I hate to read a list from a gazillion people who "know" reality when what's really "important" is unknown without a lengthy discussion and something more important than consensus (a too often used tool to avoid original thought). Original thought just happens, like explosive bodily excretions. I read too little of that!

I know nothing about reality, I just know that reality shouldn't be boring. To answer your question "Why am I here?", I'm going to ask you a question back, because I don't know (see what I did there) if this is the kind of answer you want: What do you think?

While I agree it's often stifling, consensus seems critical to answering the question. Because how do we know we *are* here, at all, without a common agreement that we are?

The birth control method failed.

In my case, a tiny bit of realisation in a universe of almost infinite possibilities, not so strange if you are able to appreciate infinity (which I, like most humans not on drugs, am not).

I must warn in advance that I studied physics and philosophy of science. Due to the latter especially I have the tendency to add all the caveats I can think of to anything I say. This leads to lengthy sentences and rampant abuse of commas and brackets.

(I'm also leaving on a five-day sailing trip in, well, twenty minutes, which is sure to lead to much contemplation of "WHY AM I HERE" since it is cold, sure to rain, probably stormy and I tend to get seasick.)

I am interested in the disruption the digitization of everything is causing to the publishing industry.

I see what Mr. Sloan is doing is very much along the lines of disrupting the publishing industry and I was lucky enough to stumble upon and read 'Penumbra', his website, and hence "Annabel Scheme" so here I am.

Similarly, to Ms. Baas, I studied mathematics and work in data analytics so if the rest of y'all could watch your use of comma's, so there are plenty for Ms. Baas and myself, it would be appreciated.

May the scheming begin.