Whiskerino, a week gone
On the surface Whiskerino is ridiculous. It’s a beard-growing contest that requires near-daily self-portraits, with themed photo days like “flash trash“. But beneath the surface, this four-month communal experience was one of the finer examples of what the web can do to foster intimacy and nurture real relationships.
Whiskerino ran it’s third chapter to completion last Sunday, and this week has felt a little empty. (Though the emptiness has been welcomed by the full queue of projects, tasks and to-dos that have been waiting for my time to free up.) I miss Whiskerino. It’s not just the creative challenge of daily photography, either. I miss the ever-present community, and the connection to many of the individual participants I have during these experiences. The feeling I have now that’s it over are much like those I felt arriving home during the summers between college years, or in the days immediately after significant vacations.
I’m not sure anyone’s nailed down precisely what it is that elevates the experience from the absurd to the affective, but I think three factors are chiefly responsible.
- Growing a beard – or more accurately letting it grow unchecked – for four months requires commitment. Sharing that commitment with other people almost instantly creates a tribe-mentality.
- Posting a self-portrait daily (or near-daily) is an intimate act, and offers a great deal of personal revelation and transparency. It’s hard not to share something significant of yourself in that process – just check any number of photo blogs for some hint of that same affect.
- The time-intensive, synchronous activities of posting and commenting create shared space much like a dorm, workspace, bar or other relationship-fostering environment does. The site also features a small chat down the side which helps nudge participants more casual conversation.
Whatever the causes, Whiskerino was a great experience for me and for my entire family. Not many days passed without my kids suggesting photo ideas, often to the point of staging the photos to make sure I really understood what they were talking about. I miss it, but I’d wager it’s just as true that we all do.
I’ll be enjoying the effects of Whiskerino for years to come through the relationships made (and cemented) over the months as well as the professional inspiration gleaned from this transformative online experience.
If you want to recap Whiskerino, you can check my archive, the catalogue of daily winners or the images I favorited, a sample of which is below.
Yeah, Whiskerino was awesome.
Comment by Aaron — March 8, 2010 @ 9:07 am
Well said. It leaves a void. And, while various elements are present in other activities, there’s really nothing quite like it.
Comment by David — March 8, 2010 @ 10:41 am
Well said, I miss it too.
Comment by jclutch — March 8, 2010 @ 10:41 am
Here’s two cents that I think got left out of the bill:
1. ) Whiskerino first creates a sense of purpose: you’re growing a beard, you’re taking a photo. And there’s a second layer of purpose: you’re trying to do really good creative work in an atmosphere of casual — but real — friendly competition. You conceive, execute and present your work daily. It’s a thrilling task and those who commit to it get the benefit of a structure to their day that doesn’t come so ready-made in the real world
2. ) Whiskerino gives you instant positive feedback to the work you do. The mutual-appreciation atmosphere of the community ensures that you won’t fire off your missive to the cold void. It’s like you fulfill your purpose daily and get an instant “Great job!” from the exact subgroup of people who should best know whether you succeeded or not.
Comment by Joshua — March 8, 2010 @ 12:06 pm
@Wondermade – Wow. This is coming from a man who’s not very good at illustrating his thoughts and feelings into cohesive words. Thank you for writing this up. @Jnon’s additions are great also.
Comment by j.kent.r — March 8, 2010 @ 4:54 pm
And everyone’s just so darn nice.
Makes me feel bad that I’ve been lazy about doing anything with Whiskeroonis.net. Been waiting for someone to bug me about that.
Comment by Geof F. Morris — March 8, 2010 @ 7:47 pm
Thank you. I can now point my friends and family here when they ask “What’s a Whiskerino.” Josh also makes two spot-on points.
And Geof, I’m bugging you. Do it. Quit playing with your Drobo and do it.
Comment by Phil — March 9, 2010 @ 12:49 pm
Joshua, you raise good points. I really like the articulation about the value in having sudden even if it’s just growing a beard in this context.
As for the positive feedback, I think I tend to overlook the value in an encouragement atmosphere. Maybe that’s because I live and work in really encouraging places and that that for granted. Or maybe that’s because I’m just wired to find encouragement all over the place. Regardless you are completely correct that all that encouragement was an irresistible component to Whiskerino.
Geof – do it!
Comment by Nathan Clark — March 10, 2010 @ 12:04 pm
I think we all miss it, but you (and Joshua) did a great job of explaining why. Thanks for that.
Also, Geoff, get on it.
That is all.
-Jason (mynameisjason)
Comment by Jason — March 11, 2010 @ 2:14 pm
Hi Nathan,
My husband, Seth (Eric the Beard) and I really enjoyed following you on Whiskerino. You have a beautiful family and your photos were just splendid!
Anyway. I just looked you up because I was watching this clip on CNN about the facebook church/church 2.0 and thought I saw you. there! with the beard and the laptop! If it is you, it’s rather funny because I was like, hey! I know that guy! He’s a Whiskerfriend!
If it’s not you, it sure looks like you. At least to a person who knows you only by virtual beardy photo.
Small world or my bad. whichever applies.
Cheers, Celia
Comment by Celia — April 2, 2010 @ 6:31 pm
Celia, you have a series knack for picking people out from cameos. That was me, in fact. You’re spot on! They actually interviewed me for the piece which may have helped with the casual identification, but I was left on the cutting room floor (or in the hard drive trash?). They were kind enough to still include that shot of me, bearded and such.
Thanks for the encouragement on the photos and family too. Always appreciate that.
Comment by Nathan Clark — April 4, 2010 @ 1:29 am