Close the thread September 26, 2006 4:47 PM Subscribe
I think it might be time to put this thread to bed. The poster has now said that the answers have helped her get what she was looking for. The only purpose that is served by keeping it open is to invite namecalling.
One of the saddest AskMeta threads in a really, really long time.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 4:51 PM on September 26, 2006 [1 favorite]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 4:51 PM on September 26, 2006 [1 favorite]
I agree it sounds like a bad situation on a number of levels, but there's a lot we honestly don't know (although I know we have our suspicions). I don't think further repetition of the same points is going to help fr0zen. She can judge her situation for herself.
posted by LobsterMitten at 4:56 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by LobsterMitten at 4:56 PM on September 26, 2006
I missed that thread. I would have self-linked to my main project to help him get off his ass and organize his job search ;-D
Really, that's a sad thread. She needs to asskick him, but the possibility that he leaves her 25k in debt really sucks.
posted by Kickstart70 at 5:00 PM on September 26, 2006
Really, that's a sad thread. She needs to asskick him, but the possibility that he leaves her 25k in debt really sucks.
posted by Kickstart70 at 5:00 PM on September 26, 2006
You can lead a horse to water, but it's not going to frigging drink.
That thread is the equivalent of a dead cat by the side of the road-- you saw it, you want to forget that you saw it, and you will forget in a few days. But the people involved are going to be feeling it for a lot longer no matter what happens.
This thread is the equivalent of "Hey! Remember that dead cat we saw yesterday?"
posted by Mayor Curley at 5:02 PM on September 26, 2006
That thread is the equivalent of a dead cat by the side of the road-- you saw it, you want to forget that you saw it, and you will forget in a few days. But the people involved are going to be feeling it for a lot longer no matter what happens.
This thread is the equivalent of "Hey! Remember that dead cat we saw yesterday?"
posted by Mayor Curley at 5:02 PM on September 26, 2006
Assuming those people are for real, the thread should be left open so the boyfriend can dig himself a deeper and deeper hole.
posted by brain_drain at 5:18 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by brain_drain at 5:18 PM on September 26, 2006
wow, that's pretty whack.
Hope it all ends well :(
posted by edgeways at 5:23 PM on September 26, 2006
Hope it all ends well :(
posted by edgeways at 5:23 PM on September 26, 2006
and by now, all of you should realize that me and fr0zen are setting here shaking our heads at the dumb responces to my randome fuel for the flames
Hah, look at all you idiots getting upset when I say upsetting things and troll you! You rubes!
posted by hugsnkisses at 5:24 PM on September 26, 2006
Hah, look at all you idiots getting upset when I say upsetting things and troll you! You rubes!
posted by hugsnkisses at 5:24 PM on September 26, 2006
Wow. Just wow. How're all my fellow 'Metafilter pussies' doing?
posted by ericb at 5:30 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by ericb at 5:30 PM on September 26, 2006
I'd agree that deleting that thread (for lack of another way to close it) is preferrable at this point.
posted by gsteff at 5:35 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by gsteff at 5:35 PM on September 26, 2006
Who's going to the next MeFi Meetup aka the Rumble-in-the-soda-aisle-at-Shaws tomorrow morning?
posted by jerseygirl at 5:36 PM on September 26, 2006 [2 favorites]
posted by jerseygirl at 5:36 PM on September 26, 2006 [2 favorites]
I think, technically, Matt doesn't like to do that sort of thing, but I'd like to hope an exception can be made.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 5:36 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 5:36 PM on September 26, 2006
well, you guys really fucking blow, so i wouldnt really care
posted by xteraco at 5:36 PM on September 26, 2006 [2 favorites]
posted by xteraco at 5:36 PM on September 26, 2006 [2 favorites]
(In response to removing xteraco, not deleting the thread.)
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 5:37 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 5:37 PM on September 26, 2006
One of the saddest AskMeta threads in a really, really long time.
Amen. I hope she learns the truth and acts on it before she ends up $25k in debt and pregnant. I hope, but the odds are not good. This girl is setting herself up for a lifetime of complete misery.
That xteraco, man, some people are just a waste of skin.
posted by dg at 5:38 PM on September 26, 2006
Amen. I hope she learns the truth and acts on it before she ends up $25k in debt and pregnant. I hope, but the odds are not good. This girl is setting herself up for a lifetime of complete misery.
That xteraco, man, some people are just a waste of skin.
posted by dg at 5:38 PM on September 26, 2006
How do you get to be 25K in the hole? I have decent, not great, credit, and I couldn't burn through that many credit cards if I tried.
Or am I not trying hard enough?
posted by bardic at 5:38 PM on September 26, 2006
Or am I not trying hard enough?
posted by bardic at 5:38 PM on September 26, 2006
Man, you sure do spend a lot of your free time on the internet, huh? I mean, so do I, but then, I didn't spend my girlfriend's money to spiff up a Japanese gocart.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 5:39 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 5:39 PM on September 26, 2006
xteraco seems like an ass, but plenty of members are the hypocritical oxygen to his deadbeat fire. Jesus, get over yourselves.
posted by bardic at 5:40 PM on September 26, 2006 [1 favorite]
posted by bardic at 5:40 PM on September 26, 2006 [1 favorite]
C_D, I thought maybe you meant Matt doesn't usually encourage us to show up for fights in the soda aisle, but maybe he'd make an exception for that. Which would have been awesome.
As for the thread: yeah, I'm done. I do have a strong hunch that the situation really is as Springer-like as it appears (at least close to it), and I've got more than a hunch now that fr0zen -- for various reasons -- just doesn't want to know. It's just screaming into the wind at this point. Sad.
posted by scody at 5:41 PM on September 26, 2006 [1 favorite]
As for the thread: yeah, I'm done. I do have a strong hunch that the situation really is as Springer-like as it appears (at least close to it), and I've got more than a hunch now that fr0zen -- for various reasons -- just doesn't want to know. It's just screaming into the wind at this point. Sad.
posted by scody at 5:41 PM on September 26, 2006 [1 favorite]
xteraco and fr0zen are the next lonelygirl15 and daniel. The Rumble-in-the-soda-aisle-at-Shaws tomorrow morning better be on YouTube.
posted by mattbucher at 5:44 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by mattbucher at 5:44 PM on September 26, 2006
For someone who doesn't care, you certainly seem to be keeping on top of the latest developments, xteraco.
posted by chemicalpilate at 5:45 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by chemicalpilate at 5:45 PM on September 26, 2006
Can we ban xteraco just on principle?
Is "ban" a new euphimism for "beat the living shit out of?
posted by dg at 5:45 PM on September 26, 2006
Is "ban" a new euphimism for "beat the living shit out of?
posted by dg at 5:45 PM on September 26, 2006
Because, of course, I would never suggest that someone who lives close go and do just that. That would be wrong
posted by dg at 5:46 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by dg at 5:46 PM on September 26, 2006
In a perfect world, xteraco would end up with UN Owen.
posted by drezdn at 5:48 PM on September 26, 2006 [9 favorites]
posted by drezdn at 5:48 PM on September 26, 2006 [9 favorites]
when, if that askme is closed, this thread should be closed as well. That or wait till xteraco flames out from being baited...
Hard to judge the situation, would have helped if x hadn't spazzed out a bit. Hopefully he is better than what he types.
I won't even tell you what song I'm playing on MetaChatRadio right now... it was completely subconscious I swears
posted by edgeways at 5:51 PM on September 26, 2006
Hard to judge the situation, would have helped if x hadn't spazzed out a bit. Hopefully he is better than what he types.
I won't even tell you what song I'm playing on MetaChatRadio right now... it was completely subconscious I swears
posted by edgeways at 5:51 PM on September 26, 2006
How do you get to be 25K in the hole?
Souping up a car.
The scary thing is, from what she's said, they seem to have done about 22k in 5 months.
I hope she ends up okay, but her fate is in her hands at this point.
posted by jerseygirl at 5:51 PM on September 26, 2006
Souping up a car.
The scary thing is, from what she's said, they seem to have done about 22k in 5 months.
I hope she ends up okay, but her fate is in her hands at this point.
posted by jerseygirl at 5:51 PM on September 26, 2006
enlighten me-- is it really possible to spend 25k souping up a car that's only woth about a grand blue book?
posted by Mayor Curley at 5:51 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by Mayor Curley at 5:51 PM on September 26, 2006
Can we drop them both in the middle of the North Atlantic?
posted by monju_bosatsu at 5:51 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by monju_bosatsu at 5:51 PM on September 26, 2006
xteraco is taking a brief timeout and if that thread doesn't devolve past interrobang's MeTa link I'll leave it up. Since we can't close AskMe threads, deleting them is really a last resort option.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 5:52 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 5:52 PM on September 26, 2006
"The Rumble-in-the-soda-aisle-at-Shaws tomorrow morning better be on YouTube."
Someone call Lowtax.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 5:52 PM on September 26, 2006
Someone call Lowtax.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 5:52 PM on September 26, 2006
This one hits home for me as I used to hang out with a guy very much like xteraco many moons ago, and who hurt a lot of people without consciously meaning to do so. He just never thought about women, the same way I don't think about oxygen. They were always there, and there were always more. If they let him live in their places and spend their money, well, they had him, didn't they? Fair trade. Bah.
Anyway, I, too am done.
On a happier note, said friend from those ages ago just got divorced (over money, who would have thought) and I think is finally, now that we're old and ugly, figuring out that it's not OK to simply use people. However, his dad, now in his sixties, is still at it, so maybe my hope is a bit premature.
posted by maxwelton at 5:54 PM on September 26, 2006 [1 favorite]
Anyway, I, too am done.
On a happier note, said friend from those ages ago just got divorced (over money, who would have thought) and I think is finally, now that we're old and ugly, figuring out that it's not OK to simply use people. However, his dad, now in his sixties, is still at it, so maybe my hope is a bit premature.
posted by maxwelton at 5:54 PM on September 26, 2006 [1 favorite]
scody, I quite liked your use of "man up" in the thread. Perfectly played, yo.
posted by OmieWise at 5:55 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by OmieWise at 5:55 PM on September 26, 2006
Obviously, I can think of plenty of ways to spend 25K, but how do I get credit card companies to let me max out individual cards that many times? I've got friends who are way in debt that way, and I just don't understand how it happens. Thankfully so.
posted by bardic at 5:55 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by bardic at 5:55 PM on September 26, 2006
MayorCurley, spending 25k on a pile of crap would be easy. If you don't know what you are doing (and spending $1k on a wing to "stabilise" a Honda Civic fits the bill with uncanny accuracy), it would actually be possible to do this and have the car worth less than when you started.
posted by dg at 5:57 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by dg at 5:57 PM on September 26, 2006
They've also been using credit cards for living expenses, MC, because she has a low-paying job, and he has no job at all. (FWIW)
posted by caitlinb at 5:57 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by caitlinb at 5:57 PM on September 26, 2006
Gevalt. A thoroughly depressing thread.
But who drags the subject of the AskMe into the fray? This is not, appearances to the contrary, group therapy. We judgmental and unfacted Metafilterians are not good at this shit.
posted by kosem at 5:57 PM on September 26, 2006
But who drags the subject of the AskMe into the fray? This is not, appearances to the contrary, group therapy. We judgmental and unfacted Metafilterians are not good at this shit.
posted by kosem at 5:57 PM on September 26, 2006
Also, scody hit the nail on the head with every comment in that thread. The final "man up" said it all for me.
I should shut up now, but I am really really pissed off about this - way more than I should be.
posted by dg at 6:00 PM on September 26, 2006
I should shut up now, but I am really really pissed off about this - way more than I should be.
posted by dg at 6:00 PM on September 26, 2006
Since we can't close AskMe threads, deleting them is really a last resort option.
As a public service announcement for other women that stumble across the thread sometime in the future who might find themselves in the same situation, I'd certainly hope you woudn't take the nuclear option.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 6:02 PM on September 26, 2006
As a public service announcement for other women that stumble across the thread sometime in the future who might find themselves in the same situation, I'd certainly hope you woudn't take the nuclear option.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 6:02 PM on September 26, 2006
Thanks jessamyn.
posted by LobsterMitten at 6:04 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by LobsterMitten at 6:04 PM on September 26, 2006
MayorCurley, spending 25k on a pile of crap would be easy. If you don't know what you are doing (and spending $1k on a wing to "stabilise" a Honda Civic fits the bill with uncanny accuracy), it would actually be possible to do this and have the car worth less than when you started.
They've also been using credit cards for living expenses, MC, because she has a low-paying job, and he has no job at all. (FWIW)
I just made a Keanu-like "whoah!" Baby, I'm amazed!
posted by Mayor Curley at 6:07 PM on September 26, 2006
They've also been using credit cards for living expenses, MC, because she has a low-paying job, and he has no job at all. (FWIW)
I just made a Keanu-like "whoah!" Baby, I'm amazed!
posted by Mayor Curley at 6:07 PM on September 26, 2006
Shaw's is a grocery story up in New England, Loto. I miss Shaw's, and their Raspberry Ginger Ale ::sobs::
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 6:09 PM on September 26, 2006 [1 favorite]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 6:09 PM on September 26, 2006 [1 favorite]
has dhoyt struck again i ask myself.
posted by sgt.serenity at 6:09 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by sgt.serenity at 6:09 PM on September 26, 2006
Holy shit. I was going to refrain from commenting, because it's the nice thing to do, and I've been in a similar situation with a girl and w/ no job and basically being a lazy, broke and broken fucker. So, I had some sympathy. Which dissolved quickly as I read the AskMe thread and his responses. (I did, eventually, get a job. And the whole situation is not one I'd want to repeat.)
But... that fucking car!!
What the fuck? How much food and rent is in that goddamn piece of ugly shit? How much debt? Holy crap!!
Dude, just go buy a new Subaru WRX or a new Civic or something. It'll cost less per month, it'll last longer and you won't look like a jackass driving it. You can spend the money you'll save on some Hot Wheels, and for that authentic fart-can glasspack muffler sound just start eating beans. (That'll save even more money on the food bills, too.)
posted by loquacious at 6:11 PM on September 26, 2006
But... that fucking car!!
What the fuck? How much food and rent is in that goddamn piece of ugly shit? How much debt? Holy crap!!
Dude, just go buy a new Subaru WRX or a new Civic or something. It'll cost less per month, it'll last longer and you won't look like a jackass driving it. You can spend the money you'll save on some Hot Wheels, and for that authentic fart-can glasspack muffler sound just start eating beans. (That'll save even more money on the food bills, too.)
posted by loquacious at 6:11 PM on September 26, 2006
Yay! Performance Art! And to think I would have otherwise skipped that thread.
posted by GuyZero at 6:13 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by GuyZero at 6:13 PM on September 26, 2006
jessamyn, I personally think that that thread is a. one of the most entertaining ever b. one of my favorties and c. highly informative and useful as we send the link to all the deadbeats we know as a warning of "this could be you". Please please please don't take the nuclear option.
posted by zia at 6:16 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by zia at 6:16 PM on September 26, 2006
Little known fact: Colored Eurostyle double windshield wiper heads make your penis shrink.
posted by loquacious at 6:18 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by loquacious at 6:18 PM on September 26, 2006
He's got a pizza delivery guy's car!
posted by loquacious at 6:19 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by loquacious at 6:19 PM on September 26, 2006
yeah I should add some version of that to the FAQ. Every now and again I'll get email from someone who says some version of "my question was answered by now the thread is getting embarassing, please close it" and that's not something we do unless something really terrible has happened.
TPS, I will drive by Shaw's this evening. Next time I'm out youre way I will pack the trunk full of it, it costs like a nickel or something, right?
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 6:20 PM on September 26, 2006
TPS, I will drive by Shaw's this evening. Next time I'm out youre way I will pack the trunk full of it, it costs like a nickel or something, right?
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 6:20 PM on September 26, 2006
OMG OMG really?????? I would love you FOREVER!
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 6:21 PM on September 26, 2006 [2 favorites]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 6:21 PM on September 26, 2006 [2 favorites]
I think he is making her feel guilty for "forcing" him move up here to be with her.
What sort of "good job" did he leave if he has no education?
And to add to the other stories....my dad lost his job when a dairy closed when I was a teenager...he went to work at BURGER KING to pay the bills. Pretty sure he made less then $7 an hour.
Come to think of it...the Shaw's up the street from us is always advertising for deli workers for $11 an hour. This clown needs someone to smack some sense into him. If he thinks it's hard in New England now, wait another month when it gets COLD and DARK.
And since I am not a car person....will all those mods be affected by winter weather??
posted by gminks at 6:22 PM on September 26, 2006
What sort of "good job" did he leave if he has no education?
And to add to the other stories....my dad lost his job when a dairy closed when I was a teenager...he went to work at BURGER KING to pay the bills. Pretty sure he made less then $7 an hour.
Come to think of it...the Shaw's up the street from us is always advertising for deli workers for $11 an hour. This clown needs someone to smack some sense into him. If he thinks it's hard in New England now, wait another month when it gets COLD and DARK.
And since I am not a car person....will all those mods be affected by winter weather??
posted by gminks at 6:22 PM on September 26, 2006
What in the hell is going on here?
posted by ludwig_van at 6:26 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by ludwig_van at 6:26 PM on September 26, 2006
Loquacious, are you serious? Is that really his car? Holy crap, dude! I was KIDDING about the "MUGEN-POWER"-thing! Christ!
What I love is the details, though, like how 75% of all the "mods" revolve around changing your tires or some arcane driving trivia that only a poseur would care about. Here's a free clue, dude: a shorter-throw stick isn't going to help you when you get trounced by someone who knows what they're doing and has the financial resources to make it possible. Why are you even bothering?
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 6:31 PM on September 26, 2006
What I love is the details, though, like how 75% of all the "mods" revolve around changing your tires or some arcane driving trivia that only a poseur would care about. Here's a free clue, dude: a shorter-throw stick isn't going to help you when you get trounced by someone who knows what they're doing and has the financial resources to make it possible. Why are you even bothering?
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 6:31 PM on September 26, 2006
I love this:
PERFORMANCE BLADES, MOTHERFUCKER. DO YOU HAVE THEM?
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 6:33 PM on September 26, 2006 [4 favorites]
PERFORMANCE BLADES, MOTHERFUCKER. DO YOU HAVE THEM?
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 6:33 PM on September 26, 2006 [4 favorites]
Too fast, too spurious.
posted by loquacious at 6:36 PM on September 26, 2006 [7 favorites]
posted by loquacious at 6:36 PM on September 26, 2006 [7 favorites]
Wait, wait wait... you're telling me this guy is Jim Anchower? Holy. Living. Fuck.
Jesus H Christ in a chicken basket.
When will Herbert Kornfield post a AskMe question?
posted by GuyZero at 6:37 PM on September 26, 2006 [1 favorite]
Jesus H Christ in a chicken basket.
When will Herbert Kornfield post a AskMe question?
posted by GuyZero at 6:37 PM on September 26, 2006 [1 favorite]
item, Civics tend to be the vehicle of choice for modding - something to do with cheap interchangeable parts and ... well, I really have no idea what I'm talking about so I'll shut up now.
In the Boston area, Shaws used to be called Star Market, but they converted the Star-branded stores over to the flagship a few years ago. (Sadly, there is no longer a good excuse to say STAHH MAHHHKET.) The remodeling is fantastic and it has cured me of my illogical blind loyalty to the chain affectionately known as Stupid Stoop & Poop.
posted by Saucy Intruder at 6:38 PM on September 26, 2006 [1 favorite]
In the Boston area, Shaws used to be called Star Market, but they converted the Star-branded stores over to the flagship a few years ago. (Sadly, there is no longer a good excuse to say STAHH MAHHHKET.) The remodeling is fantastic and it has cured me of my illogical blind loyalty to the chain affectionately known as Stupid Stoop & Poop.
posted by Saucy Intruder at 6:38 PM on September 26, 2006 [1 favorite]
That thread is Hall of Fame material. It may even be the Best Ever.
posted by xmutex at 6:47 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by xmutex at 6:47 PM on September 26, 2006
He's also a SERIOUSE C++ programmer, dude.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 6:55 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 6:55 PM on September 26, 2006
That thread turned into a complete trainwreck...and I couldn't help but read on lest I miss out on all the drama. I'm so weak.
posted by phoenixc at 6:56 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by phoenixc at 6:56 PM on September 26, 2006
He's like a poor man's Kevin Federline. Popo Zao!!
posted by jrossi4r at 6:57 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by jrossi4r at 6:57 PM on September 26, 2006
Please please please let this be some sort of put on, it would be amazing if this was a big joke.
posted by Falconetti at 7:08 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by Falconetti at 7:08 PM on September 26, 2006
I put my one card that I'm keeping in a ziplock baggie filled with water into the freezer.
these two are either:
1) the pathetic stars of a sick melodrama playing in thier own heads which they have decided to share with us to increase the grandiosity yield, or
2) putting us all on.
after reading about the frozen card, i can't make up my mind which.
posted by quonsar at 7:09 PM on September 26, 2006 [1 favorite]
these two are either:
1) the pathetic stars of a sick melodrama playing in thier own heads which they have decided to share with us to increase the grandiosity yield, or
2) putting us all on.
after reading about the frozen card, i can't make up my mind which.
posted by quonsar at 7:09 PM on September 26, 2006 [1 favorite]
I like the remix of "Mary Has a Little (Cyborg) Lamb."
posted by Falconetti at 7:10 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by Falconetti at 7:10 PM on September 26, 2006
Wow. Just wow.
posted by orange swan at 7:12 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by orange swan at 7:12 PM on September 26, 2006
Credit card in the freezer is one of the oldest "stop your rampant overspending" tricks in the book.
posted by brownpau at 7:14 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by brownpau at 7:14 PM on September 26, 2006
As I was reading through the thread, I thought "Hey, I know people who are always hiring, maybe I can help these guys out." Then I read xteraco's comments.
This is a familiar refrain from me, but if you act in real life the way you do on MetaFilter I am entirely unsurprised you have no job. I wouldn't hire you to flip burgers much less write code.
posted by Skorgu at 7:22 PM on September 26, 2006
This is a familiar refrain from me, but if you act in real life the way you do on MetaFilter I am entirely unsurprised you have no job. I wouldn't hire you to flip burgers much less write code.
posted by Skorgu at 7:22 PM on September 26, 2006
Isn't this what we're using AskMe for these days?
I envision it as a sort of world stupidity filter, collecting only the best and the brightest stupidness so we can laugh loudly, spit coffee onto our monitors, and maybe take a moment or two to reflect quietly on our own superiority.
And then post a nasty comment, too, I mean, it's the Internet, fun for everyone!
Close this? No, let it serve as a reminder of what we all came for.
posted by ikkyu2 at 7:25 PM on September 26, 2006 [3 favorites]
I envision it as a sort of world stupidity filter, collecting only the best and the brightest stupidness so we can laugh loudly, spit coffee onto our monitors, and maybe take a moment or two to reflect quietly on our own superiority.
And then post a nasty comment, too, I mean, it's the Internet, fun for everyone!
Close this? No, let it serve as a reminder of what we all came for.
posted by ikkyu2 at 7:25 PM on September 26, 2006 [3 favorites]
people read playboy for the articles and watch nascar out of appreciation for highly-developed driving skills.
posted by quonsar at 7:30 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by quonsar at 7:30 PM on September 26, 2006
It's almost hard to believe it's not a put-on. That guy is the very stereotype of a certain kind of white trash.
posted by Ethereal Bligh at 7:34 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by Ethereal Bligh at 7:34 PM on September 26, 2006
If nothing else, that trainwreck of a thread inspired me to call up my credit card company and ask them to reduce my interest rate. I got 2 percentage points knocked off. Thanks crazy dysfunctional couple!
posted by chiababe at 7:43 PM on September 26, 2006 [4 favorites]
posted by chiababe at 7:43 PM on September 26, 2006 [4 favorites]
I'm just waiting 'til he pushes her sister down the stairs, myself.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 7:50 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 7:50 PM on September 26, 2006
It's almost hard to believe it's not a put-on.
It is all smelling a might bit performative, yes-no?
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 7:59 PM on September 26, 2006
It is all smelling a might bit performative, yes-no?
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 7:59 PM on September 26, 2006
If nothing else, that trainwreck of a thread inspired me to call up my credit card company and ask them to reduce my interest rate. I got 2 percentage points knocked off. Thanks crazy dysfunctional couple!
Wait. That works?
posted by cortex at 8:02 PM on September 26, 2006
Wait. That works?
posted by cortex at 8:02 PM on September 26, 2006
It is all smelling a might bit performative, yes-no?
My friend that I mentioned as reminding me of fr0zen also seems to enjoy her predicament. She likes having all of her best friends constantly fluttering around her trying to rescue her from her stupidity. After a while I figured out that no matter what she said, she wasn't really ever going to get rid of him or do her part to fix their dysfunctional relationship; she actually enjoys it, whether she is consciously aware of it in those terms or not.
posted by evariste at 8:10 PM on September 26, 2006
My friend that I mentioned as reminding me of fr0zen also seems to enjoy her predicament. She likes having all of her best friends constantly fluttering around her trying to rescue her from her stupidity. After a while I figured out that no matter what she said, she wasn't really ever going to get rid of him or do her part to fix their dysfunctional relationship; she actually enjoys it, whether she is consciously aware of it in those terms or not.
posted by evariste at 8:10 PM on September 26, 2006
cortex: you can get a lot of concessions like that from businesses just by asking nicely-including having random fees waived, getting freebies, less interest, etc. I'm glad someone mentioned it on that thread, and I wish I'd thought to first.
posted by evariste at 8:12 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by evariste at 8:12 PM on September 26, 2006
I used to see these strange acronyms on teh intarweb (especially Slashdot!):
YHBT. YHL. HAND.
I think that either:
a. This is the best troll in the history of the web
-OR-
b. This is the best troll in the history of the web
posted by SteveTheRed at 8:12 PM on September 26, 2006
YHBT. YHL. HAND.
I think that either:
a. This is the best troll in the history of the web
-OR-
b. This is the best troll in the history of the web
posted by SteveTheRed at 8:12 PM on September 26, 2006
cortex: Yeah, it works. It sometimes works even better if you say you just got rate X at another credit card company. They'll often beat that rate by at least 1 percentage point.
posted by skynxnex at 8:12 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by skynxnex at 8:12 PM on September 26, 2006
This could all be an incredibly elaborate put-on, but if so I'm proud to have taken part in such art.
(Being someone who was essentially handed my ass on the first question I ever posed to AskMeta, I kinda appreciate having a thread that makes me look "smart.")
Did you catch the Sept 1 "random jabber" on that car page, where he talks about revving up his engine, vrooming around his apartment parking lot, and having yelling matches with various "fat white and asian chicks" upset about his vrooming? (Aside, he's PAYING A SHOP to do all of these modifications, not just buying parts. Man.)
Finally, I would ask about this, but I'm afraid of what the answer might be.
posted by maxwelton at 8:14 PM on September 26, 2006
(Being someone who was essentially handed my ass on the first question I ever posed to AskMeta, I kinda appreciate having a thread that makes me look "smart.")
Did you catch the Sept 1 "random jabber" on that car page, where he talks about revving up his engine, vrooming around his apartment parking lot, and having yelling matches with various "fat white and asian chicks" upset about his vrooming? (Aside, he's PAYING A SHOP to do all of these modifications, not just buying parts. Man.)
Finally, I would ask about this, but I'm afraid of what the answer might be.
posted by maxwelton at 8:14 PM on September 26, 2006
it doesn't ping my put-on radar. I mean, evariste is right: there's a million Federlines out there, and every one of them has a Britney (or three).
posted by scody at 8:18 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by scody at 8:18 PM on September 26, 2006
cortex: It does work. I went down to 10.5% (from ~16%) just by asking for it.
posted by Kickstart70 at 8:19 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by Kickstart70 at 8:19 PM on September 26, 2006
Woah. You know, it's the occasional crazy-ass drama of this sort that actually keeps MetaFilter alive and well dysfunctional.
posted by Stauf at 8:24 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by Stauf at 8:24 PM on September 26, 2006
I just want to thank scody for her awesome responses in that thread. They were worded beautifully -- sympathetic without being preachy, (d)evolving into righteous anger on her behalf, with an obvious hard-won committal to choking back the screams of frustration. Nicely done!
Too bad fr0zen heard maybe 1/10th of it. *sigh*
posted by Asparagirl at 8:28 PM on September 26, 2006
Too bad fr0zen heard maybe 1/10th of it. *sigh*
posted by Asparagirl at 8:28 PM on September 26, 2006
I agree that thread is a train wreck. I suppose they should have stopped checking it. But y'all shoulda stopped lecturing after a certain point, too. There is so much projecting of personal issues onto those poor saps... totally obvious to anyone that certain folks are actually shreiking at someone from their own past, not the questioner & boyfriend.
posted by scarabic at 8:33 PM on September 26, 2006 [1 favorite]
posted by scarabic at 8:33 PM on September 26, 2006 [1 favorite]
I want to thank xteraco for having such a unique and google-able name. Imagine if her boyfriend's moniker was "miller" or "bob."
posted by Falconetti at 8:37 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by Falconetti at 8:37 PM on September 26, 2006
You might as well add a thank you to xteraco for the fact that he used that particular username for his cd, his pimp-mobile, and his website.
posted by zia at 8:45 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by zia at 8:45 PM on September 26, 2006
Hmmm ... part of me now wonders if the fr0zen/xteraco stuff may be nothing more than online 'performance art (?).' If not, it's a sad situation.
posted by ericb at 8:49 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by ericb at 8:49 PM on September 26, 2006
Yay! Performance Art! And to think I would have otherwise skipped that thread.
GuyZero -- I'm with you. I smell 'hoax.'
posted by ericb at 8:57 PM on September 26, 2006
GuyZero -- I'm with you. I smell 'hoax.'
posted by ericb at 8:57 PM on September 26, 2006
You might as well add a thank you to xteraco for the fact that he used that particular username for his cd, his pimp-mobile, and his website.
Yeah, between that and his past questions, I'm leaning towards "real," even though it seems fake. I mean, that would be a really elaborate ruse!
There is so much projecting of personal issues onto those poor saps... totally obvious to anyone that certain folks are actually shreiking at someone from their own past, not the questioner & boyfriend.
Yeah, but that's just another wrinkle in this rich tapestry of human (melo)drama.
posted by ludwig_van at 9:01 PM on September 26, 2006
Yeah, between that and his past questions, I'm leaning towards "real," even though it seems fake. I mean, that would be a really elaborate ruse!
There is so much projecting of personal issues onto those poor saps... totally obvious to anyone that certain folks are actually shreiking at someone from their own past, not the questioner & boyfriend.
Yeah, but that's just another wrinkle in this rich tapestry of human (melo)drama.
posted by ludwig_van at 9:01 PM on September 26, 2006
It's almost hard to believe it's not a put-on.
EB -and maxwelton - I agree with PinkStainlessTail. It does indeed smell like a 'put-on.'
posted by ericb at 9:03 PM on September 26, 2006
EB -and maxwelton - I agree with PinkStainlessTail. It does indeed smell like a 'put-on.'
posted by ericb at 9:03 PM on September 26, 2006
ick.
posted by trip and a half at 9:03 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by trip and a half at 9:03 PM on September 26, 2006
EB -and maxwelton - I agree with PinkStainlessTail. It does indeed smell like a 'put-on.'
So you think someone made those profiles, put an album on CDBaby, gathered all the car pictures, etc., to pull a prank on askme?
posted by ludwig_van at 9:05 PM on September 26, 2006
So you think someone made those profiles, put an album on CDBaby, gathered all the car pictures, etc., to pull a prank on askme?
posted by ludwig_van at 9:05 PM on September 26, 2006
I'm personally pretty disgusted that Metafilterians find this sort of thing entertaining, regardless if it's true or not.
posted by onalark at 9:08 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by onalark at 9:08 PM on September 26, 2006
So you think someone made those profiles, put an album on CDBaby, gathered all the car pictures, etc., to pull a prank on askme?
It may go beyond AskMetafilter. Who knows? Something doesn't seem right. But, hey, maybe I'm too much of a skeptic.
However, in today's day and age folks are cleverly (or, as some would say "deceptively") using the Internet for creating "buzz" -- whether commercial in nature or for entertainment purposes.
posted by ericb at 9:12 PM on September 26, 2006
It may go beyond AskMetafilter. Who knows? Something doesn't seem right. But, hey, maybe I'm too much of a skeptic.
However, in today's day and age folks are cleverly (or, as some would say "deceptively") using the Internet for creating "buzz" -- whether commercial in nature or for entertainment purposes.
posted by ericb at 9:12 PM on September 26, 2006
I'm personally pretty disgusted that Metafilterians find this sort of thing entertaining, regardless if it's true or not.
Yea, but we've always found this sort of thing entertaining. At least we're consistent.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 9:15 PM on September 26, 2006 [2 favorites]
Yea, but we've always found this sort of thing entertaining. At least we're consistent.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 9:15 PM on September 26, 2006 [2 favorites]
It may go beyond AskMetafilter.
It is certainly possible. That'd be pretty crazy, huh. Crazy awesome.
posted by ludwig_van at 9:15 PM on September 26, 2006
It is certainly possible. That'd be pretty crazy, huh. Crazy awesome.
posted by ludwig_van at 9:15 PM on September 26, 2006
I'm personally pretty disgusted that Metafilterians find this sort of thing entertaining
Come on, I stopped about halfway down, and most of the answers are pretty thoughtful. So what if some folks are entertained by trainwreck emotional disaster threads? It's captivating stuff.
That said, holy fuck is that poor woman in a shitload of trouble. Run from this manipulative stupid mooch, lady. RUN!
posted by mediareport at 9:22 PM on September 26, 2006
Come on, I stopped about halfway down, and most of the answers are pretty thoughtful. So what if some folks are entertained by trainwreck emotional disaster threads? It's captivating stuff.
That said, holy fuck is that poor woman in a shitload of trouble. Run from this manipulative stupid mooch, lady. RUN!
posted by mediareport at 9:22 PM on September 26, 2006
1. Establish background.
2. Post message on forum: "Even though it's not my fault, I have no money. Now what?"
3. Read responses from typical forum: "Oh, no! Get rid of him! And can I help? I guess I should write the check directly to you."
4. Profit.
The brilliance is that you wouldn't even need a ??? step; you'd just have to pick your forum carefully. It's elaborate, yeah, but so was Kaycee, and jenleigh/dhoyt, and neither of them had such an obvious potential for profit, did they?
posted by booksandlibretti at 9:23 PM on September 26, 2006
2. Post message on forum: "Even though it's not my fault, I have no money. Now what?"
3. Read responses from typical forum: "Oh, no! Get rid of him! And can I help? I guess I should write the check directly to you."
4. Profit.
The brilliance is that you wouldn't even need a ??? step; you'd just have to pick your forum carefully. It's elaborate, yeah, but so was Kaycee, and jenleigh/dhoyt, and neither of them had such an obvious potential for profit, did they?
posted by booksandlibretti at 9:23 PM on September 26, 2006
The jenleigh/dhoyt thing seems way simpler and more contained in comparison.
posted by ludwig_van at 9:25 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by ludwig_van at 9:25 PM on September 26, 2006
I mean, the hoax here would span multiple web sites. And it costs $30 to get an album on CDBaby, and you have to send them actual CDs.
posted by ludwig_van at 9:26 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by ludwig_van at 9:26 PM on September 26, 2006
http://www.webdate.com/static_profiles/ks_men/profile4172334.html
"Relationship Status: Single"
Best of all: online now
posted by zia at 9:32 PM on September 26, 2006
"Relationship Status: Single"
Best of all: online now
posted by zia at 9:32 PM on September 26, 2006
Are MetaFilter users too cynical? Or simply more intelligent and analytical?
posted by hugsnkisses at 9:34 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by hugsnkisses at 9:34 PM on September 26, 2006
I dunno, the thread only gets hoaxy after xteraco shows up on the 2nd day. Everything up to that point seems pretty straightforward.
And again, onalark, the only evidence I see in up to that point in the thread is folks going out of their way to help a stranger. Unless tons of bullshit was deleted, what on earth are you complaining about? That folks admitted here they were fascinated by the thread? That it "entertained" them in some way? Is that really so bad?
posted by mediareport at 9:34 PM on September 26, 2006
And again, onalark, the only evidence I see in up to that point in the thread is folks going out of their way to help a stranger. Unless tons of bullshit was deleted, what on earth are you complaining about? That folks admitted here they were fascinated by the thread? That it "entertained" them in some way? Is that really so bad?
posted by mediareport at 9:34 PM on September 26, 2006
$30 (CDBaby) + $5 (MetaFilter registration) + $5 (MetaFilter registration) + 'patient and persistent posting' on the web = $40 and the potential to create "buzz" for whatever reason. Won't break the bank of a PR firm, an advertising agency or an entertainment conglomerate. Just sayin'. I'll be happy to be proved wrong.
Shall we have our next MeetUp in the soda aisle at the Shaw'sTM supermarket in Manchester, Connecticut tomorrow morning?
posted by ericb at 9:37 PM on September 26, 2006
Shall we have our next MeetUp in the soda aisle at the Shaw'sTM supermarket in Manchester, Connecticut tomorrow morning?
posted by ericb at 9:37 PM on September 26, 2006
From the thread:
dgeiser13: Best Ask Metafilter thread ever.
wheelieman: This is going to end well,
Someone please delete that shit. It doesn't belong in AskMe.
posted by mediareport at 9:39 PM on September 26, 2006
dgeiser13: Best Ask Metafilter thread ever.
wheelieman: This is going to end well,
Someone please delete that shit. It doesn't belong in AskMe.
posted by mediareport at 9:39 PM on September 26, 2006
The idea that this is fiction is really quite absurd. I mean if I'm proven wrong, hey, I'll freely cop that I've been out-absurded. But seriously: someone is working up this much backstory to game askme to no apparent purpose? I just can't see it. The drama gets a bit high because a big amorphous human-response experiment just butted a semantic psuedopod into the middle of someone's relationship and stirred shit up. That's drama, you know, that's life.
But I must say I find the treatment of xteraco to be rather dissapointing. This despite the fact that this young man is doing nothing to excite my sympathy, he's sounded rather a dick in this and that thread. Then again he did get proscuted in abstentia over in the Relationship Court of AskMe for 24 hours before he weighed in, with particular attention, for example, paid to the ridiculousness of his car - all still up, you know, exhibits a-z in valid responses to a request on how to "help someone find a job." So to me perhaps it isn't all that surprising that he snapped at that bait.
Whatever the case, it seems like all the usual askme rules vanished on this one and I'm tying to figure out why. People are investigating xteraco, going out of the way to point him out as a member (which the poster doesn't do and clearly wasn't intending to, and what the hell does that have to do with her question anyway) all but accusing him of theft, searching his online identity offsite, posting his ebay auctions in the thread and that stays up, a valid response to this question?
evariste can wax prosodic about the pleasure he would take in beating him and xteraco gets bounced for reacting to that? But evariste is fine, post away, buddy, get philosophical AND both "beating the shit" statements stand? In an AskMe thread where the question is how do I diplomatically push my boyfriend harder about getting a job. I guess pious admonishments about keeping answers somewhat in the vicinity of the question topic don't apply when it's about this dood not being good enough to date Metafilter's sister.
posted by nanojath at 9:49 PM on September 26, 2006 [15 favorites]
But I must say I find the treatment of xteraco to be rather dissapointing. This despite the fact that this young man is doing nothing to excite my sympathy, he's sounded rather a dick in this and that thread. Then again he did get proscuted in abstentia over in the Relationship Court of AskMe for 24 hours before he weighed in, with particular attention, for example, paid to the ridiculousness of his car - all still up, you know, exhibits a-z in valid responses to a request on how to "help someone find a job." So to me perhaps it isn't all that surprising that he snapped at that bait.
Whatever the case, it seems like all the usual askme rules vanished on this one and I'm tying to figure out why. People are investigating xteraco, going out of the way to point him out as a member (which the poster doesn't do and clearly wasn't intending to, and what the hell does that have to do with her question anyway) all but accusing him of theft, searching his online identity offsite, posting his ebay auctions in the thread and that stays up, a valid response to this question?
evariste can wax prosodic about the pleasure he would take in beating him and xteraco gets bounced for reacting to that? But evariste is fine, post away, buddy, get philosophical AND both "beating the shit" statements stand? In an AskMe thread where the question is how do I diplomatically push my boyfriend harder about getting a job. I guess pious admonishments about keeping answers somewhat in the vicinity of the question topic don't apply when it's about this dood not being good enough to date Metafilter's sister.
posted by nanojath at 9:49 PM on September 26, 2006 [15 favorites]
Wow. I just read through the entire AskMe, and now this. I don't know what to think. First I was sad, then angry, then bemused.
I find it hard to believe that this is for real.
Are people really like this? Are people that codependent? Or so ridiculous? Ethereal Bligh had it when he said That guy is the very stereotype of a certain kind of white trash.
I mean, really. Do these people even really exist as anything other than caricatures?
If this whole thing is true, I'm disgusted and sad, and I hope the poor woman can get some emotional help, because she is in a really bad place, in terms of mental health.
And if there is a beatdown, please record and post. kthx.
posted by exlotuseater at 9:51 PM on September 26, 2006
I find it hard to believe that this is for real.
Are people really like this? Are people that codependent? Or so ridiculous? Ethereal Bligh had it when he said That guy is the very stereotype of a certain kind of white trash.
I mean, really. Do these people even really exist as anything other than caricatures?
If this whole thing is true, I'm disgusted and sad, and I hope the poor woman can get some emotional help, because she is in a really bad place, in terms of mental health.
And if there is a beatdown, please record and post. kthx.
posted by exlotuseater at 9:51 PM on September 26, 2006
From the "drama" of the MetaTalk and AskMeta threads I am reminded of what I read at HeadButler.com in the review of his HBO series Entourage:
"My wife started watching 'Entourage' and, soon enough, she had a grand theory of a new style in television: shows like 'House' and 'Entourage' lure you in precisely because they're built around characters who are mean and anti-social. Truth is a weapon for them. They never use a velvet globe when an iron fist is handy. We like these characters, she told me, because they give themselves permission to say anything. Authority? They don't fear it. Confrontation? Bring it.posted by ericb at 9:58 PM on September 26, 2006
Yummy theory --- who doesn't like a little obnoxiousness now and then?"
*in the review of his HBO series*
...in his review of the HBO series...
posted by ericb at 10:03 PM on September 26, 2006
...in his review of the HBO series...
posted by ericb at 10:03 PM on September 26, 2006
Are people really like this? Are people that codependent? Or so ridiculous? ... I mean, really. Do these people even really exist as anything other than caricatures?
Yes, yes, yes and yes. Sad, but true.
For what it's worth, I don't think this is a hoax. Nothing in this whole story seems to me like anything except the sad truths of life for way too many people.
posted by dg at 10:06 PM on September 26, 2006
Yes, yes, yes and yes. Sad, but true.
For what it's worth, I don't think this is a hoax. Nothing in this whole story seems to me like anything except the sad truths of life for way too many people.
posted by dg at 10:06 PM on September 26, 2006
Do these people even really exist as anything other than caricatures?
Yes, they absolutely do. The reason we have certain stereotypes is because often the easiest assumption based on available evidence is that they are more often correct than not.
And I've known real people exactly like this tool. Right down to the toys they have and the money they leech off people who care about them.
posted by Kickstart70 at 10:07 PM on September 26, 2006
Yes, they absolutely do. The reason we have certain stereotypes is because often the easiest assumption based on available evidence is that they are more often correct than not.
And I've known real people exactly like this tool. Right down to the toys they have and the money they leech off people who care about them.
posted by Kickstart70 at 10:07 PM on September 26, 2006
well, that's pretty fucked up. [profound, I know.]
posted by exlotuseater at 10:12 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by exlotuseater at 10:12 PM on September 26, 2006
evariste can wax prosodic about the pleasure he would take in beating him and xteraco gets bounced for reacting to that? But evariste is fine, post away, buddy, get philosophical AND both "beating the shit" statements stand?
Wow. Way to take it completely out of context, nanojath. I was making a point to fr0zen about how to (and how NOT to) react when you find you're being a patsy for people like him. I was emphatically not threatening to beat him up. My point was that some reactions are futile and some are not. His reaction was to actually suggest a time and place to fight, which actually made me laugh out loud. As if I would travel to frigging Connecticut to try to whale on some rice-wigger on his timetable. Sure, I'll pencil it into my calendar.
In an AskMe thread where the question is how do I diplomatically push my boyfriend harder about getting a job. I guess pious admonishments about keeping answers somewhat in the vicinity of the question topic don't apply when it's about this dood not being good enough to date Metafilter's sister.
He got plenty of rope to hang himself with. I do believe the thread died down quite a bit and we were all happy when it sounded like fr0zen finally had her head screwed on straight and set some limits. It was when they returned and treated us to a simultaneous final gasp of stupendous losergasm that the goodwill created earlier towards them evaporated. Plenty of the answers given had concrete and useful suggestions to improve the situation, even after that.
posted by evariste at 10:13 PM on September 26, 2006 [2 favorites]
Wow. Way to take it completely out of context, nanojath. I was making a point to fr0zen about how to (and how NOT to) react when you find you're being a patsy for people like him. I was emphatically not threatening to beat him up. My point was that some reactions are futile and some are not. His reaction was to actually suggest a time and place to fight, which actually made me laugh out loud. As if I would travel to frigging Connecticut to try to whale on some rice-wigger on his timetable. Sure, I'll pencil it into my calendar.
In an AskMe thread where the question is how do I diplomatically push my boyfriend harder about getting a job. I guess pious admonishments about keeping answers somewhat in the vicinity of the question topic don't apply when it's about this dood not being good enough to date Metafilter's sister.
He got plenty of rope to hang himself with. I do believe the thread died down quite a bit and we were all happy when it sounded like fr0zen finally had her head screwed on straight and set some limits. It was when they returned and treated us to a simultaneous final gasp of stupendous losergasm that the goodwill created earlier towards them evaporated. Plenty of the answers given had concrete and useful suggestions to improve the situation, even after that.
posted by evariste at 10:13 PM on September 26, 2006 [2 favorites]
I doubt this is a hoax. I've know plenty of people who are at least this fucked up.
posted by evariste at 10:14 PM on September 26, 2006 [1 favorite]
posted by evariste at 10:14 PM on September 26, 2006 [1 favorite]
lonelygirl15. ask.me style?
posted by ericb at 11:53 PM EST on September 26 [+] [!]
What happened to the AskMetafilter hyperlink ("lonelygirl15. ask.me style?" -- http://ask.metafilter.com/mefi/47255#721010) to which I linked originally above?
posted by ericb at 10:15 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by ericb at 11:53 PM EST on September 26 [+] [!]
What happened to the AskMetafilter hyperlink ("lonelygirl15. ask.me style?" -- http://ask.metafilter.com/mefi/47255#721010) to which I linked originally above?
posted by ericb at 10:15 PM on September 26, 2006
I heard xteraco voted for Bush.
posted by Krrrlson at 10:19 PM on September 26, 2006 [1 favorite]
posted by Krrrlson at 10:19 PM on September 26, 2006 [1 favorite]
Okay. You people have made me feel sorry for him now.
Thanks a lot.
posted by timeistight at 10:41 PM on September 26, 2006
Thanks a lot.
posted by timeistight at 10:41 PM on September 26, 2006
People are investigating xteraco, going out of the way to point him out as a member (which the poster doesn't do and clearly wasn't intending to, and what the hell does that have to do with her question anyway) all but accusing him of theft, searching his online identity offsite, posting his ebay auctions in the thread and that stays up, a valid response to this question?
*scratches head*
That's a good point.
posted by mediareport at 10:46 PM on September 26, 2006
*scratches head*
That's a good point.
posted by mediareport at 10:46 PM on September 26, 2006
i just advised her to get therapy ... she's WAY beyond our ability to help
posted by pyramid termite at 11:01 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by pyramid termite at 11:01 PM on September 26, 2006
This thread plus the askme thread might be some of the worst (or is it best?) of mefi in a long time....
Ahem...so carry on with the pile on.
posted by rsanheim at 11:13 PM on September 26, 2006
Ahem...so carry on with the pile on.
posted by rsanheim at 11:13 PM on September 26, 2006
i just advised her to get therapy ... she's WAY beyond our ability to help
I'm not going to post to that thread, because I'm not really confident enough to offer advice in a situation which such high stakes (and I don't want to prolong it any more), but I'd disagree about this. Near-term priority #1, above and beyond anything else, is to start saving money. Therapy, if it costs any more than $0, can come later. She does need advice from a trusted outsider, but for now she should try to find friends, and if she can't, that's better than losing even $100 a month on therapy. If this seems reasonable, someone else can post it, or email her.
posted by gsteff at 11:18 PM on September 26, 2006
I'm not going to post to that thread, because I'm not really confident enough to offer advice in a situation which such high stakes (and I don't want to prolong it any more), but I'd disagree about this. Near-term priority #1, above and beyond anything else, is to start saving money. Therapy, if it costs any more than $0, can come later. She does need advice from a trusted outsider, but for now she should try to find friends, and if she can't, that's better than losing even $100 a month on therapy. If this seems reasonable, someone else can post it, or email her.
posted by gsteff at 11:18 PM on September 26, 2006
I'm speechless.
No, wait, one thing: I think it would be a shame if all of scody's thoughtful, eloquent, wise, and articulate posts, which she made in good faith, turned out to be wasted on some strange piece of what... performance art, weird viral marketing, whatever.
I've known people this fucked up, too, but xteraco was just too over the top for the Kaycee Nicole alert not to go off.
posted by jokeefe at 11:34 PM on September 26, 2006
No, wait, one thing: I think it would be a shame if all of scody's thoughtful, eloquent, wise, and articulate posts, which she made in good faith, turned out to be wasted on some strange piece of what... performance art, weird viral marketing, whatever.
I've known people this fucked up, too, but xteraco was just too over the top for the Kaycee Nicole alert not to go off.
posted by jokeefe at 11:34 PM on September 26, 2006
Btw, did anyone keep a copy of the picture of his car? It's gone now...
posted by jokeefe at 11:36 PM on September 26, 2006
posted by jokeefe at 11:36 PM on September 26, 2006
I hate bob sarabia. I really do. He's 17 pounds of pus in a 3 pound boil.
I've been sitting here for 15 minutes yawning myself into a coma. That's really fucked up, man.
posted by loquacious at 11:37 PM on September 26, 2006
I've been sitting here for 15 minutes yawning myself into a coma. That's really fucked up, man.
posted by loquacious at 11:37 PM on September 26, 2006
He had a "good job" back where he used to live?
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
I am also the emperor of peru
posted by AaronRaphael at 11:38 PM on September 26, 2006
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
I am also the emperor of peru
posted by AaronRaphael at 11:38 PM on September 26, 2006
He calls himself a 1337 h4x0r (ha! ha!) and his own website was h4x0r3d? Leet, he isn't. 1!73 (lite), maybe.
I also don't get why fr0zen couldn't find a cheaper apartment (talking to a realtor? what? why?), or even hook up with roommates for a while instead of getting her own place.
posted by Liosliath at 11:54 PM on September 26, 2006
I also don't get why fr0zen couldn't find a cheaper apartment (talking to a realtor? what? why?), or even hook up with roommates for a while instead of getting her own place.
posted by Liosliath at 11:54 PM on September 26, 2006
But seriously: someone is working up this much backstory to game askme to no apparent purpose? I just can't see it.
That's what was bugging me, too. On the one hand, you have the far-too-convenient "other member" show up and follow a certain kind of useless-tool schtick that just seems too cliche to be real, but then I think to myself, "Well, you know, go check out MySpace if you want to see more of this kind of crap." Wouldn't be a cliche if there weren't plenty of people out there already living like this.
If the OP had asked for money, that would have been a big red flag, but as it stands, what's there to gain from a put on? Sure, there are probably people out there that get their kicks from watching strangers give a damn about other strangers, but there are also plenty of people out there that just plain need help.
It does seem awful convenient that her boyfriend's username is completely unique and identifying on the internet--as opposed to, say, fastnfurious1234. And the posting history that has been dug up isn't exactly exhaustive, you know? Just a couple of posts here or there to establish an identity. I'm still on the fence.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 11:56 PM on September 26, 2006
That's what was bugging me, too. On the one hand, you have the far-too-convenient "other member" show up and follow a certain kind of useless-tool schtick that just seems too cliche to be real, but then I think to myself, "Well, you know, go check out MySpace if you want to see more of this kind of crap." Wouldn't be a cliche if there weren't plenty of people out there already living like this.
If the OP had asked for money, that would have been a big red flag, but as it stands, what's there to gain from a put on? Sure, there are probably people out there that get their kicks from watching strangers give a damn about other strangers, but there are also plenty of people out there that just plain need help.
It does seem awful convenient that her boyfriend's username is completely unique and identifying on the internet--as opposed to, say, fastnfurious1234. And the posting history that has been dug up isn't exactly exhaustive, you know? Just a couple of posts here or there to establish an identity. I'm still on the fence.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 11:56 PM on September 26, 2006
I dunno, Civil - I suppose it's naive, but I often use my real name as a username, as I do on MF. I figure I have nothing to hide, and I'll never be in politics anyway.
However - all of the Liosliaths out there are not me, while it seems like all of this xteraco stuff ties together.
posted by Liosliath at 11:59 PM on September 26, 2006 [1 favorite]
However - all of the Liosliaths out there are not me, while it seems like all of this xteraco stuff ties together.
posted by Liosliath at 11:59 PM on September 26, 2006 [1 favorite]
Is xteraco just coming out of a divorce too? Scroll down to the entry by misskittiezig.
Insomnia is a horrible thing.
posted by Liosliath at 12:05 AM on September 27, 2006
Insomnia is a horrible thing.
posted by Liosliath at 12:05 AM on September 27, 2006
The suspicious piece is the long odds that the guy we'd all be curious about happens to have a completely unique username out there on teh internets AND in nearly everything you look at he's very close to dead-on what we would want to discover about this character, given our assumptions. Not to say it's not possible...
If it is a put-on, it's a tremendous one, seemingly wasted by this effort unless this in itself is another piece in the puzzle. Has anyone seen jfortuny recently?
posted by maxwelton at 1:22 AM on September 27, 2006
If it is a put-on, it's a tremendous one, seemingly wasted by this effort unless this in itself is another piece in the puzzle. Has anyone seen jfortuny recently?
posted by maxwelton at 1:22 AM on September 27, 2006
I really hope it's a put on
yes. that would make it pure comic genius.
posted by UbuRoivas at 1:32 AM on September 27, 2006
yes. that would make it pure comic genius.
posted by UbuRoivas at 1:32 AM on September 27, 2006
I think the next move is he's left and i'm pregnant, please send money.
posted by sgt.serenity at 3:09 AM on September 27, 2006
posted by sgt.serenity at 3:09 AM on September 27, 2006
I don't think the fact that there's so much backstory means it can't be a put on. Maybe they've known each other in real life or online for a while and already know each other's history. fr0zen knows he's a car nut, he knows about her divorce. It wouldn't be at all difficult for them to come up with an irresistable AskMe together and then sit back and laugh while everyone scrambles to answer. If this thing is real then I agree it's a sad situation and I'll apologize for doubting but the whole thing screams "troll" to me and I'm usually pretty trusting.
posted by LeeJay at 3:09 AM on September 27, 2006
posted by LeeJay at 3:09 AM on September 27, 2006
Eh I believe in xteraco. Not even the most gleefully self-hating SA goon has the patience to create such a facade, one hopes. Also I happen to know that Wichita KS produces a lot of people like xteraco: gifted, wasted potential, pathetically undereducated, a bit shifty. That's the effect of having too many fucking Christians around.
But yeah it is all a bit pat. I'm a little supicious of fr0zen for "Granted, they are different body-styles to a certain extent, but the size difference isn't all that drastic," which sounds about as friggin un-female as it comes, and she didn't know she even had a tennis bracelet, and also she has no friends? Harrumph.
My theory: xteraco killed the real fr0zen and has been living in her house for the last couple months, and this online stuff is part of keeping up appearences. This is all a subconscious ploy by him hoping to get himself caught. Soon he will have enough money to clear out of town and get a job at the Escapist.
Now I must spiral off into some other paranoid fantasy. Damn you, jenleigh.
posted by fleacircus at 3:14 AM on September 27, 2006 [2 favorites]
But yeah it is all a bit pat. I'm a little supicious of fr0zen for "Granted, they are different body-styles to a certain extent, but the size difference isn't all that drastic," which sounds about as friggin un-female as it comes, and she didn't know she even had a tennis bracelet, and also she has no friends? Harrumph.
My theory: xteraco killed the real fr0zen and has been living in her house for the last couple months, and this online stuff is part of keeping up appearences. This is all a subconscious ploy by him hoping to get himself caught. Soon he will have enough money to clear out of town and get a job at the Escapist.
Now I must spiral off into some other paranoid fantasy. Damn you, jenleigh.
posted by fleacircus at 3:14 AM on September 27, 2006 [2 favorites]
That thread is either hilarious or depressing. I can't decide which.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 3:23 AM on September 27, 2006
posted by EndsOfInvention at 3:23 AM on September 27, 2006
If the OP had asked for money, that would have been a big red flag, but as it stands, what's there to gain from a put on?
Oh, I don't think it has to be about money. There are quite a few people out there who love to watch Metafilter wring its hands and get righteously angry. They find it very amusing. I woudn't put it past some of them to create a question for kicks. It's been done before. There's probably someone sitting in an IRC channel right now quoting choice bits. Like I said if it turns out to be real I'll probably feel a little guilty for thinking it but the whole thing just feels off.
posted by LeeJay at 3:30 AM on September 27, 2006
Oh, I don't think it has to be about money. There are quite a few people out there who love to watch Metafilter wring its hands and get righteously angry. They find it very amusing. I woudn't put it past some of them to create a question for kicks. It's been done before. There's probably someone sitting in an IRC channel right now quoting choice bits. Like I said if it turns out to be real I'll probably feel a little guilty for thinking it but the whole thing just feels off.
posted by LeeJay at 3:30 AM on September 27, 2006
That thread was so tragic, and I buy it as real. It just smells like co-dependency should.
posted by bonaldi at 5:11 AM on September 27, 2006
posted by bonaldi at 5:11 AM on September 27, 2006
That thread was so tragic, and I buy it as real. It just smells like co-dependency should.
Lets assume this is real for a moment then.
If it's co-dependency then the woman would be at fault,
If its co-dependency she has deliberately sought this man out to gain attention for herself and look saintly in comparison.
If it's co-dependency, no one should be attempting to rescue her and the people attempting to do so are merely worsening her condition.
posted by sgt.serenity at 6:14 AM on September 27, 2006
No way is this a hoax. Why are folk so unwilling to believe that xteraco is just a common-or-garden lazy mingewit with a spectacularly rubbish car?
posted by jack_mo at 6:23 AM on September 27, 2006 [1 favorite]
posted by jack_mo at 6:23 AM on September 27, 2006 [1 favorite]
"If it's co-dependency then the woman would be at fault"
She is at fault, she fuck this loser off.
posted by Joeforking at 6:26 AM on September 27, 2006
She is at fault, she fuck this loser off.
posted by Joeforking at 6:26 AM on September 27, 2006
It just smells like co-dependency should.
Yes, and that's the problem. It's too perfect. The two personalities are stereotypes of what we have been taught to expect in a co-dependent relationship. The woman is sympathetic, bright, educated, a prisoner of her emotions, who 'loves not wisely but too well'. The man is a brute, a cad, a cur, barely literate, who ruthlessly exploits his hapless victim, and snarls at the world when his actions are questioned.
Christ, it's all almost Victorian. I'm waiting for a contested will to show up, or for an elderly aunt to die under suspicious circumstances.
This is a couple of theater students doing performance art. I hope they'll let us know when they write their thesis.
posted by Slithy_Tove at 6:28 AM on September 27, 2006 [3 favorites]
Yes, and that's the problem. It's too perfect. The two personalities are stereotypes of what we have been taught to expect in a co-dependent relationship. The woman is sympathetic, bright, educated, a prisoner of her emotions, who 'loves not wisely but too well'. The man is a brute, a cad, a cur, barely literate, who ruthlessly exploits his hapless victim, and snarls at the world when his actions are questioned.
Christ, it's all almost Victorian. I'm waiting for a contested will to show up, or for an elderly aunt to die under suspicious circumstances.
This is a couple of theater students doing performance art. I hope they'll let us know when they write their thesis.
posted by Slithy_Tove at 6:28 AM on September 27, 2006 [3 favorites]
If its co-dependency she has deliberately sought this man out to gain attention for herself and look saintly in comparison.
One of us is misunderstanding co-dependency, I think, sarge. In case it's me, I'll rephrase to say it just smells like vulnerable emotional fragility should.
posted by bonaldi at 6:30 AM on September 27, 2006
One of us is misunderstanding co-dependency, I think, sarge. In case it's me, I'll rephrase to say it just smells like vulnerable emotional fragility should.
posted by bonaldi at 6:30 AM on September 27, 2006
I have to say that that thread got way way way out of control. First, AxMe is for answering questions posed by the asker, not making general moral comments on what someone should do with their life. Why? Because we don't know about their life. Guess what? A paragraph tells us next to nothing about anyone or their own life or the life of their significant other. I try only to answer the question posed-its quite dangerous to do more without knowing more.
posted by Ironmouth at 6:31 AM on September 27, 2006 [1 favorite]
posted by Ironmouth at 6:31 AM on September 27, 2006 [1 favorite]
For example:
If its co-dependency she has deliberately sought this man out to gain attention for herself and look saintly in comparison.
We have no clue what is going on in the lives of these people. A few paragraphs doesn't cut it.
posted by Ironmouth at 6:32 AM on September 27, 2006
If its co-dependency she has deliberately sought this man out to gain attention for herself and look saintly in comparison.
We have no clue what is going on in the lives of these people. A few paragraphs doesn't cut it.
posted by Ironmouth at 6:32 AM on September 27, 2006
No clue at all, really. I'd like to use this space to apologize to the world for having posted on that thread, and for having a typo in at least one of those posts.
I wish them both well, even if I am a complete pussy for saying it.
posted by mikeh at 7:09 AM on September 27, 2006
I wish them both well, even if I am a complete pussy for saying it.
posted by mikeh at 7:09 AM on September 27, 2006
i've changed my mind. it's real. the whole thing veritably reeks of early twenty-somethingness.
posted by quonsar at 7:10 AM on September 27, 2006 [2 favorites]
posted by quonsar at 7:10 AM on September 27, 2006 [2 favorites]
I agree the thread got out of control and probably should have been pruned, but (god help me) I can't bring myself to regret it.
I just want to thank scody for her awesome responses in that thread.
Seconded (or rather hundredthed by now)—scody is wonderful.
Oh, and: a hoax? Come on. "Oh my, a woman keeping a worthless slug who leeches money off her to fix up his car? Gotta be fake!" Guess again. It happens all the time; just because we tend to get a more bourgeois class of disasters here on MeFi and expect worthless boyfriends to be into computer games or something doesn't mean guys like this are fake. I see them every time I take a walk in Pittsfield. And yeah, the vibe changed once he entered the thread, just as it would if we were all in a bar and she was complaining about her boyfriend and he suddenly showed up. Of course she's going to defend him and he's going to come on all "you wanna fight? let's go! right here, right now!" That doesn't mean they plotted the whole thing from the beginning, it's just human nature.
posted by languagehat at 7:14 AM on September 27, 2006
I just want to thank scody for her awesome responses in that thread.
Seconded (or rather hundredthed by now)—scody is wonderful.
Oh, and: a hoax? Come on. "Oh my, a woman keeping a worthless slug who leeches money off her to fix up his car? Gotta be fake!" Guess again. It happens all the time; just because we tend to get a more bourgeois class of disasters here on MeFi and expect worthless boyfriends to be into computer games or something doesn't mean guys like this are fake. I see them every time I take a walk in Pittsfield. And yeah, the vibe changed once he entered the thread, just as it would if we were all in a bar and she was complaining about her boyfriend and he suddenly showed up. Of course she's going to defend him and he's going to come on all "you wanna fight? let's go! right here, right now!" That doesn't mean they plotted the whole thing from the beginning, it's just human nature.
posted by languagehat at 7:14 AM on September 27, 2006
That was a one person soap opera. A Creative writing course credit. A piece of performance art. A first draft. On the other hand it may have been genuine, as genuine as the moon landings perhaps. I just don't know. Fact or fiction it was somehow engrossing whilst also being nearly entertaining. It's the inherent ambiguity which lofts the thread above the mundane.
posted by econous at 7:22 AM on September 27, 2006
posted by econous at 7:22 AM on September 27, 2006
For heaven's sake, does this (from her latest comment) sound like a hoax?
posted by languagehat at 7:32 AM on September 27, 2006
When he found the thread he was upset thinking that I was going to believe the weird conclusions you all came to about him being a horrible, no good person. Then you all google him, when I'd purposefully left him out of this all - I seriously didn't think about my profile. fuck. If I'd known I would have deleted it and none of this craziness would have happened.That's a woman talking from her heart, not someone putting a cherry on a troll. I'm all in favor of skepticism and loved the Kaycee thread, but come on, not everything in life is a TV "reality" show. Some people have to deal with reality itself. (And frankly, she has a point about lashing out; I would have too in his place. The boyfriend-baiting was really out of line.)
I've requested this thread and the metatalk one to be closed because you are just being horribly mean with no justification. He came on and called you names because he felt attacked by people who never heard his side and have never met him. So much of the stuff you all have dug up is *years* old. Some of it has been completely read wrong. I don't understand how you can be allowed to attack someone on ask.me or metatalk. I just don't get it. You don't know his side. You don't know him.
I've learned that I can talk to him about budgeting and be honest about money. That I'm not going to be hated or ignored (as I was in the past by others), that he's going to listen and offer suggestions and help, that I can ask him what he's up to without it being considered prying or nagging. He lashed out at you out of frustration. I would too if I was the type to not just blame myself for starting this whole metamess in the first place.
posted by languagehat at 7:32 AM on September 27, 2006
What languagehat said. I wish it was a hoax; instead it's just unbearably sad, pathetically familiar and all too easy to believe. Although I still can't quite wrap my head around amassing 25K worth of debt in only five months: hell, it took me five YEARS of worthless boyfriends to rack up 12K.
posted by mygothlaundry at 7:36 AM on September 27, 2006
posted by mygothlaundry at 7:36 AM on September 27, 2006
Ugh, the sheer drama of it all punctuated by that last comment by the OP.
She's been advised with her original question as well as the other issues/problems/concerns she spilled along the way. She's an adult - she's going to do what she's going to do. Her success or failure will inevitably the product of her choices and that's that. You can lead the horse to water but you can't make it drink.
He's... well, whatever.
I wish they'd both just go away forever at this point.
posted by jerseygirl at 7:42 AM on September 27, 2006
She's been advised with her original question as well as the other issues/problems/concerns she spilled along the way. She's an adult - she's going to do what she's going to do. Her success or failure will inevitably the product of her choices and that's that. You can lead the horse to water but you can't make it drink.
He's... well, whatever.
I wish they'd both just go away forever at this point.
posted by jerseygirl at 7:42 AM on September 27, 2006
True or not, that thread is useless without pics, as the kids say.
Really.
posted by M.C. Lo-Carb! at 7:43 AM on September 27, 2006
Really.
posted by M.C. Lo-Carb! at 7:43 AM on September 27, 2006
I loathe Connecticut, but it's the straightest line to New Hampshire and fresh air. Sometimes I laugh at things so I don't cry, don't all of you?
posted by Divine_Wino at 7:46 AM on September 27, 2006 [2 favorites]
posted by Divine_Wino at 7:46 AM on September 27, 2006 [2 favorites]
"I've requested this thread and the metatalk one to be closed"
i think this is a request that matt should honor ... and jersetgirl is right - she's gotten her advice and either she does the right thing or she doesn't
posted by pyramid termite at 7:49 AM on September 27, 2006
i think this is a request that matt should honor ... and jersetgirl is right - she's gotten her advice and either she does the right thing or she doesn't
posted by pyramid termite at 7:49 AM on September 27, 2006
arghh - jerseygirl ...
posted by pyramid termite at 7:49 AM on September 27, 2006
posted by pyramid termite at 7:49 AM on September 27, 2006
languagehat writes 'I agree the thread got out of control and probably should have been pruned, but (god help me) I can't bring myself to regret it.'
You'll get your flameout someday soon, dear chap. Be patient.
posted by blag at 7:51 AM on September 27, 2006
You'll get your flameout someday soon, dear chap. Be patient.
posted by blag at 7:51 AM on September 27, 2006
Metafilter is suffering from some kind of post-post-modern hyper-reality-TV paranoid delusion.
posted by ludwig_van at 8:02 AM on September 27, 2006 [2 favorites]
posted by ludwig_van at 8:02 AM on September 27, 2006 [2 favorites]
Sadly enough, the responses of various MeFites reminded me of BBSpot's parody of Kuro5hin threads. The AskMe thread and the followups here are a sobering example of a prophecy fufilled.
posted by Smart Dalek at 8:03 AM on September 27, 2006
posted by Smart Dalek at 8:03 AM on September 27, 2006
All this digging up dirt on the boyfriend isn't helping fr0zen; it's sole purpose is to amuse us by denigrating her boyfriend, and allowing us to feel smugly superior and even helpful.
In late 18th century America, social work got its start in the form of finically and socially secure upper-middle class people literally going to the homes of the poor, and lecturing them about their failings, ostensibly to educate them in "living right". In truth it was smug condescension designed to cement a feeling of superiority in the lecturers.
To the surprise of the society matrons giving the instruction, it rarely help to lift up the poor, or to curb their "licentious" and spendthrift habits. But it never failed to make the matrons feel better about themselves, and proud of their hard work on behalf of their inferiors.
In truth, we don't know anything more of fr0zen and xteraco than they themselves have told us; we've made a lot of assumptions. But the xteraco bashing doesn't help him, and I'm sure it mortifies fr0zen. Tell her to leave him if you feel you understand tem enough to make that determination, but posting pictures of his (her?) car or mocking his amazon.com reviews, that's gratuitous and self-serving.
Perhaps I'm being too much of a scold, but this modern-day equivalent of displaying a guy in the village stocks for the crimes of indolence and poverty just strikes me as unseemly.
posted by orthogonality at 8:14 AM on September 27, 2006 [19 favorites]
In late 18th century America, social work got its start in the form of finically and socially secure upper-middle class people literally going to the homes of the poor, and lecturing them about their failings, ostensibly to educate them in "living right". In truth it was smug condescension designed to cement a feeling of superiority in the lecturers.
To the surprise of the society matrons giving the instruction, it rarely help to lift up the poor, or to curb their "licentious" and spendthrift habits. But it never failed to make the matrons feel better about themselves, and proud of their hard work on behalf of their inferiors.
In truth, we don't know anything more of fr0zen and xteraco than they themselves have told us; we've made a lot of assumptions. But the xteraco bashing doesn't help him, and I'm sure it mortifies fr0zen. Tell her to leave him if you feel you understand tem enough to make that determination, but posting pictures of his (her?) car or mocking his amazon.com reviews, that's gratuitous and self-serving.
Perhaps I'm being too much of a scold, but this modern-day equivalent of displaying a guy in the village stocks for the crimes of indolence and poverty just strikes me as unseemly.
posted by orthogonality at 8:14 AM on September 27, 2006 [19 favorites]
You'll get your flameout someday soon, dear chap. Be patient.
Who's gonna man up, invest in a sock puppet and flameout spectacularly for the hat? It is, I think, the least we can do.
posted by kosem at 8:14 AM on September 27, 2006
Who's gonna man up, invest in a sock puppet and flameout spectacularly for the hat? It is, I think, the least we can do.
posted by kosem at 8:14 AM on September 27, 2006
s/it's/its. s/finically/financially s/tem/them See, I'm illiterate too, just like xteraco.
posted by orthogonality at 8:16 AM on September 27, 2006
posted by orthogonality at 8:16 AM on September 27, 2006
mr_crash_davis: "Someone call Lowtax."
You know, I keep staring at this suggestion, and I'm utterly struck by the fact that it might be a good one. I imagine he could do something with this, even if it is after 8:30 now in CN.
posted by koeselitz at 8:16 AM on September 27, 2006
You know, I keep staring at this suggestion, and I'm utterly struck by the fact that it might be a good one. I imagine he could do something with this, even if it is after 8:30 now in CN.
posted by koeselitz at 8:16 AM on September 27, 2006
Hee I woke up this morning, in the shower, thought, "what was that last night ... a dream or ...?" Nope, it's still here.
PS In New Hampshire (where I'm originally from) Shaw's used to be Stah Mahket.
posted by ClaudiaCenter at 8:20 AM on September 27, 2006
PS In New Hampshire (where I'm originally from) Shaw's used to be Stah Mahket.
posted by ClaudiaCenter at 8:20 AM on September 27, 2006
What planet are you "this must be a hoax" people from where no one is actually this stupid and fucked up?
posted by scarabic at 8:45 AM on September 27, 2006 [2 favorites]
posted by scarabic at 8:45 AM on September 27, 2006 [2 favorites]
I'm a little supicious of fr0zen for "Granted, they are different body-styles to a certain extent, but the size difference isn't all that drastic," which sounds about as friggin un-female as it comes
I think it's pretty common that when a woman is with a man whom she believes to have potential irrespective of his consistent lack of results, she will parrot his language in talking about subjects where he claims mastery. Since there are no results to point to, she has to have a way to approximate his knowledge to others.
posted by caitlinb at 8:49 AM on September 27, 2006 [2 favorites]
I think it's pretty common that when a woman is with a man whom she believes to have potential irrespective of his consistent lack of results, she will parrot his language in talking about subjects where he claims mastery. Since there are no results to point to, she has to have a way to approximate his knowledge to others.
posted by caitlinb at 8:49 AM on September 27, 2006 [2 favorites]
I too find a little ass-kicking after my breakfast soda to be an excellent way to unwind after a gruelling week of sloth.
posted by dgaicun at 8:50 AM on September 27, 2006 [7 favorites]
posted by dgaicun at 8:50 AM on September 27, 2006 [7 favorites]
I woke up this morning, in the shower, thought, "what was that last night ... a dream or ...?"
I know! I don't know what is so compelling about this. But I can't quit it.
also, i first read that as "I woke up in the shower -- again!"
posted by Bear at 9:09 AM on September 27, 2006
I know! I don't know what is so compelling about this. But I can't quit it.
also, i first read that as "I woke up in the shower -- again!"
posted by Bear at 9:09 AM on September 27, 2006
No way is this a hoax. Why are folk so unwilling to believe that xteraco is just a common-or-garden lazy mingewit with a spectacularly rubbish car?
posted by jack_mo at 2:23 PM GMT on September 27 [+] [!]
i'm just trying to save you from jenleigh2: electric boogaloo jack.
posted by sgt.serenity at 9:12 AM on September 27, 2006
It's almost hard to believe it's not a put-on. - Ethereal Bligh
It is all smelling a might bit performative, yes-no? - PinkStainlessTail
It could be put on. But there really are people that are in bad relationships, and that play emotional games with each other, that walk all over people, athat allow themselves to be walked over. Things much worse than what we're witnessing here. Haven't you ever watched Cops? That shit is real, yo!
that trainwreck of a thread inspired me to call up my credit card company and ask them to reduce my interest rate. I got 2 percentage points knocked off. - chiababe
Wait. That works? - cortex
Not for me. They'd only give me a lower interest rate if I strated paying an annual fee. So YMMV.
Are people really like this? Are people that codependent? Or so ridiculous? Do these people even really exist as anything other than caricatures? - exlotuseater
Sadly, yes on all points. To those of you questioning the veracity of this: have you really never even once met someone in this bad of a relationship?
The boyfriend isn't as completely spectacularly awful as he comes off in the that thread. Not all the time. It's just brought out the worst in him. He didn't come in to say anything until there had been over 100 messages about him, many of which were bashing him horribly. So he came in and reacted with anger. Pretty understandable, really. The worst sounding comments ("I shouldn't have to get a job if I don't want to" etc) could either be how he really feels, or they could be lashing out because he's being attacked. Now he's on the defensive. There's no way for us to know how much of it he really means, and how much is basically him stomping his feet.
Even the most horrible abusive monster boyfriends are nice some of the time. They know how to make promises and seem all sweet and sorry and demure after they've been caught doing something terrible. It's part of their M.O. They can be really charming when it suits their purposes. I don't know if the boyfriend in this situation falls into this catgory or not. But a lot of women spend a bunch of time making excuses for their boyfriend/husband because "he's not really like that" and "if only I could stop making him angry, he's so nice when he isn't angry". The abused person focusses on the positive moments and thinks that it's their fault that the bad moments come, and if only they did BETTER somehow, then they could finally stay in the good-feeling place. Abusive controlling people make their victims feel like it's the fault of the suffering partner, and not of the tyrant. It very manipulative and weird the alternate relaities that the parties in those awful situations create.
To put it more succinctly, what jack_mo said:
Why are folk so unwilling to believe that xteraco is just a common-or-garden lazy mingewit with a spectacularly rubbish car?
posted by raedyn at 9:26 AM on September 27, 2006 [1 favorite]
It is all smelling a might bit performative, yes-no? - PinkStainlessTail
It could be put on. But there really are people that are in bad relationships, and that play emotional games with each other, that walk all over people, athat allow themselves to be walked over. Things much worse than what we're witnessing here. Haven't you ever watched Cops? That shit is real, yo!
that trainwreck of a thread inspired me to call up my credit card company and ask them to reduce my interest rate. I got 2 percentage points knocked off. - chiababe
Wait. That works? - cortex
Not for me. They'd only give me a lower interest rate if I strated paying an annual fee. So YMMV.
Are people really like this? Are people that codependent? Or so ridiculous? Do these people even really exist as anything other than caricatures? - exlotuseater
Sadly, yes on all points. To those of you questioning the veracity of this: have you really never even once met someone in this bad of a relationship?
The boyfriend isn't as completely spectacularly awful as he comes off in the that thread. Not all the time. It's just brought out the worst in him. He didn't come in to say anything until there had been over 100 messages about him, many of which were bashing him horribly. So he came in and reacted with anger. Pretty understandable, really. The worst sounding comments ("I shouldn't have to get a job if I don't want to" etc) could either be how he really feels, or they could be lashing out because he's being attacked. Now he's on the defensive. There's no way for us to know how much of it he really means, and how much is basically him stomping his feet.
Even the most horrible abusive monster boyfriends are nice some of the time. They know how to make promises and seem all sweet and sorry and demure after they've been caught doing something terrible. It's part of their M.O. They can be really charming when it suits their purposes. I don't know if the boyfriend in this situation falls into this catgory or not. But a lot of women spend a bunch of time making excuses for their boyfriend/husband because "he's not really like that" and "if only I could stop making him angry, he's so nice when he isn't angry". The abused person focusses on the positive moments and thinks that it's their fault that the bad moments come, and if only they did BETTER somehow, then they could finally stay in the good-feeling place. Abusive controlling people make their victims feel like it's the fault of the suffering partner, and not of the tyrant. It very manipulative and weird the alternate relaities that the parties in those awful situations create.
To put it more succinctly, what jack_mo said:
Why are folk so unwilling to believe that xteraco is just a common-or-garden lazy mingewit with a spectacularly rubbish car?
posted by raedyn at 9:26 AM on September 27, 2006 [1 favorite]
I'm *so* disappointed I missed out on the Shaws meet-up. It's the only place I can get my favorite coffee milk.
posted by Gable Oak at 9:40 AM on September 27, 2006
posted by Gable Oak at 9:40 AM on September 27, 2006
I believe the whole thing is true.
However, for the people saying "I think it's a hoax, but he/they seem to have done so much background preparation work across the net...for just this?", I put it to you that you're being a bit egocentric. If you really believe the other stuff on the net is part of the hoax setup, what makes you believe that this part is the payoff, instead of just creating more background for the real payoff on Yahoo Groups or Slashdot or AnimeMusicVideos.com or whathaveyou?
posted by Bugbread at 9:45 AM on September 27, 2006
However, for the people saying "I think it's a hoax, but he/they seem to have done so much background preparation work across the net...for just this?", I put it to you that you're being a bit egocentric. If you really believe the other stuff on the net is part of the hoax setup, what makes you believe that this part is the payoff, instead of just creating more background for the real payoff on Yahoo Groups or Slashdot or AnimeMusicVideos.com or whathaveyou?
posted by Bugbread at 9:45 AM on September 27, 2006
I put it to you that you're being a bit egocentric.
I would go so far as to say solipsistic.
posted by scarabic at 10:00 AM on September 27, 2006
I would go so far as to say solipsistic.
posted by scarabic at 10:00 AM on September 27, 2006
Well if i was going to rescue anyone on metafilter, jack and bonaldi would be top of my list. Len's a bit lower down cause he's a fighter and he's got the fancy moves.
posted by sgt.serenity at 10:07 AM on September 27, 2006
posted by sgt.serenity at 10:07 AM on September 27, 2006
oh no....anything but solipsistic.
posted by sgt.serenity at 10:11 AM on September 27, 2006
posted by sgt.serenity at 10:11 AM on September 27, 2006
so xteraco sees that everyone thinks he's douchebag, realises he's been outed as scum, and manipulates fr0zen into feeling bad for him because of it? "Sweetie, look what they're saying about me! You know I'm not like that! Here, let's cut up these cards..."
posted by bonaldi at 10:16 AM on September 27, 2006
posted by bonaldi at 10:16 AM on September 27, 2006
Abusive controlling people make their victims feel like it's the fault of the suffering partner, and not of the tyrant. It very manipulative and weird the alternate relaities that the parties in those awful situations create.
Lynda Barry once did (in the early eighties) a four panel comic which has remained a rueful touchstone for me ever since.
In the third panel, two women are out to dinner. The dialogue goes something like this: "God, Lilly, you look like hell... wait, isn't that old loverboy coming in with someone else? It is!"
"Well, we have to go now."
"But we just started eating."
"I know, but [boyfriend name] says that if I see him with someone else, I have to leave on account of her feeling bad because I'm his girlfriend."
Alternate realities indeed. And at the time, it all makes sense; in fact there's a weighty logic to it. Because your insecurities are really the problem, since yeah he slept with that other girl, in fact you both know that he's still seeing her, which you force him to lie about, because if you would just stop being upset and nagging and stuff, you wouldn't be driving him away. In fact, you're lucky to have him, because he's so much better (musically talented, pretty, socially at ease) than you are, and you have such an intense emotional bond. The broken furniture and the bruises just demonstrate the strength of your lurrve. That kind of thing.
I speak from bitter experience. I was 19. This went on for another four years.
At any rate, the comic ends like this. In the fourth panel, Lilly is howling "He left me! I did everything for him! What am I gonna do now?" and her friend says "We'll buy champagne!"
My advice to fr0zen repeats what others have already so eloquently said. Be very, very careful. Be aware of the conditions of your relationship that you know, somewhere in your heart, are wrong. Anything that you are afraid to tell a friend or family member about your relationship and the accommodations you have made within it is a red flag.
Wishing you the best.
posted by jokeefe at 10:29 AM on September 27, 2006 [11 favorites]
Lynda Barry once did (in the early eighties) a four panel comic which has remained a rueful touchstone for me ever since.
In the third panel, two women are out to dinner. The dialogue goes something like this: "God, Lilly, you look like hell... wait, isn't that old loverboy coming in with someone else? It is!"
"Well, we have to go now."
"But we just started eating."
"I know, but [boyfriend name] says that if I see him with someone else, I have to leave on account of her feeling bad because I'm his girlfriend."
Alternate realities indeed. And at the time, it all makes sense; in fact there's a weighty logic to it. Because your insecurities are really the problem, since yeah he slept with that other girl, in fact you both know that he's still seeing her, which you force him to lie about, because if you would just stop being upset and nagging and stuff, you wouldn't be driving him away. In fact, you're lucky to have him, because he's so much better (musically talented, pretty, socially at ease) than you are, and you have such an intense emotional bond. The broken furniture and the bruises just demonstrate the strength of your lurrve. That kind of thing.
I speak from bitter experience. I was 19. This went on for another four years.
At any rate, the comic ends like this. In the fourth panel, Lilly is howling "He left me! I did everything for him! What am I gonna do now?" and her friend says "We'll buy champagne!"
My advice to fr0zen repeats what others have already so eloquently said. Be very, very careful. Be aware of the conditions of your relationship that you know, somewhere in your heart, are wrong. Anything that you are afraid to tell a friend or family member about your relationship and the accommodations you have made within it is a red flag.
Wishing you the best.
posted by jokeefe at 10:29 AM on September 27, 2006 [11 favorites]
All this has taught me is that scody is Metafilter-Jesus, wandering through the mob, dispensing wisdom and totally awesome music recommendations.
posted by boo_radley at 10:33 AM on September 27, 2006 [2 favorites]
posted by boo_radley at 10:33 AM on September 27, 2006 [2 favorites]
But I can't quit it. posted by Bear at 9:09 AM PST on September 27 [+] [!]
Oh Trainwreck Thread ... I wish I knew how to quit you.
posted by ClaudiaCenter at 10:35 AM on September 27, 2006 [1 favorite]
Oh Trainwreck Thread ... I wish I knew how to quit you.
posted by ClaudiaCenter at 10:35 AM on September 27, 2006 [1 favorite]
bless you, my brethren... always try to treat each other with compassion, and listen to a lot of Califone.
posted by scody at 10:46 AM on September 27, 2006 [1 favorite]
posted by scody at 10:46 AM on September 27, 2006 [1 favorite]
Wow. I tell my family "I gotta be on the internet! I might miss stuff!" and they're all, like, "C'mon, you should be out in the sunlight. Or maybe try eating some dinner... We'll turn a TV on..."
And as soon as I'm gone... BOOM! DRAMA!
See?
(Scody gets points for awesome).
posted by klangklangston at 11:29 AM on September 27, 2006 [2 favorites]
And as soon as I'm gone... BOOM! DRAMA!
See?
(Scody gets points for awesome).
posted by klangklangston at 11:29 AM on September 27, 2006 [2 favorites]
(Approximately) what orthogonality said. {I don't bear grudges, I hope}
posted by peacay at 11:36 AM on September 27, 2006
posted by peacay at 11:36 AM on September 27, 2006
Now scody's pushing Califone!
Be still my bleating heart....
posted by Floydd at 11:55 AM on September 27, 2006
Be still my bleating heart....
posted by Floydd at 11:55 AM on September 27, 2006
the only thing this drama has proven to me is that metafilter can beat the dead internet horse with such dexterity and relentlessness. i hope you guys are proud of yourselves. i know i am.
posted by naxosaxur at 12:02 PM on September 27, 2006
posted by naxosaxur at 12:02 PM on September 27, 2006
Anyone catch the comments earlier in the thread that accused Fr0zen of having anger management problems based on previous metafilter threads? They even told Fr0zen's boyfriend to dump her. They were deleted and then reposted and deleted again. This thread could have gone off in a whole other trainwreck direction.
posted by metaname at 12:39 PM on September 27, 2006
posted by metaname at 12:39 PM on September 27, 2006
You'll get your flameout someday soon, dear chap. Be patient.
Quick, someone split an infinitive!
posted by Krrrlson at 1:33 PM on September 27, 2006 [1 favorite]
Quick, someone split an infinitive!
posted by Krrrlson at 1:33 PM on September 27, 2006 [1 favorite]
>[a few comments removed: meta discussion goes to >METATALK, it does not go here]
Hi, Jessamyn,
Sorry for the trouble. I didn't realize there was a MetaTalk thread for the other discussion. Also, you are correct that because of the "meta" nature of it should've gone here anyway.
>From the thread:
>
>dgeiser13: Best Ask Metafilter thread ever.
>wheelieman: This is going to end well,
>
>Someone please delete that shit. It doesn't belong in >AskMe.
mediareport, what the heck is your problem?
I may have put my comments in the wrong place but I was sincere in what I said. That thread is the best discussion I've ever read on Ask Metafilter.
For you to call it "that shit" I think was a little uncalled for.
posted by dgeiser13 at 1:34 PM on September 27, 2006
Hi, Jessamyn,
Sorry for the trouble. I didn't realize there was a MetaTalk thread for the other discussion. Also, you are correct that because of the "meta" nature of it should've gone here anyway.
>From the thread:
>
>dgeiser13: Best Ask Metafilter thread ever.
>wheelieman: This is going to end well,
>
>Someone please delete that shit. It doesn't belong in >AskMe.
mediareport, what the heck is your problem?
I may have put my comments in the wrong place but I was sincere in what I said. That thread is the best discussion I've ever read on Ask Metafilter.
For you to call it "that shit" I think was a little uncalled for.
posted by dgeiser13 at 1:34 PM on September 27, 2006
Quick, someone split an infinitive!
I don't think it's right to actively bait the man.
For you to call it "that shit" I think was a little uncalled for.
In the specific context of AskMe, those comments are completely offband, even if we are all in our heads having similar thoughts. The use of the phrase "that shit" may have been abrasive, but the sentiment is not uncalled for when taken in light of existing community standards.
posted by cortex at 1:38 PM on September 27, 2006
I don't think it's right to actively bait the man.
For you to call it "that shit" I think was a little uncalled for.
In the specific context of AskMe, those comments are completely offband, even if we are all in our heads having similar thoughts. The use of the phrase "that shit" may have been abrasive, but the sentiment is not uncalled for when taken in light of existing community standards.
posted by cortex at 1:38 PM on September 27, 2006
If you can't be a good example, you'll just have to serve as a terrible warning. Springer nothing, that thread is some Shakespearian shit.
posted by Marnie at 1:38 PM on September 27, 2006
posted by Marnie at 1:38 PM on September 27, 2006
Sorry for the trouble. I didn't realize there was a MetaTalk thread for the other discussion.
There might not have been a meta thread. The key thing is that, were those comments to have a place, it would be in a thread on metatalk if one existed. If one didn't, there simply wouldn't be a place for them. You could always start a metatalk thread if you felt there need to be a place for them, at, of course, your own peril.
posted by cortex at 1:40 PM on September 27, 2006
There might not have been a meta thread. The key thing is that, were those comments to have a place, it would be in a thread on metatalk if one existed. If one didn't, there simply wouldn't be a place for them. You could always start a metatalk thread if you felt there need to be a place for them, at, of course, your own peril.
posted by cortex at 1:40 PM on September 27, 2006
I think the real victims in this drama are their cats and guinea pigs.
posted by shoseph at 1:54 PM on September 27, 2006
posted by shoseph at 1:54 PM on September 27, 2006
I think the real victims in this drama are their cats and guinea pigs.
And don't forget that poor car, whose very existence seems to have been erased from cyberspace.
posted by TedW at 1:59 PM on September 27, 2006
cortez said:
There might not have been a meta thread. The key thing is that, were those comments to have a place, it would be in a thread on metatalk if one existed. If one didn't, there simply wouldn't be a place for them. You could always start a metatalk thread if you felt there need to be a place for them, at, of course, your own peril.
that is why i said "Also, you are correct that because of the "meta" nature of it should've gone here anyway."
posted by dgeiser13 at 2:27 PM on September 27, 2006
There might not have been a meta thread. The key thing is that, were those comments to have a place, it would be in a thread on metatalk if one existed. If one didn't, there simply wouldn't be a place for them. You could always start a metatalk thread if you felt there need to be a place for them, at, of course, your own peril.
that is why i said "Also, you are correct that because of the "meta" nature of it should've gone here anyway."
posted by dgeiser13 at 2:27 PM on September 27, 2006
Any hope for a song out of this, Cortex?
posted by klangklangston at 2:29 PM on September 27, 2006
posted by klangklangston at 2:29 PM on September 27, 2006
Could someone please direct me to the point in the AskMe at which it was made clear that xteraco is the boyfriend in question? Thanks, it's a trainwreck in there.
posted by 2or3whiskeysodas at 2:31 PM on September 27, 2006
posted by 2or3whiskeysodas at 2:31 PM on September 27, 2006
And could someone please post a picture of the car?! It's been disappeared from the Internets, and I'm just dyyyyying to see it!
posted by slogger at 2:34 PM on September 27, 2006
posted by slogger at 2:34 PM on September 27, 2006
dgeiser13, granted. My intention was to underscore this point: the comment wasn't wrong for AskMe simply because a related metatalk thread happened to exist. The comment would have been wrong for AskMe even if there was no metatalk thread. If you grok that, I think we're in totally congruence.
Any hope for a song out of this, Cortex?
"The Ballad of fr0zen and xteraco" doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, does it?
posted by cortex at 2:34 PM on September 27, 2006
Any hope for a song out of this, Cortex?
"The Ballad of fr0zen and xteraco" doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, does it?
posted by cortex at 2:34 PM on September 27, 2006
"The Ballad of fr0zen and xteraco" doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, does it?
No, but it does sound like a Klingon love story.
posted by jerseygirl at 2:38 PM on September 27, 2006 [2 favorites]
No, but it does sound like a Klingon love story.
posted by jerseygirl at 2:38 PM on September 27, 2006 [2 favorites]
xteraco is an anagram for "a cortex".
AHA!
I'd raise my eyebrow at you, cortex, but my neanderthal unibrow always rises all at once instead of on one side, making it look like I'm deeply concerned and lopsided.
posted by evariste at 2:40 PM on September 27, 2006
AHA!
I'd raise my eyebrow at you, cortex, but my neanderthal unibrow always rises all at once instead of on one side, making it look like I'm deeply concerned and lopsided.
posted by evariste at 2:40 PM on September 27, 2006
""The Ballad of fr0zen and xteraco" doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, does it?"
You have to mangle Jack and Diane a bit, but it could work.
posted by klangklangston at 2:55 PM on September 27, 2006
You have to mangle Jack and Diane a bit, but it could work.
posted by klangklangston at 2:55 PM on September 27, 2006
Anyone catch the comments earlier in the thread that accused Fr0zen of having anger management problems based on previous metafilter threads? They even told Fr0zen's boyfriend to dump her. They were deleted and then reposted and deleted again. This thread could have gone off in a whole other trainwreck direction.
I think you're thinking of my post in different recent thread. It was, however, not "reposted" as such, nor deleted again, nor did I accuse goofygirl of anger management problmes; she admitted to them. So maybe you weren't thinking of my post.
That said, I'd like to see goofygirl and xteraco get together, and fr0zen and goofygirl's geek get together. I think that all four of them would be happier.
posted by solid-one-love at 2:56 PM on September 27, 2006
I think you're thinking of my post in different recent thread. It was, however, not "reposted" as such, nor deleted again, nor did I accuse goofygirl of anger management problmes; she admitted to them. So maybe you weren't thinking of my post.
That said, I'd like to see goofygirl and xteraco get together, and fr0zen and goofygirl's geek get together. I think that all four of them would be happier.
posted by solid-one-love at 2:56 PM on September 27, 2006
This is fucked up - the AskMe thread ended up being a horrible read and we're now over 220 posts in a MeTa thread on the same subject. As a community, we've gone far beyond helping this situation and are now, I believe, starting to harm it.
Surely it's time for people to move on and let fr0zen and xteraco sort themselves out in private without knowing the community is discussing them and their issues (and, yes, I'm aware of the irony of me posting that).
posted by TheDonF at 3:06 PM on September 27, 2006 [1 favorite]
Surely it's time for people to move on and let fr0zen and xteraco sort themselves out in private without knowing the community is discussing them and their issues (and, yes, I'm aware of the irony of me posting that).
posted by TheDonF at 3:06 PM on September 27, 2006 [1 favorite]
scody is wonderful
I can't believe all you people are just figuring this out.
posted by dg at 3:08 PM on September 27, 2006
I can't believe all you people are just figuring this out.
posted by dg at 3:08 PM on September 27, 2006
xteraco is an anagram for "a cortex".
Well, you caught me. I may as well come clean. The guilt has honestly been keeping me up at night and ruining my health. I coughed up blood this morning, so, you know, fuck it.
Look. I've engineered this whole thing from the ground up, as setup for a massive guerilla marketing campaign. I'm employed by the Marketing Technology division of Hasbro, Inc; they've recently been looking to expand one of their powerhouse brands into consumables: snack foods, breakfast cereals, lunch carryables, etc.
Reacting to the increasing attention paid to technology-driven "underground" marketing campaigns, we'd undertaken an initiative to create groundswell interest in one of these new products through semi-interactive "community disruptions"—carefully planned and plotted invasions of existing community structures that were judged likely to bear fruit: talkative, search-engine-seeding discussions of coded product keywords, with off-site blog chatter to boot.
The plan—if I'd been willing to carry it through—would have been to wait until we reached a critical degree of blogospheric saturation and then pull a big reveal via a couple of YouTube video plants and a (surprisingly expensive) paid post by Kottke. We also had the folks at Escapist helping out a bit, of course, as some of you have noticed.
I know it's a little hard to hear this. I look in the mirror some mornings and wonder how I can play such a nasty little game. And I've decided I can't, anymore. My real name is Gerald Schumacher, I'm 47, twice-divorced, the second one has the house and full custody, and as of this moment I am retired from the marketing game.
And if you can't believe it, I'll prove it to you. The Hasbro product we were bringing to market? A breakfast cereal. And "fr0zen" is an anagram for "Nerf-0z".
I'll just get my things and go.
I was also minya.
posted by cortex at 3:08 PM on September 27, 2006 [18 favorites]
Well, you caught me. I may as well come clean. The guilt has honestly been keeping me up at night and ruining my health. I coughed up blood this morning, so, you know, fuck it.
Look. I've engineered this whole thing from the ground up, as setup for a massive guerilla marketing campaign. I'm employed by the Marketing Technology division of Hasbro, Inc; they've recently been looking to expand one of their powerhouse brands into consumables: snack foods, breakfast cereals, lunch carryables, etc.
Reacting to the increasing attention paid to technology-driven "underground" marketing campaigns, we'd undertaken an initiative to create groundswell interest in one of these new products through semi-interactive "community disruptions"—carefully planned and plotted invasions of existing community structures that were judged likely to bear fruit: talkative, search-engine-seeding discussions of coded product keywords, with off-site blog chatter to boot.
The plan—if I'd been willing to carry it through—would have been to wait until we reached a critical degree of blogospheric saturation and then pull a big reveal via a couple of YouTube video plants and a (surprisingly expensive) paid post by Kottke. We also had the folks at Escapist helping out a bit, of course, as some of you have noticed.
I know it's a little hard to hear this. I look in the mirror some mornings and wonder how I can play such a nasty little game. And I've decided I can't, anymore. My real name is Gerald Schumacher, I'm 47, twice-divorced, the second one has the house and full custody, and as of this moment I am retired from the marketing game.
And if you can't believe it, I'll prove it to you. The Hasbro product we were bringing to market? A breakfast cereal. And "fr0zen" is an anagram for "Nerf-0z".
I'll just get my things and go.
I was also minya.
posted by cortex at 3:08 PM on September 27, 2006 [18 favorites]
I'm surprised it wasn't a soda that was going to be marketed.... have a drag out fight in the supermarket and then the winner can attribute his manliness to X brand soda
posted by edgeways at 3:18 PM on September 27, 2006
posted by edgeways at 3:18 PM on September 27, 2006
Ah yes, the Shaw's Ginger Ale connection. Did this conspiracy go to the highest levels?
posted by mbrubeck at 4:00 PM on September 27, 2006
posted by mbrubeck at 4:00 PM on September 27, 2006
you know, here i am, offering to rescue a couple of people and they havent even taken me up on it , the ungrateful bastards.
posted by sgt.serenity at 4:18 PM on September 27, 2006
posted by sgt.serenity at 4:18 PM on September 27, 2006
The Ballad of fr0zen and xteraco
Standing in the Shaws in Manchester,
Trying to show some MeFite my moves,
The man in the Green said, "You're really obscene,
You know you haven't got no credit to lose"
Christ you know it ain't easy
You know how hard it can be
The way things are going
They're going to crucify me
Finally got a chance to start chillin',
Really get to work on my car,
Civil_D wrote to say
"You can make it OK
But you gotta go to school to get far"
Christ you know it ain't easy
You know how hard it can be
The way things are going
They're going to crucify me
Left a good job for my baby,
Thought it wasn't bad being poor,
Then she wrote "What a slob, how can I get him a job?"
And they all said she oughta show me the door
Christ you know it ain't easy
You know how hard it can be
The way things are going
They're going to crucify me
Saving up your money for a rainy day,
Buying all your clothes at charity,
That don't sound like much fun,
I'd rather lie in the sun
And let my honey take good care of me, Whee!
MetaFilter, I'm made of rubber,
MetaFilter, you're made of glue,
I don't care what you say, it just bounces away,
So metafilter pussies fuck you—
Christ you know it ain't easy
You know how hard it can be
The way things are going
They're going to crucify me
The way things are going
They're going to crucify me
posted by languagehat at 5:05 PM on September 27, 2006 [48 favorites]
Standing in the Shaws in Manchester,
Trying to show some MeFite my moves,
The man in the Green said, "You're really obscene,
You know you haven't got no credit to lose"
Christ you know it ain't easy
You know how hard it can be
The way things are going
They're going to crucify me
Finally got a chance to start chillin',
Really get to work on my car,
Civil_D wrote to say
"You can make it OK
But you gotta go to school to get far"
Christ you know it ain't easy
You know how hard it can be
The way things are going
They're going to crucify me
Left a good job for my baby,
Thought it wasn't bad being poor,
Then she wrote "What a slob, how can I get him a job?"
And they all said she oughta show me the door
Christ you know it ain't easy
You know how hard it can be
The way things are going
They're going to crucify me
Saving up your money for a rainy day,
Buying all your clothes at charity,
That don't sound like much fun,
I'd rather lie in the sun
And let my honey take good care of me, Whee!
MetaFilter, I'm made of rubber,
MetaFilter, you're made of glue,
I don't care what you say, it just bounces away,
So metafilter pussies fuck you—
Christ you know it ain't easy
You know how hard it can be
The way things are going
They're going to crucify me
The way things are going
They're going to crucify me
posted by languagehat at 5:05 PM on September 27, 2006 [48 favorites]
Christ, languagehat, I'm busy tonight.
posted by cortex at 5:21 PM on September 27, 2006 [1 favorite]
posted by cortex at 5:21 PM on September 27, 2006 [1 favorite]
But who is going to set this to music, now that cortex (aka Gerald Schumacher) has outed himself as a viral marketing shill & left us...?
posted by UbuRoivas at 5:38 PM on September 27, 2006
posted by UbuRoivas at 5:38 PM on September 27, 2006
Cortex, you cannot refuse. It is too inspired not to do it at once. In fact, if you respond to this thread before you've recorded it, the fates will curse your soul and many other bad things will happen to you.
THE THREAD HAS BEEN REDEEMED.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 5:42 PM on September 27, 2006
THE THREAD HAS BEEN REDEEMED.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 5:42 PM on September 27, 2006
But who is going to set this to music, now that cortex (aka Gerald Schumacher) has outed himself as a viral marketing shill & left us...?
Ha ha! A simple misunderstanding! My mischevious nephew typed that up while I was away! All a joke!
Viral marketing! "Gerald"! Ha ha ha!
Seriously, give me a couple days.
posted by cortex at 5:53 PM on September 27, 2006
Ha ha! A simple misunderstanding! My mischevious nephew typed that up while I was away! All a joke!
Viral marketing! "Gerald"! Ha ha ha!
Seriously, give me a couple days.
posted by cortex at 5:53 PM on September 27, 2006
Ah! I'm glad you're back, cortex. I've been meaning to ask you what that faint z0-freN yuB, z0-freN yuB, z0-freN yuB sound is in the subaudible frequencies beneath mathowie's community weblog...?
posted by UbuRoivas at 6:10 PM on September 27, 2006
posted by UbuRoivas at 6:10 PM on September 27, 2006
Compression artifacts, UbuRoivas. Compression artifacts.
I'd be happy to demonstrate the details, if you'll just step into thisdark closet listening booth.
posted by cortex at 6:12 PM on September 27, 2006 [1 favorite]
I'd be happy to demonstrate the details, if you'll just step into this
posted by cortex at 6:12 PM on September 27, 2006 [1 favorite]
sorry, guys, i'm trying to see the humor in this little song ... and i'm just not seeing it
i don't think it's appropriate that people be mocked when they come to us for help over serious life issues, even if it doesn't end up like we think it should
the one thing that askme thread proved is that the internet, sometimes, IS real life ... with real problems, real emotions and real consequences
most of the time it is only a web site ... but not this time
you should respect that
posted by pyramid termite at 6:15 PM on September 27, 2006
i don't think it's appropriate that people be mocked when they come to us for help over serious life issues, even if it doesn't end up like we think it should
the one thing that askme thread proved is that the internet, sometimes, IS real life ... with real problems, real emotions and real consequences
most of the time it is only a web site ... but not this time
you should respect that
posted by pyramid termite at 6:15 PM on September 27, 2006
pt: We tried that. All those posts in the AskMe are real people trying to empathize and offer some help. One guy offered to pay him to take the GED. You can't stop your kids from making mistakes, you can't really stop your friends, either, so I doubt a bunch of strangers on the internet are going to make much of a dent, but some of us tried, anyway.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 6:37 PM on September 27, 2006
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 6:37 PM on September 27, 2006
No, actually, all of the time it's just a website. The song is not an official condemnation, nor a vicious jab—it's a riff on the situation, a humorous tangent. And as far as mockery goes, it's really just the ballad of xteraco. fr0zen came for help, and hopefully got some, but xteraco just showed up and acted like a complete ass.
posted by cortex at 6:37 PM on September 27, 2006 [1 favorite]
posted by cortex at 6:37 PM on September 27, 2006 [1 favorite]
Ethereal Bligh (if you notice this) - your comment here reminded me of an equally impressive, and related comment some time ago. What gives? Personal experience? Or is it your field? Just curious, because both these comments seem to cut to the core with ruthless precision.
posted by UbuRoivas at 8:22 PM on September 27, 2006
posted by UbuRoivas at 8:22 PM on September 27, 2006
One guy offered to pay him to take the GED
Girl. With a girly name.
posted by Asparagirl at 8:33 PM on September 27, 2006 [3 favorites]
Girl. With a girly name.
posted by Asparagirl at 8:33 PM on September 27, 2006 [3 favorites]
Oh sure, but you have such a firm, tall SPINE, Aparagirl!
posted by caitlinb at 9:15 PM on September 27, 2006
posted by caitlinb at 9:15 PM on September 27, 2006
mediareport, what the heck is your problem?
I may have put my comments in the wrong place
Yeah, that would be "my problem."
For you to call it "that shit" I think was a little uncalled for.
Wahwahwah. Learn the guidelines. In AskMe, that was pure unadulterated shit. Stop it.
posted by mediareport at 9:22 PM on September 27, 2006
I may have put my comments in the wrong place
Yeah, that would be "my problem."
For you to call it "that shit" I think was a little uncalled for.
Wahwahwah. Learn the guidelines. In AskMe, that was pure unadulterated shit. Stop it.
posted by mediareport at 9:22 PM on September 27, 2006
Seconding UbuRolvas, I'm a fan of EB's occassional pearl.
posted by onalark at 9:41 PM on September 27, 2006
posted by onalark at 9:41 PM on September 27, 2006
Thanks for the praise, UbuRoivas and onalark. Sometimes I suppose I might actually get it right. No, not my field or particular expertise, just life experience. Personal experience and a bit of my own experience of self.
posted by Ethereal Bligh at 10:45 PM on September 27, 2006
posted by Ethereal Bligh at 10:45 PM on September 27, 2006
Girl. With a girly name.
My mistake, Asparagirl.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 3:44 AM on September 28, 2006
My mistake, Asparagirl.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 3:44 AM on September 28, 2006
She explained how it got started, pieoverdone. She lived off credit cards when she was establishing her residence there (eg, rent/deposit, that kind of thing) + a car purchase. I'm sure the $100 a week figure doesn't include impulse purchases, which sound like they've been a problem. Then after that affidavit was filed and case was heard, she walked away with some more debt as a result.
posted by caitlinb at 9:30 AM on September 28, 2006
posted by caitlinb at 9:30 AM on September 28, 2006
Ouch.
(a) One of the tires on my bicycle just went flat. I was going to do a twenty-mile ride tomorrow. Does the hive mind have any tips for riding on a flat tire?
(b) I just locked myself out of my house. Does anybody know where I can find a cheap bulldozer rental?
(c) [fr0zen's original question]
Do you see the point of commonality between the two hypotheticals and the actual question?
I pin fault for this whole brouhaha (which I finally skimmed earlier today) on fr0zen. When you post a question to AskMe, you shouldn't necessarily expect validation. Just as in real life, questions posed here are examined for context, and assumptions made therein carefully scrutinized.
That's not to say, however, that this whole situation should have continued for as long as it has. It was apparent relatively early in the thread that fr0zen was not prepared to listen to the nearly unanimous consensus for the community. The poor judgement reflected in that decision was further displayed through her continued solidarity with xteraco even given his conduct here.
*Confessor shakes his head*
I'm actually kind of glad that I missed this whole thread; it would have been frustrating to see my advice discarded so cavalierly along with everyone else's.
posted by The Confessor at 4:07 PM on September 28, 2006 [2 favorites]
(a) One of the tires on my bicycle just went flat. I was going to do a twenty-mile ride tomorrow. Does the hive mind have any tips for riding on a flat tire?
(b) I just locked myself out of my house. Does anybody know where I can find a cheap bulldozer rental?
(c) [fr0zen's original question]
Do you see the point of commonality between the two hypotheticals and the actual question?
I pin fault for this whole brouhaha (which I finally skimmed earlier today) on fr0zen. When you post a question to AskMe, you shouldn't necessarily expect validation. Just as in real life, questions posed here are examined for context, and assumptions made therein carefully scrutinized.
That's not to say, however, that this whole situation should have continued for as long as it has. It was apparent relatively early in the thread that fr0zen was not prepared to listen to the nearly unanimous consensus for the community. The poor judgement reflected in that decision was further displayed through her continued solidarity with xteraco even given his conduct here.
*Confessor shakes his head*
I'm actually kind of glad that I missed this whole thread; it would have been frustrating to see my advice discarded so cavalierly along with everyone else's.
posted by The Confessor at 4:07 PM on September 28, 2006 [2 favorites]
you know, here i am, offering to rescue a couple of people and they havent even taken me up on it , the ungrateful bastards.
I just saw that, but wasn't sure what you were going to rescue us from .
*attempts to formulate emoticon for 'faintly puzzled by a Scotsman', fails*
posted by jack_mo at 5:33 PM on September 28, 2006
I just saw that, but wasn't sure what you were going to rescue us from .
*attempts to formulate emoticon for 'faintly puzzled by a Scotsman', fails*
posted by jack_mo at 5:33 PM on September 28, 2006
Then again he did get proscuted in abstentia over in the Relationship Court of AskMe for 24 hours before he weighed in, with particular attention, for example, paid to the ridiculousness of his car
Lol.
Yeah I can't blame him too much for the way he reacted. People were really slamming him and trying to convince his girlfriend to kick him out. Anyone would be upset. He's obviously not too bright.
I find it hard to believe that this is for real.
I find it impossible to believe it's for fake. Why would someone spin up all these perfectly consistent profiles all over the Internet just for one random metafilter thread seen by maybe a few hundred people? There's even a domain name.
I mean, really. Do these people even really exist as anything other than caricatures?
Of course they do. I know people like that; I think most people can think of at least one example. He comes off as more of a character because he's illiterate.
My theory: xteraco killed the real fr0zen and has been living in her house for the last couple months, and this online stuff is part of keeping up appearences. This is all a subconscious ploy by him hoping to get himself caught. Soon he will have enough money to clear out of town and get a job at the Escapist.
bwaaaaahahahahah
posted by delmoi at 7:22 PM on September 28, 2006
Lol.
Yeah I can't blame him too much for the way he reacted. People were really slamming him and trying to convince his girlfriend to kick him out. Anyone would be upset. He's obviously not too bright.
I find it hard to believe that this is for real.
I find it impossible to believe it's for fake. Why would someone spin up all these perfectly consistent profiles all over the Internet just for one random metafilter thread seen by maybe a few hundred people? There's even a domain name.
I mean, really. Do these people even really exist as anything other than caricatures?
Of course they do. I know people like that; I think most people can think of at least one example. He comes off as more of a character because he's illiterate.
My theory: xteraco killed the real fr0zen and has been living in her house for the last couple months, and this online stuff is part of keeping up appearences. This is all a subconscious ploy by him hoping to get himself caught. Soon he will have enough money to clear out of town and get a job at the Escapist.
bwaaaaahahahahah
posted by delmoi at 7:22 PM on September 28, 2006
Not that anyone's reading this now, but I agree with the comment praising scody's contribution to the thread - they were brilliantly judged and sympathetic answers.
posted by greycap at 11:07 PM on September 28, 2006
posted by greycap at 11:07 PM on September 28, 2006
I'm just glad somebody thought of the children.
posted by flabdablet at 11:52 PM on September 28, 2006
posted by flabdablet at 11:52 PM on September 28, 2006
That is without a doubt the most insanely entertaining MetaFilter thread ever created. It is Perfect, the Platonic ideal of a total fucking trainwreck.
Also, to anyone who missed this: sometimes we are in the presence of pure Grace.
posted by Optimus Chyme at 12:20 AM on September 29, 2006 [1 favorite]
Also, to anyone who missed this: sometimes we are in the presence of pure Grace.
posted by Optimus Chyme at 12:20 AM on September 29, 2006 [1 favorite]
The thread was deleted! How can I get through the day now?
posted by Justinian at 3:20 PM on September 29, 2006
posted by Justinian at 3:20 PM on September 29, 2006
just saw that, but wasn't sure what you were going to rescue us from .
this is going to be harder than i thought.
posted by sgt.serenity at 4:58 PM on September 29, 2006
this is going to be harder than i thought.
posted by sgt.serenity at 4:58 PM on September 29, 2006
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posted by 31d1 at 9:59 PM on October 12, 2006 [1 favorite]
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posted by Civil_Disobedient at 4:50 PM on September 26, 2006