Porch Forum

Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2017 by Michael • No comments yet

“A few weeks ago I posted on our Front Porch Forum seeking recommendations for XC boots in our area, and several people wrote to say Onion River Sports was the place to go. So we went there and, sure enough, my sister found the perfect boots. The salesperson patiently helped her get fitted properly, and, after years of XC skiing, she says these are the best boots she’s ever had. Yay for Onion River Sports and FPF posters. Thanks again!”
• Kathy, East Montpelier FPF

What’s your question? Ask neighbors on your FPF and shop local!

“Social Media Is Killing Discourse Because It’s Too Much Like TV”

Posted on Sunday, January 8, 2017 by Michael • No comments yet

From Hossein Derakhshan:

… social media represents the ultimate ascendance of television over other media.

I’ve been warning about this since November 2014, when I was freed from six years of incarceration in Tehran, a punishment I received for my online activism in Iran. Before I went to prison, I blogged frequently on what I now call the open Web: it was decentralized, text-centered, and abundant with hyperlinks to source material and rich background. It nurtured varying opinions. It was related to the world of books.

Then for six years I got disconnected; when I left prison and came back online, I was confronted by a brave new world. Facebook and Twitter had replaced blogging and had made the Internet like TV: centralized and image-centered, with content embedded in pictures, without links.

Like TV it now increasingly entertains us, and even more so than television it amplifies our existing beliefs and habits. It makes us feel more than think, and it comforts more than challenges. The result is a deeply fragmented society, driven by emotions, and radicalized by lack of contact and challenge from outside…

One reason why Front Porch Forum is text-based.

10 Words for 10 Years – FPF annual word play and free prize drawing

Posted on Tuesday, January 3, 2017 by Michael • No comments yet

FPF is ten years old now! Help us celebrate with our annual New Year word play and free prize drawing!

Submit your entry before midnight Thursday, January 5, 2017 — any posting consisting of exactly ten (10) words submitted before the deadline will enter you into a free drawing* to win one of these 25 great prizes:

• One overnight room at Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa

• One K250 Coffee Maker (in Red) from Keurig

• One Tower of Treasures from Lake Champlain Chocolates

• Two cases of SAP! Maple Drinks (2 winners)

• One $100 gift certificate to Jivana Holistic Spa in Burlington
• One $100 gift certificate to Hunger Mountain Co-op in Montpelier

• One $100 gift certificate to Prohibition Pig in Waterbury

• One $50 gift certificate to Flying Pig Bookstore in Shelburne

• One $100 gift certificate to Bluebird Barbecue in Burlington

• One $100 gift certificate for Troy West Carpet Cleaning in Barre

• One $100 Gift Certificate to to Farmers to You in Berlin

• 12 pints of frozen yogurt (one/month) from SoYo Frozen Yogurt

• One “Year of Free Bread” card for Great Harvest Bread Company

• One full makeover at Sequoia Salon in Burlington

• One family portrait or signed print from Carolyn L. Bates Photography

• One 5-punch treatment card to OPEN Community Acupuncture in Waterbury

• One $100 gift certificate to the Vermont Comedy Club in Burlington

• Two tickets to Joey Alexander April 22 at The Flynn Theater

• Two tickets to Bal© Folcl³rico da Bahia Jan. 27 at The Flynn Theater

• Two tickets to Cinderella, by State Ballet Theater of Russia Jan. 28, Spruce Peak Arts

• Two 1-Day Lift Tickets (no restrictions) to Sugarbush

• Two 1-Day Lift Tickets (valid mid-week, non-holiday) to Bolton Valley

• One 1-month Family Membership to The Edge

• One $125 gift certificate to the Shelburne Field House

• Pair of Buy Local coupon books and mobile apps from Local First Vermont (3 winners)

Thanks to the local Vermont businesses who donated these wonderful prizes.

Now get creative! Make your neighbors laugh, cry, smile, think! — and POST AN ENTRY:

• Go to FrontPorchForum.com and click LOGIN (if not already logged in).
• Once logged in, click MY ACCOUNT.
• Then click COMPOSE POSTING.
• Select posting category “10 Words for 10 Years – FPF Raffle,” type your posting, and click SUBMIT POSTING.

*FPF welcomes up to two entries per day per person. Post about whatever tickles your fancy. Click on the links under PAST ENTRIES for loads of great samples.

Invite your Vermont friends, family, co-workers and others to join their local FPF and enter the raffle! They can sign up at FrontPorchForum.com. Check out flyers, social media tie-ins, and more on our Pitch In page. Spread the word!

UPDATE: This raffle is now CLOSED. Here are our lucky randomly drawn winners…

One overnight room at Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa
Mary O’Brien, Hartland
“Front Porch communication creates community, notifies neighbors, knits strangers together.”

One K250 Coffee Maker (in Red) from Keurig
Rita Muller, Peacham
“Despite digital distraction, community and neighbors still remain incredibly important.”

One Tower of Treasures from Lake Champlain Chocolates
Alec Slater, South End, Burlington
“I’m an apple-farming physician, so I keep myself away.”

Two cases of SAP! Maple Drinks
Berta Winiker, Bennington
“Oh, schizophrenic Vermont winter, what variety might we see today?”
Theresa Butts, Tinmouth
“Palindrome love: Are we not drawn onward to new era?”

One $100 gift certificate to Jivana Holistic Spa in Burlington
Dan Elliott, New North End, Burlington
“So many engaged people; tell a friend to join FPF!”

One $100 gift certificate to Hunger Mountain Co-op in Montpelier
Ed Leszko, Barre
“My house has no front porch; internet does; thank you!”

One $100 gift certificate to Prohibition Pig in Waterbury
Elisabeth Walton, Stowe
“What did the zero say to the eight? Nice belt!”

One $50 gift certificate to Flying Pig Bookstore in Shelburne
Sarah Forbes, Williston
“Oh what nice people I have met borrowing and lending!”

One $100 gift certificate to Bluebird Barbecue in Burlington
Rachelle Gould, Old North End, Burlington
“FPF, the anti-Twitter: focused on local, no Trump, limitless characters.”

One $100 gift certificate for Troy West Carpet Cleaning in Barre
Quint Welters, Cabot
“Why did the chicken cross the road? Dunno. Ask FPF… ”

One $100 Gift Certificate to to Farmers to You in Berlin
Lava Mueller, Randolph
“I gave up social media… except for Front Porch Forum!”

12 pints of frozen yogurt (one/month) from SoYo Frozen Yogurt
Raven Grey, South End, Burlington
“Don’t feed loons poptarts, ‘they are endangered,’ people will yell.”

One “Year of Free Bread” card for Great Harvest Bread Company
Michelle Yargeau, South Burlington
“Let your words pass through three filters: kind, true necessary?”

One full makeover at Sequoia Salon in Burlington
Zachary Key, Winooski
“Have I ever bought milk from the same cow twice?”

One family portrait or signed print from Carolyn L. Bates Photography
Bobbie Moser, Milton
“Congratulations to Front Porch Forum! We are all better connected.”

One 5-punch treatment card to OPEN Community Acupuncture in Waterbury
Linda Jones, Warren
“A broken ankle showed me the true spirit of Vermont!”

One $100 gift certificate to the Vermont Comedy Club in Burlington
David Hobb, South Hero
“Sparks fly with impunity; Please grant immunity; Forum implies community.”

Two tickets to Joey Alexander April 22 at The Flynn Theater
Toria Reed, Salisbury
“Found a dog, lost a cat, everyone got pets back.”

Two tickets to Bal© Folcl³rico da Bahia Jan. 27 at The Flynn Theater
Leo Laforce, Westford
“President elect should learn to use FPF instead of twitter.”

Two tickets to Cinderella, by State Ballet Theater of Russia Jan. 28, Spruce Peak Arts
Richard Hamlin, Georgia
“Once a small forum; now a lifeline for many people.”

Two 1-Day Lift Tickets (no restrictions) to Sugarbush
Amanda Skull, Newfane
“Don’t believe everything you read on the Internet.” • Abraham Lincoln

Two 1-Day Lift Tickets (valid mid-week, non-holiday) to Bolton Valley
Julie Welkowitz, Richmond
“Lending a hand; selling tires; love the Vermont community spirit!”

One 1-month Family Membership to The Edge
Dale Lacroix, Essex Junction
“Be kind to unkind people. They need it the most.”

One $125 gift certificate to the Shelburne Field House
Carole Carlson, Shelburne
“This Front Porch Forum skeptic has become an avid supporter.”

Pair of Buy Local coupon books and mobile apps from Local First Vermont
Melissa Marcello, Charlotte
“You’ve outlasted the typical vacuum cleaner. FPF definitely doesn’t suck!”
Leah Pellegrini, Essex Junction
“We moved here one year ago. FPF has helped us!”
Laurie Newton, Bolton
“Bears hibernating, cats sleeping, frozen-fingered humans starting cold cars.”

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