Official 9/11 thread for 2006?

September 10, 2006 11:11 AM

Are we going to have one official 9/11 thread again, like we've had in the past? or just a ton of separate posts? We have a lot more new people since last time and it'd be good to make it clear.
posted by amberglow to MetaFilter-Related at 11:11 AM (101 comments total)

and whatever it is, we should sidebar it so people know.
posted by amberglow at 11:12 AM on September 10, 2006

This sounds like a lot of micro management, for no good reason.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 11:17 AM on September 10, 2006

This sounds like a pre-emptive defense strategy.
posted by Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese at 11:25 AM on September 10, 2006

9/11 9/11 9/11 yawn
posted by fourcheesemac at 11:30 AM on September 10, 2006

in 05, there was just one-- in 02 and 03 and 04 there were separate ones. In 01 there was a giant one, and i believe many dupes were deleted that day as well (it was before my time).

No one needs to micro-manage--people just need to post in that thread instead of making a separate one for each related thing. This anniversary is inescapable, so many will want to post, and many of us also want not to have to see a whole front page of 9/11 posts.

and what Kraftmatic said.
posted by amberglow at 11:33 AM on September 10, 2006

If the separate, individual posts are strong enough to stand on their own, then what's the problem? Yeah, the front page will be a bit flooded for a day. And I hate Slashdot on April Fool's. It's one day out of 365.
posted by cribcage at 11:37 AM on September 10, 2006

I recommend we do a thread with just periods. We tend to get heated with our 9/11 threads every year, so I suggest we hush up and just be quiet.
posted by wheelieman at 11:41 AM on September 10, 2006

cribcage : "If the separate, individual posts are strong enough to stand on their own, then what's the problem?"

Here's your answer:

cribcage : "the front page will be a bit flooded for a day."

Not the end of the world, by any means, but if you already know the answer, why do you ask?
posted by Bugbread at 11:41 AM on September 10, 2006

Shouldn't we wait to see what the terrorists do on monday first, or is that what got us into this mess first?
posted by furtive at 11:52 AM on September 10, 2006

I hadn't anticipated anyone would analyze my rather simple comment with quite such schoolmarm-ish fastidiousness. However, if someone were inclined, I'd hope that before requesting help or clarification from the source, he'd attempt to apply his own deduction to the question.

Why would he ask, if he already knew the answer — indeed, if he were going to state that answer in the very next sentence. Perhaps he's a fool. But perhaps not — and since I'd like to be given the benefit of the doubt in such a matter, I shall afford him the same. Hmm. Perhaps I should consider the rhetorical function...yes, perhaps he intended it as a rhetorical question, simply a different means of stating that he, personally, did not consider the situation to be problematic in such a way so as to require action toward solution. "What's the problem," he says, as if to give a verbal shrug. Ah-ha! Yes, now, reading it again, it makes perfect sense. I've solved another one!

See? Critical thinking is awesome.
posted by cribcage at 11:56 AM on September 10, 2006 [2 favorites]

Let's not have any.
posted by Ethereal Bligh at 12:16 PM on September 10, 2006

No kidding. That's all the mainstream media(tm) is going to talk about on Monday anyway.
posted by clevershark at 12:20 PM on September 10, 2006

It will be interesting to see if Dumbya, in his thinly veiled campaign speeches on the day, will still try to tie 9-11 to his misadventure in Iraq.
posted by Cranberry at 12:42 PM on September 10, 2006

MetaTalk: Critical thinking is awesome. Let's not have any.
posted by loquacious at 12:53 PM on September 10, 2006

It will be interesting to see if Dumbya

Yep, everyone's waiting with bated breath.
posted by justgary at 12:53 PM on September 10, 2006

It will be interesting aggravating to see if how often Dumbya, in his thinly veiled campaign speeches on the day, will still try to tie 9-11 to his misadventure in Iraq.
posted by thatweirdguy2 at 12:58 PM on September 10, 2006

Um, wait...

It will be interesting aggravating to see Dumbya in his thinly veiled campaign speeches on the day will still try to tie 9-11 to his misadventure in Iraq.
posted by thatweirdguy2 at 1:01 PM on September 10, 2006

*sets alarm clock to 12.01 am*
posted by pyramid termite at 1:01 PM on September 10, 2006

If you think 11 Sep 2001 was bad, wait until you see 4 Oct 2017. Ooops, I've said to much already! Curse my time-travelling mouth!
posted by blue_beetle at 1:23 PM on September 10, 2006 [2 favorites]

Um, is something going to happen on 9/11? No? Then probably we shouldn't.
posted by delmoi at 1:43 PM on September 10, 2006

Can we have an official 9/11 cocktail. I mean, there's an Irish car bomb. We should be able to come up with something about as good.
posted by Astro Zombie at 1:49 PM on September 10, 2006

Can we have an official 9/11 cocktail

I think this is a fantastic idea. Can I request something containing vodka?

And I like the one thread idea (actually I like the dot thread idea the best) because really, I'm super un-PC and really sick of hearing about 9/11.
posted by echo0720 at 1:56 PM on September 10, 2006

cribcage : "I'd hope that before requesting help or clarification from the source, he'd attempt to apply his own deduction to the question."

I did. And I went through the same process that your theoretical me did. And I got to the "he's using a rhetorical question as a way to say that he doesn't see there as being a problem" step. And then I thought:

Ok, fine, I understand that he doesn't think it's a problem, but why the hell would he then go and give an example of how it's a problem? If he wanted to be rhetorical, he would've said 'What's the problem? It's not like the front page isn't big enough to handle a few extra posts.' But he didn't. He went and made a clear rhetorical question, but then shot it down by providing material which countered his rhetorical and weakened his own statement. Fuck it, I'm not going to sit here trying to figure out if there are layers within layers, or if he just sucks at expressing himself. I'll just point out that the sentence following his rhetorical statement weakens that rhetorical statement, and hopefully next time he'll just say what he means instead of trying rhetorical statements that he's not very good at.

posted by Bugbread at 2:01 PM on September 10, 2006

echo0720 : "I'm super un-PC and really sick of hearing about 9/11."

Political Correctness = language that is calculated to provide a minimum of offense, particularly to the racial, cultural, or other identity groups being described

And this relates to 9/11 how? What, do we call it "9/11" instead of "September 11" because we're trying to spare the feelings of people with lisps?
posted by Bugbread at 2:04 PM on September 10, 2006

It's always tricky with big news stories trying to figure out what's worth its own post and what really should be rolled into existing posts. I tend towards keeping discussion at least a little corralled [like we did, finally, on day 3 of the Karl Rovegate flood of posts] but it really depends on what people post in the morning. If one thread seems to really be the definitive 9/11 thread, then sure we'd try to direct attention towards it. If there are a few smaller threads that have their own momentum, I don't see any problem with leaving them.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 2:05 PM on September 10, 2006

Please explain to me how newsfilter from five years ago will, preemptively, be the best of the web tomorrow and not today.

I don't mean to be rude about it, but this is really best suited to one's own web-log.
posted by Eideteker at 2:12 PM on September 10, 2006

Or your own news-letter.
posted by Astro Zombie at 2:15 PM on September 10, 2006 [1 favorite]

bugbread : "hopefully next time he'll just say what he means instead of trying rhetorical statements that he's not very good at."

Which just goes to show that I fucked up in the same way, as you didn't catch that my question was actual a rhetorical statement. I should have just skipped the rhetorical and said "Cortex, it doesn't make much sense to follow a rhetorical question meant to show that you don't see there as being problems with an example of a problem that might occur."

So next time I'll skip the rhetorical question.
posted by Bugbread at 2:19 PM on September 10, 2006

Whoops!!! Cortex -> Cribcage. Sorry, Cortex!
posted by Bugbread at 2:25 PM on September 10, 2006

actually I like the dot thread idea the best

i don't think that would be very interesting or valuable ... surely we can come up with something to say ...
posted by pyramid termite at 2:46 PM on September 10, 2006

Can we have an official 9/11 cocktail

Presumably it will involve setting two straws on fire.
posted by languagehat at 2:51 PM on September 10, 2006 [2 favorites]

pyramid termite : "surely we can come up with something to say ..."

MeFi should be about finding interesting things on the web, and sharing them. It shouldn't be about finding things to say.
posted by Bugbread at 3:10 PM on September 10, 2006 [1 favorite]

I hear the "Path to 9/11" telepic's edits are nearly complete. The lookalike actors have been ditched, and the network's going with fully digitized versions of Bob Hope and Bing Crosby.
posted by Smart Dalek at 3:24 PM on September 10, 2006

i don't think you can call a 5 year anniversary of something "the best of the web" ... nor, for that matter, a bunch of people posting dots

some might say that the opinions of (mostly) intelligent people are one of those interesting things on the web

otherwise, why enable comments at all?
posted by pyramid termite at 3:27 PM on September 10, 2006

Whoops!!! Cortex -> Cribcage. Sorry, Cortex!

Is this what it's like to be dios?
posted by cortex at 3:40 PM on September 10, 2006

MeFi should be about finding interesting things on the web, and sharing them. It shouldn't be about finding things to say.

I'll just repeat that a few more times for good measure.

MeFi should be about finding interesting things on the web, and sharing them. It shouldn't be about finding things to say.

MeFi should be about finding interesting things on the web, and sharing them. It shouldn't be about finding things to say.

Although, I'm thinking about making the next couple of days (damn you, international date line) an internet, radio and TV free zone to be honest, so you can probably post whatever you like to the blue and it won't disturb me. If that's what you were concerned about. Never fear, Jimbob won't be disturbed!

Update: I've just discovered the bottle of milk in my fridge goes off on September 11. How freaky is that, man?
posted by Jimbob at 3:47 PM on September 10, 2006

Wow, two burning straws in a drink, languagehat? Wow. I can imagine such a drink, and now I'm scared.
posted by cgc373 at 3:53 PM on September 10, 2006

No 9/11 posts. Pointless.
posted by Joeforking at 4:08 PM on September 10, 2006 [1 favorite]

Post them all separately--on a different site.
posted by LarryC at 4:10 PM on September 10, 2006

Anyone else planning on avoiding all live media for about 3 days?

My wife has to fly for business tomorrow. Same as she had to five years ago that day. Fuck 9-11, I've got a baby to take care of.
posted by nanojath at 4:21 PM on September 10, 2006

It's always tricky with big news stories trying to figure out what's worth its own post and what really should be rolled into existing posts. [...]
posted by jessamyn at 2:05 PM PST on September 10 [+] [!]

True, and if any big news happens tomorrow, I'm sure it'll wind up on the front page, as it should.
posted by diddlegnome at 4:32 PM on September 10, 2006

If it wasn't for this thread, we might have had the MetaTalk-free day.
posted by danb at 4:40 PM on September 10, 2006

Update: I've just discovered the bottle of milk in my fridge goes off on September 11. How freaky is that, man?

So does my orange juice!! We're doomed, Jimbob.
posted by echo0720 at 4:44 PM on September 10, 2006

If it wasn't for this thread, we might have had the MetaTalk-free day.

Some day Matt will have his pony.
posted by loquacious at 4:50 PM on September 10, 2006

Why would a 9/11 cocktail have a commie liquor in it? It should just be a Manhattan with the aforementioned two burning straws.
posted by Loto at 5:12 PM on September 10, 2006 [2 favorites]

Why would a 9/11 cocktail have a commie liquor in it?

Because I like said commie liquor.

However, the manhattan + 2 straws idea could also work.
posted by echo0720 at 5:26 PM on September 10, 2006

It should just be a Manhattan with the aforementioned two burning straws.

Brilliant.
posted by Astro Zombie at 5:40 PM on September 10, 2006

Anyone else planning on avoiding all live media for about 3 days?

*raises hand*
posted by jason's_planet at 5:50 PM on September 10, 2006

"Political Correctness = language that is calculated to provide a minimum of offense, particularly to the racial, cultural, or other identity groups being described

"And this relates to 9/11 how? What, do we call it '9/11' instead of 'September 11' because we're trying to spare the feelings of people with lisps?"

I dared a friend to go see World Trade Center and laugh loudly. I think that's what he means when he says non-PC.
posted by graventy at 6:21 PM on September 10, 2006

Looks like we have the official 9/11 thread right here..
posted by strawberryviagra at 6:28 PM on September 10, 2006

"Update: I've just discovered the bottle of milk in my fridge goes off on September 11. How freaky is that, man?"

If your fucking milk is going to go off, you had better fucking run, man! Jesus Christ!
posted by mr_crash_davis at 6:28 PM on September 10, 2006

It should just be a Manhattan with the aforementioned two burning straws.

But to truly do it justice, you have to drink them until you fall down.
posted by five fresh fish at 6:31 PM on September 10, 2006

For all the "I don't want it" in this thread, we know that a swarm of assholes are going to crapflood the front page tomorrow in an attempt to show how sensitive they are.

For me, everything changed on 8/01/04.


posted by Mayor Curley at 6:51 PM on September 10, 2006

The 9/11 drink can be anything, just as long as you serve it in two tall glasses that have to be chugged in 10 seconds or less each.

Now where's that handbasket?..
posted by clevershark at 7:09 PM on September 10, 2006

So, I think we've established the ciritcal point after which it's okay to take the piss out of tragic events is five years. Well done all. I'm hoping for an FPP of a website of 9/11 jokes, myself.
posted by Jimbob at 7:13 PM on September 10, 2006

A Manhattan with two burning straws = a 9/11 or a September 11. This sounds surprisingly plausible, to me.
posted by cgc373 at 7:36 PM on September 10, 2006

i'm not going to do an fpp for 9/11 jokes ... however, i did find some ... (if you think these could be tasteless and offensive, you're right, so don't bother clicking and don't complain to me, because i warned you)
posted by pyramid termite at 7:42 PM on September 10, 2006

Well, I think I'm not alone in saying that since all the rest of the media will be a 9/11 frenzy tomorrow, it would be nice to corral everything into one spot here. Just to have a respite from it all, not to demean anything. Quite frankly, if the primary motivation behind the story is that it's being published exactly 5 years after the event, I think it should probably just be cut completely. But in order to avoid the "Why did my 9/11 post get dumped" whining, a "post this in the other 9/11 thread" would probably be good.
posted by MrZero at 8:38 PM on September 10, 2006

... do we call it "9/11" instead of "September 11" because we're trying to spare the feelings of people with lisps?
No, we do it to piss off the people with numeracy issues.
posted by dg at 8:42 PM on September 10, 2006

9/11 Cocktail:

1 part Jet fuel
1 part Rubble
1 part Tears
1 part Oil
1 part Flame-retardant foam
1 Cherry
Dusting of suspicious white powder

Mix in a shaker, and serve in a broken jagged edge glass. Before drinking report yourself to Fox News, and CIA.

Optional: flame before drinking.
posted by oxford blue at 8:44 PM on September 10, 2006

My 9/11 drink will be a Tower Topped cocktail, except flambé.
posted by Astro Zombie at 8:52 PM on September 10, 2006

2 glasses, shirley.


I've been on MeFi vacation for a week, so what's one more day going to hurt?
posted by NinjaTadpole at 8:57 PM on September 10, 2006

oxford: where's the goat?
posted by Tuwa at 8:59 PM on September 10, 2006

the goat's in iraq ...
posted by pyramid termite at 9:05 PM on September 10, 2006

It's after midnight EST, can we make this the official 9/11 thread?
posted by marxchivist at 9:07 PM on September 10, 2006

9/11 and Metafilter have an important connection and there are many of us who first found this site because of 10034 and the intelligent threads and debate on the subject in the days and months that followed.

I agree with amberglow - it should be recognised and done so in an orderly fashion.
posted by Samuel Farrow at 9:56 PM on September 10, 2006

...That doesn't look good.
posted by rcade at 12:01 AM AEST on September 12 [+] [!]

Understatement of the decade, methinks.

It's rather chilling reading that thread.
posted by oxford blue at 10:05 PM on September 10, 2006

Looks like we have our thread(s).
posted by Effigy2000 at 12:10 AM on September 11, 2006

What, do we call it "9/11" instead of "September 11" because we're trying to spare the feelings of people with lisps?
posted by bugbread

And here I thought it was just a branding exercise.
posted by bouncebounce at 2:35 AM on September 11, 2006

But how can America heal from its injuries unless MetaFilter discusses 9/11 this 9/11? Please don't deny the US—nay, all of humanity—this irreplaceable resource.
posted by Ethereal Bligh at 3:08 AM on September 11, 2006

I would like to suggest that the events of which this is the anniversary be hereafter referred to only using more descriptive phrases like this: "The deadly and terrifying attacks on New York City, and other places in the United States, which confused and frightened the world in September of 2001." Having to use that many words might even encourage more careful and appropriate use of references to the subject.

I'm trying very hard to maintain my brain in proper working condition, where on hearing "nine eleven" my first thought is "Porsche", but you guys aren't making it easy.
posted by sfenders at 4:22 AM on September 11, 2006

Okay, I've shat in two. I'll stop - and ignore the rest.
Effigy2000 - great post.
posted by tellurian at 5:15 AM on September 11, 2006

Is everyone just going to shit in all the 9/11 posts today? Or are you waiting for one that is worthy of... of what exactly?
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 5:22 AM on September 11, 2006

Is this the worthy one?
posted by thirteenkiller at 5:35 AM on September 11, 2006

I think everyone will shit in mine.
posted by wheelieman at 5:38 AM on September 11, 2006

I thought about it, but 9/11's kinda the sacred cow I guess. I wouldn't wanna look like an asshole or anything.
posted by thirteenkiller at 5:39 AM on September 11, 2006

Is this the worthy one?
Since he already set up the rules for his thread, can someone just make a program that adds a "." post attributed to each MeFi member and then close the thread? It'll create the illusion wheelieman wants and avoid all of problems. That way nobody can step out of line and reflect on how their lives were changed, mention a lost loved one, give a first account, post a link to a relevant site, or anything else uncalled for.
posted by Slack-a-gogo at 5:49 AM on September 11, 2006

i guess i was wrong ... we really don't have anything worthwhile to say, judging from what's been posted so far
posted by pyramid termite at 6:14 AM on September 11, 2006

Jessamyn: what I would want in a 9/11 post: one that is thoughtful, sincere, unmanipulative, and willing to take the event as something brought about by people with reasons (insane, hateful, murderous reasons, but reasons nonetheless) instead of a causeless and unpredictable tragedy, now treated as a bit of narcissistic gore fetishism showing the world how noble we are in the face of our victimization.

Instead, the news generally wants to imply (or even state outright) that it was unavoidable and unpredictable, and that we're somehow unique in facing terrorism, and that we've recovered remarkably well in spite of it. And none of those are true.

So what I would want in a 9/11 post doesn't matter, not just because it doesn't matter in general, but also because I don't want a 9/11 post at all. It's a Pavlovian reaction, sure; only for the last five years there's been a lot of bullshit on the news, and every year a bell goes "ding" and the smell gets worse.
posted by Tuwa at 6:25 AM on September 11, 2006 [1 favorite]

jessamyn writes "Or are you waiting for one that is worthy of... of what exactly?"

Being posted, presumably.
posted by Bugbread at 6:37 AM on September 11, 2006

"True, and if any big news happens tomorrow, I'm sure it'll wind up on the front page, as it should."

Right, because this is NewsFilter.com.

Keep your news OFF my MetaFilter. Keep your news, with all its political opinions, rhetorical questions, and inane debate; to your own damn self. Or register your own site and post it to projects. Keep your news OFF my MetaFilter.
posted by Eideteker at 6:39 AM on September 11, 2006

How could anyone possibly think this thread or the one in the blue would go over well?
posted by mds35 at 6:40 AM on September 11, 2006

Is everyone just going to shit in all the 9/11 posts today? Or are you waiting for one that is worthy of... of what exactly?
I said I'd stop.
Yes, I would like to see something worthy. I expect it will come. Metafilter hasn't ever let me down in that respect (polishing diamonds from the rough). It may not be to everyone's expectations/liking, but it will touch me and others and a great thread will be generated… those two early posts were weak, but I overreacted, sorry.
posted by tellurian at 6:46 AM on September 11, 2006

Well, that's 3. How many more can people churn out? 10? 15?
posted by bob sarabia at 6:51 AM on September 11, 2006

This one really needs deleting. It's a single link back to the MeFi post from the day itself. If that needs to be posted anywhere, it should be here in the grey.

There may be scope for a good September 11th post, but thus far we've only got posts trying to claim the title of 'The MeFi September 11th Post 2006'. Which is lame.
posted by MrMustard at 6:58 AM on September 11, 2006

.
posted by Fuzzy Monster at 7:02 AM on September 11, 2006

Is everyone just going to shit in all the 9/11 posts today? Or are you waiting for one that is worthy of... of what exactly?

which is why I asked this in the first place. : <
posted by amberglow at 7:04 AM on September 11, 2006

Keep your news OFF my MetaFilter.

Feel free to post your news on my MetaFilter! I like newsfilter! Metafilter people have interesting things to say about current events and I like to read it.
posted by thirteenkiller at 7:17 AM on September 11, 2006

sfenders writes "I'm trying very hard to maintain my brain in proper working condition, where on hearing 'nine eleven' my first thought is 'Porsche', but you guys aren't making it easy."

Glad I'm not the only one.
posted by Mitheral at 7:20 AM on September 11, 2006

Well, um, I didn't read this thread before I made my post. Damn me.
posted by ereshkigal45 at 7:33 AM on September 11, 2006

Ooh, and I want one about when George Lucas totally ruined the Star Wars movies when he made Greedo shoot first so Han wouldn't be a true scoundrel Old West-style who just shoots dudes who might shoot him, which we all know he was!
posted by cgc373 at 1:52 PM on September 11, 2006

fyi, i didn't ask for a dot-remembrance thread--i just wanted one central thread for everything--links, dots, snarks, sadness, anger, remembrance, fights, tears, etc--a catch-all.

I still wish it had happened and hope next year it can.
posted by amberglow at 3:47 PM on September 11, 2006

wheelieman, it was a nice try tho--just a little heavyhanded and restricted--thanks.
posted by amberglow at 3:54 PM on September 11, 2006

i just wanted one central thread for everything--[Good] links, dots, snarks, sadness, anger, remembrance, fights, tears, etc--a catch-all.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 7:57 PM on September 11, 2006

Ok, so we made a pigs ear of remembering the 3,000-odd folks killed in the WTC. Hopefully we can do a better job in our memorial thread for the 180,000-odd folks killed in the tsunami in 2004. You all remember what day that happened, of course?
posted by Bugbread at 9:02 PM on September 11, 2006

nope bug--we're not reminded over and over of the tsunami every single day by this administration in all forms of media since it happened. I don't think there's been even a single day where an administration official --or part of their noise machine--hasn't mentioned 9/11 since then.
posted by amberglow at 8:44 AM on September 12, 2006

True. So, while I can understand people personally memorializing friends and family lost in the New York attack, everyone else participating is just participating in a big administration wankfest.
posted by Bugbread at 8:59 AM on September 12, 2006

or they just care that "we had to destroy the country (this one) in order to save it (from TERROR!!!!!)" is the ongoing policy of this government.
posted by amberglow at 9:15 AM on September 12, 2006

and, of course, many of us inhaled pulverized people and buildings that day and will never forget that.

It's not that any reason is worthy or not or worthwhile or not--it's that the events of that day continue to be used, and continue to be omnipresent--it was inevitable that there would be posts yesterday, and i was hoping there could be just one.
posted by amberglow at 9:20 AM on September 12, 2006

I started this thread asking about it, and it didn't happen--it's not the first time, and won't be the last.

Same time next year, bug? : <
posted by amberglow at 9:23 AM on September 12, 2006

amberglow writes "or they just care that 'we had to destroy the country (this one) in order to save it (from TERROR!!!!!)' is the ongoing policy of this government."

Nono, that I totally get and understand, but I'm talking about memorial threads for the people killed in 9/11 itself. The usual "goddamnit, Bush, stop fucking this country up" threads generally happen distributed throughout the year. What happens on 9/11 that's different than other days is threads specifically about "remembering those who died X years ago today". Those are the threads which I consider to have quite a lot of administration wanking, not the random other 9/11 related posts that appear on other random days.

And none of this is in relationship to your desire to keep everything collected in one thread, which, by the way, I think is a very good idea.
posted by Bugbread at 10:36 AM on September 12, 2006