Just a note of thanks, really August 15, 2016 6:30 PM Subscribe
Hey hey. After a year and a half in gestation, I'm in the process of wrapping up a manuscript for delivery to my publisher this week. And so now I'm finally getting to what is, by far, my favorite aspect of working on a book, which is writing the Acknowledgments. And you're in them!
It's a wonderful thing, always, to emphasize that any project of this sort is necessarily a shared endeavor, and to be able to thank everyone who contributed to it out loud, in public and by name. But that "in public" part is important to me, and though a book is otherwise in many ways a pretty high-visibility platform, I do fret that not many people actually read Acknowledgements. On the reasonable chance that nobody here would ever see it otherwise, then, I just wanted to share with you the following:
I am profoundly indebted to the MetaFilter community for pointing me at sources, acquainting me with unfamiliar perspectives and forcing me to sharpen my argument. One thread in particular was rich in contributions that chimed with my own experience, and confirmed my intuition that I was headed in an interesting direction, and I want to thank everyone who contributed to it. I specifically wish to express my profound gratitude to MetaFilter user kliuless: indefatigable if unknowing research assistant, without whom my section on blockchain technology would have been so much shallower.
As those of you who have done this know, the hard part actually starts now — we get into a few rounds of edits and revisions, and all of that is likely to be just as grueling as putting the words on the page in the first place. But the basic structure is all there, and if at any point in the past two years, you've written here on the topics of automation, algorithms, augmented reality, cryptocurrency and the blockchain, digital fabrication or the internet of things, in a very real way you helped me frame it out. Please know that you have my gratitude.
It's a wonderful thing, always, to emphasize that any project of this sort is necessarily a shared endeavor, and to be able to thank everyone who contributed to it out loud, in public and by name. But that "in public" part is important to me, and though a book is otherwise in many ways a pretty high-visibility platform, I do fret that not many people actually read Acknowledgements. On the reasonable chance that nobody here would ever see it otherwise, then, I just wanted to share with you the following:
I am profoundly indebted to the MetaFilter community for pointing me at sources, acquainting me with unfamiliar perspectives and forcing me to sharpen my argument. One thread in particular was rich in contributions that chimed with my own experience, and confirmed my intuition that I was headed in an interesting direction, and I want to thank everyone who contributed to it. I specifically wish to express my profound gratitude to MetaFilter user kliuless: indefatigable if unknowing research assistant, without whom my section on blockchain technology would have been so much shallower.
As those of you who have done this know, the hard part actually starts now — we get into a few rounds of edits and revisions, and all of that is likely to be just as grueling as putting the words on the page in the first place. But the basic structure is all there, and if at any point in the past two years, you've written here on the topics of automation, algorithms, augmented reality, cryptocurrency and the blockchain, digital fabrication or the internet of things, in a very real way you helped me frame it out. Please know that you have my gratitude.
awesome! Pretty psyched to see a thread I posted having such an encouraging effect, even if it was because of all the awesome work kliuless did in the comments! :-)
posted by anotherpanacea at 7:05 PM on August 15, 2016
posted by anotherpanacea at 7:05 PM on August 15, 2016
Every happiness, that is lovely news.
posted by jessamyn (retired) at 7:10 PM on August 15, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by jessamyn (retired) at 7:10 PM on August 15, 2016 [2 favorites]
Damn, that's cool! Congratulations, Author!!
posted by wenestvedt at 7:11 PM on August 15, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by wenestvedt at 7:11 PM on August 15, 2016 [1 favorite]
Congrats!
And speaking only for myself - I always read the acknowledgements. I'm always interested in reading about the people who inspire and support artists.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 8:48 PM on August 15, 2016 [3 favorites]
And speaking only for myself - I always read the acknowledgements. I'm always interested in reading about the people who inspire and support artists.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 8:48 PM on August 15, 2016 [3 favorites]
Well done!
(Also I wish kliuless would share their RSS feed list sometime.)
posted by notyou at 9:52 PM on August 15, 2016 [4 favorites]
(Also I wish kliuless would share their RSS feed list sometime.)
posted by notyou at 9:52 PM on August 15, 2016 [4 favorites]
Lovely news! Congratulations.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 10:50 PM on August 15, 2016
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 10:50 PM on August 15, 2016
I do fret that not many people actually read Acknowledgements.
I just look for myself in the Index.
posted by octobersurprise at 6:08 AM on August 16, 2016 [5 favorites]
I just look for myself in the Index.
posted by octobersurprise at 6:08 AM on August 16, 2016 [5 favorites]
Congratulations!
I do fret that not many people actually read Acknowledgements.
I occasionally search for my name in Google Books to see if any of the books I've edited have come out and have nice things to say about me in the acks. (Don't judge me—as a freelance copyeditor, I get paid shit, and it really helps me to feel good about what I do to see "Thanks to Steve Dodson for a great editing job" in a published book!)
posted by languagehat at 6:57 AM on August 16, 2016 [13 favorites]
I do fret that not many people actually read Acknowledgements.
I occasionally search for my name in Google Books to see if any of the books I've edited have come out and have nice things to say about me in the acks. (Don't judge me—as a freelance copyeditor, I get paid shit, and it really helps me to feel good about what I do to see "Thanks to Steve Dodson for a great editing job" in a published book!)
posted by languagehat at 6:57 AM on August 16, 2016 [13 favorites]
to see if any of the books I've edited have come out and have nice things to say about me
People you've had conversations with along the way I can arguably understand leaving out...arguably. But writers who forget to thank their own editor? Their own copyeditor? The person who wades through hundreds of pages of prose to save them from all the blunders of number and tense agreement and so on that the three other editors didn't catch? That's, like...barbarous, the level of bad at which someone wouldn't be welcome at my table.
Good god. May you always be appreciated for your efforts on our behalf, editors everywhere!
posted by adamgreenfield at 7:06 AM on August 16, 2016 [10 favorites]
People you've had conversations with along the way I can arguably understand leaving out...arguably. But writers who forget to thank their own editor? Their own copyeditor? The person who wades through hundreds of pages of prose to save them from all the blunders of number and tense agreement and so on that the three other editors didn't catch? That's, like...barbarous, the level of bad at which someone wouldn't be welcome at my table.
Good god. May you always be appreciated for your efforts on our behalf, editors everywhere!
posted by adamgreenfield at 7:06 AM on August 16, 2016 [10 favorites]
(Oh, and thanks, everybody, for your kind thoughts. I've been nervous about this book for a long time. It's for a publisher I really respect, and it has to be solid in a way that at times has pushed me to the very limits of my ability. It is such a relief to know that, whatever happens now, I have acquitted myself with some small amount of honor, and can move on to new challenges with a clear conscience.)
posted by adamgreenfield at 7:10 AM on August 16, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by adamgreenfield at 7:10 AM on August 16, 2016 [2 favorites]
YAY YOU!
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:54 AM on August 16, 2016
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:54 AM on August 16, 2016
Congrats!
After 18 months of gestation, shouldn't you be having twins?
posted by Michele in California at 11:25 AM on August 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
After 18 months of gestation, shouldn't you be having twins?
posted by Michele in California at 11:25 AM on August 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
That's not how math/time works?
Here's to the success of your book!
posted by INFJ at 11:38 AM on August 16, 2016 [2 favorites]
Here's to the success of your book!
posted by INFJ at 11:38 AM on August 16, 2016 [2 favorites]
That's not how math/time/baby-making works?
And on-topic, congrats!
posted by filthy light thief at 11:47 AM on August 16, 2016
And on-topic, congrats!
posted by filthy light thief at 11:47 AM on August 16, 2016
Congrats. I didn't help with that thread at all but it's great to see that MetaFilter has been such a helpful resource for you. Good luck with your book. I hope it lands well.
posted by Fizz at 10:34 AM on August 17, 2016
posted by Fizz at 10:34 AM on August 17, 2016
Congratulations! And best wishes in the Land of Edits... it's a rough voyage, but you can make it!
posted by Nancy_LockIsLit_Palmer at 11:08 AM on August 17, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Nancy_LockIsLit_Palmer at 11:08 AM on August 17, 2016 [1 favorite]
very cool! a friend finished his very long-time thesis with separate thanks to me and my wife and friends that we no longer collectively talk to (like I said: it took a long time). But it was deliberate and none of them frivolous.
So, this is awesome and it's great to be part of such a party.
If I'm ever in a position to make public thanks I'd put this community ahead of a lot of people I actually know.
Congrats!
(now go take a breather, you've earned it, and will need it if you think this is the last deadline!)
posted by lkc at 9:47 PM on August 17, 2016
So, this is awesome and it's great to be part of such a party.
If I'm ever in a position to make public thanks I'd put this community ahead of a lot of people I actually know.
Congrats!
(now go take a breather, you've earned it, and will need it if you think this is the last deadline!)
posted by lkc at 9:47 PM on August 17, 2016
Thanks again, everyone! I feel the love from all the way over here.
I've been reminded that I ought to mention what the book is actually called, so you can keep an eye peeled for it if so inclined. : . ) It's called Radical Technologies: The Design of Everyday Life, and it'll be out on Verso sometime early next year.
Try not to say too many brilliant things before it's out! I already fret that it'll be 75% obsolete by the time anyone gets their hands on it.
posted by adamgreenfield at 3:54 AM on August 18, 2016 [2 favorites]
I've been reminded that I ought to mention what the book is actually called, so you can keep an eye peeled for it if so inclined. : . ) It's called Radical Technologies: The Design of Everyday Life, and it'll be out on Verso sometime early next year.
Try not to say too many brilliant things before it's out! I already fret that it'll be 75% obsolete by the time anyone gets their hands on it.
posted by adamgreenfield at 3:54 AM on August 18, 2016 [2 favorites]
Aren't we all?
posted by adamgreenfield at 6:39 AM on August 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by adamgreenfield at 6:39 AM on August 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
are we in it
It says it right there in the title -- "Everyday Life".
posted by Etrigan at 7:00 AM on August 18, 2016
It says it right there in the title -- "Everyday Life".
posted by Etrigan at 7:00 AM on August 18, 2016
Well done--congrats!
posted by Joseph Gurl at 5:13 PM on August 19, 2016
posted by Joseph Gurl at 5:13 PM on August 19, 2016
I can confirm kliuless is indeed an awesome person. Congratulations on the book and good work k :)
posted by efalk at 5:15 PM on August 19, 2016
posted by efalk at 5:15 PM on August 19, 2016
It's insane how many people I admire end up being MeFites. Congrats and can't wait to read it!
posted by waninggibbon at 3:14 PM on August 20, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by waninggibbon at 3:14 PM on August 20, 2016 [1 favorite]
Maybe it's that they were MeFites first, and as a consequence became people you admire? [Am blushing regardless of the direction of casuality, cheers.]
posted by adamgreenfield at 5:15 AM on August 21, 2016
posted by adamgreenfield at 5:15 AM on August 21, 2016
Go you! Congratulations! Take a hot bath, have a glass of the beverage of your choice, and spend some time pondering the fluffiness of puppies and kittens or whatever helps you relax!
posted by Gyre,Gimble,Wabe, Esq. at 3:33 PM on August 21, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Gyre,Gimble,Wabe, Esq. at 3:33 PM on August 21, 2016 [1 favorite]
Congrats! As a writer, I know the toils you've gone through. Well, I know my own, maybe you don't have as much angst as I do, ha-ha.
If you ever need any help, I am a trained labor negotiator for writers, trained by the National Writers Union (NWU, New York, tho' I was in the Chicago branch at the time, I was flown out to the East Coast for the training session). Solidarity, brother. MeMail me any time with any questions, and I will do my best to answer them.
You should be so proud of yourself right now. All of us in the NWU and at Metafilter bow down to you right now. As it should be. My King of Writing. Kudos, man. Keep on keeping on. And make sure to let us know when it comes out, so I can tell my brethren to support you.
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 7:53 PM on August 21, 2016 [2 favorites]
If you ever need any help, I am a trained labor negotiator for writers, trained by the National Writers Union (NWU, New York, tho' I was in the Chicago branch at the time, I was flown out to the East Coast for the training session). Solidarity, brother. MeMail me any time with any questions, and I will do my best to answer them.
You should be so proud of yourself right now. All of us in the NWU and at Metafilter bow down to you right now. As it should be. My King of Writing. Kudos, man. Keep on keeping on. And make sure to let us know when it comes out, so I can tell my brethren to support you.
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 7:53 PM on August 21, 2016 [2 favorites]
After a year and a half in gestation, I'm in the process of wrapping up a manuscript for delivery to my publisher this week.
Modifier error (you haven't been "in gestation). #dialapedant
posted by Joseph Gurl at 9:56 PM on August 21, 2016 [1 favorite]
Modifier error (you haven't been "in gestation). #dialapedant
posted by Joseph Gurl at 9:56 PM on August 21, 2016 [1 favorite]
Preeeetty sure the publishers will take care of that, but next time I'm on that side of the Atlantic I'll definitely swing by to make sure they've delivered.
posted by adamgreenfield at 3:32 PM on August 22, 2016
posted by adamgreenfield at 3:32 PM on August 22, 2016
thanks for the call out* and congrats! looking forward to reading your book; will you post it in projects when it's out?
(Also I wish kliuless would share their RSS feed list sometime.)
it's really not that much different from way back when but with added twitter feeds (and noahpinion ;)
I can confirm kliuless is indeed an awesome person.
it's been awhile efalk!
---
*i was actually in that (mega)thread :P
posted by kliuless at 7:42 PM on August 24, 2016 [1 favorite]
(Also I wish kliuless would share their RSS feed list sometime.)
it's really not that much different from way back when but with added twitter feeds (and noahpinion ;)
I can confirm kliuless is indeed an awesome person.
it's been awhile efalk!
---
*i was actually in that (mega)thread :P
posted by kliuless at 7:42 PM on August 24, 2016 [1 favorite]
Is this something where I would need a brain to understand ? Ah, but if only you had written about the internet of technopeasantry, then I would find my name in the acknowledgements. But, apart from that, congratulations on an awesome accomplishment.
posted by y2karl at 2:04 PM on August 26, 2016
posted by y2karl at 2:04 PM on August 26, 2016
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posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 6:33 PM on August 15, 2016 [2 favorites]