Delegation July 31, 2007 10:56 AM Subscribe

Strangely, my answer to this ridiculous question was favorited 17 times, then deleted. The answer was sincere, if not hyperbolic. Should I just email the admins directly next time I disagree with what I perceive to be ~~out of control~~ heavy-handed decimation? Thanks.
posted by four panels to Etiquette/Policy at 10:56 AM (240 comments total) 1 user marked this as a favorite

I don't know. What are you asking me for?
posted by ND¢ at 11:01 AM on July 31, 2007

Should I just email the admins directly next time

That, or suck it up and deal.
posted by dersins at 11:01 AM on July 31, 2007

Your answer, for the record was

"Make of list of names/machines within range.

Then punch them all in the face while yelling, somewhat quizzically, "webcam, motherfucker?", and see who talks though the blood and shame."

If you don't understand why that's not appropriate for AskMe, you should possibly stay out of AskMe until you can figure out how it works a little better. And yes, you should email the admins next time.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 11:03 AM on July 31, 2007 [10 favorites]

I flagged it. I don't think beating people in the face until they are bleeding is a helpful answer. AskMe is not a popularity contest.
posted by Roger Dodger at 11:03 AM on July 31, 2007 [1 favorite]

Yes.

Hopefully my sincere answer to this ridiculous question will be favorited 17 times then deleted as well.
posted by dios at 11:04 AM on July 31, 2007 [45 favorites]

you got 4pan in my AskMe.
posted by grobstein at 11:04 AM on July 31, 2007

You want funny to be allowed in askme? You probably don't like the Latin mass either.
posted by found missing at 11:09 AM on July 31, 2007 [4 favorites]

Lamest obituary thread ever.
posted by Smart Dalek at 11:10 AM on July 31, 2007 [2 favorites]

Whats funny is that many people were not even answering his actual question which was "How do I determine the range on this thing?"

This led to this series of comments later in the thread:

What was the point of this askme if the OP ripped out the camera before posting the question and is now going to confront a possible perpetrator in direct contradiction of all the sensible advice on this thread? ValidateMeFilter?
posted by Justinian at 10:19 AM on July 31 [+] [!]

...

Justinian, he didn't ask for the advice we've given. He wanted to know how to figure out the range on the camera.
posted by Eringatang at 10:35 AM on July 31 [+] [!]
posted by vacapinta at 11:11 AM on July 31, 2007

Thanks for the quick response, jessamyn.

I think I'll take a break for a while, not so much for the machine gun deletions, but because I find it a little creepy that you've wrapped yourself into Metafilter to the point where you're having a Meetup at your own house.
posted by four panels at 11:17 AM on July 31, 2007 [2 favorites]

Vacapinta - that's true, but, how are we to answer the range question without even knowing the manufacturer of the camera?

The lack of details (who made the camera? How big is the office?) made me secondguess answering at all, because it seemed like a fake question.
posted by These Penises Are Alarmed at 11:17 AM on July 31, 2007

I flagged it as a joke answer. If I were you, I'd stick with the story that you were joking.
posted by hermitosis at 11:18 AM on July 31, 2007

Dude, my cubemate just tried to punch me in the face! Luckily, I saw him coming on my handy webcam.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 11:18 AM on July 31, 2007 [29 favorites]

I find it a little creepy that you've wrapped yourself into Metafilter to the point where you're having a Meetup at your own house.

Well, thanks for not being a dick about the whole thing.
posted by found missing at 11:22 AM on July 31, 2007 [9 favorites]

Having a MeFi meetup at your own house = creepy behavior.

Punch[ing] them all in the face while yelling, somewhat quizzically, "webcam, motherfucker?", and see who talks though the blood and shame = perfectly acceptable behavior.

Does not compute.
posted by googly at 11:24 AM on July 31, 2007 [10 favorites]

I think people who volunteer to take a break should be given a little help with a mandatory timeout. Or "If you say it, you should mean it." Especially when criticizing somebody for hosting a party.
posted by Roger Dodger at 11:24 AM on July 31, 2007 [1 favorite]

Should I just email the admins directly next time I disagree with what I perceive to be ~~out of control~~ heavy-handed decimation?

No, just punch each of the admins in the face while yelling, somewhat quizzically, "deletion, motherfucker?", and see who talks though the blood and shame."
posted by rocket88 at 11:24 AM on July 31, 2007 [5 favorites]

I find it a little creepy that you've wrapped yourself into Metafilter to the point where you're having a Meetup at your own house.

Thanks for the relevant and insightful commentary.

On preview, what found missing said.
posted by CitrusFreak12 at 11:24 AM on July 31, 2007

The lack of details (who made the camera? How big is the office?) made me secondguess answering at all, because it seemed like a fake question.

The OP's follow-up made me pretty sure of this.
posted by frobozz at 11:24 AM on July 31, 2007

I think I'll take a break for a while, not so much for the machine gun deletions, but because I find it a little creepy that you've wrapped yourself into Metafilter to the point where you're having a Meetup at your own house.

Look, you're obviously an asshole who can't keep their dumbass joke answers to themselves. The door is over there.
posted by puke & cry at 11:25 AM on July 31, 2007

I think I'll take a break for a while, not so much for the machine gun deletions, but because I find it a little creepy that you've wrapped yourself into Metafilter to the point where you're having a Meetup at your own house.

Oh, that is rich. What the fuck does that have to do with anything?
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 11:26 AM on July 31, 2007

I think I'll take a break for a while, not so much for the machine gun deletions, but because I find it a little creepy that you've wrapped yourself into Metafilter to the point where you're having a Meetup at your own house.

Nooooo, don't go! You're the glue!

If the rest of your AskMe responses are as worthless as that one was - or as shitty as many of your petulant MeTa posts/comments are, I doubt you'll be missed.

Dammit, so much for my resolution not to play in MeTa anymore.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 11:26 AM on July 31, 2007

I would totally have a meetup at my house, except:

1. I live in Greenpoint, and no one wants to take the G train, even though it's not that bad I swear.

2. If it's at my house I can't look around, be disappointed in which users actually showed up, and then just leave.

3. My neighbors already think I conduct some sort of geek sleeper-cell as it is.
posted by hermitosis at 11:27 AM on July 31, 2007 [5 favorites]

meetup at four panel's.
posted by Stynxno at 11:30 AM on July 31, 2007 [3 favorites]

I think I'll take a break for a while, not so much for the machine gun deletions, but because I find it a little creepy that you've wrapped yourself into Metafilter to the point where you're having a Meetup at your own house.

OOOOH BURN.

Seriously, what's next, a "yo mama" joke? I've seen better flame-out insults from fifth-graders.
posted by pineapple at 11:30 AM on July 31, 2007 [1 favorite]

I find it a little creepy that you've wrapped yourself into Metafilter to the point where you're having a Meetup at your own house.

If you've ever bothered to visit Jessamyn's website you'll see that for years she's had an open invitation for people who read her weblog to drop by her Vermont house if they're in that part of the world.

Sounds cozy and friendly and the mark of an open person who sees the best in people.

You, however, are here defending a "sincere" answer about punching people in the face. I'm pretty sure I know who the creepy person is in this instance..
posted by vacapinta at 11:30 AM on July 31, 2007 [1 favorite]

This is my favorite part, where we get to see how long the self-exiled member can resist the lure of the grey...
posted by amro at 11:31 AM on July 31, 2007 [4 favorites]

meetup at four panel's.

I don't know if there'll be room for everyone under that rock.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 11:31 AM on July 31, 2007 [2 favorites]

meetup at four panel's.

I'll bring the webcams and fake weiners!
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 11:31 AM on July 31, 2007

..."I find it a little creepy that you've wrapped yourself into Metafilter to the point where you're having a Meetup at your own house.

MEMO TO ALL METAFILTERIANS: YOU MAY NO LONGER HAVE MEETUPS AT YOUR OWN HOUSES. THAT IS LIKE SELF-LINKING. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
posted by brownpau at 11:33 AM on July 31, 2007 [11 favorites]

Sometimes I post comments in threads so I can follow them on my recent activity page.
posted by chunking express at 11:35 AM on July 31, 2007 [4 favorites]

I'm wondering why my comments were deleted please? they were a note to the poster to remove his full name from his user profile, since I could find his work site (and a description of his picture there, but very general, to confirm to him that it was his work site, but nothing anybody could find without his full name in the profile once it'd been removed), and a suggestion to contact someone w. the same last name who also worked at the company and was likely a relative. I made an effort to protect the man's privacy, it was a legitimate warning relevant to the thread (although not a technical answer about the webcam - is this why?) and the OP thanked me for it. Was it to protect his privacy?
posted by By The Grace of God at 11:37 AM on July 31, 2007

I find it a little creepy that you've wrapped yourself into Metafilter to the point where you're having a Meetup at your own house.

That was pretty rude.
posted by caddis at 11:39 AM on July 31, 2007

So wait, we are judging people's sanity based on the location of their planned meetups? Because I was just about to announce a Mefi-meetup in my pants.

What does that say about me?
posted by quin at 11:41 AM on July 31, 2007 [2 favorites]

What is wrong with hosting a meet-up? Seems like a nice, friendly thing to do.

Four Panels, on the other hand, seems like an assface.

*joins the pile-on*
posted by emd3737 at 11:42 AM on July 31, 2007

Was it to protect his privacy?

Yeah, it seemed like once he had fixed that problem it wasn't a great idea to have that comment sitting out there. The OP has an email address in his profile.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 11:43 AM on July 31, 2007

Because I was just about to announce a Mefi-meetup in my pants.
What does that say about me?

That you're a little fishy?
posted by dersins at 11:43 AM on July 31, 2007 [1 favorite]

also I just went to a bunny meetup at someone's house and it was lovely.
posted by By The Grace of God at 11:43 AM on July 31, 2007

I always thought it was really creepy that MeFi didn't have meetups at houses.

Two hours in some noisy bar over a few overpriced drinks is a really shitty way to get to know folks.

One of the things I liked about everything2.com was the multi-day regional meetups where everyone would crash at a host's place - tents, floors, couches, whatever - and spend a few days having fun. Drinking, board games or tabletops, video games, group outings to local features, etc. (And, yes, even hooking up.) It was really , really fun.

Granted, E2's community was much smaller and tightly knit, and getting enough people for a meetup usually meant multiple states were involved and lots of driving.

I really wish you could go back in time and recover that comment, Four Panels. It was really, really juvenile and cheap. And creepy. Really creepy.
posted by loquacious at 11:44 AM on July 31, 2007

Seconded. If that's creepy, then creep me up.
posted by Plutor at 11:44 AM on July 31, 2007

You know, the personal attacks I happen to have seen aimed at jessamyn in the past week or so, by four panels and that fellow who named himself after some low numbers, 2.3.2 or something, are just weak, nonsensical, and creepy.

Does this happen to all the mods, or do crazy people react all the worse when their little precious pearls of irrelevance are deleted by a girl?
posted by ibmcginty at 11:44 AM on July 31, 2007 [4 favorites]

I find it a little creepy that you've wrapped yourself into Metafilter to the point where you're having a Meetup at your own house.

Totally rude and a bit......menacing? as in 'you yanked my comments but I KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE' kind of menacing........
posted by bluesky43 at 11:46 AM on July 31, 2007

Thanks for the quick response. (I think it might be useful to put a note in the faq or somewhere for people to watch their identity when they post personal askmes - i was astounded to see a full name in there!)
posted by By The Grace of God at 11:47 AM on July 31, 2007

I find it a little creepy that you've wrapped yourself into Metafilter to the point where you're having a Meetup at your own house.

If I knew for certain we had another member like you, four panels, I might question the wisdom of this myself.
posted by jamjam at 11:48 AM on July 31, 2007 [1 favorite]

I think I'll take a break for a while, not so much for the machine gun deletions, but because I find it a little creepy that you've wrapped yourself into Metafilter to the point where you're having a Meetup at your own house.

On a flame-out rating scale of 1-10, I rate yours a 4. Please do better with your next account.
posted by cmonkey at 11:51 AM on July 31, 2007 [1 favorite]

All in favor of making four panels walk the plank, aye.
posted by lilithim at 11:52 AM on July 31, 2007

Am I the only one that looked under their desk after reading that question?
posted by Big_B at 11:53 AM on July 31, 2007 [9 favorites]

Have you ever noticed how the overwhelming majority of four panels' meta threads are utter fucking garbage?
posted by shmegegge at 11:56 AM on July 31, 2007

One of the things I liked about everything2.com was the multi-day regional meetups where everyone would crash at a host's place - tents, floors, couches, whatever - and spend a few days having fun. Drinking, board games or tabletops, video games, group outings to local features, etc. (And, yes, even hooking up.) It was really , really fun.

I miss E2. I never got to go to a meetup. I'm sad.
posted by nasreddin at 11:57 AM on July 31, 2007

four panels, I hear your mom dresses you funny. SO THERE!
posted by mkultra at 12:01 PM on July 31, 2007

Dude you are planning on punching the machines too? That is not productive. If one of the machines planted the web cam it is going to exterminate us all by Thursday, Wednesday if you punch it.
posted by Mister_A at 12:05 PM on July 31, 2007

Are you going to take this, Four Panels? People are talking shit about you. On the internet. Get in here and defend yourself. Make wild attacks on your opponents. Comb their posting histories for inconsistencies. Return every attack with a stronger and more personal attack, post every thirty seconds for two hours, use foul language and all caps.

C'mon, do I need to draw you a map or something?
posted by LarryC at 12:10 PM on July 31, 2007 [5 favorites]

I know it was going to be the not openly but obviously gay courier!

That whole question was a joke, right?
posted by found missing at 12:10 PM on July 31, 2007 [2 favorites]

Drinking, board games or tabletops, video games, group outings to local features, etc. (And, yes, even hooking up.) It was really , really fun.

I am so totally jealous, hearing that... I bet they smoked doobies, too. Could we have a meetup like that? Just once? Please??
posted by Meatbomb at 12:13 PM on July 31, 2007 [1 favorite]

know==knew

I hate it when people correct their typos, and yet I'm oddly compelled.
posted by found missing at 12:14 PM on July 31, 2007

Assuming, of course, that any of these events actually happened and this isn't just some strange way for the op to amuse themselves.
posted by Divine_Wino at 12:20 PM on July 31, 2007

What's up with you people ruining dios's joke?
posted by Mister_A at 12:21 PM on July 31, 2007

Jeez, fourpanels comment history consists mostly of complaints and bitching. He just drops in to scream "lame" and now we have a personal attack on another member. Nice. I think he should, before he takes his break, go read this thread.
posted by caddis at 12:22 PM on July 31, 2007

While I can acknowledge that it's an inappropriate answer, the concept of punching computers until they confess through the blood and shame is pretty damn funny.

If only the flameout was so entertaining.
posted by solipsophistocracy at 12:25 PM on July 31, 2007

fourpanels, how can you have the nerve to question why your ridiculous answer got deleted and then personally insult an admin?

Please stop peeing all over the green and the grey. Just because you have a poopy diaper about something, it doesn't mean you have to take it out on this community.

And, if you have to start a MeTa thread to ask if you should email an admin, well, you have it all backwards.
posted by sneakin at 12:27 PM on July 31, 2007

Divine, actually, the courier said "he was going to set up a webcam," not, "I set that up to catch the thief." The whole thing stinks. How's this:

The courier is gay and makes me uncomfortable; he and I were talking about how he could set up a webcam to catch the liquor thief; I get the webcam and bring it to my desk so I can claim he set it up to spy on me; oops, maybe there's a hole in my story! Quick, AskMeta to see if this is plausible; it is, w00t; bring the "evidence" to the boss and I win at teh hegemony!
posted by wemayfreeze at 12:28 PM on July 31, 2007

Did four panels actually suggest punching machines in the face? I know his attack on jessamyn was totally juvenile and uncalled for, but, I just want to make sure that he really did suggest punching machines in the face...that just breaks my brain in a whole new way.
posted by tastybrains at 12:28 PM on July 31, 2007

The way that said machines' faces will be likewise broken?
posted by solipsophistocracy at 12:32 PM on July 31, 2007 [1 favorite]

Are those of us who think that the whole AskMe post was a big fake joke on hatchetjack's part going to have to open a seperate MeTa, or has the fourpanels flameout run its course? Because I was suspicious from his opening: "long time listener, first time caller"... but maybe that's because I once worked screening the phones for a radio talk show. Phil Hendrie, is that you?
posted by wendell at 12:37 PM on July 31, 2007

Yes! YES! VICTORY! God - I can't stand four panels. I thought I was the only person on this entire website that saw what a complete cockwaffle that guy is. This is so completely awesome. First reklaw, now four panels. It's like bonfire of the assholes in this place. LET'S KEEP IT GOING PEOPLE.
posted by Baby_Balrog at 12:38 PM on July 31, 2007 [10 favorites]

What does four panels have against robots anyway? It's best to not get on their bad side. When they grab you with their metal claws you can't break free, because they're made of metal, and robots are strong. Do you really want the OP to go up against that, four panels? Do you? You sick bastard.
posted by tastybrains at 12:39 PM on July 31, 2007

The answer was sincere, if not hyperbolic.

What part was sincere? Can you honestly say that you sincerely think that the poster should consider punching people in the face as a reasonable way to deal with this?

On preview, Baby_Balrog: haaaaaaaaaaa.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 12:39 PM on July 31, 2007 [1 favorite]

Are those of us who think that the whole AskMe post was a big fake joke on hatchetjack's part going to have to open a seperate MeTa, or has the fourpanels flameout run its course?

I think it would be best for keeping things organized. I like to keep my witch hunts separate from my flame wars.
posted by tastybrains at 12:44 PM on July 31, 2007 [1 favorite]

...

I know there's a moral for all of this, somewhere.

It probably has something to do with not letting midget Elvis impersonator IT support guys under your desk.

"MetaTalk: more entertaining than a soap opera by Salvador Dali."
posted by Iosephus at 12:49 PM on July 31, 2007

One look at his MeTa history answers any doubt in my mind, ban ban ban ban.
posted by cior at 12:50 PM on July 31, 2007

I always thought it was really creepy that MeFi didn't have meetups at houses.

Well, if it's a crowd you don't know it's a lot easier for anyone to bail without ceremony at a bar or other such place. At this point the only thing that keeps me from having a meetup at my place is I've met too many awesome Portland folk to fit into my 1bdr comfortably.
posted by cortex (staff) at 12:52 PM on July 31, 2007

wmf, you've got a pretty vivid imagination.

Well, how much less likely is wmf's version of things than the OP's? We're in Extreme Weirdness territory either way.
posted by ibmcginty at 12:57 PM on July 31, 2007

I find it a little creepy that you've wrapped yourself into Metafilter to the point where you're having a Meetup at your own house.

Is it more or less creepy that I'm having it with my own friends (mefites and non-) too? Where I live, it's pretty hard to find a place for a get-together for 15 people. I have a big house and a yard and it just seems somehow civilized to invite people over to someplace where they don't have to spend money, look for parking, or worry about whether the place will let them in if they're 20 years old, or a smoker, or aren't dressed right.

four panels, you clearly fall at one end of the "it's just a website.... it's a community" spectrum and I think it would be safe to say that I'm solidly at the other. My guess is that this informs some of the ways you treat the site and the people who use it, much less the people who run it. Feel free to take a break because you think I'm creepy. I assure you the feeling is entirely mutual.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 12:57 PM on July 31, 2007 [16 favorites]

Hey, folks, it's all good. He pinned it on the gay guy at the office and, with some luck, he'll be fired! I HATE how the gays are always trying to look at my junk! Like one time in the restroom I caught a gay with my walter in his mouth. I told his boss that the guy said some inappropriate gay things and he was fired the next day. Score!

Are you fucking kidding me? I love chugging cock as much as the next guy. The question had nothing to do with gay, the question was about the stupid range of a stupid webcam/and or what do people do when they discover they are being secretly recorded. The gay came out in the form of context. People repeatedly asked that I keep them updated, so I did. And Sorry to the folks who wanted the make and model...it didn't occur to me at the time I posted, I was just curious as to whether or not someone could be camped out down the street or across town. I dont own a webcam, I don't know these things.

Then punch them all in the face while yelling, somewhat quizzically, "webcam, motherfucker?", and see who talks though the blood and shame."

I thought it was funny and wondered why it was removed as well. And thanks to BTGOG for pointing out all my information was just hanging out there. I appreciate it.

On preview.... yea, I was wondering that myself... why do these gay guys keep touching my penis? Wemayfreeze?
posted by hatchetjack at 12:58 PM on July 31, 2007

COCKWAFFLE IS THE WORD OF THE DAY
posted by quonsar at 1:00 PM on July 31, 2007 [3 favorites]

Guys like four panels are why having a meetup at one's house is a bad idea. What if he showed up?
posted by CunningLinguist at 1:02 PM on July 31, 2007 [1 favorite]

What's really sad is that he'd saved up almost enough favorites for the clock/radio. Now it's back to square one. Damn you, jessamyn. Just....damn you.
posted by TryTheTilapia at 1:02 PM on July 31, 2007 [3 favorites]

Sorry about my deleted comment in the thread, I didn't know there was already a MetaTalk thread in progress. That is all!
posted by Justinian at 1:03 PM on July 31, 2007

Now that I noticed that four panels was the one who falsely claimed that the "Infamous Wendell Email" went to 1000 users (the correct number was 57), let me join the chorus in favor of nailing him to the wall. (Get it? Nail four panels to the wall?)
posted by wendell at 1:03 PM on July 31, 2007

No. No I don't "get it."

Wait. Yes I do.
posted by Floydd at 1:08 PM on July 31, 2007

let me join the chorus in favor of nailing him to the wall

And let's get that 1000 emails "wendell" guy while we're at it!

Oh, wait.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 1:17 PM on July 31, 2007

Maybe the admins could close this thread? Blood and grey are a gauche combination before labour day.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 1:18 PM on July 31, 2007

You're a disgrace to your nic, BP.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 1:23 PM on July 31, 2007 [1 favorite]

We've given the word "mob" a bad name.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 1:25 PM on July 31, 2007

I always prefer my mobs to be more about blazin' cocks than pilin' ons.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 1:27 PM on July 31, 2007 [2 favorites]

It's the Internet Age.
We're a Flash Mob.
Well, I'm flashing; isn't anybody else?
posted by wendell at 1:33 PM on July 31, 2007

TMI
posted by mr_crash_davis at 1:34 PM on July 31, 2007

We've given the word "mob" a bad name.

omg i totally watched rosebud at lunch today lol roflcopter !!!11
posted by ND¢ at 1:41 PM on July 31, 2007

Strangely, my answer to this ridiculous question was favorited 17 times, then deleted.

Add this to the pile of examples where the favoriting system has fallen to its knees again.
posted by Dave Faris at 1:49 PM on July 31, 2007

Add this to the pile of examples where the favoriting system has fallen to its knees again.

I'm no historian, but I'm pretty sure four panels was a shingle-sucking idiot long before Favorites were introduced to the MetaVerse.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 1:53 PM on July 31, 2007

The courier is gay and makes me uncomfortable; he and I were talking about how he could set up a webcam to catch the liquor thief; I get the webcam and bring it to my desk so I can claim he set it up to spy on me; oops, maybe there's a hole in my story! Quick, AskMeta to see if this is plausible; it is, w00t; bring the "evidence" to the boss and I win at teh hegemony!
Dammit! I knew Mefites were smart... but smart enough to see through the vetting of my plot to publicly shame and remove the livelyhood of a man whose sexual preferences I obviously care so deeply about?

The Cirque Du Soleil has nothing on your head. Your brain is bending over backwards, then calling home collect and reversing the charges in order to reconcile the view that the gay guy has to be the victim here. You are trying too hard.
In my case, the gay guy did something criminal. Sorry that doesn't jibe with your preconceived notions about the way the world works.
posted by hatchetjack at 1:57 PM on July 31, 2007

Am I the only one who doesn't understand the title of this MeTa?
posted by trip and a half at 1:58 PM on July 31, 2007

It's like bonfire of the assholes in this place. LET'S KEEP IT GOING PEOPLE.
posted by Baby_Balrog

*cluelessly walks into thread*

Hey guys! What's goin' on?
posted by The Deej at 2:03 PM on July 31, 2007

I wondered about the title of the post as well, but I figured it's something like this-site-was-better-when-just-Matt-was-in-charge. It could be the girlphobe thing cited above as well.
posted by These Penises Are Alarmed at 2:04 PM on July 31, 2007 [1 favorite]

This is fun.
posted by Elmore at 2:08 PM on July 31, 2007

Am I the only one who doesn't understand the title of this MeTa?

Well, it's posted by the same guy who "disinclined" his email address, after all.

I figure that the English language is just one of the many things upon which four panels has an imperfect grasp.
posted by dersins at 2:14 PM on July 31, 2007 [3 favorites]

Yeah, all I could come up with was that maybe four panels thought "delegation", "deletion" and "decimation" all meant the same thing. But These Penises are Alarmed might be onto something, too.
posted by trip and a half at 2:19 PM on July 31, 2007

Funny, this whole time I thought it was "These Premises Are Alarmed".
posted by puke & cry at 2:27 PM on July 31, 2007

Add this to the pile of examples where the favoriting system has fallen to its knees again.

I, for one, fav'd it because I thought it was pretty funny. But I'm in a really bitchy mood today.
posted by SpecialK at 2:36 PM on July 31, 2007

It could have been worse. You could have advocated busting up the camera instead of the co-workers!
posted by majick at 2:37 PM on July 31, 2007

Someone make this thread creepier please.
posted by cmonkey at 2:40 PM on July 31, 2007

SAVE THE CAMERAS!
posted by SpecialK at 2:42 PM on July 31, 2007

We've given the word "mob" a bad name.
Torches & pitchforks, and you're to blame... ♫
posted by Wolfdog at 2:44 PM on July 31, 2007

cmonkey has weird nipples. They look like baby gorilla fingers.
posted by Dataphage at 2:45 PM on July 31, 2007

A blazecock pileon is a pile-on consisting of blazecocks. It dates back to December, 2005's "you can be a better boyfriend" girl's blog comments. She coined "blazecock," or anyway that's the first time I'd ever seen it. I tacked on "pileon," which if I'd been up to it that day I'd have hyphenated. Blazecock pileon's puppetmaster assumed it and now I have to be Don Pepino, which is nothing but a brand of canned tomatoes but that's what you get when you remain too cheap to shell out five dollars for a couple of decades in dog years.

I think people should have parties at their house no problem for sure.

Where is Thomcatspike? He was awesome.
posted by Don Pepino at 2:46 PM on July 31, 2007 [1 favorite]

What's even creepier, those weren't originally his nipples.
posted by dersins at 2:46 PM on July 31, 2007

Decimation is an interesting word choice.

Decimation (Latin: decimatio) was a form of extreme military discipline used by officers in the Roman Army to punish mutinous or cowardly soldiers. The word decimation is derived from Latin meaning "removal of a tenth."

I can't help but imagine this as part of the MeTa guidelines...

For specific, personal and/or immediate problems, contact mathowie or jessamyn directly or use the contact form. MetaTalk is not the most efficient or the quickest way to contact an admin. In other words, please email the admins directly first if you disagree with what you perceive to be out of control, heavy-handed decimation.
posted by Tehanu at 2:48 PM on July 31, 2007

her own house

Better hers than the banjo player up the road, surely ?

I keeeeed !!!
posted by sgt.serenity at 2:49 PM on July 31, 2007

cmonkey has weird nipples. They look like baby gorilla fingers.

Now I'm imagining having fingers poking out my chest and wiggling around. Awesomely creepy, thanks.
posted by cmonkey at 2:59 PM on July 31, 2007

That wasn't really a flameout -- it was just more of a big *POOF*, and a bunch of people left standing around, saying things like "how about that?" and "wasn't that something?"

I was entertained, however.

A couple of the best times I've had in years was when I flew Boston to meet a bunch of people "from the internet." We hung out at the ringleader's house for 4 or 5 days each time, cooking, eating, and generally causing mayhem. People came and went, some only staying for an afternoon, some crashing for a couple days, with attendence usually being 8-10 people on hand at any time, except for the big feast on Saturday nights. We had people from 3 continents at the first one. It went swimmingly each time, and I've made several real, honest to goodness actual friends out of what used to be just an agreeable arrangement of electrons.
posted by Devils Rancher at 3:06 PM on July 31, 2007 [1 favorite]

cmonkey's nipples are actually tiny remote-controlled wireless stereoscopic gay webcams.
posted by Armitage Shanks at 3:10 PM on July 31, 2007 [2 favorites]

Are they infrared? Cause that would be hot!
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 3:12 PM on July 31, 2007

four panels, rather than complaining on MeTa every damn month about a crappy AskMe answer getting deleted, maybe a better strategy would be to stop posting crappy answers. you're welcome.
posted by spiderwire at 3:18 PM on July 31, 2007

Well, from the source blog entry, I think it's pretty obvious she meant "blasé cock". And yet here we are reaping the benefits of a misspelling from a blog entry from two years ago.
posted by team lowkey at 3:19 PM on July 31, 2007

it was just more of a big *POOF*

Who are you calling a big poof?
posted by flashboy at 3:20 PM on July 31, 2007

Why does every MeTa thread end up in a conversation about cmonkey's weird nipples?
posted by SassHat at 3:25 PM on July 31, 2007

THAT'S HOW WEIRD HIS NIPPLES ARE!
posted by dersins at 3:29 PM on July 31, 2007

Who are you calling a big poof?

I'm callin' you a ponce!
posted by Devils Rancher at 3:49 PM on July 31, 2007 [1 favorite]

Is it true that the next Portland meetup will be in cortex's one bedroom? Has a date been set?
posted by Cranberry at 3:58 PM on July 31, 2007

Seriously, what's next, a "yo mama" joke? I've seen better flame-out insults from fifth-graders.

I heard a bunch of fifth graders were having a meetup in yo mama's pants.
posted by juv3nal at 4:00 PM on July 31, 2007

I'm callin' you a ponce!

Oh, OK. That's cool.
posted by flashboy at 4:03 PM on July 31, 2007

Really, this thread should be all about excoriating the 17 cockwaffles who favorited four panels' joke answer, too, you know.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 4:26 PM on July 31, 2007

I favorited it as funny as hell. Excoriate me.
posted by found missing at 4:31 PM on July 31, 2007

four panels, you clearly fall at one end of the "it's just a website.... it's a community" spectrum and I think it would be safe to say that I'm solidly at the other. My guess is that this informs some of the ways you treat the site and the people who use it, much less the people who run it. Feel free to take a break because you think I'm creepy. I assure you the feeling is entirely mutual.
posted by jessamyn

Please don't use the "it's just a website... it's a community" debate as a scapegoat. He was simply being an ass. People can also be an ass as part of a community.
posted by justgary at 4:33 PM on July 31, 2007

I've just realized that "Then punch someone in the face and yell something quizzically" solves a lot os AskMe questions:

Dear AskMe, my kitten has trouble sleeping through the night. Any suggestions?

Punch the kitten in the face and shout, somewhat quizzically, "Sleepy yet, motherfucker?"

Dear AskMe, is there some polite way to let people know that a party is over?

Punch your guests in the face and shout, somewhat quizzically, "Had enough beer yet, motherfucker?"

Dear AskMe, how do I find the identity of the woman who gave me up for adoption?

Find women who might be the right age and punch them in the face and shout, somewhat quizzically, "Is this your baby punching you?"

I don't think there's a question that can't be answered with some version of the "punch and shout" approach.
posted by Astro Zombie at 4:34 PM on July 31, 2007 [35 favorites]

I don't think there's a question that can't be answered with some version of the "punch and shout" approach.

While punching a kitten: "Is your name Frank, motherfucker?"
posted by LionIndex at 4:42 PM on July 31, 2007 [1 favorite]

I don't think there's a question that can't be answered with some version of the "punch and shout" approach.

Do we call this the "four panels approach" or the "Astro Zombie approach?"

Or maybe the "mathowie approach"...
posted by dersins at 4:47 PM on July 31, 2007

ahem. mathowie approach.
posted by dersins at 4:47 PM on July 31, 2007

Excoriate me.

*pulls out his chrome-plater ExoriatorXL™*

Seriously, though, don't you think that people might be less inclined to post joke AskMe answers -- which are, after all, one of the few things clearly and unquivocally frowned upon around here -- if they weren't 'rewarded' with +faves?
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 4:50 PM on July 31, 2007 [2 favorites]

Perhaps a note should be added on the Post a New Question page suggesting that the poster ask him or herself if the question can be answered first with the Punch and Shout method. If no, proceed. If yes, contact four panels.
posted by strangeleftydoublethink at 4:55 PM on July 31, 2007

I love the sexism in this thread, best represented by:

You SHOULD feel violated. Just imagine if you were a woman and you found a camera pointed *there.*

Because males really love webcams pointed at their crotches! Idiotic in the extreme, unless it's going for a sarcastic element which can dig, yo.
posted by oxford blue at 5:09 PM on July 31, 2007

"...cockwaffle..." Hee hee hee hee hee!
posted by Lynsey at 5:11 PM on July 31, 2007

Here's the thing.

I love waffles. Yum.

And I love cock. No, seriously. Major cocklover here.

But a cockwaffle? Is that a waffle shaped like a cock? Or--gulp--made of cocks? No thanks. Or is it a cock shaped like a waffle? Eeeek...
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 5:13 PM on July 31, 2007 [1 favorite]

But a cockwaffle? Is that a waffle shaped like a cock? Or--gulp--made of cocks? No thanks. Or is it a cock shaped like a waffle? Eeeek...

It's when you're fucking dumb enough to get your cock stuck in a waffle iron.
posted by spiderwire at 5:16 PM on July 31, 2007

How about cockwafflestomping?
posted by LionIndex at 5:18 PM on July 31, 2007

I'd buy frozen waffles shaped like cocks.
posted by cmonkey at 5:18 PM on July 31, 2007 [1 favorite]

four panels, you clearly fall at one end of the "it's just a website.... it's a community" spectrum and I think it would be safe to say that I'm solidly at the other. by jessamyn.

This is just ONE of the reasons why I'm here.

Okay, now who's betting on four panels coming back and claiming drunkenness/insanity/dead grandma?
posted by snsranch at 5:27 PM on July 31, 2007

drunkenness/insanity/dead grandma

You forgot Hotmail.
posted by cortex (staff) at 5:48 PM on July 31, 2007

"Sorry guys, that was actually my dead grandma."
posted by puke & cry at 5:53 PM on July 31, 2007

A couple of years ago I had an idea to travel around the US and stay with MeFites at each destination, a sort of meetup marathon.

*wanders out of thread*
posted by sciurus at 5:54 PM on July 31, 2007

Metafilter: an agreeable arrangement of electrons
posted by mr_crash_davis at 6:09 PM on July 31, 2007

I thought all the AskMe questions were to be answered in future by "Couldn't you just, like, read a book or something?"

It would have even worked for the webcam question! I'm sure there's a book somewhere entitled 'Stalking for Dummies' which details the range of any number of webcam models.
posted by winna at 6:16 PM on July 31, 2007

Seriously, though, don't you think that people might be less inclined to post joke AskMe answers -- which are, after all, one of the few things clearly and unquivocally frowned upon around here -- if they weren't 'rewarded' with +faves?

Maybe, but I would hate to see +fave disappear. I've favorited a lot of comments that came in use. Yea, I could Fave the Q, but a lot of times the A is specific enough where it works.
posted by jmd82 at 6:17 PM on July 31, 2007 [1 favorite]

As a matter of principle, I'm opposed to deletions, but if someone put a gun to my head and told em to choose one askmefi response from the last thirty days to delete, yours would win hands down.
posted by Clay201 at 6:19 PM on July 31, 2007

Ladies and gentlemen, quiet please. I believe the respected member from the Cockwaffle Delegation has the floor.
posted by Rock Steady at 6:20 PM on July 31, 2007

Let's have the meetup at MY house! I've got a pool, bbq, and sonos playing out on the gazebo.

Extra points to whomever can find the most cameras...
posted by matty at 6:46 PM on July 31, 2007

(thinking about getting a new user name and running snsranch right into the fuckin' dirt just to show four panels how it's done.)

Nah, it'll never happen. (Hopefully, barring drunkenness, dead grandma, hotmail, etc.)
posted by snsranch at 7:10 PM on July 31, 2007

I think I'll take a break for a while, not so much for the machine gun deletions, but because I find it a little creepy that you've wrapped yourself into Metafilter to the point where you're having a Meetup at your own house.

I thought about this "insult" at dinner. "I can't be on this site anymore, the moderators are TOO NICE. They think of the members are REAL PEOPLE. They TRUST THEM. GROSS!" So strange. What, afraid it might rub off on you? Good riddance, four panels. Hope you and reklaw have a grand time off in banned land.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 7:28 PM on July 31, 2007 [1 favorite]

A couple of years ago I had an idea to travel around the US and stay with MeFites at each destination, a sort of meetup marathon.

::jumps up::

I had that same idea!! I wonder if I'll ever get around to doing it...

::sits down::
posted by CitrusFreak12 at 7:56 PM on July 31, 2007

More meetups at houses, please.
posted by mediareport at 8:13 PM on July 31, 2007

Metafilter: Overthinking a plate of cockwaffles.
posted by Devils Rancher at 8:21 PM on July 31, 2007

ThePinkSuperhero, I was thinking the same thing for a minute myself; Too Nice. But I think jessamyn summed it up pretty well without inciting more bullshit.

Should there have been an insta-ban? Maybe, but that precludes future fun-play with the asshat. That's just a really tough call.
posted by snsranch at 8:24 PM on July 31, 2007

Metafilter: Overthinking a plate of cockwaffles.
posted by Devils Rancher at 11:21 PM on July 31 [+] [!]

Devil's Rancher, you are such a noob. Everyone knows that cockwaffles are served in buckets.

Seriously, DR, you are a total noob. Judging from your join date and user number you must have joined, like hours later than I did.
posted by The Bellman at 8:32 PM on July 31, 2007

But.. but I've been reading MeTa since '02. *sob* (I missed the noon thing, though, or g*d knows I would have tried.)
posted by Devils Rancher at 8:43 PM on July 31, 2007

hurfdurf cockwaffle eater.
posted by misha at 9:19 PM on July 31, 2007

Now I'm imagining having fingers poking out my chest and wiggling around.

Aaaaaand now so am I.

Oh. Oh, dear.
posted by Elsa at 9:21 PM on July 31, 2007

It's nice to see that Jessamyn takes care of this metatalk post very well and doesn't need other users support.
Good for you Jessamyn. I'm always impressed with the even-handed non-formulaic tone of your admin comments.
posted by jouke at 9:32 PM on July 31, 2007

seconding jouke and vacapinta. I usually feel sorry for the recipient of a pile-on, but FP lost me with the meetup remark.

No cure for stupid.
posted by vronsky at 9:46 PM on July 31, 2007

I'm sorry for the poor behavior last week.

I find lots of great stuff in the Blue that I'm grateful for.

Good talk.
posted by rockhopper at 9:48 PM on July 31, 2007 [2 favorites]

Most of us could stand to show that sort of contrition more often, I think. :)
posted by spiderwire at 9:58 PM on July 31, 2007

By which I mean: welcome back.
posted by spiderwire at 9:59 PM on July 31, 2007

Spiderwire,

I really appreciate you saying that! Thanks.
posted by rockhopper at 10:01 PM on July 31, 2007

Drinking, board games or tabletops, video games, group outings to local features, etc. (And, yes, even hooking up.) It was really , really fun.

A couple of years ago I had an idea to travel around the US and stay with MeFites at each destination, a sort of meetup marathon.

Maybe I could combine these two excellent ideas... I get a bus painted in psychedellic colours, recruit a bunch of right-thinking unemployed hippies, "merry pranksters" if you will, and a big stash of LSD.

Then I drive to your house...
posted by Meatbomb at 10:10 PM on July 31, 2007

A couple of years ago I had an idea to travel around the US and stay with MeFites at each destination, a sort of meetup marathon.

I did exactly this with folks from another (less awesome) community website four years ago, and fell in love with the girl who's now my wife (my DC stop!). Do it!
posted by crabintheocean at 10:36 PM on July 31, 2007

So we're gonna delete one tenth of his posts? Sounds like a good start.

Fun pile-on, but it just lacks that certain verve without four panels in here posting more insane stuff. The conflict has been disinclined from the thread.
posted by EatTheWeek at 12:12 AM on August 1, 2007 [1 favorite]

I think I'll take a break for a while, not so much for the machine gun deletions, but because I find it a little creepy that you've wrapped yourself into Metafilter to the point where you're having a Meetup at your own house

Stay in Canada and eat ice and snow!
posted by jason's_planet at 6:44 AM on August 1, 2007

A couple of years ago I had an idea to travel around the US and stay with MeFites at each destination, a sort of meetup marathon.

I tried this with some friends from a Anthropophobia Forum that I was a member of. It didn't work out too well but at least I tried.
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 6:51 AM on August 1, 2007

Cockwaffle is a variation of cockweasel.
posted by brujita at 7:19 AM on August 1, 2007

I think I'll take a break for a while, not so much for the machine gun deletions, but because I find it a little creepy that you've wrapped yourself into Metafilter to the point where you're having a Meetup at your own house.

I once came to the same kind of conclusion, and decided to opt out of every activity and group where there was a member whose approach and enthusiasm was radically greater than my own. Once I did the tally I ended up having to simply cower in my own home and do nothing else.

Then I realized what kind of people were in that group, so I just want back to the old way of doing things. So I'm back.

Sorry.
posted by phearlez at 7:57 AM on August 1, 2007

So, how'd this all end up? I meant to pile on, then everyone else was kinda doing it for me, and cortex sez we can't make out 'cuz we've both got beards, and Jessamyn's kinda creepy because she lives in Vermont, where people are sentient maple trees and I can't get down with plants that act like people and bleed on flapjacks, so I kinda missed it.
posted by klangklangston at 8:02 AM on August 1, 2007

it's just you don't want to get them beard hairs tangled up because it can be like some dang velcro or whatever
posted by cortex (staff) at 8:17 AM on August 1, 2007

I have a MeFi meetup every day at my apartment. So far, I'm the only one who has shown up, because I am in Montana.

I'm not convinced any more than that would show up, even if I was in New York. But I tell myself it's because I'm in Montana.
posted by The Deej at 8:26 AM on August 1, 2007

absolute power corrupts, and absolute editorial power corrupts absolutely.

it's important to understand that power allows people to make their values global... the problem is that other people hold other values that are equally legitimate - because all values are equally legitimate.

no one questions the values of the editors. what is being challenged is the benefit to everyone of making metafilter into a world in the image of particular someones.

maybe it is a kinder gentler more relevant place. that's not the point. the point is that a kinder gentler place doesn't have room for everyone, and it's only kinder and gentler for the someones that had the power to edit other viewpoints out.

this has been my position for some time... phearlez and the rest of us that see editing as a problem rather than a solution should remember that with the benefits of participation comes the obligation to oppose editing.
posted by ewkpates at 9:10 AM on August 1, 2007

I find it a little creepy that you've wrapped yourself into Metafilter to the point where you're having a Meetup at your own house.

If my experience of having a meetup at my flat is anything to go by you can expect free drugs and offers of blowjobs. Nothing creepy about that.
posted by jack_mo at 9:29 AM on August 1, 2007 [1 favorite]

four panels?

More like, Poor Fannels.

BAM!
posted by ORthey at 9:36 AM on August 1, 2007

So far, I'm the only one who has shown up, because I am in Montana.

I might be moving to Montana soon.
(yippee-ta-yo-ta-yay)
posted by Meatbomb at 9:51 AM on August 1, 2007

"this has been my position for some time... phearlez and the rest of us that see editing as a problem rather than a solution should remember that with the benefits of participation comes the obligation to oppose editing."

Oh, bullshit. All the "global" reach shit and all the "editing is the problem" is just evolutionary throwbacks to usenet. The Blue and Green are not for whatever spasms of "free expression" you choose, just as newspapers are not for any and all raving of schizos and astrologers.

Likewise, the reaction against a "heavier hand" is likewise misplaced, both through a confusion over posts and comments, and by the framing of editing as de facto bad.
posted by klangklangston at 10:14 AM on August 1, 2007

Finally, because it hasn't been said and I guess I'm the one to do it... it is a little creepy, really it is, when you think about it from mr. panels point of view...

jessamyn is a judge, she is not a normal member of the community. pretending can't make her a normal member. now, she's having a members meeting at her house?

much like a judge inviting lawyers "who happen to live nearby" over for a party, it has the appearance of impropriety.

but then, you would have to take the community waaaay too seriously to come up with that, and we've already dismissed mr. panels as not serious enough for this community.
posted by ewkpates at 10:17 AM on August 1, 2007

Ewkpates, stop imitating pyramid termite. It's not working too well.
posted by nasreddin at 10:22 AM on August 1, 2007

Jessamyn isn't a judge, she's a moderator. Metafilter isn't a contest, so it doesn't have judges. And remember you're defending suggesting that someone "punch them all in the face while yelling, .. webcam, motherfucker"
posted by These Penises Are Alarmed at 10:28 AM on August 1, 2007

I think ewkpates, phearlez, four panels, and others are trying to define the MeFi moderator/member relationship as something adversial ("It's us members against those power-hungry mods!"). I don't know why or how they came to that conclusion, but I think it's probably the exact opposite of how most Mefites see it.
posted by amyms at 10:43 AM on August 1, 2007

much like a judge inviting lawyers "who happen to live nearby" over for a party, it has the appearance of impropriety.

This is the second time this "moderator as judge" thing has come up this week. I don't understand, what is it that's improper about me hanging out with other MeFites? What could possibly be improper?
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 10:48 AM on August 1, 2007

it has the appearance of impropriety... but then, you would have to take the community waaaay too seriously to come up with that, and we've already dismissed mr. panels as not serious enough for this community.

Honestly, I don't know if you're taking the piss or not. Can someone break those comments down into cogent, non-contradictory points?

now, she's having a members meeting at her house?

AFAIK, It's been happening for a while, Mr. Fun Police - you should probably try being in the loop if you're going to spout off about vigilance, obligation, etc.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 10:50 AM on August 1, 2007

They could leverage their personal interactions with you—and maybe a little green on the downlow, or other "personal consideration"—to lobby for, like, preferential treatment during flameouts or doubleposts or, uh—

Yeah, that's pretty stupid.
posted by cortex (staff) at 10:51 AM on August 1, 2007

The problem around here isn't excessive editing or culling of comments. The problem around here is insufficient culling of comments.

The current policy -- such as it is -- is sufficiently lax that certain people get the impression they have some inalienable right to be disruptive assholes because they think it's funny or righteous or "important." It's time to prove them wrong.

Vote Hammer of Jessamyn in 2008
posted by majick at 10:51 AM on August 1, 2007

What could possibly be improper?

Well, if you are doing it right, all sorts of things.

*wink, wink, waggles eyebrows, nudges ribs*

know-what-I-mean?
posted by quin at 11:03 AM on August 1, 2007

"This is the second time this "moderator as judge" thing has come up this week. I don't understand, what is it that's improper about me hanging out with other MeFites? What could possibly be improper?"

You could get them drunk on fermented maple syrup, have them post Goatse, then ban them.

All the while going, "Mwahahahahahaha."
posted by klangklangston at 11:09 AM on August 1, 2007

Having read over a considerable portion of MetaFilter, and having, in the course of my reading, taken the most accurate observations of things as they exist—the result of my observations has warranted the full and unshaken conviction, that we, (MeFites) are the most degraded, wretched, and abject set of beings that ever lived since the world began; and I pray God that none like us ever may live again until time shall be no more. They tell us of the Israelites in Egypt, the Helots in Sparta, and of the Roman Slaves, which last were made up from almost every nation under heaven, whose sufferings under those ancient and heathen nations, were, in comparison with ours, under this enlightened administration, no more than a cypher—or, in other words, those heathen nations of antiquity, had but little more among them than the name and form of oppression; while wretchedness and endless miseries were reserved, apparently in a large bucket of cocks, to be poured out upon our fathers, ourselves and our children, by so called impartial moderators!
Arise! Arise! You have nothing if you have no rights! Join me in... Oh! Look! It's one of those new nickles! Cool!
posted by Floydd at 11:26 AM on August 1, 2007 [1 favorite]

Hey, uh, Jessamyn. Howzitgoin. Cortex! Dude. Cool shirt man. Matt! Nice bike. That a Lime? Awesome, awesome. Yeah. Soooo... can I freshen up your drinks for ya? Alright, happy to help. Here, let me get the nachos for you. No no, stay right there, I'll get 'em. Yeah, soooo.... um... listen. I've got this FPP idea. Yeah, it's uh... newsfilter... and it links to an axe-grinder topic that will make everyone fight. -- Oh, you're low on chip dip, Jessamyn, have mine! -- Anyway, ya, this FPP... it's also a double, it just ran last month. But I really want to post it. Seeing as we're friends and all.. could you maybe let it slide this time? Awesome, awesome, thanks!!! Man you guys are great! OK... uh... I gotta go...

Hey!! LanguageHat!!! Nice hat dude!!!!
posted by The Deej at 11:49 AM on August 1, 2007

The problem around here isn't excessive editing or culling of comments. The problem around here is insufficient culling of comments.

The moderation is heavy handed now when compared to when there was just Matt. He was much more willing to let things slide than Cortex or Jess are. Whether it was a conscious decision to make these changes, or if it's just that the two new moderators need something to keep their hands busy, it's a distinct change over the old way things were done. And it's natural that some people will rebel against the heavier moderation, especially if they don't realize the goal is to make this place more tolerable to more people who might otherwise be turned off by the rougher side of the site. Even if you agree that this greater good mentality is ultimately better, there's no denying that there are people who are rebelling against this new plan -- as evidenced by the daily, if not hourly occurrence of the "why was my comment/post deleted?" threads.
posted by Dave Faris at 11:54 AM on August 1, 2007

I don't understand, what is it that's improper about me hanging out with other MeFites? What could possibly be improper?

Well, is there a chaperone present when you mingle with the gentlemen? I certainly hope so. Hmpf. Tsk.
posted by iconomy at 11:54 AM on August 1, 2007

Majick is the problem that jessamyn has created for herself... it's all fun and games until the only people left on metafilter are those who basically agree on who should be a member.

We are increasingly ending up in a situation where someone has the authority - granted by the community or forum owner - to chose between Majick on the one hand and mr. panels on the other.

First we moderated out the flame-tards who had no contribution and we like Jessamyn, so we said nothing. Then we moderated out the adolescent mentalities that never grew up, and none of us missed them, so we said nothing. Then we got rid of those people who were stupid and had stupid ideas, and they were stupid, so it's not like any of us cared, so we said nothing. Then we moderated out the... yeah. Whatever.

Who’s community do you want this to be?

It’s a trick question. If you answered it, then you are wrong.
posted by ewkpates at 12:02 PM on August 1, 2007

I think ewkpates, phearlez, four panels, and others are trying to define the MeFi moderator/member relationship as something adversial

Good lord, don't lump me in with either of those two. The point that I was trying to make - completely ineffectively, apparently - is that no matter what your activity or community, there will be people in it whose enthusiasm or apathy you will find striking. Bowing out of that community because of those folks is foolish and impossible - you'd have nothing left to do.

Given that I made an open invitation to any mefite who cared to show up to come join me for 4th of July, I think you can suspect where I fall on the scale and it's nowhere near four panels.
posted by phearlez at 12:04 PM on August 1, 2007

First we moderated out the flame-tards who had no contribution and we like Jessamyn, so we said nothing. Then we moderated out the adolescent mentalities that never grew up, and none of us missed them, so we said nothing. Then we got rid of those people who were stupid and had stupid ideas, and they were stupid, so it's not like any of us cared, so we said nothing.

So... you're pro flame-tard, adolescent mentalities, and stupid ideas? Well, I guess I can see how your position makes sense within that context.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 12:09 PM on August 1, 2007 [1 favorite]

I think you can suspect where I fall on the scale

Indeed I can sir, indeed I can. A bit of the "hun" eh? A bit of the ol' leather, yes? Saucy cap, fancy buttons, nudge nudge! (rubs hands together vigorously)
posted by aramaic at 12:15 PM on August 1, 2007

Majick is the problem that jessamyn has created for herself... it's all fun and games blahblahblah hyperbole and slippery slope.

1. Majick is not a problem.

2. Really, Holocaust survivor paraphrasing and grandiose predictions of future authoritarian oppression are not the best way to make a point around here.
posted by shmegegge at 12:18 PM on August 1, 2007

Who’s community do you want this to be?

A fish!

It’s a trick question. If you answered it, then you are wrong.

Damn.
posted by Armitage Shanks at 12:20 PM on August 1, 2007

Who’s community do you want this to be?

I want it to be a community of handsome and intelligent men who will cook and clean for me, and bring me presents, and whisk me away on fabulous vacations to exotic locales... But, I've learned to accept it for what it is. *shrugs shoulders*
posted by amyms at 12:27 PM on August 1, 2007

Then we moderated out the adolescent mentalities that never grew up, and none of us missed them,

You missed at least one.

*waves*

*goes back to doing what adolescents do best*

*masturbates furiously*
posted by quin at 12:34 PM on August 1, 2007

I also want to point out that the correct word is "whose," but I misspelled "adversarial" upthread, so I can't be too smug.
posted by amyms at 12:35 PM on August 1, 2007

"The moderation is heavy handed now when compared to when there was just Matt"

The number of shitheels is higher than when moderation was done by only Matt.
posted by majick at 12:55 PM on August 1, 2007

Who’s community do you want this to be?

Anybody who is interested in cool links, smart and fun people, and stimulating discourse. And it is, for the most part.

If some folks feel they've outgrown MeFi or vice versa, that's just how the cookie crumbles. Happens everyday in our social and professional lives, why should the internet be any different? The thing is though, if those folks feel that their issues and opinions regarding the site's direction have some larger, more useful application beyond their own POV and want to discuss them in a respectful manner, there are venues for it. Buuuuuuut if those people aren't interested in anything beyond their Favorites, number of deletions, or playing the ref every chance they get, they should probably keep quiet and/or find another pasture to graze in.

I know that if I ever found myself carrying around grudges or a sense of entitlement like some members have, I wouldn't want to waste my time with this place. I can't for the life of me figure out what motivates those who engage in such embarrassing and futile shenanigans, it's sort of like pissing on a wall while headbutting it. In the end, the wall's still standing without a scratch on it, and all you have is a headache and the reek of piss.

It’s a trick question. If you answered it, then you are wrong.

No, your wrong!
And you're Pastor Niemöller impression sucks too!!!
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 1:16 PM on August 1, 2007

I wear stiletto shitheels.
posted by misha at 1:17 PM on August 1, 2007 [1 favorite]

The number of shitheels is higher than when moderation was done by only Matt.

I agree, if only because behavior that used to be considered acceptable is now considered unacceptable, and those formerly acceptable people are now considered "shitheels."
posted by Dave Faris at 1:18 PM on August 1, 2007

Metafilter isn't a contest

Bwaaaaaahahahahahahahahahaha

[gasps for air]

aaaahhhhahhahahaha
posted by spiderwire at 1:20 PM on August 1, 2007 [1 favorite]

Who’s community do you want this to be?

A community for those who understand that "who's" = "who is," not the possessive.
posted by SassHat at 1:51 PM on August 1, 2007 [1 favorite]

I wear stiletto shitheels.

Cockwaffle stompers?
posted by Devils Rancher at 2:05 PM on August 1, 2007

Can someone make a graph of number of people banned, broken down by year, compared to the number of members? I bet the trend would be pretty consistent per capita. 55,000 members makes for a larger potential pool of assholes than 18,000 did.
posted by Devils Rancher at 2:10 PM on August 1, 2007

Deej, I used to live in Bozeman, so we coulda had a meetup. If MetaFilter had existed then.
posted by desjardins at 2:11 PM on August 1, 2007

this could be our epitaph:

Anybody who is interested in cool links, smart and fun people, and stimulating discourse.

in the old days when we weren't closely supervised, many of the people who "contributed" to this thread would have been harassed into silence or off metafilter. that was a kind of moderation, I grant you. the moderation of fear and shame.

see? some moderation is a good thing.
posted by ewkpates at 2:17 PM on August 1, 2007

I know there's a way that this thread could have gone worse for four panels. I can't quite put my finger on it.
posted by nthdegx at 2:42 PM on August 1, 2007

"The moderation is heavy handed now when compared to when there was just Matt. He was much more willing to let things slide than Cortex or Jess are. Whether it was a conscious decision to make these changes, or if it's just that the two new moderators need something to keep their hands busy, it's a distinct change over the old way things were done." ~ Dave Faris

Or, you know, the blindingly obvious other option -- which is the numbers game. Maybe Matt had no choice but to let things slide in the Golden Days of MeFi™ because there was only one of him -- not because he is just cooler and more laidback and less fascist than these new whippersnappers.

Maybe "the two new moderators" aren't just trying to drum up ways to use their spare time to oppress the old guard, but are doing exactly as instructed by Matt. Maybe that's what all you nostalgic folk just need to get on over.

Wanting to whinge occasionally about how it used to be, I understand fully, and I guess this is as good as a place as any. But suggesting that the Days of Yore were perfect, exactly what Matt wanted the site to be -- and only now has it all gone to shit, while he stands by wringing his hands, powerless to resist the changes -- is just a lot of speculation.

Unless you happen to be VBF4E with Matt himself and he's told you secrets he hasn't told anyone else, including the two people he's hired to help run the place. In which case, rock out with your cockwaffle out.
posted by pineapple at 2:43 PM on August 1, 2007

You've read a lot more into my words than what I wrote. I didn't say that the days of yore were better. I said that people are apt to rebel when the rules change.
posted by Dave Faris at 3:05 PM on August 1, 2007

pineapple has good points -- matt has frequently told how he did not come to moderation naturally and hates the confrontations that are part and parcel of the job. My impression is that he wanted, and got, sidekicks who are unfazed at playing enforcer.

Lord knows, as a three-digit member who's semi-retired from regular posting, doing the one-liner snark all day long is extremely tempting. I don't refresh conversations and have multi-thread debates with other users anymore. But I know I wouldn't want to read a MeFi that was full of comments from other people tired of having conversations.
posted by dhartung at 3:09 PM on August 1, 2007

This is all very silly.
posted by CitrusFreak12 at 3:43 PM on August 1, 2007

Your face is very silly.
posted by cortex (staff) at 4:22 PM on August 1, 2007 [1 favorite]

No, cmonkey's nipples are very silly.
posted by dersins at 4:42 PM on August 1, 2007

My mistake. I apologize unreservedly.
posted by cortex (staff) at 5:47 PM on August 1, 2007

Deej, I used to live in Bozeman, so we coulda had a meetup. If MetaFilter had existed then.
posted by desjardins

See? People will move to an entirely different state to avoid meeting me, and even plan so far ahead as to do it before MeFi even existed!

Bozeman is beautiful. I have spent plenty of time there. If you're every heading through Big Sky Country... shout! :)
posted by The Deej at 5:51 PM on August 1, 2007

I'd buy frozen waffles shaped like cocks.

Well, duh. When you have nipples shaped like, well, you-know-whats, you'd pretty much buy anything.
posted by deborah at 9:33 PM on August 1, 2007

dersins' face's proximity to cmonkey's nipples makes it easy to confuse one for the others.
posted by phearlez at 11:25 AM on August 2, 2007

Um.

Ok.
posted by dersins at 12:02 PM on August 2, 2007

NIPPLEFACE
posted by cortex (staff) at 12:13 PM on August 2, 2007

JERKBRAIN
posted by dersins at 1:38 PM on August 2, 2007

Hey Deej, I keep forgetting to mention that I have tons of family in Malta and Livingston, and that it is an incredibly realistic possibility that I'll roll through at some point. I know Bozeman well, in fact, though it's been a while.

I'll let you know if I ever end up in that hemisphere, for sure.
posted by hermitosis at 1:49 PM on August 2, 2007

Hey, cool. hermitosis. If you are rolling through Billings, give a shout. E-mail is in the profile, plus the website has all my other contact info. If anyone wanted to stalk me it wouldn't be hard.
posted by The Deej at 2:51 PM on August 2, 2007

If my experience of having a meetup at my flat is anything to go by you can expect free drugs and offers of blowjobs. Nothing creepy about that.

Oh aye, what a meetup - never to be beaten, unless optimo's on - i've still never been to that place : (
posted by sgt.serenity at 10:19 AM on August 3, 2007

Montana, mothefucker?!
posted by These Penises Are Alarmed at 10:52 AM on August 3, 2007

It's difficult to answer through the blood and shame.
posted by The Deej at 11:36 AM on August 3, 2007

just got back from jessamyn's meetup. everyone ... but me ... was creepy.

weather was beautiful; cupcakes(!) and other foods delicious; magic hat organic was tasty; and creepy company were affable.
posted by terrapin at 5:57 PM on August 4, 2007

I've seen jessamyn's cupkakes. They were oracular.
posted by vronsky at 9:00 PM on August 4, 2007

what did you say about my cupcakes?
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 9:54 PM on August 4, 2007

Them's some purdy cupcakes ya got there, Miss.

Damn they look tasty! Now I have to go have some leftover birthday cake which I was trying to avoid. But I know it won't taste anything near as good as those.
posted by The Deej at 10:33 PM on August 4, 2007

The cupcakes look great. Jessamyn seems to be making a "I'm so sorry about the cupcakes" face, though. Maybe not. I remember someone at boy scout camp screaming at me for not smiling when we lined up for inspection, and I sure thought I was smiling, but...
posted by These Penises Are Alarmed at 7:45 AM on August 6, 2007

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