mathowie replying in chatfilter thread July 14, 2006 5:16 AM Subscribe
What? Is the question "Are you a vegetarian?" The question had some specific questions and a somewhat open-ended wrap up. Just because some people answer with anecdotes doesn't make it automatically chatfilter.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 5:23 AM on July 14, 2006
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 5:23 AM on July 14, 2006
The questions all have incredibly obvious answers to anyone that has actually given the topic 5 minutes thought. It just seems like bringing up the topic of vegetarianism to have a fun chat about a generally emotional topic.
Obviously cows cost more than wheat per calorie. Obviously having dietary choices comes from having a certain amount of economic wealth. Obviously rich people are generally from the "upper classes."
posted by public at 5:32 AM on July 14, 2006
Obviously cows cost more than wheat per calorie. Obviously having dietary choices comes from having a certain amount of economic wealth. Obviously rich people are generally from the "upper classes."
posted by public at 5:32 AM on July 14, 2006
Guyyyys, it's obviously ChatFilter. It is. Look at it. *points* See?
I'd say the official definition of ChatFilter is: "It's deleted because Matt or Jess say it's ChatFilter."
posted by Plutor at 5:41 AM on July 14, 2006
I'd say the official definition of ChatFilter is: "It's deleted because Matt or Jess say it's ChatFilter."
posted by Plutor at 5:41 AM on July 14, 2006
Did somebody delete the Pope's response, 'cos I can't see it?
posted by veedubya at 5:42 AM on July 14, 2006
posted by veedubya at 5:42 AM on July 14, 2006
How is a question asking about the cultural and social intersections of identity of someone's practice chat-filter? This MeTa post is chatfilter if you ask me.
posted by mrmojoflying at 5:48 AM on July 14, 2006
posted by mrmojoflying at 5:48 AM on July 14, 2006
Jesus H. Christ. Doesn't they guy who owns the site get to decide what's chatfilter?
posted by Mayor Curley at 5:55 AM on July 14, 2006
posted by Mayor Curley at 5:55 AM on July 14, 2006
Obviously cows cost more than wheat per calorie.
From the question:
Does it cost more to eat (realistically) meatless, than with meat?
And then there's an answer conflicting with what's "obvious":
It seems that chicken and some meats are pretty cheap, so financial reasons do not seem logical.
That word "obviously," I do not think it means what you think it means.
posted by scottreynen at 5:58 AM on July 14, 2006
From the question:
Does it cost more to eat (realistically) meatless, than with meat?
And then there's an answer conflicting with what's "obvious":
It seems that chicken and some meats are pretty cheap, so financial reasons do not seem logical.
That word "obviously," I do not think it means what you think it means.
posted by scottreynen at 5:58 AM on July 14, 2006
According to my reading of the FAQ that jessamyn linked to that AskMe is, if interesting, pretty clearly chatfilter, specifically:
On preview, absolutely, Mayor Curley, but the rules are the rules and that is what pulic was saying (if a bit undiplomatically). *shrugs*
posted by persona non grata at 5:58 AM on July 14, 2006
Ask Metafilter questions need to have some possible answer or should be asking for information that will be put to some practical use.The asker just seems curious rather than trying to solve a problem. And:
Maybe there is a reason you want to know?
"...if your motivation for asking the question is 'I would like to participate in a discussion about X,' then you shouldn't be doing it in AskMe.Based on that official "definition" the post is chatfilter, no?
On preview, absolutely, Mayor Curley, but the rules are the rules and that is what pulic was saying (if a bit undiplomatically). *shrugs*
posted by persona non grata at 5:58 AM on July 14, 2006
Obviously cows cost more than wheat per calorie. Obviously having dietary choices comes from having a certain amount of economic wealth. Obviously rich people are generally from the "upper classes."
A general rule of AskMe is that what is obvious to you may not be obvious to other people, that's part of the reason the site exists in the first place. Plus, if you read rob's response, some of the things that may seem obvious about vegetarianism may not be as clear cut.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 5:59 AM on July 14, 2006
A general rule of AskMe is that what is obvious to you may not be obvious to other people, that's part of the reason the site exists in the first place. Plus, if you read rob's response, some of the things that may seem obvious about vegetarianism may not be as clear cut.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 5:59 AM on July 14, 2006
Enforcing DA RULEZ (oh how we miss you neu) for the sake of enforcing the rules is less admirable than enforcing the rules to achieve the desired result for which the rules were created.
But, you know, zing away. Any inconsistency, perceived or otherwise, in the administration of the site is definitely cause for snark.
posted by cortex at 6:07 AM on July 14, 2006
But, you know, zing away. Any inconsistency, perceived or otherwise, in the administration of the site is definitely cause for snark.
posted by cortex at 6:07 AM on July 14, 2006
Where is the hostility coming from Public? I take it that Matt of Jess deleted a Chatfilter question of yours?
posted by LarryC at 6:13 AM on July 14, 2006
posted by LarryC at 6:13 AM on July 14, 2006
His holiness...
*stops reading*
*removes tongue from his holiness's ass*
*looks up*
I'm real real sorry, but going to have to call you an idiot for that one, cap'n. Thanks to my almost superhuman powers of snark, I reached this conclusion even before I moused over and saw that you were a diaper-clad newb as well. Still, let's assume for the sake of form that I had all the pertinent information to hand before I made the call.
Therefore, and in the way of our forefathers, I implore you, with all the respect that is due to a mewling doofus who is also a newcomer to our fine nation, to please step back, check the coin return tray, and try again later.
Or, even better, give languagehat a taste of the delicious coppery blood he so craves, and flame out spectacularly.
Thank you.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 6:15 AM on July 14, 2006
*stops reading*
*removes tongue from his holiness's ass*
*looks up*
I'm real real sorry, but going to have to call you an idiot for that one, cap'n. Thanks to my almost superhuman powers of snark, I reached this conclusion even before I moused over and saw that you were a diaper-clad newb as well. Still, let's assume for the sake of form that I had all the pertinent information to hand before I made the call.
Therefore, and in the way of our forefathers, I implore you, with all the respect that is due to a mewling doofus who is also a newcomer to our fine nation, to please step back, check the coin return tray, and try again later.
Or, even better, give languagehat a taste of the delicious coppery blood he so craves, and flame out spectacularly.
Thank you.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 6:15 AM on July 14, 2006
Sweet buttery jesus, does every inconsistency have to challenged?
posted by iconomy at 6:18 AM on July 14, 2006
posted by iconomy at 6:18 AM on July 14, 2006
Mmmm, butter.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 6:18 AM on July 14, 2006
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 6:18 AM on July 14, 2006
*kisses Matt's ring, crosses self*
Forgive me, father, for I have sinned...
posted by jonmc at 6:26 AM on July 14, 2006
Forgive me, father, for I have sinned...
posted by jonmc at 6:26 AM on July 14, 2006
Folks, you're all missing the real point about why public posted this thread.
My favorite flavor of cheesecake is pumpkin.
posted by Faint of Butt at 6:41 AM on July 14, 2006
My favorite flavor of cheesecake is pumpkin.
posted by Faint of Butt at 6:41 AM on July 14, 2006
that you were a diaper-clad newb as well.
Seems clear to me, based on a cursory look at his posting history, that Public is probably someone's sock-puppet. Not that it mitigates his buffoonery with this post. In fact, that he made a call-out from a puppet on Matt makes it even a little worse.
posted by crunchland at 6:58 AM on July 14, 2006
Seems clear to me, based on a cursory look at his posting history, that Public is probably someone's sock-puppet. Not that it mitigates his buffoonery with this post. In fact, that he made a call-out from a puppet on Matt makes it even a little worse.
posted by crunchland at 6:58 AM on July 14, 2006
(oh, and I'm partial to just good old-fashioned NY style ... they sell a pretty passible version of it frozen at Trader Joe's, too. And Junior's mail-order was a success last time I sent one to a client.)
posted by crunchland at 7:01 AM on July 14, 2006
posted by crunchland at 7:01 AM on July 14, 2006
>Seems clear to me, based on a cursory look at his posting history
>>let's assume for the sake of form that I had all the pertinent information to hand before I made the call.
I wuz just riffing on newbhate there.
If it's puppetry we're faced with, though, well lads, to the barricades! Cock, aim, and release!
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 7:05 AM on July 14, 2006
>>let's assume for the sake of form that I had all the pertinent information to hand before I made the call.
I wuz just riffing on newbhate there.
If it's puppetry we're faced with, though, well lads, to the barricades! Cock, aim, and release!
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 7:05 AM on July 14, 2006
Or, even better, give languagehat a taste of the delicious coppery blood he so craves, and flame out spectacularly.
Yes! Yessss! Flaming coppery blo-o-od!
*assembles sticks for pyre, waits*
posted by languagehat at 7:06 AM on July 14, 2006
Yes! Yessss! Flaming coppery blo-o-od!
*assembles sticks for pyre, waits*
posted by languagehat at 7:06 AM on July 14, 2006
There's a lot of, what Freud termed, anal personalities here.
posted by gsb at 7:18 AM on July 14, 2006
posted by gsb at 7:18 AM on July 14, 2006
What the fuck is with Harry and David shipping chessecakes without dry ice? If your cheesecake doesn't actually need to stay chilled there's something wrong with it. If it was a fuckup, you fucked it up twice in a row, on both the original shipment and the replacement. Either way, you've lost all my family's business forever. And we're pigs.
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 7:28 AM on July 14, 2006
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 7:28 AM on July 14, 2006
I like marshmallows. Does anyone else here like marshmallows?
posted by caddis at 7:30 AM on July 14, 2006
posted by caddis at 7:30 AM on July 14, 2006
I don't think the vegetarianism question is chatfilter because it can be answered with statistics on the cost of eating veggies vs. meat and the correlation between income and vegetarianism.
And your question about cheescake can be asked if framed in the right way. Just don't ask "What's your favourite cheesecake?" Request cheesecake recipes, or say every brand of readymade cheesecake you've tried to buy tastes like bad breath and you want people to tell you how to get a really great cheesecake in your area.
posted by orange swan at 7:35 AM on July 14, 2006
And your question about cheescake can be asked if framed in the right way. Just don't ask "What's your favourite cheesecake?" Request cheesecake recipes, or say every brand of readymade cheesecake you've tried to buy tastes like bad breath and you want people to tell you how to get a really great cheesecake in your area.
posted by orange swan at 7:35 AM on July 14, 2006
I once had pumpkin-cognac cheesecake. It was exquisite.
See, jonmc, this is why you have to eat it as fresh as possible, while it's still quisite.
posted by cortex at 7:43 AM on July 14, 2006
See, jonmc, this is why you have to eat it as fresh as possible, while it's still quisite.
posted by cortex at 7:43 AM on July 14, 2006
Cock, aim, and release!
The MeTa money shot:
1) Cock
2) Aim
3) ?????
4) Release!!!!!
posted by Ufez Jones at 7:45 AM on July 14, 2006
The MeTa money shot:
1) Cock
2) Aim
3) ?????
4) Release!!!!!
posted by Ufez Jones at 7:45 AM on July 14, 2006
5) Profit.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 7:56 AM on July 14, 2006
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 7:56 AM on July 14, 2006
stavrosthewondercamgirl.com is available.
posted by Ufez Jones at 8:03 AM on July 14, 2006
posted by Ufez Jones at 8:03 AM on July 14, 2006
There's a lot of, what Freud termed, anal personalities here.
Zumtimez ze anus iz just ah anus.
posted by loquacious at 8:08 AM on July 14, 2006
Zumtimez ze anus iz just ah anus.
posted by loquacious at 8:08 AM on July 14, 2006
I don't think the vegetarianism question is chatfilter because it can be answered with statistics on the cost of eating veggies vs. meat and the correlation between income and vegetarianism.
Very true. Of course mathowie's answer has the ring of absurdity to it, but we have never punished people for being wrong.
Can anyone back it up?
posted by Chuckles at 8:17 AM on July 14, 2006
Very true. Of course mathowie's answer has the ring of absurdity to it, but we have never punished people for being wrong.
Can anyone back it up?
posted by Chuckles at 8:17 AM on July 14, 2006
I am outraged.
posted by _sirmissalot_ at 8:18 AM on July 14, 2006
posted by _sirmissalot_ at 8:18 AM on July 14, 2006
Obviously cows cost more than wheat per calorie.
Yeah, but some livestock are raised on grains we can't eat anyway. Eating meat may be the only option in some places where all that grows is grass. And I'm sure that some of the people who live in or migrate through such places are poor.
It may have seemed obvious to you after "thinking it through for 5 minutes," but did it occur to you that further reflection and inquiry might reveal a more complex picture?
posted by scarabic at 8:23 AM on July 14, 2006
Yeah, but some livestock are raised on grains we can't eat anyway. Eating meat may be the only option in some places where all that grows is grass. And I'm sure that some of the people who live in or migrate through such places are poor.
It may have seemed obvious to you after "thinking it through for 5 minutes," but did it occur to you that further reflection and inquiry might reveal a more complex picture?
posted by scarabic at 8:23 AM on July 14, 2006
Accuracy in a reply to AskMe has never been a requirement.
posted by crunchland at 8:25 AM on July 14, 2006
posted by crunchland at 8:25 AM on July 14, 2006
caddis, I was hoping those 19th-century socialites were going to be roasting weenies; that would have been more appropriate.
public, please consider starting your own internet somewhere else.
What is with you people who get such jollies out of calling the site admins inconsistent? Jesus H. Christ, it's some guy's website, you don't have a constitutionally protected right to equal protection. And even if you had a valid point, why would you be such a dick about it, if you actually wanted to change anything?
posted by ibmcginty at 8:26 AM on July 14, 2006
public, please consider starting your own internet somewhere else.
What is with you people who get such jollies out of calling the site admins inconsistent? Jesus H. Christ, it's some guy's website, you don't have a constitutionally protected right to equal protection. And even if you had a valid point, why would you be such a dick about it, if you actually wanted to change anything?
posted by ibmcginty at 8:26 AM on July 14, 2006
"his holiness"? What are you, Luther? Sit down and shut up.
posted by boo_radley at 8:30 AM on July 14, 2006
posted by boo_radley at 8:30 AM on July 14, 2006
And now I am outraged by the outrage.
posted by _sirmissalot_ at 8:31 AM on July 14, 2006
posted by _sirmissalot_ at 8:31 AM on July 14, 2006
yawn. I prefer jam to marshmallows.
Silly callout.
Alt-F
posted by edgeways at 8:34 AM on July 14, 2006
Silly callout.
Alt-F
posted by edgeways at 8:34 AM on July 14, 2006
Are marshmallows vegetables?
posted by Kirth Gerson at 8:35 AM on July 14, 2006
posted by Kirth Gerson at 8:35 AM on July 14, 2006
I wish that people would just accept this ongoing conflict as inevitable. It seems obvious to me that the Chatfilter designation must by nature be the most subjective yet most necessary cause for deletion on AskMe. Flag a post if you think it qualifies, accept the decisions of management, and when the inevitable whines show up on MeTa, don't pay attention to them and above all don't add to the noise by commenting on... Oh goddamnit.
posted by nanojath at 9:03 AM on July 14, 2006
posted by nanojath at 9:03 AM on July 14, 2006
"What the fuck is with Harry and David shipping chessecakes without dry ice?"
My post office told me that I couldn't ship dry ice because "9/11 changed everything." Granted, I only really wanted to ship the dry ice in with a halloween package because I thought it might look spooky, but still. "Our sorters might think it's a bomb." What, one that they didn't plant for their postal rampage?
Oh yeah, and this callout is retarded.
posted by klangklangston at 9:04 AM on July 14, 2006
My post office told me that I couldn't ship dry ice because "9/11 changed everything." Granted, I only really wanted to ship the dry ice in with a halloween package because I thought it might look spooky, but still. "Our sorters might think it's a bomb." What, one that they didn't plant for their postal rampage?
Oh yeah, and this callout is retarded.
posted by klangklangston at 9:04 AM on July 14, 2006
They contain corn syrup, so I would say: yes, definitely.
posted by Plutor at 9:05 AM on July 14, 2006
posted by Plutor at 9:05 AM on July 14, 2006
The very mention of the words 'corn syrup' whip me into a killing rage.
*kills*
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 9:09 AM on July 14, 2006
*kills*
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 9:09 AM on July 14, 2006
*rages*
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 9:10 AM on July 14, 2006
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 9:10 AM on July 14, 2006
What are you, Luther?
Luther at least had the guts to start his own church instead of sitting around in the existing ones and complaining.
posted by darukaru at 9:22 AM on July 14, 2006
Luther at least had the guts to start his own church instead of sitting around in the existing ones and complaining.
posted by darukaru at 9:22 AM on July 14, 2006
"his holiness"? What are you, Luther?
So would this be public's nailing of the 95 feces to the Mefi door?
posted by lemoncello at 9:23 AM on July 14, 2006
So would this be public's nailing of the 95 feces to the Mefi door?
posted by lemoncello at 9:23 AM on July 14, 2006
The issue of chatfilter will never be resolved. There will never be a clear line drawn, and there will never be an unambiguous definition. Embrace this. It is the way.
posted by xmutex at 9:40 AM on July 14, 2006
posted by xmutex at 9:40 AM on July 14, 2006
Your favorite adjective is retarded.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 9:45 AM on July 14, 2006
posted by Kirth Gerson at 9:45 AM on July 14, 2006
lemoncello: zing!
posted by boo_radley at 10:02 AM on July 14, 2006
posted by boo_radley at 10:02 AM on July 14, 2006
Last night my daughter, spending her first summer home from college since she turned 21, offered me one of the pina coladas she and her friends were making. God it was vile, a big glass of rum, ice, and corn syrup. It came of course from a mix. Today I am going out and buying some pineapple juice and a coconut to show the kid how to do it right.
Anybody have a favorite recipe for pina coladas?
posted by LarryC at 10:20 AM on July 14, 2006
Anybody have a favorite recipe for pina coladas?
posted by LarryC at 10:20 AM on July 14, 2006
Ricotta cheesecake made my someone's Italian grandma. That's the best. A little lemon zest is a nice addition.
posted by desuetude at 10:45 AM on July 14, 2006
posted by desuetude at 10:45 AM on July 14, 2006
The issue of chatfilter will never be resolved. There will never be a clear line drawn, and there will never be an unambiguous definition. Embrace this. It is the way.
Precisely. We are grey. We stand between the chatfilter and the light.
posted by cortex at 10:48 AM on July 14, 2006 [1 favorite]
Precisely. We are grey. We stand between the chatfilter and the light.
posted by cortex at 10:48 AM on July 14, 2006 [1 favorite]
made by
(Perhaps I need to go eat a foodstuff of my choosing.)
posted by desuetude at 10:49 AM on July 14, 2006
(Perhaps I need to go eat a foodstuff of my choosing.)
posted by desuetude at 10:49 AM on July 14, 2006
Great Pina Colada recipe. Don't get a coconut - get a can of cream of coconut. And a fresh pineapple, not a can of juice. You show 'em, Pops.
posted by iconomy at 10:49 AM on July 14, 2006
posted by iconomy at 10:49 AM on July 14, 2006
Cheesecake should be cheese flavoured. Anything else is an abomination.
'Course that still leaves a fair amount of latitude. Andre Durbach at Parkside used to make an amazing stilton cheesecake. I could murder one of those right now.
posted by timeistight at 12:24 PM on July 14, 2006
'Course that still leaves a fair amount of latitude. Andre Durbach at Parkside used to make an amazing stilton cheesecake. I could murder one of those right now.
posted by timeistight at 12:24 PM on July 14, 2006
You know what really cracks me up? The idea of "seniority" at a website - as if it means something. I've been surfing mefi for a few years and never bothered to pay - but when you do pay, suddenly you're a noob.
I find the concept odd- the "standard" for knowledge about site rules and etiquette is, to some, based on user number. It's such a misleading indicator.
Not attacking anyone here, just an observation. But then I'm a noob anyway so what do I know?
Plus cheesecake. I'm a fan. And this is a pretty stupid callout. Sheesh. The man can post anything he wants, anywhere he wants, it's his friggin site.
posted by disclaimer at 12:46 PM on July 14, 2006
I find the concept odd- the "standard" for knowledge about site rules and etiquette is, to some, based on user number. It's such a misleading indicator.
Not attacking anyone here, just an observation. But then I'm a noob anyway so what do I know?
Plus cheesecake. I'm a fan. And this is a pretty stupid callout. Sheesh. The man can post anything he wants, anywhere he wants, it's his friggin site.
posted by disclaimer at 12:46 PM on July 14, 2006
Huh? What's that have to do with anything? Unless you're implying that Matt's infinite powers are somehow merely a social construction and not, you know, a real truth. In which case, you're a certifiable wingding. Not attacking anyone here, just an observation.
posted by Plutor at 1:32 PM on July 14, 2006
posted by Plutor at 1:32 PM on July 14, 2006
My post office told me that I couldn't ship dry ice because "9/11 changed everything."
Sorry, dry ice was a red herring. There was no ice pack or anything, apart from maybe some styrofoam insulation, which is insufficient to my and my mother-in-law's peace of mind. Other places we've ordered cheesecake and other perishables from include a cooling source of some kind, usually an icepack.
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 1:34 PM on July 14, 2006
Sorry, dry ice was a red herring. There was no ice pack or anything, apart from maybe some styrofoam insulation, which is insufficient to my and my mother-in-law's peace of mind. Other places we've ordered cheesecake and other perishables from include a cooling source of some kind, usually an icepack.
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 1:34 PM on July 14, 2006
Ohh, there's a restaurant here that does a unfreakingbelievable cabrales cheesecake. Certainly not for everyone, though.
posted by desuetude at 1:44 PM on July 14, 2006
posted by desuetude at 1:44 PM on July 14, 2006
Wait, wait, wait - cheesecake comes in different flavors now? Or are we talking about toppings? because you really don't need anything other than strawberries, you damn food snobs
posted by yhbc at 2:05 PM on July 14, 2006
posted by yhbc at 2:05 PM on July 14, 2006
The only real flavors that I've heard of are chocolate chip, which is OK, and lemon, which can be pretty good. But yeah, most cheesecake should simply be cheese flavored (and I love the ricotta).
Though I have thought about making a mint cheesecake. Or just a regular cheesecake with sour mango topping. That could be good... Hmm... Too bad it's too fucking hot here to even think about baking anything.
posted by klangklangston at 2:46 PM on July 14, 2006
Though I have thought about making a mint cheesecake. Or just a regular cheesecake with sour mango topping. That could be good... Hmm... Too bad it's too fucking hot here to even think about baking anything.
posted by klangklangston at 2:46 PM on July 14, 2006
Nonono Plutor, not directed at Matt at all. There are OTHERS that seem to think that having lower user numbers implies "seniority" - case in point here.
And yes, I am a certifiable wingding.
posted by disclaimer at 3:20 PM on July 14, 2006
And yes, I am a certifiable wingding.
posted by disclaimer at 3:20 PM on July 14, 2006
Wingding!
It is true that (a) usernumber is not a foolproof indicator of mefi familiarity, and (b) regardless, "youngness" is not a foolproof indicator of naivety, lack of insight, etc. When either of these assertions is put forth with a straight face as the sole meat of an argument, they ought to be laughed at or refuted.
However, trends support the general idea:
(a) Usernumber is, on the whole, a reliable indicator of one's length of familiarity with metafilter. Sockpuppets and long-time avid lurkers certainly foil this, but they are, I strongly suspect, the rare exception.
(b) Folks who are genuinely new or new-ish to the community (and we need to be distinguish between metafilter-as-link-roll and metafilter-as-community, here) tend not to be familiar with existing conventions, social idioms, behavioral expectations, site history, etc.
The result is that many different sorts of truly and merely apparently clueless behavior can be reasonably correlated to higher user numbers. Exceptions occur in both directions, to be sure—oldbies act out, and newbies catch on quickly, and recently-joined-longtime-lurkers get n00b flack based on ill-assumptions—but there is nothing surprising or even unreasonable about building expectations based on usernumber.
The merit of different methods of acting upon those assumptions is certainly debatable, of course. But the fundamental notion of usernumber-discernable "seniority" as a general concept is sound.
posted by cortex at 3:36 PM on July 14, 2006
It is true that (a) usernumber is not a foolproof indicator of mefi familiarity, and (b) regardless, "youngness" is not a foolproof indicator of naivety, lack of insight, etc. When either of these assertions is put forth with a straight face as the sole meat of an argument, they ought to be laughed at or refuted.
However, trends support the general idea:
(a) Usernumber is, on the whole, a reliable indicator of one's length of familiarity with metafilter. Sockpuppets and long-time avid lurkers certainly foil this, but they are, I strongly suspect, the rare exception.
(b) Folks who are genuinely new or new-ish to the community (and we need to be distinguish between metafilter-as-link-roll and metafilter-as-community, here) tend not to be familiar with existing conventions, social idioms, behavioral expectations, site history, etc.
The result is that many different sorts of truly and merely apparently clueless behavior can be reasonably correlated to higher user numbers. Exceptions occur in both directions, to be sure—oldbies act out, and newbies catch on quickly, and recently-joined-longtime-lurkers get n00b flack based on ill-assumptions—but there is nothing surprising or even unreasonable about building expectations based on usernumber.
The merit of different methods of acting upon those assumptions is certainly debatable, of course. But the fundamental notion of usernumber-discernable "seniority" as a general concept is sound.
posted by cortex at 3:36 PM on July 14, 2006
It shames me mightily to say that I reallyreally like the pumpkin cheesecake with the walnutty crust that they have at The Olive Garden in the fall.
posted by ersatzkat at 3:56 PM on July 14, 2006
posted by ersatzkat at 3:56 PM on July 14, 2006
LarryC writes 'Anybody have a favorite recipe for pina coladas?'
Gather together rum, ice, coconut milk and pineapple. Pour rum over ice. Throw away coconut milk and pineapple. Top up with rum. Serve.
And I'm pretty certain that Public isn't a sockpuppet, seeing as how I've met him and he's actually a decent chap.
posted by blag at 3:57 PM on July 14, 2006
Gather together rum, ice, coconut milk and pineapple. Pour rum over ice. Throw away coconut milk and pineapple. Top up with rum. Serve.
And I'm pretty certain that Public isn't a sockpuppet, seeing as how I've met him and he's actually a decent chap.
posted by blag at 3:57 PM on July 14, 2006
Re: Harry and David, they messed up a Christmas order I made once. I ordered a month before and it arrived two days after Christmas. I haven't ordered from them again.
posted by halonine at 4:13 PM on July 14, 2006
posted by halonine at 4:13 PM on July 14, 2006
You know what really cracks me up? The idea of "seniority" at a website - as if it means something. I've been surfing mefi for a few years and never bothered to pay - but when you do pay, suddenly you're a noob.
I also agree that seniority has never meant much around here. Not because there aren't stupid new people coming in, but because there are lots of smart new people coming in and always have been.
However, if there is a concept of "seniority," it's not based on when you started "paying," it's based on when you started participating. There is a difference between lurking and participating. This doesn't mean your first comment will be a stupid one, but there is a rubicon which is crossed when you actually begin engaging and producing versus just consuming.
posted by scarabic at 4:43 PM on July 14, 2006
I also agree that seniority has never meant much around here. Not because there aren't stupid new people coming in, but because there are lots of smart new people coming in and always have been.
However, if there is a concept of "seniority," it's not based on when you started "paying," it's based on when you started participating. There is a difference between lurking and participating. This doesn't mean your first comment will be a stupid one, but there is a rubicon which is crossed when you actually begin engaging and producing versus just consuming.
posted by scarabic at 4:43 PM on July 14, 2006
In other words, you can't possibly lurk long enough to gain complete confidence in what will happen when you finally do post. The community will surprise you, and your own blinders about yourself will suddenly become obvious.
posted by scarabic at 4:46 PM on July 14, 2006
posted by scarabic at 4:46 PM on July 14, 2006
scarabic is right. I lurked from almost the first few months, but until I started posting I was such newb. Maybe I still am. Passively taking something in never compares to participation.
posted by caddis at 5:31 PM on July 14, 2006
posted by caddis at 5:31 PM on July 14, 2006
Yes, scarabic is right. Even if he's not a 14Ker.
posted by languagehat at 5:46 PM on July 14, 2006
posted by languagehat at 5:46 PM on July 14, 2006
Marshmallows, which contain gelatin, are not strictly vegetarian.
That is all.
posted by amro at 6:12 PM on July 14, 2006
That is all.
posted by amro at 6:12 PM on July 14, 2006
I do agree with cortex and scarabic. However, the STFU NOOB stuff that sometimes shows up here often doesn't apply. In some ways, its very "highschool" to presume that just because someone has a low user number they are somehow "better" - and that's the distinct impression that's left - than someone than a higher user number. That's where I see a disconnect. How can you "rank" on metafilter? Does a lower user number offer a certain cliqueness? Does user xxxx have more weight than user xxxxx? Why do I care? I don't, really. As I said, it was an observation and really not a very astute one, at that.
I think it's interesting, that's all. A mirror of meatlife, for sure.
posted by disclaimer at 6:36 PM on July 14, 2006
I think it's interesting, that's all. A mirror of meatlife, for sure.
posted by disclaimer at 6:36 PM on July 14, 2006
Nobody ever gets "stfu noob" just for their high user number. Only when their high user number is accompanied by certain (e.g., clueless, dickish, beating-a-dead-horse) behavior.
posted by Gator at 6:48 PM on July 14, 2006
posted by Gator at 6:48 PM on July 14, 2006
Stuff the vegetable cheesecake - it's all about the toblerone flavoured cheesecake... mmmmmmmm....
posted by jonathanstrange at 8:44 PM on July 14, 2006
posted by jonathanstrange at 8:44 PM on July 14, 2006
I do agree with cortex and scarabic. However, the STFU NOOB stuff that sometimes shows up here often doesn't apply. In some ways, its very "highschool" to presume that just because someone has a low user number they are somehow "better" - and that's the distinct impression that's left - than someone than a higher user number.
For the record, I agree with that completely. I also agree with Gator's clarification, though—while there may be isolated incidents of pure usernumberist assholery, on the whole we see the usernumber cited in the context of cluetrain violations.
I can't believe I just used "cluetrain" with a relatively straight face. The fact is, I like the word and wish it wasn't so tarnished by age and overuse.
posted by cortex at 8:55 PM on July 14, 2006
For the record, I agree with that completely. I also agree with Gator's clarification, though—while there may be isolated incidents of pure usernumberist assholery, on the whole we see the usernumber cited in the context of cluetrain violations.
I can't believe I just used "cluetrain" with a relatively straight face. The fact is, I like the word and wish it wasn't so tarnished by age and overuse.
posted by cortex at 8:55 PM on July 14, 2006
*grabs railing on caboose of cluetrain - gets dragged down cluetrack, gets cluescrapes*
posted by disclaimer at 6:12 AM on July 15, 2006
posted by disclaimer at 6:12 AM on July 15, 2006
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posted by public at 5:18 AM on July 14, 2006