Today I got Leo, our newborn an e mail address. I know this sounds crazy, as he is only 46 hours old as I post this. But trust me, there´s a plan here. This morning I started writing to Leo to his new e mail address. I sent him a link to this blog in Spanish and English with all the beautiful congratulatory messages he got. I forwarded copies of the celebration e mails that I got directly. I also sent him videos and pictures of his birth and first 48 hours. And during his life, whenever I feel like it, I will send him e mails.

I made sure he has a HUGE maibox. I also told my wife about this. At first she thought this was a Martin Impatient Varsavsky idea, but when I disclose the exact nature of my plan… she smiled and approved. Basically, the “Leo email project” consists in disclosing Leo´s email to his siblings, 4 grandparents, uncles, aunt, cousins, godfather and a few close friends to tell them that they can write whenever and whatever they want to him. I will explain that nobody can read these mails until the day Leo will surely say that he wants an e mail address. And that day, and only that day, which if my other chidren are any guidance will come around 8, I will disclose to him that he actually does have an email box, that he has had it for 8 years, and that it is quite full ;).

So that will be one busy day for Leo. He will have a ton of mails, videos, pictures, recordings, a lot to look at and reply. And yes, he will be overlwhelmed that day. But I will tell him not to worry, if it took us 8 years to write to him it´s fine with us if he takes 8 years to reply!

The Spanish version is here.

Follow Martin Varsavsky on Twitter: twitter.com/martinvars

No Comments

Alan Bell on November 6, 2006  · 

what an excellent idea! I hope that you have it well protected from SPAM, I wouldn’t wish 8 years worth of that on anyone!

3.0 rating

Steve Ross on November 6, 2006  · 

Wow, that’s a great idea. I have a baby on the way and may do something similar. Good thinking!

3.0 rating

Rainer Wasserfuhr on November 6, 2006  · 

amazingly crazy 😉

3.0 rating

Killy-the-Frog on November 7, 2006  · 

Very good idea !

3.0 rating

Sue Kim on November 7, 2006  · 

Very moved Martin! In old days people used to plant trees hoping someday their children would benefit from the fruit of the trees and shade made by the leaves. I have no doubt that the email messages Leo will find in few years would be a lot sweeter than the fruits and more soothing than the shade.

3.0 rating

isaacb on November 7, 2006  · 

This post is full of LOVE!

3.0 rating

Umar Akram on November 7, 2006  · 

Very creative and nice Martin.

3.0 rating

Jaco on November 7, 2006  · 

Leo may be one of the first children to enjoy the right of having or not, virtual personality!.

3.0 rating

Harald on November 8, 2006  · 

Thats a really great idea. A friend of mine is becomming a father in a few weeks. Have to tell him about this, i think he will like this idea.

3.0 rating

valentin on November 8, 2006  · 

Lol

Good idea 🙂

3.0 rating

Jim Hughes on November 12, 2006  · 

Congratulations Martin, I did a similar thing with email addresses for my children, which they are now actively using.

The moment they ask “Have I got an email address?” is rather magic.

My dog’s got an email address too, I don’t think she’s ever going to actively use it, but it’s useful for email to/from the vet.

3.0 rating

Axel on April 3, 2007  · 

Martin, any father will agree with me that that is a great idea! Enchanting.

3.0 rating

Leave a Comment

Español / English


Subscribe to e-mail bulletin:
Recent Tweets