Wheel Questions

[crenshawseeds.livejournal.com]

I'm Ashley Taylor, a reporter for the Somerville News writing a story about John Monsarrat's Wheel Questions installation currently at Davis Square in front of the 7-11.  

What do you think of it?  

Have you posted questions, and did you appreciate the answers?  Or do you just read it?  

Or have you never heard of it or seen it?

Particularly, as members of an on-line community, what do you think of the idea of having a community based around a physical structure, "the Wheel"?  

Please let me know  explicitly, when you reply, whether or not I can quote you in my article. 

Thank you.

 

Comments

[ron_newman]

minor correction: that's a Tedeschi's (formerly a Store 24), not a 7-11

[ohnoestheydidnt.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't be giving him any personal information, even in the form of anonymous questions.

A bit of a dumb idea, IMO

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

It perpetuates the mindset that somebody else can answer our questions, which is part of the problem in our society. I'd be for an "anti-wheel", where people write down something they discovered through hard work.

Re: A bit of a dumb idea, IMO

[cynickalone.livejournal.com]

i like that idea.

[contradictacat.livejournal.com]

It's a cute concept, but the format (how only he can answer the questions) and the fact that he's a bit of a jackass in his answers is disappointing. He also seems to think this project is bigger and more important than it actually is.

The wheel is actually quite big...

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

In the sense of "bulky" :)

[cold-type.livejournal.com]

I think forums like this are much more valuable for actual information or advice.

[m-b-w.livejournal.com]

I believe it was on this forum that I read about one of his previous projects, MIT Match-Up. I found that creepy enough to not want anything to do with this one.

[ron_newman]

When this project was located on Elm Street near Porter Square last year, this discussion occurred here (followed quickly by this one) and your newspaper published an article about it.

[benndragon.livejournal.com]

Oh, it's that creepy stalker guy? I'm sorely tempted to ask if he's developed a conscience since then. . .

[ron_newman]

this?

Wow!

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

What a surprise. God's complex is really getting to him! :)

[m-b-w.livejournal.com]

Yes, and this: http://media.www.hlrecord.org/media/storage/paper609/news/2003/04/17/News/Dating.Service.Creator.Accused.Of.Harassing.Students-419629.shtml

[mrpet.livejournal.com]

It's an eyesore and I would like to know what kind of permit is needed to put in a private semi permanent installation up in the public square.

discussions of JonMon aside...

[rmd.livejournal.com]

this question strikes me as odd: Particularly, as members of an on-line community, what do you think of the idea of having a community based around a physical structure, "the Wheel"?

that's kind of a weird question to ask about online vs physical communities given that you're talking to the davis square lj community -- a community based around a physical structure, "davis square"

I hope Ashley Taylor will mention this in her piece..

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

But something tells me that won't happen :)

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

Particularly, as members of an on-line community, what do you think of the idea of having a community based around a physical structure, "the Wheel"?

What does that question actually mean? There is no community "based around" the structure. There is a community around it, of course, but that's only because it was put in the middle of one that already existed Neither have anything to do with each other.

[m-b-w.livejournal.com]

The wheel has its own online presence here: http://wheelquestions.org/blog/, but it doesn't really seem like a community to me, as it's centered on answers from one person.

[greenlily.livejournal.com]

I hadn't thought anything about it one way or another. But now that I know who set it up, I'll be staying away from it. A number of my friends have been harassed by that guy, and I'm not interested in feeding his ego.

[usernamenumber.livejournal.com]

I agree with the people saying it's a little self-important, but I also think it's all in good fun and a very creative way that one guy has come up with for interacting with his community. I loved it when he had the wheel set up along with a meditation labrynth in his yard across from Porter Square. When he moved and the new owner immediately tore it all down and put up a big, ugly "NO TRESSPASSING" sign (as was his/her right to do, of course), I felt like a little piece of the neighborhood's character had died.

[srakkt.livejournal.com]

Welcome to JonMon's world. Look him up on Encyclopedia Dramatica.

[contradictacat.livejournal.com]

Oh god, I know. The fact that he lives around here terrifies me. I wasn't sure how appropriate it was to bring that up in this kind of context, though. ::shudders::

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

It seems like yet another vanity project to me from someone who's constantly trying to make himself the center of attention.

I also think it's visually ugly. If I were doing an "art installation" I would put some effort into making it look attractive and well-crafted instead of bunging it together sloppily.

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

And yes, you may quote me on that.

[m-b-w.livejournal.com]

Today's Globe:

http://www.boston.com/ae/theater_arts/articles/2009/07/24/wheel_questions_installation_offers_advice_and_inspiration/