Why was the Canadian election thread deleted?

January 21, 2006 11:26 AM

Why was the Canadian election thread deleted?
posted by sindark to Etiquette/Policy at 11:26 AM (21 comments total)

The poster advertised it as an "open thread," which was obnoxious. Metafilter is about the links and discussion, not merely for the discussion.

But I enjoyed the discussion anyway, and especially when so many of us are biased toward USian politics, a mature discussion of another country's election should have been allowed to stand in spite of the crappy link.

For those who are interested, I opened an AskMe thread on an issue that was raised in the discussion, so I'd welcome the threadjack over there.
posted by Saucy Intruder at 11:30 AM on January 21, 2006

I wrote a complete reason here.

Part of the reason is a huge pet peeve of mine -- "open threads" on other blogs that are there for the sake of discussion. There is at least some grasp at linking to interesting things on MetaFilter, and someone linked to the most information-free boring link and said "open thread! let's talk about the election!" when it would be so easy to actually make a good post outlining all the issues in the upcoming election and why it's important for Canada.

Someone else feel free to make a good post about it, that was a terrible one posted solely for discussion. And I know -- not every post ever posted to MetaFilter hinged on a fantastic link during election times, but I really, really hate "open threads" and would like to see someone try and help me understand the election a bit more.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 11:31 AM on January 21, 2006

I also hope somebody recreates the thread, in a format more suitable for MeFi. Maybe something focused on the question of Proportional Representation (relevant in all parliamentary systems) would do the trick.
posted by sindark at 11:39 AM on January 21, 2006

Would an "open thread" like that find a better home here in MetaTalk?
posted by generichuman at 11:40 AM on January 21, 2006

What about this one? It's only a few days old.
posted by Gator at 11:43 AM on January 21, 2006

It might find a good home in metachat.
posted by Zetetics at 11:54 AM on January 21, 2006

I'm ok with a thread on monday with election results -- they usually have pretty lackluster links and it's more about discussion, but for the lead up to the election, please help inform readers on what issues are at stake.

Open threads would be more at home on metachat or monkeyfilter.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 12:04 PM on January 21, 2006

With sympathy, Matt, the reason you put in the thread is a lousy one. Posts don't need links in order to educate people about "why the conservative guy is going to win", they need links because that's the whole point of this place. I liked it better when the reason for deletion just said "We don't do open threads here. Find some links."
posted by gleuschk at 12:13 PM on January 21, 2006

I started the thread, and in retrospect I agree with the reason for deletion. It is mathowie's website and his rules.

I thought I saw open threads from the 2004 US election, and when the thread was deleted, went to look back and couldn't find any.
posted by angrybeaver at 12:23 PM on January 21, 2006

Canadian election discussion at Monkeyfilter. It's such a thoughtful and well-mannered discussion that you'd think they were discussing proper tea party serving procedure or something. Canadians are so cute.
posted by TimeFactor at 1:02 PM on January 21, 2006

There's an election in Canada?
posted by Astro Zombie at 1:18 PM on January 21, 2006

Yes, but Mathowie doesn't want you to know about it;-)
posted by orange swan at 1:33 PM on January 21, 2006

It's okay; us Canadians don't want you to know about it. We get a little antsy when Americans start paying attention to us. We've seen what happens when a country draws the US's attention, and it ain't pretty. Y'all just go mind your own business, leave us be.
posted by five fresh fish at 1:38 PM on January 21, 2006

I'm already armed to swarm the Canadian border.
posted by Astro Zombie at 2:06 PM on January 21, 2006

My sources tell me they have weapons of mass distruction.
posted by graventy at 2:37 PM on January 21, 2006

Mathowie hates Canadians.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 2:39 PM on January 21, 2006

^ it's true!
posted by Quartermass at 3:20 PM on January 21, 2006

I'm off to my weekly "Americans Against Canadians Against Mathowie" meeting.

*dons cape, mask*
posted by jenovus at 3:27 PM on January 21, 2006

angrybeaver sayeth:

I started the thread, and in retrospect I agree with the reason for deletion. It is mathowie's website and his rules.

I thought I saw open threads from the 2004 US election, and when the thread was deleted, went to look back and couldn't find any.

Flagged as fantastic. Not that it is really fantastic, but there is no "rare as hen's teeth" choice.
posted by stirfry at 4:51 PM on January 21, 2006

We get a little antsy when Americans start paying attention to us.

Hey, thanks for the reminder five fresh fish! Fifty Four Forty or Fight!!
posted by mono blanco at 5:14 PM on January 21, 2006

^ ok.. THAT made me laugh.
posted by reflecked at 6:36 PM on January 21, 2006