Comments on: Metafilter By Committee?

Metafilter By Committee?

wheelieman — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 05:25:44 -0800

MeFi Committees: A Proposal (MI, This could get long and messy)

By: Plutor

Plutor — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 05:30:03 -0800

(Please compose your MI before posting.)

By: fandango_matt

fandango_matt — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 05:38:47 -0800

Possible name: the Committee for Reviewing All Posts

By: wheelieman

wheelieman — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 05:41:40 -0800

It has come to my attention that the hierarchy of this place is not even. We only have two people controlling about 12,000 members and that can get daunting and long. So I propose that a few brave MeFite volunteers step up and help run the site as far as enforcing the rules. Matt will always be the moneychanger and the webmaster and I don't want this to change. However, he is always getting asked to write FAQs and boot people off the island. I say why don't we have a few committees in which the selected members get to make the decisions?
Examples:

AskMe Committee: where eyebrow raising questions get discussed.

MeTa Thread Watch: Keeping the discussions civil and not get turned to drama (queen.)

I know flags are in place for those but Matt is just 1 guy with a life and a beautiful family and I dont want him to stay on here trying to control stuff. The Subcommittees would write out a report, send it to either Matt or Jess and they would act accordingly.

Commentary is welcome and needed and if this has been posted before, sorry!

By: wheelieman

wheelieman — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 05:43:00 -0800

Also I never learned to write MI ahead of time. Will do next time.

By: fandango_matt

fandango_matt — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 05:45:05 -0800

How is this different from the way MetaFilter operates now?

By: ThePinkSuperhero

ThePinkSuperhero — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 05:48:56 -0800

You operate under the assumption that Matt hates this place and it's a huge burden to him. I highly doubt that, if only for the reason that it's what allowed him to quit his job and stay home in the first place (and I don't think that's the only reason he likes it, either).

You don't hate us Matt, do you? Do you?!?

By: popechunk

popechunk — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 05:49:41 -0800

Isn't Jessamyn's role evidence that Matt is already comfortable doling out authority when he thinks it will help?

By: wheelieman

wheelieman — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 05:57:55 -0800

Delete or close this if needed.

By: fandango_matt

fandango_matt — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 06:06:24 -0800

Well, what does the the Committee for Reviewing All Posts think?

[ ] Good idea, leave thread open
[ ] Bad idea, close thread

By: rxrfrx

rxrfrx — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 06:11:34 -0800

I think this post is clearly within the jurisdiction of CRAP.

By: jessamyn

jessamyn — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 06:26:53 -0800

You know the wiki really could help be some of these things, at least be really good supporting documentation for users, summaries of complicated topics, notations of new rules and guidelines, but no one uses it that way. Flags seem to really be helping both to highlight notable posts as well as to keep an eye out for something that has gone wrong that mathowie or I haven't noticed. I guess my question is: what problem are you trying to solve?

By: Plutor

Plutor — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 06:28:13 -0800

fandango_matt: "Well, what does the the Committee for Reviewing All Posts think?"

[] Bad idea, leave thread open for hilarious snarks.

By: keijo

keijo — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 06:34:39 -0800

I'm sure Matt will come up with something to solve whatever it is you are trying to solve when he feels he has to.

Let there be snarks *grabs popcorn*

By: piratebowling

piratebowling — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 06:46:53 -0800

I really don't see the point of creating a further hierarchy. I like that there is a sense of equality among a majority of the members, with only two individuals who are fairminded and trustworthy enough not to be pretty or hold grudges.

I don't want to see MeFi turned into a beuracracy, with comittees, subcomittes, etc.

By: By The Grace of God

By The Grace of God — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 06:48:50 -0800

Popechunk is right, in terms of realpolitik around here. However, if there were committees, I'd like to work on AskMe.

By: If I Had An Anus

If I Had An Anus — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 06:49:33 -0800

I'm pretty and hold grudges.

By: lobstah

lobstah — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 06:57:16 -0800

I nominate the acronym POOP
Perpetual Obsession Over Posting

By: Miko

Miko — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 06:57:44 -0800

Let's keep it simple. It actually works.

By: Ryvar

Ryvar — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 07:02:22 -0800

Matt and Jessamyn are pretty reasonable if you talk with them. The more prominent posters around here are happily swayed by good ideas and sound logic. If you want to effect change, or help keep the place tidy, you can easily do so with quality posting and flagging.

AskMe works wonderfully as is - it's simultaneously incredibly useful without taking itself 100% seriously which leads to posturing.

MetaTalk is great because there is always going to be drama queenery in a community of this size no matter what you do. If you try to contain it too much it will explode all over the site. This subsection is a colossal angstsink for the site and it's loads of fun for those of us who enjoy that sort of thing.

Metafilter as a whole is working great as it is right now. I can't recall a time when I've seen the site better than in the time period between the stability fix and now. Deletions are down, awesome posts are up, drama is at precisely the right level to keep us entertained without setting everyone at each others' throats. Like Jessamyn said - what problem are you trying to fix?

My mouth tastes like semen :(

By: majick

majick — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 07:02:50 -0800

I, too, think that a lot of the worthless crap should be more aggressively deleted. However, forming committees (mein Gott!) is possibly the worst way of getting anything done at all, let alone the kind of swift and decisive action that the many aspiring quonsars deserve.

This is a bad proposal. If Matt feels like he needs a third person to help keep up with the deletion of worthless crap, he'll scare somebody up.

By: mds35

mds35 — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 07:02:58 -0800

Wheelieman, you have offended the tribe. Your fate has been sealed. The elder shamen have declared that for this offense you shall die. But our people are a compasisonate one, and you may choose the method of your demise. The choices are twofold: Ooga-Booga, or Death By Committee.

By: Afroblanco

Afroblanco — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 07:07:45 -0800

Matt will always be the moneychanger

Moneychanger? Moneychanger?

Does this mean that we must, like, drive him from the temple or something?

By: Joseph Gurl

Joseph Gurl — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 07:12:58 -0800

Ryvar's just siezed the coveted Fluffer position.

Can I be in charge of funerals?

By: OmieWise

OmieWise — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 07:13:51 -0800

Some people call it a grudge, some people call it my penis.

By: caddis

caddis — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 07:19:12 -0800

When you have a problem that you don't really want to solve, form a committee.

By: caddis

caddis — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 07:19:33 -0800

Of course, we need a committee to see if we have a problem.

By: caddis

caddis — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 07:20:06 -0800

Let's form a committee to select members for the committee looking into whether we have a problem.

By: caddis

caddis — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 07:20:17 -0800

Oh, CRAP.

By: Ryvar

Ryvar — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 07:21:42 -0800

Ryvar's just siezed the coveted Fluffer position.

Which is hilarious given my only sock puppet, isn't it?

By: klangklangston

klangklangston — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 07:28:54 -0800

" The more prominent posters around here are happily swayed by good ideas and sound logic."

Heh.

By: Ryvar

Ryvar — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 07:31:29 -0800

Yeah that was the only part of my little screed I wasn't too sure about.

By: cortex

cortex — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 08:03:08 -0800

Filibuster + Deliberate = De-fibrillate

I just actually used the spell-checker for the first time. Awesome.

By: sourwookie

sourwookie — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 08:45:33 -0800

I admit I've been lurking here for six years, and spend a diporportionate amount of time logged in, but, c'mon on--this shit ain't real life. It's just a website.

So, there are a couple of inflammitory posters--big deal. People repost to correct their typos--big whup. An FPP ain't up to your standards--tough shit. The occasional double is just a double. Skip it and move on. You aren't paying taxes here, no one is restricting your liberties here, no human rights are being violated. It's just a place we generally enjoy--sometimes more than other times.

Haven't you got a gig to play, a dog to walk, a garden to tend to or something?

By: pyramid termite

pyramid termite — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 09:22:18 -0800

a committee won't happen ... the cabal wouldn't like it

By: gsb

gsb — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 09:24:03 -0800

This is a really bad idea, I think you need a coffee with lots of sugar, and a cigarette, because your brain appears to be going soft.

I like benevolent dictatorships.

...and our overseers are decent and kind and nice and perfect and so on and so on and so on

By: nomad

nomad — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 09:32:02 -0800

Translation: "ops pls"

By: keswick

keswick — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 09:43:44 -0800

What is it with lefties and committees?

By: loquacious

loquacious — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 10:41:54 -0800

Translation: "ops pls"

No wai!@ STFU N00B!

By: brain_drain

brain_drain — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 11:29:43 -0800

Isn't this already within the jurisdiction of the Group Of All Trusted Site Experts?

By: Cranberry

Cranberry — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 11:38:17 -0800

THere is yet another acronym that would solve all administrative complaints: GYOB

By: Cranberry

Cranberry — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 11:38:52 -0800

Rats, Word always fixes those second capitals.

By: Lynsey

Lynsey — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 11:46:49 -0800

I consider myself a lefty but I don't see any need for no steenkin' committee here. I agree with GSB.

By: fochsenhirt

fochsenhirt — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 12:30:44 -0800

None of us is as dumb as all of us.

By: Rothko

Rothko — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 12:51:07 -0800

So, a majority of votes for: there is no ~~Cabal~~ Committee

By: wakko

wakko — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 13:01:58 -0800

I know flags are in place for those

Flags are fun. I like to flag posts because I think drop-down boxes rock!

By: raedyn

raedyn — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 13:18:39 -0800

None of us is as dumb as all of us. - fochsenhirt

The truth hurts.

By: furtive

furtive — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 14:31:26 -0800

I'd rather just wait for ajax powered flags. people will more more motivated to flag if it doesn't distract from the flow.

By: delmoi

delmoi — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 14:41:05 -0800

You could have just emailed matt with your thoughts, you know.

By: cortex

cortex — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 14:52:35 -0800

I've tried that. After the first couple hundred, though, he just filed for a restraining order.

By: The Monkey

The Monkey — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 15:55:48 -0800

I think this is a fantastic idea.

I nominate myself as chair.

Seconds?

Thanks, all in favour?

Great.

You're all banninated! Now get the fuck out of my site.

(Furiously writes report.)

By: quonsar

quonsar — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 16:05:07 -0800

someone wake me when the coup d'etat begins.

By: scarabic

scarabic — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 16:31:07 -0800

I wouldn't mind a committee on reducing unnecessary bureaucracy around here.

By: deborah

deborah — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 17:40:32 -0800

Pssst, quonsar. Look up, you already missed it.

By: shmegegge

shmegegge — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 17:49:01 -0800

I think there is a misunderstanding happening here. I don't think the post is being received the way it is intended. If I may, I'd like to offer a translation so that people better understand the proposition as it stands:

mathowie and jessamyn are not banning the people I don't like! They're also not deleting all the comments I don't like! Waaah!

By: delmoi

delmoi — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 19:03:31 -0800

hmm. Actualy, while I think comitties are a bad idea, how about we give us all offical sounding titles?

By: Afroblanco

Afroblanco — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 19:28:00 -0800

I nominate myself Five Star General, King and Captain.

By: nomad

nomad — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 19:30:09 -0800

I nominate myself six star general captain king, captain of all kings and lesser-star generals.

By: R. Mutt

R. Mutt — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 19:40:24 -0800

First comes the committee ... then a salary (in order that they not be tempted by bribes) .... then they vote themselves health care ... then, in order to deal with the tax and health care paper work, .... YOUNG SEXY INTERNS!

By: gsb

gsb — Tue, 31 Jan 2006 01:40:06 -0800

I elect myself MeFi Toilet Monitor, and I want epaulets!

By: raedyn

raedyn — Tue, 31 Jan 2006 06:22:43 -0800

I elect myself MeFi Toilet Monitor, and I want epaulets! - gsb

So, it's you I tip for toilet paper?

By: Kirth Gerson

Kirth Gerson — Tue, 31 Jan 2006 07:43:59 -0800

I nominate Afroblanco and nomad as co-chairmen of the Greedy Committee.

By: languagehat

languagehat — Tue, 31 Jan 2006 07:46:10 -0800

I have long been Grand Kaimakam and Hospodar of Upper and Lower Blogovia. Suck it, commoners!

By: Baby_Balrog

Baby_Balrog — Tue, 31 Jan 2006 13:44:17 -0800

YOU just want to have more POWER wheelieman and you're only proposing it because SECRETLY IN YOUR HEART you want to be in CONTROL of metafilter so you can USE it to send POWERFUL MIND CONTROL RAYS into our BRAINS.

By: The Monkey

The Monkey — Tue, 31 Jan 2006 16:12:01 -0800

*Furiously hammers gavel on table.*

This meeting is adjourned motherfuckers!

*Takes gavel and walks out.*

*Turns off microphones.*