Happy Birthday to Us!
By 
LGM is old enough to drive!
Two weeks ago we decided to postpone the annual birthday celebration because the disintegration of the world appeared to be accelerating. The disintegration hasn’t stopped, exactly, but it feels like we’re settling in. Consequently, we have decided to observe our birthday today, sixteen years, two weeks, and one day after LGM’s first post. In two years, LGM will be able to vote; in five years, it will be able to buy alcohol.
Over the years we have published 39549 posts, and y’all have posted an effectively incalculable number of comments. The look has changed over time and the roster of writers has evolved, but the love is still there. The media landscape has obviously changed a great deal with few of the Knights of the Old Blogosphere still active, but we still have some old friends, and a few old enemies.
Running the blog is mostly a labor of love, and we can’t hope to ever get our investment of time back. But the blog does have expenses; monthly costs include Disqus, Zapier (social media), Sunant (server), Blubrry (podcast hosting), and various subscriptions (including, for example, maintaining Acephalous). These costs do not seem to go down over time. Slightly less regular costs include taxes, fees, accounting service, prize distribution, and so forth.
Everything adds up, and this is generally the time at which we ask you to drop a nickel in the can. We’re still gonna do that, but we recognize that this birthday is not like all others; there’s a pandemic, an uprising, and very possibly the most consequential election in the lifespan of the blog (although that’s an interesting thought to contemplate, given the other options). We also appreciate that folks are suffering economically, and may not have the extra nickels to spare. If you can’t donate this year, that’s fine; we appreciate your visit anyway. If you feel like you should donate somewhere else this year, that’s also fine; we’re all working to make our way through this year. A few of the other authors may post links to particular causes and charities over the rest of the day.
Nonetheless, we are deeply appreciative of any contribution that you can make to keeping this blog happy and healthy. You can donate through Paypal, and also through Patreon . The LGM store remains open, and you can always help out by buying stuff through our Amazon link. Non-financial contributions include liking our Facebook page, subscribing to the podcast, and following us on twitter. A few of us have books, some of which you can see in the drop down menu, and the rest of which you can hunt down on Amazon or whatever other service you prefer.
Most of all, we want to thank you for reading and commenting and sharing over the last sixteen years. It’s no fun playing to an empty house, and LGM could not exist without its audience. Thank you, be well, and stay safe!