Where I'm off to

May 20, 2014 7:41 AM

Wanted to let people know that while I'll continue to be hanging around here like I've always been, I'll be taking a (small) job at the Internet Archive being the support person and the user/tech liaison for Open Library.

This is a job that, like most great jobs, came out of doing what I enjoy which is helping people learn to use technology. At the end of 2012 MeFi had its first inklings that we might have reached Peak Ad and there was some belt-tightening talk and concerns about the future. When Aaron Swartz died in early 2013, I decided that I should use some of my extra time committing myself to the general Free Culture movement that I give so much lip service to here. I volunteered at the Archive helping keep the ghost ship that was Open Library (a project that he started) afloat. When I'd put in a year there, 7000 emails later, I told them they should probably hire a person to do this job. That person turned out to be me.

I've always loved this job at MeFi so much that you could probably pay me in sand, but it's been helpful to some of my other pursuits that it didn't. Having a steady, supportive and intellectually engaging workplace has made it possible for me to help people in my local community learn about technology (at low to no cost) and travel to other places and spread the word about Fair Use and Open Source and the digital divide so that other libraries could help their communities. I was able to move to and stay in Vermont, a place where I fit in as well as I've ever fit in anywhere except maybe here, a place where my neighbors have never had much of an idea what I do for a living.

I will miss working here. I will miss my nearly-daily bullshit-and-lulz sessions with cortex, my internet brother. I'll miss the deft hand and gentle manner of pb the nicest guy with root access to the servers that you will ever meet. I'll miss taz's friendly words on Thursday mornings (my one "morning" shift at 10 am) when she tells me what's been up in the US overnight and signs off with x's and o's. I'll miss restless_nomad's always-professional advice and reminders that moderating isn't always about reinventing the wheel. Bringing her on staff was the step towards professionalism (when she said "I want a schedule if I'm going to work here" and we said "Huh, okay...") that the site badly needed.

I expect to maintain my rambling chats with LobsterMitten about this and that and we've made plans to try to have them in person near a beach somewhere this summer. Seeing how well she and gnfti took to moderating--LM with her excellent needle-threading mod notes and deliberate and kind manner, gnfti with his scrupulous attention to detail and very open and welcoming way with even the most challenging or confused users (in not his first language even!)--made me get over myself a little and realize that a post-Jessamyn MeFi would be okay, maybe a lot better than okay. And with mathowie, who I met at SXSW in 2000 after being internet-friends before that, I will miss being part of building this great thing together. And I look forward to many more podcasts discussing haircut anxiety with him in the future.

I know it's a bumpy and uncertain time. I think things are going to be okay. I've learned so much and enjoyed my time here so much, I'm sort of excited to get to experience MeFi as a user again. Thanks to everyone, for everything, and I'll keep seeing you at the meetups (and AskMe, and MeFi, and IRL and FanFare and I swear I'll get back to Music one of these days). <3

posted by jessamyn (retired) to MetaFilter-Related at 7:41 AM (254 comments total)

You're awesome! I've always taken pride in saying "That's my husband's coworker!" when I see your name somewhere. And I'll still take pride in saying "That's our internet friend!" Best wishes.
posted by Secretariat at 7:52 AM on May 20, 2014 [12 favorites]

That's super, it looks like a perfect fit for you.

I recently left a great job after 17 years and it was both sad and exciting. I think it's really healthy to move on after a while, even if you love what you do, and I hope that your new job will be both fulfilling and novel.
posted by dfan at 7:54 AM on May 20, 2014 [2 favorites]

Sounds like a worthwhile and appropriate gig. I expect you'll make a difference there, too.
posted by hawthorne at 7:54 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

.

A thousand thank yous, jessamyn, on everything you did to make MetaFilter great. I don't hang around here much anymore, but your name and the "admin" tag was always a signal that something smart was said just above it. Best wishes in your new adventure, and glad to hear that you'll still be hanging around here.
posted by moviehawk at 7:54 AM on May 20, 2014 [3 favorites]

i am still going to email you to complain about terrible people on a regular basis, don't think you've escaped that fate
posted by elizardbits at 7:56 AM on May 20, 2014 [81 favorites]

You can log out anytime you like but you can never leave.
posted by The Whelk at 7:57 AM on May 20, 2014 [67 favorites]

Thanks for your great work. We will miss having your hand on the tiller but I'm glad you'll still be hanging around.
posted by Aizkolari at 7:59 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

thanks for everything! and godspeed.
posted by fingers_of_fire at 8:00 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Very cool new gig - from a personal development & career adventure standpoint it sounds terrific. We'll miss you here but assume you'll be around as a member! Looking forward to seeing you again in person one of these days when you make it back to A2....
posted by leslies at 8:00 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

<3
posted by tilde at 8:01 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Couldn't imagine a more fitting role for you to be abandoning us for moving onto. Jason Scott, I hope you realize what a gem you've snatched.

In all seriousness, best of luck. I have no doubt you will bring the same grace and good patience and deftness to you new(ish) role and have the same transformative effect on the Internet Archice that MeFi has enjoyed for so long.
posted by Phire at 8:03 AM on May 20, 2014 [4 favorites]

i am still sad for us that we're losing your amazing moderation, but i'm so glad for the rest of the world that you'll be continuing your open library work.
posted by nadawi at 8:03 AM on May 20, 2014 [6 favorites]

<3
posted by gusandrews at 8:04 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Thank you, jessamyn, good to know you'll continue to be awesome at your job, just elsewhere!
posted by prolific at 8:06 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

I don't want to be all drama-lama and "it's all about ME AND MY FEELINGS" but just so you know, Jessamyn, you have always been the Best of MetaFilter for me and I am selfishly bereft to see you go. I wish you the very best in all your future professional endeavours. You are the classiest of acts.
posted by DarlingBri at 8:06 AM on May 20, 2014 [19 favorites]

As someone who has worked at the same place for 20 years (though with a few different jobs and through a merger) I highly recommend people move on after a few years. There are benefits (literally) to being a lifer but I think you eventually reach a point where you feel like you're unable to go anywhere else. Institutionalized, I think they call it.

I think I was around Metafilter before you were a mod but you've always been here at least as a user. I'm glad I've gotten to know you as a friend and I look forward to many more years of your presence here without the "Staff" tag.

I would wish you "good luck" but luck is kind of a silly concept and you will succeed through skill and smarts and just generally being a good person.
posted by bondcliff at 8:08 AM on May 20, 2014 [3 favorites]

Sounds like the perfect gig for you, Jessamyn. Congrats and best of luck.
posted by Chrysostom at 8:08 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

You just made me cry. I hope your path is smooth and easy and fun and awesome.
posted by ersatzkat at 8:09 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

I'm happy to hear you have exciting irons in the fire, but we will miss your steady had at the helm here. You have been a huge part of what makes this site work so very smoothly.

Just to let you know, your interactions as a moderator have been a model for me in some IRL work relationships, so thanks for that.

The very best of luck in your newest adventure!
posted by blurker at 8:10 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

I am sorry to see you leave your modding duties, but am very grateful that Shepherd and I finally got to meet you in April. We'll soon be non-Vermont adjacent in a few weeks, but hopefully if you're ever in Ontario, we'll see you then!
posted by Kitteh at 8:11 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

and realize that a post-Jessamyn MeFi would be okay

We'll take longer to get to this realization, but it sounds like the new gig is a great fit!
posted by weston at 8:12 AM on May 20, 2014 [2 favorites]

I will miss my nearly-daily bullshit-and-lulz sessions with cortex, my internet brother.

I don't get farklempt easy or often but really this is the thing, more than anything, that has my heart in my throat right now. All the logistical questions, all the moderation tweaks and schedule stretching and stuff we'll be doing with a smaller staff is stuff I can deal with objectively like a self-assured grown-up, can know it'll be fine and the site'll keep on keeping on; but when it comes down to really dealing with knowing that this is part of the bargain...

The whole reason I first got this job, back in early 2007, was because you had the good sense to tell Matt that you were finally gonna take a capital-v Vacation and that he'd have to find some way to keep up with the site without you for a couple weeks. Such an odd little circumstantial moment in time; the cards fell just right, and it changed my life profoundly and positively. You saying the thing that needed saying, pushing for doing what needed doing, ended up making things better for someone.

And you've been a guiding hand and a good influence every day in the 7+ years since then. You really did teach me just about as close to everything I know about being a moderator as one person could. I'm better off, the site going forward will be better off, because of all our conversations about both the work we've done together and the ideas behind that work, and all the funny and frustrated and cathartic bullshitting that helps keep a career of cat-herding sane from day to day.

I don't know how else to describe how I've been feeling lately in trying to process your leaving than as a kind of hopeful sadness. You've put in so much work here that it seems unbelievable to see you go, but you've also earned ten-times over a change and I am thrilled that his means you get to shake off some of the peculiar annoyances of this weird job we've shared and chase down new things, to stretch your crazy-talented lags. I only wish it were under different circumstances.

I'll miss having you as a co-worker, Jessamyn, but you will always, always be my internet sister.
posted by cortex (staff) at 8:12 AM on May 20, 2014 [187 favorites]

Jessamyn was smart, fair, patient, caring, and funny and she will be missed. Would be moderated by her again. 5 gold stars. THANK YOU.
posted by Room 641-A at 8:12 AM on May 20, 2014 [4 favorites]

Thanks for everything, jessamyn. This place will be OK without your official work, but not the same.
posted by the man of twists and turns at 8:14 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Wow, that's amazing, jessamyn. Congratulations on what sounds like an exciting and interesting new job, and good luck! I hope the new team you'll be working with knows how lucky they are!
posted by EvaDestruction at 8:14 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Jess, you're moving into the only job description more perfect for you than "MetaFilter Cat Herder": "INTERNET LIBRARIAN". Keep up the good work!
posted by oneswellfoop at 8:15 AM on May 20, 2014 [5 favorites]

I was pretty sure you were going to land on your feet, but I'm glad to hear you've got such an exciting and interesting new job lined up. Congratulations and best wishes and all that jazz.
posted by immlass at 8:17 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Dammit, cortex, how did all this dust get in here?
posted by EvaDestruction at 8:17 AM on May 20, 2014 [10 favorites]

Jason Scott, I hope you realize what a gem you've snatched.

I remember a year ago when jessamyn offered to volunteer for OpenLibrary and I actually went on a huge tear of "BY ALL THAT IS HOLY WE MUST UTILIZE THIS GIFT BEING BESTOWED UPON US". I also made sure she got as powerful access as fast as possible.

So yes.
posted by jscott at 8:17 AM on May 20, 2014 [108 favorites]

I've been here since 2006 and I'm having a really hard time imagining this place without you as a mod. And like elizardbits said, I'm probably still going to email you at least occasional "OMG DID YOU SEE THAT GUY IN THAT THREAD WTF" emails.

Yorvit says you should come back soon so he can cuddle on the couch with you. (Seriously, please do come visit SF again soon!)

And congrats on the new gig!
posted by rtha at 8:18 AM on May 20, 2014 [5 favorites]

This sounds like a great project, and I wish you the best of luck.

Since I met you before I really even understood what MetaFilter was (at an Anaheim librarian thing that turned out to be a meet-up (before I knew what a meet-up was)), I realize intellectually that there will be a jessamyn after MetaFilter (and a MetaFilter after jessamyn) but it's kind of hard to believe, you know? I'm reminded of my high school chemistry teacher who was telling us how orbitals worked in molecules and then stopped, sighed, and said "I learned this in the 50s, when it was still electrons flying like little moons around the nucleus, and my heart still believes this, even though my mind knows it's wrong."

So, I guess that makes jessamyn kind of like a Bohr atom, although never a boring one.
posted by GenjiandProust at 8:22 AM on May 20, 2014 [6 favorites]

Congratulations, jessamyn, but man am I going to miss you as a mod. Why does this feel so much like a break up? I'm really going to miss you.
posted by onlyconnect at 8:23 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Buona fortuna.
posted by francesca too at 8:27 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

They'd better give you a gold star as part of the hiring package. Go forth and be just as awesome as you have been here.
posted by holgate at 8:27 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Thank you for making MetaFilter better. And let me know what a publisher might do to make OpenLibrary better. I recently came across Aaron's address in my contacts list but had no idea why. After searching my email archive I came across an exchange he and I had where I provided him book metadata to help populate OpenLibrary's original records. I totally forgot that was him. I imagine that metadata could use a refresh.

Thank you, again. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I just can't say it enough.
posted by Toekneesan at 8:29 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Thanks for helping make Metafilter great.
posted by These Premises Are Alarmed at 8:31 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

First, congratulations! Both the Internet Archive and The Open Library project are incredibly lucky to have you.

But also....

Someone in the other thread said that they learned how moderating could be done exceptionally well from your example. I cannot agree more. Over the ten years I've been a member here, you (and cortex) have been heroically patient with us, both online and off. Even when we were being total pains in ass. You're both guiding hands who listen and nudge people in the right direction. Or firm hands that draw clear lines in the sand, but explain why in calm, rational tones.

In my experience, that doesn't happen in other communities. There are good moderators. There are bad mods. But I've only found one place online where moderation was exemplary, and that's here, from you and cortex. You're not vengeful. Your moderation decisions aren't personal. You both offer a sense of civility, humor, grace and respect. That's incredibly rare, and I have to admit I miss the presence of MeFi's Team Mod when trouble stirs up other communities. Jessamyn, you have been the heart of AskMe, especially. You're a huge reason why it's such a success and brilliant resource.

I hope you are aware that people have noticed. You and cortex and mathowie and vacapinta (and later, additional moderators) carved out and protected a corner of the internet where people were (mostly!) civil to one another. Where we could be ourselves and discuss everything from bodily functions to man-on-chicken gifs, to deeper, intellectual topics. As well as controversial discussions that under less deft reins have had such a destructive impact upon other communities.

It's possible to post just about anything to MetaFilter and still see a civil conversation arise. From circumcision to abortion to religion to politics. Which simply isn't possible in other areas of the net. Not on general-interest sites. That could not have happened without a very special moderation team. You've been a huge part of creating a site ethos which made that possible. That's part of your legacy, and in my humble opinion, one you can be (should be!) very proud of.

Thank you for helping to build a home where we could do all those things and more. Where some of us, who didn't feel welcome anywhere, could find a place to belong. Where we could learn so many cool things and enrich our minds. And where some of us can indulge our obsession for finding awesome stuff on the web and sharing and talking about it with like-minded people. Or, simply asking if it's safe to eat the yogurt that's been sitting out for a while.

Thank you as well for being someone people could vent to over memail when they didn't want to stink up a thread. Can't even imagine how emotionally draining that must be over time, with dozens of people. And on a personal note, thank you for being kind and caring to me in private when it would have been a lot easier to say, "What the hell is wrong with you? Go away now, you're banned for causing so much trouble."

I'm so relieved you're staying, even though I truly can't imagine what this place will be like without you long-term. But I hope for your sake that being here will be even more enjoyable for you than it was when you were a mod. :)
posted by zarq at 8:32 AM on May 20, 2014 [30 favorites]

Sad to see you go Jessamyn. You've taught this stereotypical introverted computer nerd a lot about people. And I appreciate how hard you worked to make sure this abstract space with words on a page has a sense of humanity to it. MetaFilter won't be completely the same without you, but your DNA is mixed up with MeFi DNA in a way that can't be undone. Best of luck at the Internet Archive, your work with libraries, and generally making information available to everyone. We'll miss you.
posted by pb (staff) at 8:32 AM on May 20, 2014 [40 favorites]

Thank you Jessamyn.

Can we start a campaign to get you your ★ back now?
posted by misterbrandt at 8:33 AM on May 20, 2014 [15 favorites]

I'm sort of excited to get to experience MeFi as a user again. Thanks to everyone, for everything, and I'll keep seeing you at the meetups (and AskMe, and MeFi, and IRL and FanFare and I swear I'll get back to Music one of these days). <3

Congratulations on your gig with openlibrary.org, which sounds like a great match. As for MeFi, this isn't a goodbye, but an au revoir for your next FPP.
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:33 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

You are the best and Open Library is the best! I'll miss seeing you here (as much), but am glad you'll be over there making things awesome. Thanks again for years of making this site great, and for being so nice to nerds like me.
posted by leesh at 8:34 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Man

This just made me weepy. I've been around a while in Metafilter years, and while no offense to any of the other mods, Jessamyn you always kind of WERE the voice of MeFi to me.

Always the calm hand and soothing voice that could tell you to STFU already and pat you on the back at the same time.

I wish you all the best in the new thing, and it seems like a great match for you.

Still, there is a sadness inherent, like you're in sixth grade and a girl across the street moves away to a new town.

Thanks for the attempted banjolele playing mugsy. You will be sorely missed.
posted by timsteil at 8:35 AM on May 20, 2014 [2 favorites]

Having been with some websites that've been bigger and smaller and bigger and smaller and managed to keep going throughout, I feel pretty okay about the site as a whole, but I admit having had a moment of, "Oh god, are they all going to be all right?" sort of thing. Much cheered to hear about this--I'm glad there are other great projects that will be benefitting from the strategic application of MeFites.
posted by Sequence at 8:38 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

You're the best, Jessamyn. :)
posted by Mo Nickels at 8:40 AM on May 20, 2014 [2 favorites]

<3

Thanks Jessamyn.
posted by SlyBevel at 8:41 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Jessamyn, you are the best, and I know you'll make the Internet a better place wherever you go on it. <3

You are inimitable and yet I think you've made all of us better by your example--by compassionately and thoughtfully handling more challenging situations than I can possibly recount, by educating us about the importance of libraries and information literacy and bridging the digital divide, and through your polymathic and quintessentially Jessamyn-y delight in so many aspects of the Best of the Web that are encapsulated in this website and in this community.

Thank you ever so much for everything. I hope you find joy wherever your life takes you, and I hope we're able to sustain this place in the spirit of all the wonderful lessons you've given us.
posted by beryllium at 8:41 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

We love you Jessamyn!
posted by IndigoRain at 8:43 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Thanks for everything, Jessamyn. I hope to see you at another TC meet up sometime if the stars align. In any case, you are welcome here in Waconia for a hot meal and n drinks any time you are passing nearby.
posted by chazlarson at 8:43 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Jessamyn: I promise I will continue to not come in here and make lulzy when things are SRS BZNS, even though you don't work here anymore. Through getting to know you, I've learned a lot not just about being a good netizen, but about respect in general. (Never mind all I've learned from you IRL!)

I wish the internet had smellovision, so then I could say, "Let's just call it, smell you later.”

(Note: Jessamyn's house smells awesome.)
posted by not_on_display at 8:44 AM on May 20, 2014 [8 favorites]

You are indeed the best, and I'm glad you'll still be hanging around. I've often sworn that that you're like 4 different people, because no one person could be as helpful as you are. I've sent you memails thanking you so much that it just came to that. I'm not going to lie, I still kind of think you must be doing some Orphan Black stuff up there because it is borderline superhuman what you've done in terms of help and moderation, sharing information, and doing it in such a cavalier yet thoughtful way. See you round, "Cooter."
posted by cashman at 8:46 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

This post has been flagged for the following reasons:) Double, we already have a MeTa about this general topic, maybe put this discussion there?

Be well Jessamyn and best of of luck to ya.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:46 AM on May 20, 2014 [6 favorites]

I'm in a coffee shop supposed to be studying for the bar exam and I'm getting fucking verklempt over here about this.

Good luck to you jessamyn, you will be missed here but this sounds like a really cool opportunity so I am bittersweetly happy for you. I second everybody who says here, and who said in the last thread, that your work and your presence here have made this place what it is, and have raised the bar on what moderation can be. The subconscious "what would Jessamyn do" is totally a thing that has improved my life and my own behavior. Thank you.
posted by gauche at 8:48 AM on May 20, 2014 [2 favorites]

I've had little enough occasion to write to the mods, but I confess to a certain delight when the one who responds is Jessamyn. The good side of this is that she'll be doing other things and that other things will get correspondingly more awesome.
posted by George_Spiggott at 8:48 AM on May 20, 2014 [2 favorites]

A wonderful bookend to the tenure of the greatest community moderator the Internet has yet known.
posted by anildash at 8:52 AM on May 20, 2014 [23 favorites]

Pretty disgusting violation of site guidelines - and I, for one, think that this thread should be deleted with extreme prejudice.

This entire post is a blatant breach of the "no self linking" rule, which prohibiton includes linking to one's employer organisation. Once again the moderocracy of this website has failed utterly in its duty to protect its users from unwholesome blasphemies of our dearest and deepest principles.

It seems that there is no other reasonable option left but to vote #1 quidnunc kid for bastard usurper of the MeFi crown, and my first action on ascending to the Iron Throne of MetaFilteros would be to FORCE this so-called "jessamyn" to become a MOD of this website and empower her to delete this entire conversation.

The costs of her servitude (which would, naturally, include generous healthcare and pension benefits) would be borne by taxation of the userbase serfs, and maybe a little bit of pillaging of their villages. Also I may set fire to your huts. And violate your livestock. I mean, I say "violate", but actually I would totally take them out to dinner first, maybe some dancing, and then we'd just see where the night takes us. I am not a "pick up artist", I'm actually looking for a real romantic COMMITMENT here.

ANYWAY - vote #1 quidnunc kid and we'll pretend this whole thread never happened, and jessamyn will be a mod again and you can just point me in the direction of your livestock and everyone will be a "winner".
posted by the quidnunc kid at 8:55 AM on May 20, 2014 [78 favorites]

I have a heck of a lot of respect for you, Jessamyn, all of it well earned. You are extremely good at what you do! I'm glad you have another gig lined up and wish you nothing but success in your new endeavors, but this place won't be the same without you. It may be as good as it's always been, but it won't be the same.
posted by mosk at 8:57 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

More than anyone else, you've been responsible for the tone of moderation here.

The tone of moderation here makes certain sorts of conversation possible, and the resulting community is what makes metafilter unique.

Thanks.
posted by justsomebodythatyouusedtoknow at 8:57 AM on May 20, 2014 [3 favorites]

One billion thank yous for everything you have done here. It sounds like you have found an ideal new job and I hope it is wicked awesome for you. We will miss your awesome moderation, but I am so glad that you will be sticking around in the community.
posted by bedhead at 8:59 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

You're the coolest, Jessamyn!
posted by oceanjesse at 9:00 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

This is the politest flameout ever.
posted by borkencode at 9:00 AM on May 20, 2014 [23 favorites]

Thank you so much for everything we love you.
posted by EatTheWeek at 9:02 AM on May 20, 2014 [2 favorites]

Thanks for all you've done, Jessamyn. The internet - or at least one of my favorite corners of it - is a better place because of you.
posted by Metroid Baby at 9:06 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

thank you for being you.
posted by FAMOUS MONSTER at 9:07 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Thank you so much for being such a fantastic mod and person in general. I have always come away from our interactions feeling better, and that's not a thing I can say for most people. I'm glad you will still be around here as a user, and I think your new role sounds spectacular.
posted by Nimmie Amee at 9:08 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

May your new gig exceed your most optimistic expectations!
posted by carmicha at 9:09 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Oh, that sounds like an excellent new gig. I hope it is even more awesomely transformative for even more people than mefi has been.
posted by rmd1023 at 9:10 AM on May 20, 2014 [2 favorites]

jessamyn, you're a good egg, and I'm glad you're going to continue being a good egg somewhere else where good eggs are needed.
posted by chicobangs at 9:10 AM on May 20, 2014 [2 favorites]

As a lover (and mostly lurker) on AskMe -- "that website with all the questions" as I call it to my IRL friends -- thank you for making AskMe what it is.
posted by freezer cake at 9:14 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Thank you for everything, Jessamyn. It's been a couple of years since we've crossed real-life paths, make sure to let us know if you're passing through LA.
posted by Lyn Never at 9:14 AM on May 20, 2014 [2 favorites]

{}

(I'm improvising that as a hug emoticon, unless it means something else already, in which case I apologize for whatever I just said.)
posted by Horace Rumpole at 9:16 AM on May 20, 2014 [4 favorites]

Jessamyn, Cortex - I don't even know you guys and suddenly my office is just full of dust.
posted by RedOrGreen at 9:17 AM on May 20, 2014 [3 favorites]

oh my god FEELINGS I AM HAVING THEM.

From the time you picked up a Lutoslawski recording at a record store and hated it, to the times you've had to delete my comments and/or give me a bit of a scolding, to just being a really awesome awesome person that I think we all aspire a bit to be more like, you have been a really fantastic and positive force of existence for me here on Mefi. It sucks hard that we're losing you, though no doubt you will do awesome work at the Open Library.

Truly all the best wishes.
posted by Lutoslawski at 9:20 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Also, because I can't help it:

Metafilter: I swear I'll get back to Music one of these days.
posted by Lutoslawski at 9:21 AM on May 20, 2014 [2 favorites]

Well, if nothing else, I am going to go check out Open Library, if only because you think it is awesome enough to be working there. Thanks so much Jessamyn and looking forward to interacting with you as another Mefite.
posted by Sophie1 at 9:21 AM on May 20, 2014 [2 favorites]

A thousand million thanks.
posted by eamondaly at 9:22 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

I look forward to getting into petty, protracted squabbles with you now that you are one of the moderated. We welcome you.
posted by Think_Long at 9:26 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Seven years ago as of September, I started library school and joined MetaFilter. UCLA library school at the time was super traditional in a lot of ways and jessamyn, you were a big part of allowing me to see that alternative roles for librarians were not just possible but even desirable.

At the moment my library gig is pretty standard, but it's really been inspiring (especially at some dark points) to know that yeah, jessamyn is out there doing cool library related things in some very non-standard settings.

So I'm sorry to see you leave as mod here, but hope that there are totally awesome things in your future at OpenLibrary. The values of libraries are being carried forward and I can't think of a better person to do it.
posted by librarylis at 9:27 AM on May 20, 2014 [8 favorites]

Jessamyn I want to be you when I grow up (which I'm hoping will be any day now). Thank you for making this such a nice and safe place to be, for being funny and warm and firm and fair. All the very best of luck in your new venture at which you will, of course, be awesome. ♥
posted by billiebee at 9:28 AM on May 20, 2014 [4 favorites]

Proud to have you as an internet friend (and occasionally in person!), Jessamyn. You're the best, and Open Library is a fantastic next step.
posted by me3dia at 9:31 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Oh gosh. I know everything changes, non-attachment, etcetera, but a non-Jessamyn Metafilter? On the other hand, for someone who has continued to carry the flame-- the vision of what the internet/web could be-- through the commodification of one of the greatest communications tools in history, to continually fight to see its potential realized, to live this out in her own online presence: this is a step that makes perfect sense. Thanks for making Mefi what it is and will continue to be. Thanks for fighting the good fight. I'm proud to know you. <3
posted by jokeefe at 9:33 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

If the internet in general and this place in particular can be said to have a soul, you've helped give MeFi it's soul.
Best of luck at the Open Library!
posted by islander at 9:36 AM on May 20, 2014 [2 favorites]

Best wishes. Go on kicking ass, forever and ever.
posted by angrycat at 9:39 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

I basically just want to send you ALL THE POSTCARDS right now, because that's the closest I can come to thinking of an appropriate sendoff at the moment.

Jessamyn, you're the best!
posted by ocherdraco at 9:40 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Thank you for being a mensch.
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 9:41 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

I do really like mail. If people want to send me a postcard, I would enjoy that. PO Box 345, Randolph VT 05060.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 9:42 AM on May 20, 2014 [120 favorites]

Jessamyn, I have my watercolor postcard set and stamps RIGHT HERE. I will send you a postcard with an animal on it of your choice.
posted by The Whelk at 9:45 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

I was really sad about this yesterday, because your voice has made this a better place and I don't want it, in its official capacity, to go away. But I also found out an hour ago that a friend and coworker died last night, so things are rough here in the office. That provided a perspective shift, and now I'm just glad that we're still going to see you around. That's what matters.
posted by mudpuppie at 9:48 AM on May 20, 2014 [4 favorites]

What? No. No, I'm not crying. That's...some sand got in my eye. Sand. No, that's ridiculous.
posted by slogger at 9:55 AM on May 20, 2014 [2 favorites]

Lucky Internet Archive and lucky Jason Scott -- and lucky us who use the Open Library!

You two should get along like a house afire, and I expect regular posts about what new madnesses you are up to.

And I always thought that the Open Library was awesome. What can I do as a user to, you know, generate work so you look busy?
posted by wenestvedt at 9:59 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Jessamyn, your influence has made me a better, more considerate person. Thank you for everything.
posted by boo_radley at 10:03 AM on May 20, 2014 [5 favorites]

Sometimes, I see a person move on and I think, "They made a huge impact; it's awesome to see so many people positively affected by one person."

Sometimes I think that, but not this time. This time I'm sure the impact you've made here is going to look like raindrop in a bucket compared to what you've still got left to do. I hope you have an awesome time.

Thanks for the time you've spent here.
posted by Mooski at 10:05 AM on May 20, 2014 [4 favorites]

What can I do as a user to, you know, generate work so you look busy?

The funny joke about that is that as we were talking on the MeFi Mod List about making announcements and how this would all work out and how we thought people would deal with the news, Adobe had a nearly 24-hour outage which tanked a lot of Open Library's lending processes. OL also had some trouble coming back up after that (huge thanks to rajbot who handled it) which meant basically two+ days of outages and piles of grumpy email to deal with, all happening on the weekend, when I had n_o_d visiting and was also judging a library architecture design competition. It was also the first day for the woman who was helping me out. So while I had access to OL's Twitter/blog posting and was all psyched to eventually be like "LOOK AT THIS AWESOME BOOK" with it, I got to use my new powers to mostly harangue Adobe and give outage updates to users. It made me reminiscent for the old JRUN days.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 10:06 AM on May 20, 2014 [13 favorites]

Jess,

Like others have said - you've really redefined my expectations when it comes to moderation adulthood. In my life, I often try to emulate your calm and grace. I usually fail.

I have enormous respect for you and what you've accomplished here. I'm excited to see what you will do next.

That time in the podcast a year or so ago when you talked about a FPP I made was one of the highlights of my internet life.

<3
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 10:10 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

<3
posted by brundlefly at 10:11 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Note: Everyone needs a hug.

True. Now more than ever.
posted by brundlefly at 10:11 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Congratulations on the new gig, and thank you so so much for all your work here.
posted by jaguar at 10:12 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Once we give the west coast a chance to catch up with their weepies will Jessamyn be sharing her Crazy Mod Stories here?
posted by These Premises Are Alarmed at 10:13 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

I'm happy to have first known you as Jessamyn the SuperModLibrarian, and then gotten to have more direct interactions with you through the years. I cherish the postcard you sent after Amy's passing (it was like getting a letter from a rock star), and find a perverse glee in the fact that one of my Macbooks and a couple of my backpacks/bags have found new homes with you. :)

Glad you're still hanging around here, and I wish you continuing luck and happiness at the new gig.
posted by mrbill at 10:20 AM on May 20, 2014 [2 favorites]

Congratulations. I remember the pre-mod days (like that Seattle meetup that maybe kinda didn't happen?), and even then you were a voice of thoughtfulness and moderation, and when I came back after a long hiatus to you as a moderator, it seemed like a perfect fit. I hope that Open Library is just as perfect a fit. I KNOW they're lucky to have you.

And now I'm going to borrow an old Isaac Asimov Lucky Starr novel, because mr. epersonae has always been boggled that I've never read any. Yay Open Library!
posted by epersonae at 10:22 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

brundlefly: "True. Now more than ever."

Jessamyn: Now More Than Ever
posted by Chrysostom at 10:26 AM on May 20, 2014 [6 favorites]

I'll be taking a (small) job at the Internet Archive

Aw man. I had $10 on "next host of The Late Late Show".

Seriously though, you will be missed jessamyn, and I think it will take a while before we really grasp how much. I'm having trouble imagining this place without you as a mod. Though as others have said, your guiding influence over the years will mean that...

I can't finish that sentence without sounding overly sappy, but your history here will continue to have a positive effect is what I'm trying to say.
posted by ODiV at 10:28 AM on May 20, 2014 [2 favorites]

I'll miss having you as a co-worker, Jessamyn, but you will always, always be my internet sister.

OMG You guys some people have jobs where crying at your desk is frowned upon.

Good luck jessamyn!
posted by sweetkid at 10:28 AM on May 20, 2014 [3 favorites]

Jessamyn, I'm really happy for you and I'mma let you leave, but you were the best mod of all time. Of ALL time.
posted by Snarl Furillo at 10:29 AM on May 20, 2014 [14 favorites]

True story: I once went on a hike with Jessamyn and Cortex and we spent WAY too much time talking about farting.
posted by ColdChef at 10:29 AM on May 20, 2014 [6 favorites]

Sounds like an awesome new job for you! Congrats!
posted by bitter-girl.com at 10:29 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Also: my favorite picture of Jessamyn.
posted by ColdChef at 10:31 AM on May 20, 2014 [7 favorites]

Jessamyn, you're the absolute best. Thanks for being such a great mod, and I really hope we still see you around as a fellow Mefite.
posted by yasaman at 10:32 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

A moderator never talks too much about farting, nor too little; they say precisely as much as they mean to.
posted by cortex (staff) at 10:34 AM on May 20, 2014 [13 favorites]

What I learned looking to make that Now More Than Ever image is that Jessamyn has had A LOT of different hairstyles.
posted by Chrysostom at 10:42 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

I'd quit it.
posted by flabdablet at 10:47 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

I have some favorite photos of Jessamyn, as well. It's so hard to feature this place without her as a guide both as an exemplar and moderator.
posted by pjern at 10:48 AM on May 20, 2014 [7 favorites]

So glad to hear you're moving on to a cool new job. And that you'll still be around here as a regular member.

<3, {}.
posted by benito.strauss at 10:55 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Jessamyn, reading that this is your plan is like cheese melted on a picky toddler's broccoli -- it doesn't make me actually like it all any better, but it leaves a much better taste in my mouth. Thanks for everything you've done here and everything you will do there.

(Things like the Internet Archive are the most important part of "my" Internet that isn't Metafilter, so professionally, it's like a lateral move in my heart.)
posted by MCMikeNamara at 10:56 AM on May 20, 2014 [5 favorites]

You have set a shining example, and you will be missed. Thank you for your tireless efforts. Best of luck to the best moderator anywhere ever!
posted by whuppy at 10:56 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

I just realized that I'm a picky toddler.

Wishing you all the best, Jessamyn.
posted by Melismata at 10:59 AM on May 20, 2014 [2 favorites]

While we're sharing pics: SxSWi 2008 meetup. (Sadly, I don't think I have any from the Pi Day meetup!)
posted by epersonae at 10:59 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

pjern: "I have some favorite photos of Jessamyn, as well. It's so hard to feature this place without her as a guide both as an exemplar and moderator."

No WAY. Her license plate is "ASKME"???
posted by zarq at 11:01 AM on May 20, 2014 [19 favorites]

I think I have only interacted with the mods once, years ago. Vexed beyond endurance by a particular poster, I submitted a rant to the contact form that I'm sure did not paint me in a good light.

A few minutes later an email from Jessamyn showed up. Feeling slightly ashamed, I never even opened it. Just seeing "Jessamyn" I knew it would address my complaint with a graciousness it did not deserve and provide me with a needed dose of perspective. I knew this because on the not infrequent basis I saw Jessamyn confronted with fightyness, provocations or pettiness, her responses were always measured, reasonable, and charitable.

At least a couple times since then, in personal and professional life, I've checked my annoyance by remembering this incident and just assuming that whatever advice or response was in that never read email would apply to the situation at hand as well, and I should check myself. The unopened (deleted?) email is my inner Jessamyn, preaching civility, peace, and flagging it and moving on.

Thanks Jessamyn, you are the best of metafilter and the web. The Open Library is a lucky library.
posted by pseudonick at 11:04 AM on May 20, 2014 [10 favorites]

quidnunc kid: Pretty disgusting violation of site guidelines - and I, for one, think that this thread should be deleted with extreme prejudice.

Isn't that cribbed from the opening scene of "White Christmas," where the General gets choked up saying good-bye, and then turn to Crosby & Kaye and asks them to perform something so he can get out? :7)

People, she's not dead -- we still have her! She even still gets to post and comment! Yay!
posted by wenestvedt at 11:05 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

We have a couple of people in my own workplace who are moving on to greater things and earlier today I said to a coworker on the subject, "Sad times. But also happy times." and that's exactly how I feel now about this news. What an exciting opportunity it sounds like is ahead of you!

We haven't really interacted on a personal level beyond a few uses of the contact form and that one time I accidentally tried to add you on LinkedIn - I should probably have mentioned earlier that that was an accident - but you should know you are totally awesome, kind of a role model, and I will definitely plan on sending you a postcard for your collection.
posted by capricorn at 11:08 AM on May 20, 2014 [2 favorites]

If you are ever in Fayetteville drop me a line and your beverage of choice is on me and my original Spouse (tm).
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 11:10 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Just wanted to say thanks for all of the years you've spent making MetaFilter the best place to have a conversation with random strangers on the Internet. You sent me a nice note when I first joined and that's part of the reason why I stuck around, and I'm glad I did because being here has made me a better person.
posted by burnmp3s at 11:15 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

I submitted a rant to the contact form that I'm sure did not paint me in a good light.

I had to go dig it up! And it talks about specific posters so I won't repeat it, but it also ends "Thanks for the good work" and it promised to send a postcard if my address was available online. So thanks, and hey send a postcard.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 11:15 AM on May 20, 2014 [5 favorites]

I feel like you don't get enough credit as one of the very best people to have done a lot of heavy lifting of building early internet culture. PERHAPS A JOURNALIST READING THIS MIGHT WRITE SOMETHING ABOUT THAT, ahem. Love, adoration & best wishes for new adventures!
posted by judith at 11:19 AM on May 20, 2014 [7 favorites]

I will be excited to finally maybe figure out what Open Library does! Every time I end up there on a search it seems like a really neat resource that is behind a glass wall - I should be able to use it but for whatever reason it just doesn't do a thing.
posted by winna at 11:21 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

I tried to buy you this awesome postcard to send to you, but they only have it in framed versions and I only had two stamps on me.

So then I went across the street and had an iced coffee. Bring yourself and your Mod Mate, Jim, to town and I will buy you one, too!
posted by wenestvedt at 11:29 AM on May 20, 2014 [2 favorites]

I think I've written this before, but it was an answer from Jessamyn soon after AskMe launched that basically led me directly to Library School to get my MLS (and I bet you there are dozens of other folks who count Jessamyn's sage advice as a key component of their Librarian origin stories).

While I'll miss your mod-side duties at this home away from home, I'm psyched that I may still yet get to keep up with you on the professional side via Open Library and other orgs/gatherings.
So yay to new gigs and celebrating years of time spent reading the same threads on the Internet!
posted by Hadroed at 11:30 AM on May 20, 2014 [3 favorites]

Due to evolution in my professional interests, I find myself using and learning about resources like Open Library more and more. It is exciting to hear that Jessamyn will be at the helm of that project.

Jessamyn has had a huge influence on how I use anonymous and semi-anonymous social media over the years. Wherever I am, I tend to pause before I post and think "What would jessamyn do?" She models effective communication for everyone, but for women especially, since the internet tends to be hostile and resistant to the entry of women players.

So I just wanted to say that I have learned a lot from jessamyn and I am really glad that the Open Library is in her hands. I hope that she is given leeway to bring news of its goings-on to the site or puts it in her profile.
posted by vincele at 11:39 AM on May 20, 2014 [2 favorites]

Best wishes!
posted by Renoroc at 11:40 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Spiffy!

Are you going to/have you met Brewster Khale? If you will/have, can I get an autograph?

You're both kind of a hero to me
posted by lysdexic at 11:55 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

(and I bet you there are dozens of other folks who count Jessamyn's sage advice as a key component of their Librarian origin stories)

Agreed. I am one of them. I would bet dozens on MeFi and hundreds elsewhere! I'm sad about yesterday's news, but super psyched about today's.
posted by clavicle at 11:59 AM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

I knew Jessamyn before I knew MetaFilter, because librarianship. And then because Jessamyn is awesome, I started hanging out here. And then imagine my surprise when I wrote to the Open Library generic email to say "yo, how do I get my book in here?" and I got an email back FROM JESSAMYN.

Which is just to say, Jessamyn, that not only are you everywhere that's cool, but you make every place better by being in it. Thank you for doing so and for being an example of how to become a grownup without becoming an asshole.
posted by newrambler at 12:03 PM on May 20, 2014 [3 favorites]

You know, yesterday I felt a little gut-punched, even as someone that doesn't comment terribly much outside of Hannibal threads.

This here actually made me cry.

I've been on the internet since I was ten, and this is by far my favorite place on the internet, and a significant chunk of that is down to Jessamyn.
posted by dogheart at 12:15 PM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

I kinda thought something akin to this was happening, given Jess' tone yesterday. I'm super happy it's specifically this.
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 12:26 PM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Thank you for showing all of the internets that there's a lot more to being a librarian than dealing with books. Thanks for embracing all of us, your librarian colleagues. Thanks for being the calm voice of reason in countless posts. Thanks for helping keep Metafilter and the subsites boy-zone-free. Good luck - I think Open Library is a neat project and you seem like a perfect fit there. Most of all, thanks for staying classy!

Remember, we're always here in Metatalk if you need a hug. Here's one right now {{{{{{Jessamyn}}}}}}.
posted by Lynsey at 12:28 PM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Have fun on the new gig! I'm very happy you'll still be hanging around these parts too.
posted by marxchivist at 12:37 PM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Jessamyn, I did not know what a "moderator" did before I first saw Metafilter, and since that time, many years ago, I have become a moderator in one of my roles at my current job. Every decision I make and every moderation note I write is, in some way, a reflection of what I learned from the way you handle the job here.

Your moderation presence will be very much missed.
posted by xingcat at 12:40 PM on May 20, 2014 [3 favorites]

good luck jessamyn!
posted by Justinian at 12:40 PM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

I'm glad you've landed on your feet, Jessamyn. What will be your first act as a civilian?
posted by dr_dank at 12:40 PM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

I'm glad you'll still be around, Jessamyn. You're my Awesome Librarian role model.
posted by sarcasticah at 12:58 PM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

I also bear witness to the excellence of jessamyn on this auspicious day. See you on the barricades sister!
posted by Meatbomb at 1:03 PM on May 20, 2014 [2 favorites]

I just went back to Open Library and corrected an author's name. IT HAS BEGUN.

Mind you, now I can't find any books with an "Edit" button showing, but I will come back another day and figure that out!
posted by wenestvedt at 1:05 PM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

I have a not-very-public ongoing offer for any MetaFilter Official Person or Prominent Member (based on MY definition) driving through San Luis Obispo who stops at The FoopPlace @ Hillcrest Ranch that I will treat them to a breakfast-or-lunch at the Infamous Madonna Inn's Copper Cafe. Of course, that offer still stands for emeritus moderators, and for Jess, I will make it dinner at the Gold Rush Steak House (vegetarian entrees available, reservations suggested).
To date, the only MeFite to take me up on the offer was ColdChef when he was en route to Hearst Castle and he refused to let me pay for everything. And yes, filthy light thief, you are included now that you've moved out of SLO.
posted by oneswellfoop at 1:23 PM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Like so many changes in life, this is both sad and wonderful. I hope it's mostly the latter for you.
posted by tommasz at 1:25 PM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

So, here's the thing, Jessamyn: Although your tenure as a Mod has been critical in shaping MetaFilter into the community I value so highly, for me, your position here provided a more personal benefit. It increased my exposure to your voice.

I’m older than a lot of the people on this site and generally feel like I know who I really am (and exactly how damned short that falls from who I think I should be); so I can count on maybe one hand the number of people I’ve interacted with over the past couple of decades who have honestly had a lasting impact on who I am as a person. You are one of those people.

Your fairness and generosity of spirit, your exuberance, humor, and curiosity, and maybe especially your determination to live an open life were instrumental in drawing me out to share more of myself here, to allow things to get personal. You inspire me.

And that same influence infiltrated my IRL-space, as I repeatedly find myself striving to be less judgmental of those around me, especially younger generations who see the world through multi-faceted eyes so different from my own. So many times in recent years I have actually found myself wondering what Jessamyn would say about so-and-so or such-and-such, and in the asking, opening myself up to broader perspectives. It’s not that I’m an especially closed-minded person, it’s that I sometimes need to be reminded that there’s no one best way to live up to our better selves.

I’m grateful for all you’ve given to MetaFilter, and I’m even more grateful that your words aren’t going anywhere. That you’ll still be around to remind me that I’ll never be too old to learn something new, to apologize when I’ve been an asshat, to aspire to a generous nature.

So, here's the thing, Jessamyn: Thank you.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 1:28 PM on May 20, 2014 [27 favorites]

I very much appreciate your letting us know about this. Many thanks, and congratulations on the new gig!
posted by BibiRose at 1:43 PM on May 20, 2014 [2 favorites]

♥
posted by Cranberry at 1:47 PM on May 20, 2014 [2 favorites]

dr_dank: "I'm glad you've landed on your feet, Jessamyn. What will be your first act as a civilian?"

Well, it won't be getting herself banned. She's already been there, done that. :D

"I banned myself once, on accident. It didn't occur to me that once I did it, I couldn't undo it. I had to wait for mathowie to wake up to fix it. This is why we have cortex."
posted by jessamyn at 2:34 PM on December 17, 2007

posted by zarq at 1:47 PM on May 20, 2014 [4 favorites]

It's Raining Florence Henderson: "especially younger generations who see the world through multi-faceted eyes so different from my own."

So...you're hanging out with sentient insects?
posted by Chrysostom at 1:53 PM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Hive mind, yeah.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 1:55 PM on May 20, 2014 [6 favorites]

No WAY. Her license plate is "ASKME"???

Yeah, but it lacks a professional white background.
posted by weston at 2:06 PM on May 20, 2014 [5 favorites]

I figured you'd be moving on to something interesting and valuable, and this sounds like a good thing. I think things are going to be okay. That actually makes me feel better.
posted by theora55 at 2:17 PM on May 20, 2014 [2 favorites]

Congratulations on the move! As bittersweet as it is, it's great that you're continuing the work of Open Library. Are you relocating to San Francisco?
posted by spiderskull at 2:41 PM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Jassamyn, you are one of the main reasons that I've continued to frequent this site since I signed up one cold, wintery (almost) Christmas Eve in 2007, for all the reasons people have mentioned already. It's odd for me to think that there's just about as much time that has passed between then and now as there was between the start of the site and 2007. I still feel like a new guy. So glad it's not good-bye, only see you around.
posted by SpacemanStix at 2:55 PM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Congratulations - I'm still sad I couldn't make your NYC meetup and hope there'll be another chance someday. I know you guys all had to do what you had to do, but there were some moderation issues I always went to you for specifically, and I am worried that those issues will escalate without you around. However, this is officially Not Your Problem, so feel free to ignore my whining. Best of luck!
posted by Mchelly at 2:56 PM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Congratulations jessamyn on your new gig. If ever there were a pillar of a community, it would be you for Metafilter. You will be missed, in all the best ways.
posted by OHenryPacey at 3:03 PM on May 20, 2014 [2 favorites]

Good luck, Jessamyn. I know this is hardly goodbye, but may your whole life be amazing.
posted by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell at 3:06 PM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

I've been generally upset by the news, but especially distressed at the thought of Jessamyn leaving MeFi. Yes, I know she'll be here as part of the community, but a MetaFilter without Jessamyn is almost as wrong and distressing as a MetaFilter without Matt. It's personally upsetting to me because meeting her last year at a meetup went a long way toward making me feel better about my choice to return to MeFi.

I keep reminding myself of what she's posted here — that she'd moving on to a new job and that this is her choice and a good move for her. That it's almost certainly a good thing for her personally and professionally to move on to new things. I actually sort of feel good for her, even though I know that the circumstances are personally and professionally distressing.

Even so, it's just hard to get my head around a MetaFilter without jessamyn at the helm.

You'e an all-around good person, jessamyn, someone to be admired both for your professional knowledge and skills and, more important, for your humane generosity of spirit.
posted by Ivan Fyodorovich at 4:20 PM on May 20, 2014 [6 favorites]

{}

(I'm improvising that as a hug emoticon, unless it means something else already, in which case I apologize for whatever I just said.)

In JavaScript, that's an empty object. Such symbolism!
posted by ignignokt at 4:35 PM on May 20, 2014 [3 favorites]

Are you going to/have you met Brewster Khale? If you will/have, can I get an autograph?

You mean user 17328 who has active as recently as today? Yep. We know each other from earlier Archive.org days and he's a real inspiration to me as well. Will try to get his autograph.

Answers to other questions: not moving, yes that's my license plate, and as much as I'd like my first civilian-MeFite act to be saying something obnoxious that I'd been wanting to say for years, I'll probably just be practicing flagging and moving on at first. Baby steps.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 4:38 PM on May 20, 2014 [11 favorites]

Open Library looks amazing. (Hooray for having a JSON API.) This new job sounds like it's the backtagging effort taken up several levels!
posted by ignignokt at 4:40 PM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

So I had never looked at open library before, but I went, I found a favourite childhood book that had no description, and I added the description from the back cover of my copy. Some other time I'll do the other books in the trilogy and add cover images.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 4:42 PM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

God I have learned so much from all you people. Especially the mods.
posted by So You're Saying These Are Pants? at 4:45 PM on May 20, 2014 [3 favorites]

Thanks for being you, jessamyn. Good luck with your new job.
posted by anifinder at 4:56 PM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Sad things are sad - although it sounds like a wonderful new job, so congrats! And I'm glad you will still be around here.

I guess this comment will no longer be true.
posted by nubs at 5:40 PM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

no they can still fight crimes
posted by sweetkid at 5:49 PM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Although if cop movies have taught me anything, it might be a bad idea if she's just a few days from retirement.
posted by cortex (staff) at 5:54 PM on May 20, 2014 [15 favorites]

so what's the best way for me to get high and hassle you at your new job then?
posted by klangklangston at 6:56 PM on May 20, 2014 [3 favorites]

well I think step 1) get high
posted by sweetkid at 6:56 PM on May 20, 2014 [2 favorites]

"Although if cop movies have taught me anything, it might be a bad idea if she's just a few days from retirement."

At least in this context it just means she's gonna get banned right before she was gonna quit.
posted by klangklangston at 6:57 PM on May 20, 2014 [2 favorites]

"well I think step 1) get high"

that is never the step that I have trouble with
posted by klangklangston at 6:57 PM on May 20, 2014 [6 favorites]

step 1) get high
step 2) ????
step 3) profit

duh
posted by sweetkid at 7:08 PM on May 20, 2014 [2 favorites]

It's tough to know where to begin with this. I remember meeting Jessamyn in 2000 at SXSW when it seemed the entire blogosphere still fit in a room and most of them happened to show up in Austin that week. It was a pretty incredible week meeting everyone I read and I remember thinking Jessamyn was super cool and kinda hippy (dreadlocks back then?) and did I really just get to meet that famous librarian?

I think it was early 2005 when I was doing a full time job at Creative Commons, doing daily posts to PVRblog for fun, dealing with an impending child, and running MeFi by myself on the site, and I kept having to wade into MetaTalk and explain things and argue things, and tell people stuff and it used to feel like a room in my house with 20 plates spinning that I had to keep from breaking. I'd drop into a thread slightly exasperated and post some short answer and move on, and I'd come back later to clean up the mess and see that Jessamyn left a comment after mine with stuff like "well I think mathowie means..." and basically doing a better job than I was explaining why something was the way it is.

I can't recall how we started it, I remember I was just about to finally quit my day job and work on MeFi full time, and Jessamyn got some sort of admin controls I only reserved for myself by going into the code for every single page and looking up my user_ID and putting jessamyn's next to it. A whole day of "IF user_ID eq 1 OR 292 then show edit/delete." She volunteered to look after the site for a couple months and chip in when necessary and as soon as I started working on MeFi I started giving her a small stipend. In early 2006 I got to double it, and then again, and again, and so on.

Working with Jessamyn was a pattern repeating itself again and again. Me doing things in a nerd way, then Jessamyn going "hey, you think maybe we should try doing x instead?" and realizing that was almost always the better choice and better option for everyone involved.

As we raced towards Peak Ads, jessamyn helped push me to figure out how to get healthcare to us, which was a ton of work but I'm very glad we did it, especially after my constant hospital visits just after we got it in 2010. I remember her saying at one of the SXSW we attended as a team "there's this really great person you should meet that would fit in great with us" and I shook hands with restless_nomad, who became a great additional staff member. Jessamyn's taste in friends and in picking staff members is impeccable, as every one of either group I've encountered have been nothing but fantastic.

I'm actually quite jealous of Jessamyn now. I went to the Internet Archive's sort-of wake for Aaron Swartz in January of 2013 and I remember after the service I was standing outside with a circle of friends and everyone was basically saying how much they wanted the Archive to go on and be strong and how we should all try and work there someday, if people got somehow hit-the-lottery rich or retired or decided to do it as a part time thing. I've gotten to interact with a handful of people there over the years for various projects and I've always come away feeling like everyone was really committed to helping the web by working there, something I've always aspired to do. Jason Scott was gloating on Twitter about getting Jessamyn in a trade like a big baseball career move, but he's right, and they're extremely lucky to score her as a member of the IA team.

I'll miss getting to chat with Jessamyn often, all the countless times she's stopped me in my tracks while I was rambling about some hair-brained idea and said we couldn't do something and how it was actually really harmful, or with a tweak, could actually be a good thing. I'm glad we'll still get to do the podcast, since that's basically a monthly appointment for two hours of fun with her.

So long Jessamyn, thanks for everything you've done here and good luck with everything you do next. You gave a lot to this place and I think the effects of it will linger on forever.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 7:10 PM on May 20, 2014 [82 favorites]

Thanks so much.
posted by SarahElizaP at 7:24 PM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

What can I possibly say but thank you?
posted by pemberkins at 7:27 PM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Congratulations! It's always sad when someone leaves, but starting something new is a happy and exciting moment.
posted by Dip Flash at 7:28 PM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Also I didn't really know anything about Open Library so Today I Learned, which is awesome.
posted by sweetkid at 7:30 PM on May 20, 2014 [2 favorites]

That's a very sweet comment, Matt. I remember you saying something like this once before, that Jessamyn, unbidden, was "doing a better job than I was explaining why something was the way it is." I was moved by that remark the first time I saw it, years ago, and it's why I've always tried to watch and learn from Jessamyn's example, even when I wasn't sure I agreed with it or understood it. Usually I did, though, and I think it's made me better at my own job.
posted by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell at 8:23 PM on May 20, 2014 [2 favorites]

Jessamyn, Unbidden sounds like a minimalist one woman play.
posted by sweetkid at 8:25 PM on May 20, 2014 [6 favorites]

jessamyn, thank you, and good luck in your new gig.
posted by radiocontrolled at 8:25 PM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Jessamyn Unbidden is about her affair with the Vice President, but then she calls it off and kicks ass and fights crime, thwarting a terrorist plot to blow up NYC.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 8:26 PM on May 20, 2014 [11 favorites]

That's hilarious, sweetkid. But Matt, did you mean that for the misreadings thread?
posted by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell at 8:28 PM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

jessamyn, you marked me as a colleague (and I got the teeny book icon!) after we met at a meetup one week after I started my first undergrad library assistant gig. The library has been my life for the last few years now, and critical librarianship will be my future. Following your contributions here and elsewhere online has been huge in shaping my conception of living a political life online as an information professional and woman in tech. Super proud to have met you once, and so thankful to see you're moving on to something just as cool.
posted by avocet at 8:30 PM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

That sounds like a great fit for you, jessamyn. Congratulations! I'll miss having you as a mod, but I'm happy that you'll be doing something you love, and that you'll still be hanging around here.
posted by homunculus at 8:53 PM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Wow, that sounds terrific and congratulations! You helped make me a kinder person. Hope to see you around the stacks. :D
posted by Glinn at 9:22 PM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

I will miss you as a mod, but I am kind of psyched to have you as a gloves-off user. Not that I think you'll do or say anything untoward, but I pretty much think of you as a force for good, and if you don't have to be balanced and professional and can just say what you personally think, I think it'll still be a very good thing for the site. Our loss is our gain, is what I'm trying to get at.
posted by gingerest at 9:28 PM on May 20, 2014 [3 favorites]

I feel like jessamyn has always said what she really thought.
posted by sweetkid at 9:44 PM on May 20, 2014 [4 favorites]

Yes, but.
posted by gingerest at 9:47 PM on May 20, 2014 [2 favorites]

Jessamyn,
Reading through these comments... I cannot think of a single thing to say that someone above hasn't said with five hundred times the eloquence I could've mustered.

Of those, Zarq caused me to nod my head in agreement the most.

I wish you the very best of all the worlds that you visit, and I'm sure we'll continue to enjoy your participation.

Hugs all around!
posted by drhydro at 10:05 PM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Good luck with the new gig, jessamyn. I love ya.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 10:24 PM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

I'll miss having you as a co-worker, Jessamyn, but you will always, always be my internet sister.

I've been searching for it, and sister is the right word. I'm an only child, and though I have a lot of female friends, Jessamyn, you seem more to me what having a sister must be like than anybody else. Don't forget that we have libraries down here in Texas.
posted by Devils Rancher at 10:25 PM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Thank you, Jessamyn, and congrats on your new job!
posted by EggplantPizza at 10:26 PM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

This whole thing made me straight up, not-just-something-in-my-eye cry. Jessamyn's new job sounds super awesome and of course her time here has been enlightening and enjoyable and beneficial for all, but also, I'm crying right now. {{{metafilter}}}
posted by librarina at 10:28 PM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Jessamyn I've greatly valued your presence on the site both on terms of Modly Intervention, but also as a regular mefite, and I'm extremely glad we are only losing you in one capacity. I feel like you've made a big difference around here, and I thank you for it. Best of luck in your new adventure.
posted by smoke at 10:52 PM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Hey guys, I think if we make the group hug big enough she won't be able to escape...
posted by Deoridhe at 11:34 PM on May 20, 2014 [5 favorites]

Jessamyn, you have no choice except to be successful.
Metafilter is the excellent place it is because of your efforts.

Thank you very much.
posted by Pudhoho at 1:43 AM on May 21, 2014 [1 favorite]

Thankyou for all your work here, it's a huge part of what makes Metafilter such a great place to be. I always aspire to write and interact with people online the way you do - with grace and patience and good will and as much wisdom as I can muster. I do not always succeed, but your example is a guiding light for me.

The Internet Archive and the Open Library project are lucky to have you, and I'm glad you're getting the chance to stretch yourself in new ways. Have fun, and make us a few posts with interesting stuff you find in your new work arena.
posted by harriet vane at 2:49 AM on May 21, 2014 [1 favorite]

Is there a possibility you would come back, if circumstances were to change either for yourself or for the site?
posted by evil_esto at 3:06 AM on May 21, 2014 [1 favorite]

Jessamyn, I wish you the best in your new adventures.

And, I want to say thank you for your contributions to this site, and for your patience and guidance with me personally as I've attempted to become a better member of this community.
posted by HuronBob at 3:22 AM on May 21, 2014 [1 favorite]

Thanks, Jessamyn - you are really quite a wonderful and inspiring person. Thanks so much for your candour, patience and tolerance - I've learned much from your comments, and moderation on many levels.

x
posted by a non e mouse at 4:14 AM on May 21, 2014 [1 favorite]

Allow me to brag about receiving a nice Max Fun Con tote from Jessamyn in the Great Shopping Bag Swap of 2010. It's been hanging near my front door to hold scarves and hats in the winter months and just to admire during the rest of the year. I love it!

I will miss Jessamyn the Mod more than I can say. I don't comment much in MetaTalk but I read most of what goes on here, and I've just always been in awe of the sheer patience, kindness and thoughtfulness (and wit!) your words express in every comment you make, Jessamyn. Good luck in your new endeavors, and if you ever find yourself in Tokyo, please let me buy you a drink of your choice, just because you've been such an inspiration to me!
posted by misozaki at 4:44 AM on May 21, 2014 [2 favorites]

Gosh, it's all already been said many times over, but Jessamyn, you are such an inspiring presence and such an important part of what makes this place so great. Thank you for being so rad and best wishes in the new awesome gig!
posted by aka burlap at 7:00 AM on May 21, 2014 [1 favorite]

One of the many things that makes metafilter a good Place On The Web is the apparent openness of the running of the site and choosing not to hide them. That makes it easier to maintain decorum in this monkey house.

Thanks for your time, actions, and words and best wishes as you move forward.

Also - if you're in the neighborhood, if just to point and laugh at local library patrons frustrated by the Cutter shelving, you're more than welcome. We have a guest room and are walking distance from downtown. Plus there's homebrew on tap and unusual children to puzzle you.
posted by plinth at 7:57 AM on May 21, 2014 [1 favorite]

You mean user 17328 who has active as recently as today? Yep. We know each other from earlier Archive.org days and he's a real inspiration to me as well. Will try to get his autograph.


..........(ノ゜∀゜)ノ
ヽ(゜∀゜ヽ)..........
..........(ノ゜∀゜)ノ

Wheeeeee! Thank you!
posted by lysdexic at 8:02 AM on May 21, 2014 [1 favorite]

Jessamyn's medium here may have been moderating (and man, typing that in the past tense sucks), but what I've learned from watching her work over the years has very little to do with the internet.

I've known Buddhists who like to say we should be grateful for the difficult people in our lives, because they present an opportunity to practice the hard stuff. In the grand scheme of things, dealing with hot tempers online is not exactly a spiritual crucible, but if you're reading this far down a MetaTalk thread, I don't have to tell you that people on this site can sometimes be... trying.

And in the face of every self-linking spammer and frothy-mouthed comment deletee and passive-aggressive snipefest, Jessamyn kept her cool. She has a singularly clear idea of (let's call it) the platonic ideal of MetaFilter, the site as it can be, at its very best, but instead of trying to drag all us jerks there kicking and screaming, she showed us, by example, how we can get there ourselves.

And for me... MeFi is, by far, the online community I'm most invested in, and I really just lurk here. Lessons about effective moderation and userbase management and so forth are lost on me. But that's not what I've learned from Jessamyn. This is:

• You can't control other people's actions, only your own reaction to them.
• There is always room for empathy and compassion. Everyone's hardest struggle is their hardest struggle.
• If someone is acting shitty, engage the behaviour, not the person.
• A sense of humour is a necessity, not a luxury.
• When you're right, stand your ground. When you're wrong, apologize.
• Every moment is a new opportunity to do your best. Even if you fucked up last time, even if you're going to fuck up next time, you can still get it right this time, and it's always worth trying.

That she has been an exceptional moderator and steward of this community is worth celebrating, of course, but in my eyes, that's an entirely expected corollary of the fact that she's an exceptional person, someone I unequivocally admire, and even though I don't think we've ever interacted directly, she's had a measurable, positive influence on my life, and I'm more grateful than I can say.
posted by Zozo at 8:24 AM on May 21, 2014 [69 favorites]

Jessamyn, whatever you end up dong in life, please don't ever lose your soft spot for funny emoticons.
posted by SpacemanStix at 11:42 AM on May 21, 2014 [2 favorites]

Very nicely said, Zozo. You've put into words things I have only nebulously felt.
posted by benito.strauss at 12:23 PM on May 21, 2014 [1 favorite]

I always edit the "So in closing, fuck YOU" part of my comments out before I post them.

Everything I need to know I learned on Metafilter.
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 12:35 PM on May 21, 2014 [3 favorites]

That's a way cool job, congratulations! I think most people on here, on reading that you were leaving, thought "where on earth could she go?" So to hear its something totally awesome is brilliant. I would say good luck but seriously, you won't need it. Thank you for all the work you have done here at mefi to make it such a cool and safe place.
posted by marienbad at 1:55 PM on May 21, 2014 [1 favorite]

I'm not sure what to say. I've admired your work [and that of all the mods] in dealing with this great community.

So, thank you for your work here and for being a great role model on how to use social media and the interwebs in professional and personal capacities.
posted by calgirl at 3:01 PM on May 21, 2014 [1 favorite]

At one point, I memailed Jessamyn because I wanted to know if she would consider it inappropriate if I made a WWJD t-shirt. She very politely shared her opinion, which was basically "That's super inside-baseball, but I'm not going to tell you not to" (paraphrased). Which is yet another data-point in favor of the concept of a WWJD t-shirt, really.

In all seriousness, good luck in future endeavors. So long, and thanks for all the moderation!
posted by Alterscape at 10:10 PM on May 21, 2014 [2 favorites]

Don't go! ;-)

If anyone's interested, I have a post on my blog about the first time I met Jessamyn in person. It involves much discussion about open source software, much beer and a photo of my infant son trying to pull Jessamyn's nose ring out of her face.

I also have to to echo what so many others have said about learning how to moderate online communities by watching how Jessamyn does it. I recently managed the social media campaign for a political campaign that had 80+ members on our "Social Media Team". A lot of compliments I got about how I handled that group made me think "Well, I'm just doing what I learned on MetaFilter."

Best of luck in the new endeavour - I hope we can cross paths again someday!
posted by Jaybo at 10:32 PM on May 21, 2014 [1 favorite]

Jessamyn, you are the best of the web.
posted by alltomorrowsparties at 1:40 AM on May 22, 2014 [6 favorites]

Thank you for all your hard work, Jessamyn. I'm glad you're sticking around! (And I shall scour my stationery for an appropriate postcard or card!)
posted by needlegrrl at 7:01 AM on May 22, 2014 [1 favorite]

I'm kind of typing with tears right now, because I just had my penultimate changing-of-the-guard IM with Jess. She knows how I feel, but I refuse to see this as permanent. "Let's see how things go" is my motto. Let's see what happens. There's a Jessamyn-shaped space in the center of Metafilter that will be a hole after next week, and we will all (mods and members) do our best to do the things she's taught us by example to make sure that her work here endures, but that space won't be changing, and I hope to see it refilled by its rightful owner at some point again.
posted by taz (staff) at 8:11 AM on May 22, 2014 [32 favorites]

Thanks taz. I haven't posted here yet, cause I just didn't know how to express all the sadness I feel over Jessamyn's leaving. But you said it so much better than I could have.
posted by marsha56 at 8:18 AM on May 22, 2014 [1 favorite]

I will fill the Jessamyn shaped hole with kumerspeck.
posted by plinth at 9:09 AM on May 22, 2014 [9 favorites]

Hey Jessamyn! Join the MeFi cookie swap next year so I can send you cookies! (or I could just send you cookies now - do you have a favorite?)
posted by bluesky43 at 9:18 AM on May 22, 2014 [1 favorite]

I like cookies. But I am on a "get healthy" kick lately, so random baked goods, while well-meant, would probably be less appreciated than a postcard. And gnfti just sent me a ton of licorice and some stroopwaffels so I am set for now.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 9:34 AM on May 22, 2014 [1 favorite]

awww, postcard it is then (but I also have some pretty amazing healthy cookies with carrot bits and so on :)
posted by bluesky43 at 9:41 AM on May 22, 2014 [2 favorites]

Holy Heck, I think jessamyn just did a fave run. Probably by hand, too, not with a script. That's stepping out the door with style.
posted by benito.strauss at 10:08 AM on May 22, 2014 [11 favorites]

'o'
.o.

'o'
.o.


{{{{}}}}
posted by flabdablet at 10:50 AM on May 22, 2014 [7 favorites]

»-♥➝
posted by churl at 11:34 AM on May 22, 2014 [6 favorites]

Many hugs and good luck.

Incidentally, I went over to Open Library. It has clearly been jessamyn-ized since the last time I looked at it, because now I understand its goals and uses!

So huzzah for that!
posted by winna at 11:34 AM on May 22, 2014 [1 favorite]

Thank you for taking a moment to write me a personal message when my brother died. I'll always remember that little act of kindness.
posted by TryTheTilapia at 11:50 AM on May 22, 2014 [1 favorite]

In case LobsterMittens & Gp
posted by dr_dank at 11:53 AM on May 22, 2014

Oh now you're just abusing the favorites, jessamyn.

Once more with feeling:

In case LobsterMittens & Go
posted by dr_dank at 12:17 PM on May 22, 2014

Oh now you're just abusing the favorites, jessamyn.

Once more with feeling:

In case LobsterMittens & Goodnewsfortheinsane are lurking about, I'd like to extend my thanks and best wishes. I don't want your contributions to go under appreciated in the wake of the changes going on around here.

On preview: the voodoo curse in lieu of moderating is working.
posted by dr_dank at 12:21 PM on May 22, 2014 [3 favorites]

I haven't posted in this thread because I am still in my anger/denial phase. Lalalalala, I'm not listening. I think if I just ignore it, jessamyn, things won't change. The note from taz just choked me up.

There are so many levels that I admire and appreciate all you've done here -- but if I had to distill it down, it has been your work in paving mefi as a more welcoming space for women and helping mathowie to arrive at good employee practices for the mod troop. You're an excellent mod, a web pioneer and a just an all around smart, nice, kind, fun person. I am consoled to see the important role you'll be playing on the web and that you will be an ongoing presence here. Big thanks, big hugs.
posted by madamjujujive at 12:41 PM on May 22, 2014 [9 favorites]

Atta girl Jessamyn!
posted by birdsong at 2:21 PM on May 22, 2014 [1 favorite]

Good luck, Jessamyn! Can't wait to see what you get up to. Thanks for everything.
posted by frenetic at 2:37 PM on May 22, 2014 [1 favorite]

Best wishes and best of luck... and thanks for everything. I'm a newcomer. I haven't even been a member for one year yet. But I've already seen the difference you can make, and again, best of luck.
posted by seyirci at 2:56 PM on May 22, 2014 [1 favorite]

Looking forward to hearing what happens for you next! Congratulations on the new role, as sad as I am to see you go.
posted by Chaussette and the Pussy Cats at 3:13 PM on May 22, 2014 [1 favorite]

Good luck, and thanks.
posted by ead at 4:55 PM on May 22, 2014 [1 favorite]

Bittersweet
Moral Compass

All that and more.

Um, also, very cool name.

And now you've moved on. Sigh.

Congratulations on the new job.
posted by mule98J at 5:38 PM on May 22, 2014 [1 favorite]

Congratulations on the new job, and thanks for everything you've done to help make Metafilter the best of the web!
posted by Quietgal at 6:09 PM on May 22, 2014 [1 favorite]

Ack, I can't. Everything everyone else said. You've always been my favorite mod. It won't be the same without you. Thank you so much, especially, for the excellent advice/answers I've seen you post over the years on AskMe. AskMe makes me a better human, and you've been such a huge part of that. All my best wishes to you.
posted by woodvine at 7:39 PM on May 22, 2014 [1 favorite]

Meh. I still haven't forgiven her for posting a naked picture of herself scrambling up some rocks (from behind) which eventually turned out to be her boyfriend.

I might have fapped to that picture! I didn't, but that's not the point. I definitely committed adultery in my heart.

Damn my taste in gamin women!

More seriously -- there aren't many people online who have been able to gently encourage me to look at my own behaviour, examine those areas where it may be wanting, and try and take measures to correct it where necessary/possible.

And she's managed to achieve this, not by engaging with me directly, but simply by explaining her decision making processes in how she runs the site.

You're a remarkable woman, Jessamyn West. I do hope you're as valued in your new job as much as you've been valued here.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 12:45 AM on May 23, 2014 [1 favorite]

I'm an obscure unknown user you helped. I usually lurk. Thank you for what you did to make this place a refuge from bad behavior.
posted by pywacket at 4:04 AM on May 23, 2014 [2 favorites]

Won't be the same without you, Jessamyn. Glad you've got a soft landing.
posted by effugas at 9:14 AM on May 23, 2014 [2 favorites]

Thanks for everything, Jessamyn. Hope to keep seeing you around here as a regular user.
posted by klausness at 10:04 AM on May 23, 2014 [1 favorite]

I think I dimly remember being a lurker back when that announcement was made that Jessamyn was now actual staff, and would start receiving financial compensation for what she was already doing anyway through volunteer efforts. It's sad to witness such an outstanding tenure come to an end, but the values and culture that her stewardship helped instill in the community will hopefully live on.

In light of the present financial challenges, the tactical soundness of establishing one of our best assets within the Internet Archive cannot be denied. In the unlikely event that our worst fears are realized and our best efforts to ensure MeFi's ongoing viability are unsuccessful, we can at least rest assured that with this action, contingencies will soon be in place to guarantee preservation of all threads on all subsites, so that they can continue to be a valuable resource for future readers in years to come.

Not that I have any doubts in Director M, of course, or in PB Division's continued support of our surviving dossier. I also have full confidence that Agent J will prove equally valuable in her new cover assignment within a short time. It's just comforting to have our diplomatic heavyweights deployed where they have the potential to be the most effective in a crisis.

As always, should you or any of your team be discovered and captured, the Cabal will disavow any knowledge of your existence.

(There is no cabal)
posted by ceribus peribus at 12:42 AM on May 24, 2014 [3 favorites]

Jessamyn, your staff label is back. Did something change?
posted by Philosopher Dirtbike at 2:53 AM on May 24, 2014 [1 favorite]

I don't think it's gone yet. This change is effective the end of the month.
posted by Horace Rumpole at 5:30 AM on May 24, 2014 [1 favorite]

Yeah, that. I don't know if we've even got the "turn off [staff] after [date]" code in place, actually, but if we did it wouldn't have trigger yet for Jess or LM or gnfti in any case.
posted by cortex (staff) at 7:14 AM on May 24, 2014 [1 favorite]

Yeah I have a few more days here and I don't think we've given much thought to what actually moving on from here looks like since no one has ever done it.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 7:35 AM on May 24, 2014

I see. I think I got confused because it shows up some places and not others.
posted by Philosopher Dirtbike at 8:07 AM on May 24, 2014

I don't think we've given much thought to what actually moving on from here looks like since no one has ever done it.

Something you said in the other thread made it sound like you might become our shadow president. Or mod in exile, biding time until revolution.
posted by nobody at 9:35 AM on May 24, 2014 [1 favorite]

Jason Scott was gloating on Twitter about getting Jessamyn

Not gloating... celebrating
posted by jscott at 1:04 AM on May 25, 2014 [5 favorites]

"Yeah I have a few more days here and I don't think we've given much thought to what actually moving on from here looks like since no one has ever done it."
posted by jessamyn

I can tell you what the first day at work after someone you love and love working with has left is like - Sadness parts 7, 8 & 9 mate. Seriously. Good luck to all the mods after the change - it will be emotionally hard.
posted by marienbad at 4:15 AM on May 25, 2014 [1 favorite]

Thank you for all your moderation efforts. I know I've sometimes been critical of how things are done with moderation, but all the same-- this place is special, and you've been a big part of making that way. My very best wishes on your new position.
posted by wuwei at 12:56 PM on May 25, 2014

Yeah I have a few more days here and I don't think we've given much thought to what actually moving on from here looks like since no one has ever done it.

Something something Hotel California.
posted by SpacemanStix at 5:39 PM on May 25, 2014 [1 favorite]

Something something Hotel California.

Something I doggerelled up back in 2008.

See also: If I Should Fall From Grace With Jess
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 7:21 PM on May 25, 2014 [1 favorite]

Yeah I have a few more days here and I don't think we've given much thought to what actually moving on from here looks like since no one has ever done it.

I hope you don't have to take on all the other mods in a high-stakes deleting competition to leave with your boots on. MetaDome is just a joke, isn't it?
posted by GenjiandProust at 8:54 PM on May 28, 2014