Jonathan Kingsbury (RidinHighSpeeds)

tadpole256 · 05-16-2007, 10:30 PM

For our first interview here at Defending the Truth, I had the distinct pleasure of being able to interview the founder & owner of Defending the Truth, Jonathan Kingsbury.

Jon is currently a full-time college student living in Massachusetts, which he lovingly refers to as "Taxachusetts". Jon is certainly NOT your average college kid, he is highly motivated, socially & politically conscious and determined. I personally believe he is destined for success and I am proud to call him my friend.

All the questions in this interview were written and asked by me (tadpole256) and all the answers are Jon's, no edits, no modifications. He had no influence on the questions, and I had none on the answers. We were unable to get a voice interview recorded in time, but we will release one this week.

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Tadpole interviewing RidinHighSpeeds
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You're name is Jon, but you post as "RidinHighSpeeds", is there any significance to this nick name?

Actually, I have been thinking about changing my alias “RidinHighSpeeds” as it is quite old. During my highschool years, everyone was using AIM, and RidinHighSpeeds was my AIM name. I am very much into muscle cars as I own a 71 Cutlass. I think you can relate that with the alias “RidinHighSpeeds”

What made you start Defending the Truth?

During my second year in college, I had to design a web site for my web-design class. Shortly after the November elections, I was getting myself into some pretty heated debates with my fellow classmates. Considering that I am a moderate Republican living in one of the most liberal states in America, I was clearly outnumbered. I was taking in too much heat from the left, and I had to do something about it. So I figured, why not create an open-forum where I can invite my classmates to join in and debate politics online? This was the birth of Defending the Truth.

How long were you active on internet forums before starting your own?

I was a member on only one forum before starting DtT, which was www.realoldspower.com I very much enjoyed talking about olds engine performance, suspension, paint and body, and so on, with other Oldsmobile owners.

How did you choose the name "Defending the Truth"?

In all honesty, it took me quite a long time to decide upon a name for this web site. It might have had something to do with the debates I was involved in at school…I’m not sure. I was going to go with DebatePoliticsOnline, but I figured that that was too plain. So I went with Defending the Truth. The name seems to stick with you when you say it, that’s a good thing.

Did your family help you at all, financially or otherwise to start DtT? Were they even aware of what you were doing?

Unfortunately I have a weakness, and that’s asking for money. I had such a tough time asking for donations when we had to make the switch to the new semi-dedicated server, but the staff helped me on that one J
The startup costs were only about $40. I was using phpBB (free forum software) at the time, so the only costs were hosting/domain costs. Since day 1, all funds have been provided by myself, the staff, and the members of Defending the Truth.

How did you feel about the potential success of DtT the first month it went live? The first quarter? Year? And how do you feel about it's success, and potential to grow now?

I never knew that the site would make it this far. Truthfully, I gave up a couple of months after starting up the forums due to the limited to no activity. The design was more or less a 90’s web site look which was not user-friendly, and there were not too many active users.

A couple of months later, I gained some motivation to work on the forums. I did a complete overhaul by re-doing the design so that the interface was more user-friendly. I also started doing some research on advertising campaigns, which have helped quite a lot.

I praise onthefence for staying with the site since Day 1. He is good friend and he was there to help get the site going. I also praise the staff for all of their hard work, and all of the members of DtT that have helped keep this site going.

How has DtT changed your life?

Ever since the web site started increasing in its activity levels, membership registrations, debates, and so on, it really changed my life to the point where I want to put more and more time into the web site. I wish my web site was my career…I absolutely love Defending the Truth and it seems that many of my friends, family members, co-workers, and so on acknowledge all of the work I have put into the web site. Not only that, all of the members who visit on a regular basis shows that they enjoy the web site, and enjoy what I have created. That is a good feeling.

I know when you started Defending the Truth you were pretty conservative. How would you describe your political standing then and now? Have your views changed at all, and if so how much of a role has DtT played on changing your point of view?

Indeed when I first starting voicing my thoughts on the forums, I was mostly supporting the conservative Republican voice. Today, I would say that I am now a moderate Republican with more of an acceptance to views from the other side of the fence. If it wasn’t for the members of Defending the Truth, I would probably be less open-minded.

What do you feel is the best thing about DtT?

The members. Everyone who voices their opinion on Defending the Truth is by far the best thing about the web site.

Where do you hope DtT will be in a year? How about 5 years?

I am hoping that with the new design and features of the web site, more members will be attracted to the web site. 5 years from now, I would hope that Defending the Truth becomes more known on the Internet and by word of mouth.

Are you religious? If so, what religion and what does your religion mean to you?

I am raised Protestant. I do not go to church as much now as I used to, but I do feel that attending church is good for the family and the community. I feel that when the day comes when I am done with school, I have my own place, and I am ready to start my own family, that that will be the time I will make more appearances at my church.

How much time do you spend working on DtT (behind the scenes and moderating and such) as opposed to the time you spend participating?

I used to spend a lot of time participating (debating) on DtT, yet at a cost of less time on improving the structure of the web site. I should participate more often, but right now I am enjoying reading what everyone has to say, and working on ways to improve the web site.

I have never really timed myself, but I would say that I spend over 20 hours a week doing any particular type of task here at Defending the Truth. A couple of weeks ago, for the complete web site re-design and newly added features, I probably put in over 40 hours during that week. Once I work, I cannot stop. I would start working on the new look and features from the time I got out of classes (around 2pm) until the time I would get tired (4 am) For most of that week...

I know you are also an auto mechanic. What makes a Mechanic be this interested in Politics and the Political process?

I know some people who have many hobbies, but just 1 strong hobby. I have many hobbies as well, but I would say that many of my hobbies are strong hobbies as I put a lot of focus on the many different things I do.

I love working on cars, fixing computers, networking, web design, politics, DtT, and so on. I feel that neither of them is dominant over the other, which is why some may ask why I have interest in X and Y.

Who inspires you?

My father.
He is the type of person that is constantly learning new things to overcome any type of obstacle. He can fix just about everything. With that knowledge and ambition, you can achieve many rewards.

Be honest, what would you say is DtT's greatest asset, and what do you consider it's greatest flaw?

Defending the Truth’s greatest asset is its members. If it wasn’t for the members, Defending the Truth would be a name that is not talked about.

Greatest flaw, that’s a tricky one. I feel that the web sites greatest flaw would probably be its relatively low popularity ratings elsewhere than the U.S. I would like to see Defending the Truth reaching potential members across the entire globe, not just the United States.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I see myself doing any type of Computer related work. To narrow down my thoughts, I feel that I will be doing either Networking, Database Management, or Web Design work.

Is there a woman in your life? If so, how serious is it?

No. I have not had any serious relationships. Also, I’m in college…so I’m living the college life, if you know what I mean. Haha But sure, I would like to meet a girl that I could have a serious relationship with.

Do you ever want to say "To hell with it" and just walk away?

No. I’m not the type of person that gives up easily. Whenever there is a problem, I do whatever research is necessary to come up with a proper solution. I love to fix cars, computers, web sites, and so on. I’m all about fixing things.

What is your favorite car (ever)?

My favorite car ever would be the 1967 Shelby Mustang GT 500 “Eleanor” I’m sure most of you have seen Gone in 60 Seconds…I want that car!

What's your favorite class?

My favorite class would be Database Management. I have really grown much interest in SQL statements and queries, database work, and so on.

If there were one, very important thing you wanted others to know about you, what would it be?

That if you are a true friend to me, I will be there for you. Even if I have never met you in person, like many of the members on my web site, I will help you in any way I can if you show me respect in return. Although Expertise Forums - Share Your Knowledge with the World is on a slow start, I created that site so that I can share my knowledge and expertise in certain fields with those who need help, as the same with others who wish to do the same.

Do you have any fears?

Losing anyone close to me.

Finally, do you, if any, have a message for the DtT community?

Two words, Thank you.
If it wasn’t for all of the members who have made the choice to join the web site, I would have had no motivation to continue Defending the Truth. I feel that I have made many friends on Defending the Truth ever since Day 1. It seems that many of the members have also enjoyed making friends in the community, and that really is pleasing to me.

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Jonathan's interview was conducted via e-mail and some chat. A voice interview with Jon will follow this week. Next week I'll be interviewing "OntheFence", so we can see just how much he really is straddling that fence...

Until next week, keep on Defending the Truth!

hkbajwa · 05-17-2007, 01:16 AM

Sweet... very cool guys.

Ridin you got an amazing forum here, and it shows that you really put effort into it.

Good show

vharlow · 05-17-2007, 01:18 AM

Thank you, Jon. Good interview. Your dad sounds like my husband of 45 years. I hope my grandson grows up with the type of attitude you have.

tristanrobin · 05-17-2007, 10:08 AM

good questions - good answers

I'm glad you took the time!

tyreay · 05-17-2007, 10:46 AM

Loved the interview. Great job on both your parts.

AlicornsPrayer · 05-17-2007, 11:27 AM

Great interview Tad and Ridin. (((((HUGZ))))

Fourstarball · 05-17-2007, 12:32 PM

Wow, great feature!

Now I know what Tadders means when he says he's been busy too.

I really enjoyed reading the interview, and it'd be great to hear it. I think it's a fantastic idea. It was good to hear RHS's views, and of course an interview is only as good as the interviewer.

CrazyFlamingos · 05-17-2007, 06:54 PM

Very nice.

Thanks RHS for giving us miscreants a place to hang.

Sphinx · 05-17-2007, 08:09 PM

Very interesting, and long may the site flourish!!

RLG1111 · 05-17-2007, 11:07 PM

Sounds like you are an enterprising young man, and even though I am quite new to DtT, it was nice to "get to know you" this way.

I have two sons, and I believe both would honor me as you did your Dad with your comments, and of course that makes a Dad feel humbled. I hope he has had a chance to share your interview, as we all have.

It is great that you can regard him so highly, so openly. I work in an industry where a persons character, attitude, and respect of others is transparent, from employees to clients, top to bottom. I am often in a position of hearing how "terrible" a parent has been. It is refreshing to hear kind words from young folks your age.

God Bless you for valuing your Dad so highly, and God Bless him for the obvious positive influence he has had on you.

RLG
Snohomish, WA.