MeFi Press mention: Washington Post

January 5, 2006 9:14 AM

WaPo "In a recent discussion on the MetaFilter community blog"
posted by shoepal to MetaFilter-related at 9:14 AM (29 comments total)

"Second rule: Help yourself so you actually can do some work. In a recent discussion on the MetaFilter community blog, others who have worked sick suggested herbal teas, fresh fruit juices, over-the-counter drugs and vegetable sushi with plenty of wasabi to clear the head."

Seemed odd that MeFi was cited, but no link or even a URL was provided.
posted by shoepal at 9:15 AM on January 5, 2006

I'm assuming this is the thread the Post is referring to.
posted by pithy comment at 9:18 AM on January 5, 2006

(I think this is the Ask.MeFi thread. From July?!)
posted by shoepal at 9:19 AM on January 5, 2006

maybe both. The one I found mentions vegetable sushi.
posted by shoepal at 9:20 AM on January 5, 2006

The fact that the article didn't mention vitamin C is more or less a miracle.
posted by Optimus Chyme at 9:34 AM on January 5, 2006

There are at least a few journalists who post here. In this thread a couple of journos discuss research they'd been doing on the thread topic. One for Wired, the other for New York Magazine.
posted by delmoi at 9:41 AM on January 5, 2006

What a weird article. I mean, the shout-out is great, but totally unnecessary in the context. It feels forced, as if instead of quoting some pop-medical that you buy at a supermarket some editor wanted a 'blog' in there.
posted by allen.spaulding at 9:54 AM on January 5, 2006

The MSM is always pulling shit like that.
posted by Plutor at 10:14 AM on January 5, 2006

For all of you WashPo readers who have suddenly flocked to Metafilter: WAND! (We Are Not Doctors!) Read any medical self-treatment threads and follow their recommendations at your own risk! (IANAL)
posted by Lynsey at 10:16 AM on January 5, 2006

I agree with allen.spaulding. A strange citation.
posted by OmieWise at 10:51 AM on January 5, 2006

huh, I wondered why about double the normal number of signups took place yesterday.
posted by mathowie at 10:54 AM on January 5, 2006

Could it be that a mefite is self-linking on the Washington Post!?!
posted by veronica sawyer at 10:57 AM on January 5, 2006

Seemed odd that MeFi was cited, but no link or even a URL was provided.

The style of the mention is what's interesting. It's very off-the-cuff, as if everyone already knows what MeFi is and reads it all the time.

There are a lot of journalists here who post, and probably many more who read. The dirty little secret in the world of writing for periodicals is that this is a great place to mine the zeitgeist for ideas.
posted by Miko at 11:12 AM on January 5, 2006

Yeah, miko, I thought the citation odd (style + context) as well. It was cause for pause as I was reading the pulp version of the WaPo with the front page of MeFi open on my screen.

Most of my friends don't know what Metafilter is (beyond "that site shoepal is always referencing") let alone the average WaPo readership. Puzzling. But, if it fills the coffers and keeps the JRun monster away, let the random citations and off the cuff references flow!
posted by shoepal at 11:43 AM on January 5, 2006

The dirty little secret in the world of writing for periodicals is that this is a great place to mine the zeitgeist for ideas.

Well, I've always wondered if little citations like this are the result of terminal laziness on the part of the writer (I'll just quote something some anonymous person said on this community webblog, that'll fill up some space), or if quoting people on Metafilter is the 21st century version of "man-on-the-street" interviews.

I mean, imagine if it read:

In a recent discussion at the Palm Valley Bowl-o-Rama Singles Night, others who have worked sick suggested herbal teas, fresh fruit juices, over-the-counter drugs and vegetable sushi with plenty of wasabi to clear the head.

posted by Jimbob at 12:24 PM on January 5, 2006

I'm sure the wasabi industry is thankful as well.
posted by strangeleftydoublethink at 12:45 PM on January 5, 2006

I found it odd that Metafilter advice was presented before doctors' advice.
posted by Roger Dodger at 1:19 PM on January 5, 2006

Who is the mole?
posted by tr33hggr at 1:26 PM on January 5, 2006

Kathy Griffin.
posted by konolia at 1:31 PM on January 5, 2006

Jeez, if you are sick stay the fuck home. That's what sick leave is for.
posted by fixedgear at 1:45 PM on January 5, 2006

sick leave

Hahahahaha!

Heh! Hahaha*snort*ha!

"Sick leave"!

Hee!
posted by cortex at 1:59 PM on January 5, 2006

I, for one, am outraged the Gothamist thread has more comments than this one. Hello, people? WaPo, here!

I blame quonsar.
posted by If I Had An Anus at 2:02 PM on January 5, 2006

cortex: Glad I could give you a chuckle.
posted by fixedgear at 4:03 PM on January 5, 2006

We need a scan!
posted by smackfu at 4:07 PM on January 5, 2006

Miko: "The dirty little secret in the world of writing for periodicals is that this is a great place to mine the zeitgeist for ideas."

Is there anything dirty or secret about it? I've seen stuff on here and subsequently written about it, but then I hear about stuff in the pub and write about it too. And still no 'something similar to something in a MeFi thread from a while ago appeared in a minor Scottish magazine today' call out ;-)
posted by jack_mo at 3:37 AM on January 6, 2006

Gotta link, jack_mo?
posted by If I Had An Anus at 5:44 AM on January 6, 2006

Is there anything dirty or secret about it?

No, just being silly. But I keep my MeFi pretty close to the vest, even though it's just one source of ideas in a world that offers many. One day's worth of MeFi offers a lot more in the way of information and perspective than one night at the pub. It's just one of the places you can put your antennae out very effectively.
posted by Miko at 7:11 AM on January 6, 2006

If I Had An Anus: "Gotta link, jack_mo?"

Not to anything specific, but I've written a couple of technology/web pieces for The List (kind of like Time Out for Glasgow and Edinburgh) where research has started with stuff I've seen here - off the top of my head, a piece on Bittorrent, a piece on home media PCs and one of those ned of year gadget round up lists. I.E. nothing 'exclusive' to MetaFilter, but in those cases threads have made me think 'Ooh, I should pitch something on that...' and the links and comments have given me a starting point to read up on the topic/raised points that I wouldn't have thought to include.

Or, what Miko just said.
posted by jack_mo at 5:52 AM on January 12, 2006

Um, end of year. (A 'ned of year' piece might be fun to write, though...)
posted by jack_mo at 5:54 AM on January 12, 2006