Signs of Life October 30, 2013 6:19 AM Subscribe
I was recently off Metafilter for a bit and missed it. While thinking about how awesome Metafilter is I got the idea about having a place in real life that was Metafilter related.
Maybe a bench in a public park somewhere with a plaque that says it was donated by Metafilter? Or a tree? I bet we could come up with some cool ideas.
It'd be so fun to travel there and take a picture with THE METAFILTER in real life. Or does a place like that already exist?
There are so many of us who truly value this site, maybe some would be willing to contribute towards a small offline presence? Any thoughts?
I envision it more as a sculpture, a huge three dimensional web made up of multiple colors textures shapes complete with electrical circuits that cause lights to go on randomly, and music to play. We would send it on a world tour, like other great works of art.
posted by mareli at 6:29 AM on October 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by mareli at 6:29 AM on October 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
My first thought is that Metafilter is the people, not the place. While it would be nice to make a physical impact for the better, I don't think it would feel anywhere near the same as actually being here with the awesome users that make this place what it is.
But if you were to do it, where would you have it? I mean, since Metafilter is global, where is the approprate place to do it?
posted by inturnaround at 6:35 AM on October 30, 2013 [3 favorites]
But if you were to do it, where would you have it? I mean, since Metafilter is global, where is the approprate place to do it?
posted by inturnaround at 6:35 AM on October 30, 2013 [3 favorites]
I think this is what MetaFilter looks like.
posted by Faint of Butt at 6:36 AM on October 30, 2013 [5 favorites]
posted by Faint of Butt at 6:36 AM on October 30, 2013 [5 favorites]
I think this is a neat idea that would actually make me kind of sad because this isn't likely to be near me and, even if it were, it wouldn't be near a lot of other people and that might make them/me feel like less a part of the community; yeah, it's on-line, but MetaFilter feels like a "real" place to me and I wouldn't want it be in some OTHER real place where I wasn't a part of it. If we WERE going to do something like this, I think it would need to be a network or have franchises or like be something where people all over the world plant MeFi trees at the same time and then we all have parties.
Of course, it's possible that I'm just looking to re-live the meet-up for the 10th; that was AWESOME.
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 6:46 AM on October 30, 2013
Of course, it's possible that I'm just looking to re-live the meet-up for the 10th; that was AWESOME.
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 6:46 AM on October 30, 2013
Of course I feel compelled to say that Metafilter already has a real place, in all our hearts. (Either there or the town called Meta.)
Joking aside, all I can say is I don't think this is something we've considered. It sounds fun but I have no idea what it should look like or how it should be organized. Sorry to give you the stern bureaucrat line here but I'm reminded of previous instances where charity efforts and the like ended in friction over what, if anything, the money should be spent on. (That's also one reason we don't allow fundraising on the site at all.)
I know this is not the same thing but I can't help but put in this sort of a pre-emptive disclaimer. I feel bad because it truly does sound like a cool idea, but it's never come up before that I know so I just want to exercise caution from a mod perspective here. Other mods may have more substantial thoughts.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane (staff) at 6:47 AM on October 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
Joking aside, all I can say is I don't think this is something we've considered. It sounds fun but I have no idea what it should look like or how it should be organized. Sorry to give you the stern bureaucrat line here but I'm reminded of previous instances where charity efforts and the like ended in friction over what, if anything, the money should be spent on. (That's also one reason we don't allow fundraising on the site at all.)
I know this is not the same thing but I can't help but put in this sort of a pre-emptive disclaimer. I feel bad because it truly does sound like a cool idea, but it's never come up before that I know so I just want to exercise caution from a mod perspective here. Other mods may have more substantial thoughts.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane (staff) at 6:47 AM on October 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
It needs to be a reconstruction of Meta Filter, 1973-75. I'm still not totally convinced that wasn't a cortex prank, though.
posted by Rock Steady at 6:47 AM on October 30, 2013 [14 favorites]
posted by Rock Steady at 6:47 AM on October 30, 2013 [14 favorites]
Anyone got a hookup at the International Astronomical Union?
We can get a star named after MetaFilter and then anyone at all can go outside and look up at the sky and think "man we really should've sprung for a star you can see with the naked eye."
posted by griphus at 6:49 AM on October 30, 2013 [35 favorites]
We can get a star named after MetaFilter and then anyone at all can go outside and look up at the sky and think "man we really should've sprung for a star you can see with the naked eye."
posted by griphus at 6:49 AM on October 30, 2013 [35 favorites]
The true heart of MetaFilter is mathowie's left nipple, the munificent font from which MetaFilter's brilliance continually spurts. For longtemps the penitents of this site have endured pilgrimage to that most Holy site, each carrying a suitcase full of rabbit droppings which symbolize their various infractions of site guidelines. The kindly government of mathowie has erected a viewing platform around the divine papilla: those who have travelled in the hope of forgiveness circle it three times praying for reconciliation, and then cast their suitcases of dung at the chest-hair which grows in its vicinity (this act represents the rejection of Satan and self-linking). Having completed this most sacred journey, the spiritually-cleansed users return to their home countries and encourage others to live a life that is pure and just. This act of pilgrimage, itself a commandment of the great mathowie, binds all MetaFilter users as one faithful community. Also there is a gift shop, from which you can purchase mathowie-nipple snow-globes and commemorative T-shirts. The prices are quite high, though, and they don’t take cards - you have to bring cash. I keep telling him that you can’t operate a Holy concession stand like that, people want to use plastic nowadays and they probably spent their last cash at the hot-dog vendor in his navel. But he says that it is all part of the ineffable mystery of Himself, and anyway people should think ahead if they are planning such a trip. I mean he has a point but honestly I think it’s a little bit silly, and you know how I feel about tomfoolery.
posted by the quidnunc kid at 6:51 AM on October 30, 2013 [8 favorites]
posted by the quidnunc kid at 6:51 AM on October 30, 2013 [8 favorites]
It's surely gotta be a sculpture of a plate of beans. Entitled "Seek Therapy".
posted by pianissimo at 6:51 AM on October 30, 2013 [10 favorites]
posted by pianissimo at 6:51 AM on October 30, 2013 [10 favorites]
We need a space probe with our own golden disc on it fired into space.
posted by Ironmouth at 6:53 AM on October 30, 2013
posted by Ironmouth at 6:53 AM on October 30, 2013
This is what Brad Graham's bench is always like, for me.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 6:57 AM on October 30, 2013 [11 favorites]
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 6:57 AM on October 30, 2013 [11 favorites]
I have fabricated a golden, jewel-encrusted hare-with-pancakes-on-his-head necklace that I have buried somewhere in the American countryside. The hare is buried inside a blue box with the Metafilter logo on the front. Clues to the location of the burial are contained in my prime-numbered comments, starting in 2007.
Go.
posted by bondcliff at 6:57 AM on October 30, 2013 [20 favorites]
Go.
posted by bondcliff at 6:57 AM on October 30, 2013 [20 favorites]
I believe there's a photo from cortex's 10th anniversary world tour (last supper style) up on the wall of the Goat where we have our Chicago meetups. It was up there for a while at least...I haven't checked on it lately.
Anyway, that's pretty good. Come visit fabulous Chicago! Get your photo taken with a photo of cortex!
posted by phunniemee at 7:02 AM on October 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
Anyway, that's pretty good. Come visit fabulous Chicago! Get your photo taken with a photo of cortex!
posted by phunniemee at 7:02 AM on October 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
We need a space probe with our own golden disc on it fired into space.
Can't we just stop firing things off and aim at intangible cultural heritage with UNESCO instead?
posted by de at 7:02 AM on October 30, 2013
Can't we just stop firing things off and aim at intangible cultural heritage with UNESCO instead?
posted by de at 7:02 AM on October 30, 2013
I believe there's a photo from cortex's 10th anniversary world tour (last supper style) up on the wall of the Goat
No shit? That's great.
posted by cortex (staff) at 7:34 AM on October 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
No shit? That's great.
posted by cortex (staff) at 7:34 AM on October 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
*highfives pjern*
posted by cortex (staff) at 7:34 AM on October 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by cortex (staff) at 7:34 AM on October 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
I think it is still at the Goat too but will check it out to be sure and take a picture. Probably next Wednesday.
For those unfamiliar , here's the Metatalk thread about the picture itself. (I, for one, am so feebled by technology that I typed 'cortex last supper' in Google Image search expecting it to just return it.) And yes, this picture, whether it is hanging at the Goat or not, is pretty much Metafilter for me in that it fills me with great, great joy.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 7:41 AM on October 30, 2013 [11 favorites]
For those unfamiliar , here's the Metatalk thread about the picture itself. (I, for one, am so feebled by technology that I typed 'cortex last supper' in Google Image search expecting it to just return it.) And yes, this picture, whether it is hanging at the Goat or not, is pretty much Metafilter for me in that it fills me with great, great joy.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 7:41 AM on October 30, 2013 [11 favorites]
MeccaFilter
posted by Kabanos at 7:44 AM on October 30, 2013 [6 favorites]
posted by Kabanos at 7:44 AM on October 30, 2013 [6 favorites]
....Learning of the existence of the actual town called Meta, and the desire on some people's parts to make some kind of Concrete Mark Upon The World, has sparked an alternate idea in me. How about some kind of annual drive where we take up a collection, then find some worthy charity in Meta and make a donation?
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:51 AM on October 30, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:51 AM on October 30, 2013 [3 favorites]
Rock Steady: "It needs to be a reconstruction of Meta Filter, 1973-75. I'm still not totally convinced that wasn't a cortex prank, though."
Meta Filter takes participants through a series of twelve problem areas which focus on different issues around interpersonal relationships. For example, the first area is that of the individual in several differing situations and the subsequent themes move forwards, gradually becoming more and more complex. Once the two participants have reached agreement within a problem area, Meta Filter moves them on to a new set of problems. However, if they are unable to reach agreement then Meta Filter presents them with a new problem from the same territory.
Brilliant.
posted by jquinby at 7:52 AM on October 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
Meta Filter takes participants through a series of twelve problem areas which focus on different issues around interpersonal relationships. For example, the first area is that of the individual in several differing situations and the subsequent themes move forwards, gradually becoming more and more complex. Once the two participants have reached agreement within a problem area, Meta Filter moves them on to a new set of problems. However, if they are unable to reach agreement then Meta Filter presents them with a new problem from the same territory.
Brilliant.
posted by jquinby at 7:52 AM on October 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
jquinby, there were a couple of MeTa threads about it, FYI.
posted by Rock Steady at 7:55 AM on October 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Rock Steady at 7:55 AM on October 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
Could we do something a little more portable? Like a signature scent? It could go out (after paying a modest S&H fee) like a perfume sample and then we could all share it. Pine trees and beer, maybe?
posted by jquinby at 8:01 AM on October 30, 2013
posted by jquinby at 8:01 AM on October 30, 2013
I think it should be a bench in a specific locale, or several specific locales: such that, if you were in that city you could simply go to that bench, turn to the other person who just happened to be sitting there and ask, "Are you a friend of Matt's?" And voila! You're off to the races!
posted by From Bklyn at 8:04 AM on October 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by From Bklyn at 8:04 AM on October 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
When I think of metafilter, I think of this.
posted by octobersurprise at 8:17 AM on October 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by octobersurprise at 8:17 AM on October 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
We need a satellite. Mattnik.
posted by pracowity at 8:19 AM on October 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by pracowity at 8:19 AM on October 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
Just a thought: MetaFilter-themed geocaches. There's more than a few people here who go geocaching. It's a (near) free, healthy, thoughtful, satisfying, non-political activity. The activity is also focused around community, contributions, and mutual help. There are many, many, different varieties of (geo)caches out there; MetaFilter-themed instances, with accompanying goodies inside, could be an idea. Plus, as an occasional geocacher, if a MeFite placed a cache in some place I was visiting, I'd be more inclined to try and find it than other caches.
posted by Wordshore at 8:30 AM on October 30, 2013 [15 favorites]
posted by Wordshore at 8:30 AM on October 30, 2013 [15 favorites]
Next time something in my city is selling fundraising bricks (probably the zoo or museum), I will buy you all a brick. Usually you get to put like 120 characters (in 3 lines of 40) on it so you'd all get to think of something hilarious but tweet-length and not-obscene.
Like probably something about elizardbits loving emus. Ideally in the emu enclosure, right where the emus can peck it with kisses.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 8:33 AM on October 30, 2013 [7 favorites]
Like probably something about elizardbits loving emus. Ideally in the emu enclosure, right where the emus can peck it with kisses.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 8:33 AM on October 30, 2013 [7 favorites]
The MeTa Memorial Arena!
posted by klangklangston at 8:35 AM on October 30, 2013
posted by klangklangston at 8:35 AM on October 30, 2013
I just spent far too long trying to parse moth@fucking barge. An email address? An insect that frequents some kind of sex boat? Is this something everyone else on the Grey understands, and I'm just an interloper??
Geocaches and fundraising bricks both sound cool!
posted by daisyk at 8:49 AM on October 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
Geocaches and fundraising bricks both sound cool!
posted by daisyk at 8:49 AM on October 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
The MeTa Memorial Arena!
In MetaTalk did klangklangston
A stately thunder-dome decree.
posted by griphus at 8:52 AM on October 30, 2013 [14 favorites]
In MetaTalk did klangklangston
A stately thunder-dome decree.
posted by griphus at 8:52 AM on October 30, 2013 [14 favorites]
We can get a star named after MetaFilter
I know it was half-joking, but you can't actually get a star named for anyone or anything. Now, we could discover a comet and call it Comet Metafilter; it's almost certain to be the doomsday comet.
posted by IvoShandor at 8:57 AM on October 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
I know it was half-joking, but you can't actually get a star named for anyone or anything. Now, we could discover a comet and call it Comet Metafilter; it's almost certain to be the doomsday comet.
posted by IvoShandor at 8:57 AM on October 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
daisyk: I just spent far too long trying to parse moth@fucking barge. An email address?
Just send an email to moth@fucking.barge for all your maritime insect breeding needs!
posted by Rock Steady at 8:58 AM on October 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
Just send an email to moth@fucking.barge for all your maritime insect breeding needs!
posted by Rock Steady at 8:58 AM on October 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
Oooh, better idea if you wanna go with the "annual collection and charity drive" - buy the high school some computers or software or give some money to the computer club or something.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:07 AM on October 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:07 AM on October 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
Hmm, if all the optics scientists on MeFi banded together and made an enormous laser, we can just carve METAFILTER into the near side of the moon.
Or at least "MET".
posted by griphus at 9:28 AM on October 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
Or at least "MET".
posted by griphus at 9:28 AM on October 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
Why not just go around making street art with obscure references to favorite posts?
posted by Ideefixe at 9:34 AM on October 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by Ideefixe at 9:34 AM on October 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
MetaFilter. A consensual hallucination experienced daily by billions of legitimate operators, in every nation... A graphic representation of data abstracted from banks of every computer in the human system. Unthinkable bean-plating. Lines of light ranged in the nonspace of the mind, clusters and constellations of data. Like twenty dollars, same as in town...
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 9:49 AM on October 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 9:49 AM on October 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
The Metafilter is everywhere, it is all around us, even now in this very room. You can see it when you look out your window, or you turn on your television. You can feel it when you go to work, when you go to church, when you pay your taxes. It is the truth that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the world.
posted by blue_beetle at 9:55 AM on October 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by blue_beetle at 9:55 AM on October 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
Stars and moon laser graffiti are nice, but it needs to be somewhere birds can shit on it.
posted by Atom Eyes at 9:55 AM on October 30, 2013
posted by Atom Eyes at 9:55 AM on October 30, 2013
The MeTa Memorial Arena!
In MetaTalk did klangklangston
A stately thunder-dome decree.
I'm imagining a mefite post-apocalyptic disco roller derby in Mongolia.
posted by Kabanos at 10:07 AM on October 30, 2013
In MetaTalk did klangklangston
A stately thunder-dome decree.
I'm imagining a mefite post-apocalyptic disco roller derby in Mongolia.
posted by Kabanos at 10:07 AM on October 30, 2013
Why not just go around making street art with obscure references to favorite posts?posted by Ideefixe
"I'm Concerned About The Blueberries."
posted by clavdivs at 10:08 AM on October 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
"I'm Concerned About The Blueberries."
posted by clavdivs at 10:08 AM on October 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
Maybe a bench in a public park somewhere with a plaque that says it was donated by Metafilter?
I'm happy to arrange the Belfast version of this, which will be to write Metafilter on a bench in front of City Hall in black marker. You are welcome.
posted by billiebee at 10:09 AM on October 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
I'm happy to arrange the Belfast version of this, which will be to write Metafilter on a bench in front of City Hall in black marker. You are welcome.
posted by billiebee at 10:09 AM on October 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
Just a thought: MetaFilter-themed geocaches.
Each containing a plate, a punch bowl, a can of beans, a plastic dog doo, a bag of tiny foil snowflakes and a diamond in the rough.
posted by y2karl at 10:17 AM on October 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
Each containing a plate, a punch bowl, a can of beans, a plastic dog doo, a bag of tiny foil snowflakes and a diamond in the rough.
posted by y2karl at 10:17 AM on October 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
Adopt-a-highway still exists
warning music autoplay
posted by OHenryPacey at 10:40 AM on October 30, 2013
warning music autoplay
posted by OHenryPacey at 10:40 AM on October 30, 2013
My MetaFilter statue would be a little red wagon full of pancakes. Not sure why.
Also: my bringing-MeFi-to-the-physical-world fantasy is to start a lodge. Like the Loyal Order of the Water Buffalo, only for MeFites.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 10:45 AM on October 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
Also: my bringing-MeFi-to-the-physical-world fantasy is to start a lodge. Like the Loyal Order of the Water Buffalo, only for MeFites.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 10:45 AM on October 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
Ideally in the emu enclosure, right where the emus can peck it with kisses
you are history's greatest monster
posted by elizardbits at 11:00 AM on October 30, 2013 [3 favorites]
you are history's greatest monster
posted by elizardbits at 11:00 AM on October 30, 2013 [3 favorites]
The Metafilter is everywhere, it is all around us, even now in this very room. You can see it when you look out your window, or you turn on your television. You can feel it when you go to work, when you go to church, when you pay your taxes. It is the truth that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the world.
I'd like to share a revelation that I've had during my time here. It came to me when I tried to classify our website and I realized that we're not actually all dogs. Every dog on this planet instinctively develops a natural equilibrium with the surrounding environment by circling three times before it LOLs down, but we MeFites do not. We move to a subject and we beanplate and beanplate until every natural theory of mind is consumed and the only way we can survive is to move on to another thread. There is another organism on the Internet that follows the same pattern. Do you know what it is? A meme. MeFites are snowclones, the hornets of the hivemind. Boredom is a plague and we are the cure.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 11:03 AM on October 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
I'd like to share a revelation that I've had during my time here. It came to me when I tried to classify our website and I realized that we're not actually all dogs. Every dog on this planet instinctively develops a natural equilibrium with the surrounding environment by circling three times before it LOLs down, but we MeFites do not. We move to a subject and we beanplate and beanplate until every natural theory of mind is consumed and the only way we can survive is to move on to another thread. There is another organism on the Internet that follows the same pattern. Do you know what it is? A meme. MeFites are snowclones, the hornets of the hivemind. Boredom is a plague and we are the cure.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 11:03 AM on October 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
Can we just rename the RoboCop statue in Detroit?
posted by brundlefly at 11:24 AM on October 30, 2013
posted by brundlefly at 11:24 AM on October 30, 2013
elizardbits: "you are history's greatest monster"
ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED!
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 11:30 AM on October 30, 2013 [5 favorites]
ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED!
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 11:30 AM on October 30, 2013 [5 favorites]
Or maybe rename Chicago's Cloud Gate as something like Reflecting on a Giant Bean on a Plate?
posted by Kabanos at 11:30 AM on October 30, 2013 [7 favorites]
posted by Kabanos at 11:30 AM on October 30, 2013 [7 favorites]
Also: my bringing-MeFi-to-the-physical-world fantasy is to start a lodge. Like the Loyal Order of the Water Buffalo, only for MeFites.
I just realized that I totally treat the monthly Chicago meet-up like a lodge meeting as I understood it as a child-- with the scheduling on the calendar and the calls home to ensure I'm okay and the sometimes drinking more and staying out later than I intended. With this, I realize that I've grown up to be a weird amalgamation of my grandfather and a homosexual Fred Flintstone, and I'm just going to have to accept that.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 11:46 AM on October 30, 2013 [9 favorites]
I just realized that I totally treat the monthly Chicago meet-up like a lodge meeting as I understood it as a child-- with the scheduling on the calendar and the calls home to ensure I'm okay and the sometimes drinking more and staying out later than I intended. With this, I realize that I've grown up to be a weird amalgamation of my grandfather and a homosexual Fred Flintstone, and I'm just going to have to accept that.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 11:46 AM on October 30, 2013 [9 favorites]
Back when 9622.net was active there was discussion of our buying a brick for the courtyard of the new monkey house at Southwick's Zoo (because 9622 was where the monkeys hung out - it's a long story). I can't even remember now if actual $ were collected by anyone or not. Several years later I went looking for the brick, but although there were indeed commemorative bricks ("The Miller Family", "Jake and Elwood", that kind of thing) in the monkey house courtyard there was no "www.9622.net" brick.
Not much point to that story, but there you are.
posted by Curious Artificer at 11:48 AM on October 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
Not much point to that story, but there you are.
posted by Curious Artificer at 11:48 AM on October 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
Also: my bringing-MeFi-to-the-physical-world fantasy is to start a lodge. Like the Loyal Order of the Water Buffalo, only for MeFites.I belong to a Masonic lodge, and there really are some parallels with this analogy. By and large, Freemasons are good, like-minded folks who with a shared sense of values and a mutual interest in the organization. You can walk into pretty much any lodge meeting in the country, and even if you've never met any of the people there you'll probably get along pretty well because you've got that bond through tribal identify, a big part of which is shared experience and lingo.
Replace 'Freemasons' with 'MetaFilter' and 'Lodge meeting' with 'local meetup' and there you are. Except for the secret handshake. There should totally be a secret handshake required to get into meetups.
posted by usonian at 12:03 PM on October 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
There should totally be a secret handshake required to get into meetups.
Um, you do realize there actually is, to get into the real ones?
Awkward.
posted by Wordshore at 12:09 PM on October 30, 2013 [3 favorites]
Um, you do realize there actually is, to get into the real ones?
Awkward.
posted by Wordshore at 12:09 PM on October 30, 2013 [3 favorites]
> Or does a place like that already exist?
New York?
posted by blue t-shirt at 12:25 PM on October 30, 2013
New York?
posted by blue t-shirt at 12:25 PM on October 30, 2013
Um, you do realize there actually is, to get into the real ones?
Not in the Colonies!
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 1:11 PM on October 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
Not in the Colonies!
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 1:11 PM on October 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
We have a secret fistbump.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 1:13 PM on October 30, 2013
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 1:13 PM on October 30, 2013
Here's a little known fact: I already claimed a stool at end of the bar in the real world Metafilter. True story.
posted by Slap*Happy at 1:14 PM on October 30, 2013
posted by Slap*Happy at 1:14 PM on October 30, 2013
Well, wherever it is, it has to have plenty of reference desks to fit all these librarians. There are just reference desks scattered throughout the burg, in those triangles of grass at intersections and wedged up against the fence at the tot lot. There are so many that local businesses adopt them and care for them, polishing the wood and buying the resident librarian gifts like new knitting needles or mustache wax. Children linger by them at twilight, just as they should be getting home for dinner, because they want to see the fabled "changing of the librarian." Legend tells us that it is a serious ceremony, marked by bowing and preening and the ritual recitation of call numbers. I can only dream of being there someday...
posted by Biblio at 2:02 PM on October 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by Biblio at 2:02 PM on October 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
I thought we where starting a cult? I dressed for cult! No be tells me these things!
posted by The Whelk at 2:25 PM on October 30, 2013
posted by The Whelk at 2:25 PM on October 30, 2013
My first thought is that Metafilter is the people, not the place. While it would be nice to make a physical impact for the better, I am nevertheless currently posting from my prison cell, as a warning against making Metafilter about physical contact with strangers.
posted by Pyrogenesis at 2:27 PM on October 30, 2013
posted by Pyrogenesis at 2:27 PM on October 30, 2013
Just print up a bunch of "Meta" stickers and slap them on any blue filters (engine air filters, fishtank filters, etc.) that you come across during your daily travails.
posted by davejay at 2:41 PM on October 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by davejay at 2:41 PM on October 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
"Yeah, and they worship blue oysters..."
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 2:45 PM on October 30, 2013
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 2:45 PM on October 30, 2013
We have a secret fistbump.
I parsed this as "fishbump" 10 minutes ago and you don't want to know the rabbit hole my imagination took me down.
posted by arcticseal at 2:46 PM on October 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
I parsed this as "fishbump" 10 minutes ago and you don't want to know the rabbit hole my imagination took me down.
posted by arcticseal at 2:46 PM on October 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
you don't want to know the rabbit hole my imagination took me down
You are so wrong. You couldn't be more wrong. I totally want to know the rabbit hole your imagination took you down.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 2:48 PM on October 30, 2013 [3 favorites]
You are so wrong. You couldn't be more wrong. I totally want to know the rabbit hole your imagination took you down.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 2:48 PM on October 30, 2013 [3 favorites]
Slow down Troy McClure - the Springfield aquarium isn't going anywhere.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 2:51 PM on October 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by MCMikeNamara at 2:51 PM on October 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
Okay, here's my idea. You know that Anish Kapoor sculpture in Chicago called Cloud Gate? It also has a local nickname—The Bean. What if whenever one of us visited Chicago, we placed a plate under the The Bean, at which point the Mefite would step back and then look at them, and think.... like, for a really long time. Watching the reflections of hundreds of lives pass by, those who are not us, but who we live among. A multitude of motherfuckers who ought to be dumped. A universe of things we probably shouldn't eat. All this—on our plate.
Not only is would this art be temporal, but it's also performative. It would also negate the need for fundraising as pilgrims would be required to bring and remove their own plate. Rather than some sculpture or plaque, let's BE art!
posted by Toekneesan at 3:00 PM on October 30, 2013 [13 favorites]
Not only is would this art be temporal, but it's also performative. It would also negate the need for fundraising as pilgrims would be required to bring and remove their own plate. Rather than some sculpture or plaque, let's BE art!
posted by Toekneesan at 3:00 PM on October 30, 2013 [13 favorites]
I think this is what MetaFilter looks like.
nah, more like this ...
posted by philip-random at 3:09 PM on October 30, 2013
nah, more like this ...
posted by philip-random at 3:09 PM on October 30, 2013
I always thought that we were a small island with a great view of troll bay from here... Realistically, this island would make a kickass banana republic, propped up by a our hearty bean farming and canning industry. For every one known inhabitant, I bet there are 10 or 20 tourists that come by just to have a look around... enough so that the secret cabal can snatch one or two to be pulled to the secret pits for their cult sacrifice...
So... what do you think, El Presidente Haughey?
posted by Nanukthedog at 3:49 PM on October 30, 2013
So... what do you think, El Presidente Haughey?
posted by Nanukthedog at 3:49 PM on October 30, 2013
No, if we're going to go with something in Chicago, I think there are days when this is more apt than The Bean. But really, I prefer the bench idea. I'm partial to benches.
posted by bibbit at 7:58 PM on October 30, 2013
posted by bibbit at 7:58 PM on October 30, 2013
Yeah, I'm gonna donate a park bench to the local botanical gardens, and I'm gonna have a badge on there says "Metafilter", and believe you me I am going to mod the hell out of it. It's five bucks to sit down. Graffiti scrawls will disappear without a trace, others will be highlighted and copied onto a piece of paper that I'll post at the front gate, people will be told to go elsewhere if they want to talk about stuff not to do with the bench, and sometimes it'll just be roped off completely with a sign: "This bench is closed."
Then I'll donate another bench, exactly the same, right nearby, but I'll be standing there with the closure rope, ready to pounce, and people won't know which bench to sit on, because I am a fickle bench mod.
posted by turbid dahlia at 8:51 PM on October 30, 2013 [4 favorites]
Then I'll donate another bench, exactly the same, right nearby, but I'll be standing there with the closure rope, ready to pounce, and people won't know which bench to sit on, because I am a fickle bench mod.
posted by turbid dahlia at 8:51 PM on October 30, 2013 [4 favorites]
Any arguments? TAKE IT TO THE PERGOLA.
posted by turbid dahlia at 8:51 PM on October 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by turbid dahlia at 8:51 PM on October 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
(ctrl+f for "bong")
I named my bong MetaFilter
MotaFilter makes more sense but it's blue
posted by lordaych at 9:55 PM on October 30, 2013
I named my bong MetaFilter
MotaFilter makes more sense but it's blue
posted by lordaych at 9:55 PM on October 30, 2013
"Metafilter? We named the bong Metafilter!"
posted by The Whelk at 10:04 PM on October 30, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 10:04 PM on October 30, 2013 [3 favorites]
Or does a place like that already exist?
Well, sort of. My own take...Metahawks. (shameless self link)
posted by Kronos_to_Earth at 10:24 PM on October 30, 2013 [4 favorites]
Well, sort of. My own take...Metahawks. (shameless self link)
posted by Kronos_to_Earth at 10:24 PM on October 30, 2013 [4 favorites]
We need a space probe with our own golden disc on it fired into space
Should be a little golden plate encrusted with diamond beans, surely?
posted by flabdablet at 12:35 AM on October 31, 2013
Should be a little golden plate encrusted with diamond beans, surely?
posted by flabdablet at 12:35 AM on October 31, 2013
Weren't we going to do a Sexy MeFites calendar one year?
Because I can't think of anything better to introduce ourselves to the beyond.
posted by griphus at 6:32 AM on October 31, 2013
Because I can't think of anything better to introduce ourselves to the beyond.
posted by griphus at 6:32 AM on October 31, 2013
Weren't we going to do a Sexy MeFites calendar one year?
We couldn't find twelve us us who are sexy.
posted by bondcliff at 6:57 AM on October 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
We couldn't find twelve us us who are sexy.
posted by bondcliff at 6:57 AM on October 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
I know that's the joke, but if I can overshare, I'm always a little surprised if I consider it by the collective sexiness of people who I met on a website.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 7:25 AM on October 31, 2013
posted by MCMikeNamara at 7:25 AM on October 31, 2013
The Collective Sexiness is the name of my Suede cover band btw.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 7:25 AM on October 31, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by MCMikeNamara at 7:25 AM on October 31, 2013 [3 favorites]
Maybe the Site of Meficy could be a moving thing, like the European City of Culture.
posted by Segundus at 11:42 AM on October 31, 2013
posted by Segundus at 11:42 AM on October 31, 2013
Didn't the server live in delfuego's apartment for a long time? Can we get a plaque on the building?
Or our own table at the Algonquin?
posted by theora55 at 7:07 PM on October 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
Or our own table at the Algonquin?
posted by theora55 at 7:07 PM on October 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
I envision it more as a sculpture
yes. of a large cock penetrating an uncooked whole chicken.
posted by quonsar II: smock fishpants and the temple of foon at 8:34 AM on November 1, 2013 [2 favorites]
yes. of a large cock penetrating an uncooked whole chicken.
posted by quonsar II: smock fishpants and the temple of foon at 8:34 AM on November 1, 2013 [2 favorites]
Just a thought: MetaFilter-themed geocaches.
Each containing a plate, a punch bowl, a can of beans, a plastic dog doo, a bag of tiny foil snowflakes and a diamond in the rough.
And a tinfoil hat!
posted by LarryC at 12:54 PM on November 1, 2013
Each containing a plate, a punch bowl, a can of beans, a plastic dog doo, a bag of tiny foil snowflakes and a diamond in the rough.
And a tinfoil hat!
posted by LarryC at 12:54 PM on November 1, 2013
We couldn't find twelve us us who are sexy
I'm up for being all 12 months, with little outfits and props.
posted by The Whelk at 2:07 PM on November 1, 2013 [1 favorite]
I'm up for being all 12 months, with little outfits and props.
posted by The Whelk at 2:07 PM on November 1, 2013 [1 favorite]
jessamyn: "This is what Brad Graham's bench is always like, for me."
So you're saying, whatever this project turns into, we need to incorporate Comic Sans somehow?
posted by pwnguin at 6:49 PM on November 1, 2013
So you're saying, whatever this project turns into, we need to incorporate Comic Sans somehow?
posted by pwnguin at 6:49 PM on November 1, 2013
Perhaps the beans could be placed in a hat for that purpose.
What about a tinfoil fedora?
posted by flabdablet at 7:26 PM on November 1, 2013
What about a tinfoil fedora?
posted by flabdablet at 7:26 PM on November 1, 2013
I'm happy to arrange the Belfast version of this, which will be to write Metafilter on a bench in front of City Hall in black marker. You are welcome.
A massive mural of the mods on the end of a tenement, surely. Maybe with a banner saying that the spirit of the Blue Order will never die in Norn Iron.
posted by jaduncan at 4:37 AM on November 5, 2013
A massive mural of the mods on the end of a tenement, surely. Maybe with a banner saying that the spirit of the Blue Order will never die in Norn Iron.
posted by jaduncan at 4:37 AM on November 5, 2013
For the record, the aforementioned picture is still hanging at the Billy Goat.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 8:29 AM on November 7, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by MCMikeNamara at 8:29 AM on November 7, 2013 [1 favorite]
There's a picture of me as Thomas the Apostle fingerbanging cortex's wounds hanging in the Bizarro Goat.
posted by SpiffyRob at 10:06 AM on November 7, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by SpiffyRob at 10:06 AM on November 7, 2013 [1 favorite]
You ass -- I'd just gotten over missing you and then you show up and say something like that.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 10:16 AM on November 7, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by MCMikeNamara at 10:16 AM on November 7, 2013 [2 favorites]
Right, right, the fable of the Doubting John Thomas.
posted by cortex (staff) at 10:33 AM on November 7, 2013
posted by cortex (staff) at 10:33 AM on November 7, 2013
You are not logged in, either login or create an account to post comments
There's your problem right there.
posted by anotherpanacea at 6:27 AM on October 30, 2013 [4 favorites]