Your invite to Webworm Chat (a bit like Reddit)

A chill, polite, smart, funny space for Worms to share.

Hi,

One of the things I love the most about Webworm is, well, you.

The community that’s gathered around this lil’ newsletter isn’t something I ever expected when I started writing it four years ago — now the comments section is one of my favourite places on the internet. The comments under Spaceman Barry were a real reminder of this!

Each day I get to interact with a whole bunch of smart people of various ages, genders, and geographical locations. And I think a lot of people in the comments section will agree with me on that.

With that in mind, today I’m launching a new (and entirely optional) space where Worms can chat a little more… casually? I mean, we all get on here, so I thought it would be cool to have a space where readers can talk with each other in a more chilled, random, off-topic way.

It’s the Webworm subscriber chat — and you can join in using your browser, or you can get the App and join in there (a smoother experience):

About 30 minutes ago I started a fresh chat thread called Welcome to Webworm chat - please introduce yourself!

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You may already be a part of Webworm chat — I have been experimenting with it a little over the last year, starting the occasional thread enticing readers to share pictures of the animals in their life!

But as of today, I’ve made it so any full Webworm member can start a thread themselves — kind of like a more chilled out Reddit. Over the weekend, we have been talking movie and tv recommendations!

How do I see this being used?

Maybe you want a space to talk about the big news of the day with other readers, so you start a new thread about that. I see this being used on an election night, or having a thread just for the Olympics as that’s happening.

Or you just created a bit of art you adore, so you share a photo of it along with encouragement for other Worms to share art they’ve been working on.

Maybe you desperately need advice on something — and want to tap into the vast array of brains here. So you post a little rundown of your situation (horrible neighbor! weird social situation! legal advice! horrific breakup!) and ask for input.

Or you’re a movie buff and wanna talk movies and TV, so you create a new “What are you watching?” thread.

If you’re me, once a month you probably start a new thread encouraging readers to share the last good animal they took a photo of!

One tip I’d give is that before starting a new chat thread, just check to see someone hasn’t already done it. So on election night, before you post a new chat topic like “WHO WILL BE PRESIDENT TONIGHT - DISCUSS”, just check 10 people haven’t done this already. It’s neater and cleaner to join in an existing thread than start a new one.

This is a bit of an experiment to see how it goes. I see it kind of like a group chat or live hangout. The Webworm house rules apply — (no racism, transphobia, sexism etc) which basically translates to “don’t be a dick” — which everyone here is pretty darn great about already.

Chat is a conversation space just for paying subscribers — the paywall is a really simple way to keep the trolls out. If money is a problem for you, as always, email me what’s going on and I can sort you out: davidfarrier@protonmail.com

I’ll jump into the discussion from time to time — but also, I want this to be a place readers can share and interact and learn from each other.

To kick things off, as I said up top, I’ve started a new chat thread called “Welcome to Webworm chat - please introduce yourself!” (holy heck there are some cool people on Webworm imo).

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How to jump onto Webworm Chat!

1. Get the app here, or by clicking the button below.

   New chat threads won’t be sent out via email, so turn on push notifications if you don’t want to miss conversation as it happens.

   Note: If you hate apps, you can also access chat via your browser if that helps.

2. Open the app and tap the Chat icon. It looks like two bubbles in the bottom bar, and you’ll see “Webworm with David Farrier” listed there.

3. That’s it!

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Before I go, a Few Unrelated Stray Thoughts

1. I’m coming to Australia!

Speaking of the wonderful Webworm community, I am coming to Sydney and Melbourne later this year (November/December) to do some Webworm screenings of Tickled.

I’ll be introducing the film in both cities, doing a Q&A, and loitering in the lobby afterwards to say hi!

As is the usual deal with events, I will be putting a bunch of free tickets aside for paid up Webworm members (a way of saying thanks) and will send out those details to paying members a little closer to the time.

2. Thanks for following the new Flightless Bird podcast feed & for listening each week!

Thanks in a large part to kind readers subscribing and leaving a rating, Flightless Bird got to number 5 on the US podcast charts. This was hugely encouraging.

To be clear — this is just a temporary (but very cool) boost that we got being a brand new feed. Despite this cool stat, we are still a tiny blip in the grand scheme of things. Flightless Bird sees nothing close to the numbers Joe Rogan gets, so it really helps if you still listen and share (I think our Navy Dolphins episode was fun). This coming week: Armageddon & 7th Day Adventists.

3. It’s been Insufferably Hot this weekend

I don’t have aircon in my apartment, and Los Angeles has been rough. There is a record-breaking heat wave happening, and both days and nights are punishing.

I made the mistake of leaving the house to try and get some exercise, and run into these wasps desperately trying to get a drink:

4. I hope to see you over on the Webworm Chat!

I started this new thread encouraging us all to share anything — big or small — that brought us joy. There is some really great stuff being shared at the moment, so come join in!

Caitlin:

“Some rescue puppies at the animal rescue I volunteer at!”

Charlie:

“When I opened this thread yesterday, I realized after scrolling through my camera roll that I hadn't experienced a single moment in the past week that I'd truthfully call “joy.” I told myself I’d try to find something to change that this weekend, and then promptly woke up far too early to a broken toilet tank fill valve.

Given that I live in an apartment with maintenance off for the weekend I looked up how to fix it myself and headed to the hardware store. On the way back I stopped by the closest plant nursery and immediately found an entire table of a particular hard to find plant I'd been looking for for months. I wanted to give you the update that joy is out there, it just has to be looked for, sometimes.”

Melanie: —

“Went for a long walk, saw a cool pelican up close.”

See you there.

Thanks for being here — and happy to answer any questions about any of this stuff in the comments below.

David.