The Critics are raving:

It is no easy feat to have successfully accomplished running an English publication in the Czech Republic for 50 issues! Wow.

I remember when the idea to start the mag was just a working concept - with two inspiring entrepreneurs at the head.

I am proud to say that I know both Jeffree and Keith and wish them and their publication, Think all the best in their endeavors to go global."

- From an admiring fan, Cheryl Lynn Fredericks

I remember when Think was just a brain-fart from Jeff's head way back when he used to sit next to me at McCann-Erickson.

It's amazing that he found the time to design that first magazine considering he was so focused and energized on building the image and increasing the market share of Maggie food products.

Regardless of his never-ending loyalty to Nestle, the first issue was produced and since that time it has evolved into a staple of the Prague "scene."

Think continually amazes me. Sometimes it amazes me so much that | feel like vomiting, but that's just a temporary side effect. That aside, they deserve a huge big-up for their longevity and creative approach to an otherwise dry publication market.

Say what you will about Think, but as far as I know, they are the only self-funded English language publication that has lasted as long as they have. I rarely agree with the political viewpoints of the managing partners, but consider them both close friends and congratulate them on this milestone. Here's looking at another 50 issues, Jeff and Keith. Keep 'em comin'.

- Joseph Ali Tehranian

A few words for THINK'S 50th birthday:

Well, first of all congratulations on reaching such a ripe old age.

It can't be easy getting the advertising revenue you need to survive, as witnessed by Keith's wonderful explosions of righteous anger when the admen don't pay up! But you keep going, and the magazine is still free, too, so that's gotta be some kind of testament to your commitment.

I've got to admit that THINK drives me crazy a lot of the time - those strange notions of syntax you have, the clauses that somehow don't quite connect and leave you dangling over a precipice of non-meaning. I guess grammar ain't your strong point!

But this is nit picking. In each issue there are usually at least two or three well-researched articles, and there are always signposts and recommendations for interesting and important books, films and music.

THINK manages to be informative, lively and fun, and I do think it's had quite a large impact on the culture here in Prague, especially as regards getting young Czechs and ex-pats together. Most importantly, THINK has energy and a bit of irreverancy to it, and the scene here would be a hell of a lot duller without it. Keep up the good work,

- Cheers, Phil Shoenfelt.

Now,

Honestly, who doesn't secretly enjoy finding a picture of themselves in a drunken state in the back of Think Magazine?

That is one of the things that makes Think so special and unique- it's a people's magazine. Think has become a staple in not only the ex-pat's life, but also within the Czech community.

Rarely do you find a magazine that relates to both cultures, and not just language wise. Radost FX is happy to take this opportunity to thank the staff of Think for not only producing a great magazine, but also for your support you have shown us, and your cooperation with us. We wish you continued success and happiness. - Think will always have a home at Radost FX.

- Richard and Bethea

"The first issues of THINK had the paper quality and page count of a Supermarket promotional flyer. You've come a long way Baby... CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR 50TH ISSUE!!! "

- Paul Dubsky, Jo's Bar & Garaz

Congrats Keith & Jeff,

Just wanted to commend your polluting efforts over the years.

While Think bashing has long been an ex-pat pastime, I have been one of the lucky beneficiaries of your publishing endeavors. What with my hand in the free CD bag, polite plugs and reviews of my own failed magazine and the occasional advertisement gratis, I owe you a medium size "Thanks".

What you are doing is important. You answer to no one. Your critics do not publish, they whine. You have employed and publicized a great many authors, artists, photographers that would otherwise be unseen. While not getting rich, you've kept yourselves busy, bought some toys, and your video rentals are free. You provide an open forum for debate/discussion/bickering on a great variety of issues.

Understandably, and true to Prague form, contribution quality is uneven which always makes for an interesting read. Whattya want fer nuthin'? "Rubber biscuit?" Provoking the mainstream is critical to our survival. Hope you get to 100...

- Tim Otis

Fifty issues published and it ain't illegal yet

"For a foreigner, living in Prague can seem like as much fun and as much frustration as your mind can handle. In its time the Think team has captured that feeling as well as anyone. I've lived in Prague five years now, so the magazine has always been a part of my expat experience.

In a city where English-language publications tended to sink as quickly as a cold beer on a hot summer's day, Think was always there, dishing up a new outrage or outburst.

Sometimes it was funny, sometimes it was thought-provoking, and sometimes it was just plain obnoxious, but each issue of Think was (and is) an event: "Have you read that article in the latest issue of Think?"; "I can‚t believe they said that; "Did you see that terrible picture of Jarrod?" Whether we loved it or loathed it - and it was often both at the same time - we always read it.

Like Oscar Wilde said, the only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about, and Prague people are still talking about Think Magazine."

- Sam Beckwith, www.StumpyMoose.com

THINK Magazine...

I'm a 35 year old, married businessman with 2 children, 3 companies, a dog, a house and two "family cars." I often don't have much in common with the issues that THINK writes about and when I do I rarely agree with their opinions.

So, how can I make this a "recommendation" letter? THINK is like the party in opposition - largely unloved, but necessary to provide balance and provoke thought.

Think bucks the trend... goes against the grain (and my grain from time to time) and it plays devil's advocate just out of principle... it sometimesirritates me, but, as my dad once told me, "It's good to have an open mind, but not so open that your brain falls out." Think hasn't completely lost theirs' yet...

- Tony Hasek compusource.cz. accord-ece.com

What I think of Think:

Does it suck? Is it great? Do I read it? Sometimes. It's easy enough to bash just about anything, and since this is the big 50 issue I'll be a nice guest at the anniversary table.

I think Think makes us think, whether we totally agree or disagree with its content (I often disagree and feel sad when I see sh*t like Christ boffing in cartoons, but I can write that and see it printed in your mag, which says something about its forum).

I appreciate the free press - free speech and free magazines - can't beat that! I'll take one to see what's been going on around town, look at the pictures in the back and see what a few of my friends have been up to. I can sit in my rocking chair out here in the country and think I'm in the know. You do have your finger on Prague's pulse, don't you?

As for the folks behind Think, I admire how you've met your deadlines. I'll put out another book in a year or so, and I love that "or so..." You poor b*stards do not have the luxury of saying, "or so..." and it probably feels at times like a thankless job full of insults.

You will always have critics and fans; I am both, probably like a lot of your readers. A mag that has plenty of both is doing well. You can't have critics unless you are being read. So just let me wish you a happy 50th issue. I truly hope there will be 50 more.

- Sinclair Nicholas, Video Express

this may be late...

... i remember the imperative the banner ad

an exclamation mark for free

pay only with your patronage every page

circulation sells

itself - yourself -

celebrate your own celebrity

think! drink!

sink into distraction

surround yourself with science

signs

seeming strange attraction

too much information is a terrible thing

conspiracy?

we breathe together

control?

everything in motion - what hand can hold the world?

- what thought contain it all?

- Noel LeBon

I KNEW YOU WHEN!!

Hey Guys!! It's so great that you're doing an issue all about you. Cuz I really had to get in touch with you anyway. Cuz you'll never guess what! ! I wasn't doing much with my life since I left Prague, in fact I was unemployed and my parents kept bugging me to go to school or get a job or ANYTHING, or at least take a shower, you know?

I mean, the more pot I smoked, the less anybody seemed to understand me - have you ever had that feeling too?

Anyhow, I was in this cafe in the Haight one day and I was talking to... well, I guess I was just talking. To myself, I guess. But out loud. Anyway I was saying how there were no good cafes in San Francisco like there were in Prague or something and this guy next to me started asking me if I'd been to Prague. Ha! ! Had I been to Prague!?!? ME!?!?

I guess I got to rambling on a little, then he interupted me and asked if I'd heard of this sort of 'Zine thing they had there called 'Thinker'. I said, "You mean 'Think!'?" Yeah, he said, that was the one.

So it turns out this cat is from the UCLA Journalism Department and down there they think Think is the best thing since sliced chleba or something. Before I know it the guy's offering me a job and I've set up the whole UCLA Department of Thinkology and the money's PHANTASTIC and the babes, HOO BOY!! I mean, JEZIS MARIA!!

And you know, I just had to think back to that time just after Think #2 when I ran into you (I won't name names, but your initials are Jeffree and Keith) on Perlova street and you'd just lost some big advertiser and had to pay the printer (THIS PART IS REAL, KIDS - Ed.) and the looks on your faces said that Woah, you really didn't know if you were going to make the ends meet this time.

And I laughed at the both of you and said, "Ha! Prognosis failed! Pozor failed! Velvet failed! Even Gristle Floss failed! And Optimism fails monthly! What made you think your puerile attempt would survive?!

Looks like you boys will be spending a LOT of your time on Perlova street, if you want to make rent!!"

How wrong I was. Allow me to lick the scum from your boots in apology as I praise your longevity. And thanks for letting me into that party for free. And letting me shoot with the official Think camera, and even printing that shot I took of Mucha and Jerome (Hi, Jerome! ) But I still do think "Party!" would be a truer name for what you guys do than the one you keep using.

- All my love, and congratulations, Jeremy (learning the meaning of the word ex-pat) Saxon, San Francisco