Welcome to the biggest site update sale announcement yet! After years of growth and countless memories, the platform is embarking on a fresh adventure with a new partner. This post walks you through the people, moments, and milestones that have defined our story, and introduces the exciting team that will help shape the future.
Site Update Sale: A New Chapter Begins
10 A Farewell to Friends
I want to open with a heartfelt remembrance. Not every friendship endures forever, and in 2018 my brother Stewart passed away. He authored “20 Examples Of Why You Should Enjoy Poetry” and was a tireless commentator under the name Kiwiboi. His encouragement was the spark that got the site off the ground. He left a flood of comments that still brighten our pages, and I miss his presence daily.
We also said goodbye to Jesse Cunnington, pictured here, who contributed three lists and was a longtime commenter known as Trigun472. Jesse was only 25 when cystic fibrosis claimed his life in 2017. One of our Canadian moderators, Judy (Mom424), traveled to his home in Washington and generously purchased a car for him, granting Jesse crucial independence for his medical visits. Judy’s self‑less act will always be remembered, and on behalf of everyone, thank you, Judy.
9 You . . . The Readers
The platform has been blessed with a constant stream of devoted readers. Some linger quietly in the background, while others voice their thoughts daily in the comments. Whether you’re a silent observer or a vocal participant, your commitment has brought immeasurable joy to my life and to countless others.
Our community has forged friendships that have leapt off the screen into the real world. In 2013 I traveled to Los Angeles for a show discussion and unexpectedly ran into several regulars. The night turned delightfully chaotic, with endless cocktails, and the next morning I awoke in the Four Seasons Beverly Hills to find a group of passed‑out readers scattered across the suite floor. The photo captures me with a fan in the early hours of that unforgettable evening.
We’ve even witnessed marriages blossom among our readers—congratulations to Jwjwbean, for example. Personally, I’ve enjoyed two long‑term relationships and am now embarking on a third (and final!) adventure.
8 The Editors
Since 2007 we’ve been fortunate to work with a host of talented editors, many of whom wear multiple hats, including writing. To this day, the brilliant and friendly Darci continues to be a cornerstone of our team. We’ve also been supported by Heather, Micah Duke, and Anthony Sfarra, as well as Andrew Handley, who has worn the hats of social‑media manager, video creator, and all‑around good guy, delivering many of his favorite lists.
Additional assistance has come from Colin Jenkins, Josh Sargent, Kier Harris, and the ever‑intellectual Matt Hayes. Matt joined us when we opened our first Wellington office—pictured is his desk overlooking the beautiful harbor. His contributions were pivotal in launching the traffic surge that followed our redesign.
7 The Crazy Admins
Cyn: Who could forget “Cyn The Admin”? Cynthia, known online as Cyn, was a vivacious part of the community and an enthusiastic moderator. She eventually moved on to greener pastures, but her lively spirit left an indelible mark on our culture.
Oouchan: Long‑time members will recall Oouchan (Amy). She approached moderation with vigor and also championed her political beliefs. Even before the broader conversation about gender spectra, Oouchan passionately explained the evolving world of pronouns to us all.
Patrick Weidinger: Patrick remains a familiar presence in the comments. A quiet yet high‑quality moderator, his contributions are always thoughtful and only surface when truly valuable.
Liam: Liam’s intellect shines through his reasoned comments. As our newest moderator, he’s proven to be an asset both on‑site and behind the scenes, helping with various challenges.
Mom424: Judy, known as Mom424, has been a moderator since the platform’s infancy. She once traveled to New Zealand for an extended stay, where we shared countless drinks, debates, and laughs. Her generosity and friendship have been a true blessing, and I wish her all the best during her recent family challenges. My door is always open for you, Judy.
To every moderator—past and present—thank you for your dedication.
6 Me . . . From Here To Where?
As a child I was obsessed with scents—our family seems to share a heightened sense of smell, and we’re all arm‑chair philosophers. Combining those traits sparked an intense fascination with the psychology of fragrance. Believe it or not, entire books explore this niche field.
Several years after launching the platform, I dove into hobbyist perfume creation. I purchased chemicals, devoured literature, and spent countless hours perfecting blends. Eventually, friends and family began wearing my experimental scents.
In 2020 I decided to launch my own perfume house, Frater Perfumes, and chose to sell the platform so I could devote myself fully to this new venture. I now have twelve complete fragrances in the final maturation stage and plan to begin bottling for sale within a month.
If you’d like to follow my perfume journey, visit Frater.com and sign up for announcements. International shipping will be available.
You can still reach me via email at [email protected]. I keep a low‑profile on social media to preserve my sanity, but I remain active in the comments and may even submit a list or two for Ranker’s consideration.
Now, without further ado, let me introduce the team at Ranker.com!
5 Hi! We’re Ranker. It’s Nice To Meet You
Thanks, Jamie, for giving us the chance to introduce ourselves! We’re Ranker, a list‑making site based in Los Angeles, California, and we love to rank everything. Some of you already know us and recognize familiar names among the writers. For those who haven’t met us yet, we look forward to getting to know each other better in the coming months.
4 Like Jamie, Our Founder, Clark Benson, Has A Longstanding Love Of Lists
Clark is a true list‑man and a serious music nerd. He founded Ranker in 2009 as an alternative to the user‑review sections on e‑commerce sites. Although the focus eventually shifted toward pop culture, the platform now covers topics ranging from sitcom‑home values to the most disgusting ancient foods discovered by archaeologists. Our editorial staff constantly hunts for the next satisfying list that our readers can vote on.
3 We’re Here For All Things History, Creepy, Nerdy, Crimey, And Pop Culture‑y
In many ways, the kinds of lists we publish at Ranker resemble the annals of history. We create rankings about bizarre historical events, fan‑driven theories, real crimes—both solved and unsolved—celebrity culture, and so much more that it’s hard to outline.
The key difference you’ll notice is that we don’t host a comments section for reader interaction. Instead, you directly vote on and rank‑order the items we present. Disagree with an entry? Vote it down. Think it’s spot‑on? Vote it up! Our dream is to build exhaustive, crowdsourced rankings of—well—everything, showcasing the very best of what we have to offer.
2 Please Be Patient With Us As We Transition Things Over
If you’re a writer for the platform, we kindly ask for your patience as we migrate everything into our system. We aim to make the process as seamless as possible, so if anything feels wonky or you encounter a hiccup, please reach out!
1 We’re So Excited To Team Up With !
Clark has been a longtime fan of the platform, watching its evolution from his own perch on the internet. As he puts it: “I have been a fan for years. I respect the quality of the content, yet I am equally impressed by the passion and meaningful interaction of the audience. This blend of excellent writing and a loyal fanbase makes the partnership a perfect fit under the expanding Ranker network.”
Our editorial staff has already been having a blast familiarizing itself with your material. Because we’re vote‑driven, we don’t get the same author‑driven perspectives that your lists provide, and we’ve been enjoying the personality that comes with so much of the content you publish. Together, the Ranker and platform libraries provide complementary material that can keep a reader traveling down a rabbit hole until they reach the center of the earth, travel through it, and keep on reading to the other side—a nonsensical metaphor, but probably a reading experience many of us can relate to.
We look forward to sharing the best of what we’ve made with you, and likewise, showcasing the gems you’ve created for our audience. Here’s to many happy reading adventures ahead!