Getting Back to the Boat

Rip Navigation — A Reader’s Guide

Getting Back to the Boat

Rip Navigation — A Reader’s Guide

By Jim Reynolds | www.reynolds.com

October 29, 2026

Ahoy, mateys!

I’ve been studying some interesting statistics about how you read Rip. They’ve raised a couple of questions, and I’d like your help answering them.

Mystery #1: Where Did Everybody Go?

When I look at which articles readers click, I notice something peculiar.

The first article often attracts a great deal of attention. But readership drops sharply for the articles that follow.

Why?

Perhaps the first article was simply the most interesting. You read it, enjoyed it, and decided you’d had enough. As you all know, if VDH has published something lately he will likely show up in the pole position. That is a tradition carried on from Rip, himself.

Fair enough.

But there’s another possibility.

You clicked the first article, left Rip, and found yourself on another website. After reading the story, you looked around for a way back to your newsletter.

And couldn’t find one.

Suddenly, you’re stranded on a desert island somewhere in the Internet’s Sargasso Sea.

The rest of Rip is still waiting back at the boat.

Mystery #2: Are My Summaries Too Good?

Here’s another interesting discovery.

When I provide short descriptions of articles, more readers click through to the original stories.

But when I provide fuller summaries, takeaways, and discussions, considerably fewer readers venture out to the original publications.

Again, there are two possible explanations.

Maybe I’ve given you everything you wanted to know. You’ve read the summary and discussion, understood the argument, and are perfectly satisfied. Time to move on with your day.

That’s wonderful. It’s one of the reasons I provide them.

But there’s another possibility.

Maybe you’d like to read the original article, but you’re reluctant to leave Rip because you’re not sure how to get back.

That’s something I want to fix.

The Freedom to Explore

Here’s what I’d really like.

I want you to feel completely comfortable reading Rip however you choose.

Read the summary and move along. Read the discussion and think about the argument. Or click through and enjoy the entire original article.

Then come right back and see what else we’ve caught.

No worries about getting lost. No mysterious buttons. No need to send out the Coast Guard.

And no pressure to click anything. This isn’t about increasing my click statistics. It’s about making Rip more enjoyable for you.

A Little Navigation Training

The good news is that your phone, tablet, or computer probably already has a simple way to return to your email after you’ve followed a link.

You may just need someone to point it out.

I’ve been experimenting with Apple Mail, Outlook, Gmail, and Yahoo Mail on my iPad. All four provide a simple way back, although the buttons aren’t always identical.

We’re going to show you exactly how they work.

Better yet, we’ll give you a few practice runs so you can try it yourself.

But first, I need to know what equipment you’re using.

Two quick questions:

1. What do you normally use to read Rip? An iPhone, Android phone, iPad, other tablet, Windows PC, or Mac?

2. Which email program do you use? Apple Mail, Outlook, Gmail, Yahoo Mail, AOL, or something else?

Your answers will help us decide which tutorials to develop first.

We’ll start with the most common combinations, show you where to look, and let you practice until getting back becomes second nature.

And remember: The whole point of leaving the boat is knowing you can get back aboard.

— Jim

Note: You will be able to return here and see the results for yourself.

Okay. Thanks for your time and patience!

In our next tutorial, we’ll show you how to navigate around the ocean of political articles—and, most importantly, how to find your way back to the boat after taking a dip.

It’ll be fun. At least I think so!

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