The WELL is a pioneering online community. Founded in 1985, it provides non-anonymous, ad-free, in-depth conversation to its members.

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The WELL is a cherished destination for conversation and discussion. It is widely known as the primordial ooze where the online community movement was born — where Howard Rheingold first coined the term "virtual community." Since long before the public Internet was unleashed, it has quietly captivated some accomplished and imaginative people. Over the last three decades, it's been described as "the world's most influential online community" by Wired. It's won awards, inspired songs and novels, and influenced modern culture.

There is nothing quite like The WELL, and the secret has a lot to do with its evolution. Stewart Brand and Larry Brilliant founded the Whole Earth 'Lectronic Link in 1985, starting with a dialog between the fiercely independent writers and readers of the Whole Earth Review. This set the tone for the playful intellectual and social gathering that continues today. Over the years, WELL members have made fast friends, created enduring traditions, gathered casually face-to-face in cities around the world, and provided each other with true community support. They have founded organizations like the Electronic Frontier Foundation and Craig's List, and documented what was emerging in books like Howard Rheingold's The Virtual Community, John Seabrook's Deeper, and Katie Hafner's The WELL. They have gone into business together, fallen in and out of love, cultivated feuds, gone on amazing real-world trips together and enriched lives.

In 2012, The WELL Group, Inc. formed out of a group of longtime members of the community to purchase The WELL from its previous owner. 

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The WELL Group, Inc.

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