Elephant Day

October 8, 2006 11:40 AM

Ok, you freaks. WTF is up with the elephants?
posted by loquacious to MetaFilter-Related at 11:40 AM (361 comments total)

You didn't get the memo? October 8 is Elephant Day. Don't tell me you forgot to buy a card!
posted by revgeorge at 11:41 AM on October 8, 2006

loquacious doesn't like pachyderm people.
posted by Kickstart70 at 11:42 AM on October 8, 2006

No, I like... wait, what? Are you saying you have elephantitus?
posted by loquacious at 11:46 AM on October 8, 2006

The original discussions seem to have been lost to talking about elephant day. Alas, I fear for the future of our pachyderm brethren mefites are distracted by (albeit wonderful) amusing links.
posted by cal71 at 11:48 AM on October 8, 2006

Confirmation bias.
posted by reklaw at 11:49 AM on October 8, 2006 [11 favorites]

Actually, I think it's kind of cool. And I should mention that I, for one, welcome our pachydermal overlords.

Pachydermite? Elephantine?

The nytimes mag article is incredibly sad and moving. I hope all the joking and conviviality doesn't somehow obscure it.
posted by nevercalm at 11:50 AM on October 8, 2006

You weirdos do realize that this meta MeTa thread was going to be posted sooner or later, right?

Anyway, I figured it should be me. This isn't a callout. I'm just uttering a bemused "WTFF!?" (not a typo) and giving you and your elephant gang a safe place to explain shenanigans if you so desire.

Oh, and a safe harbor for pissing elephant pics.
posted by loquacious at 11:51 AM on October 8, 2006

I feel left out. Nobody sent me a memo.

Ironically, I bet it's because y'all forgot, right?
posted by Dipsomaniac at 11:52 AM on October 8, 2006

posted by brownpau at 11:52 AM on October 8, 2006 [3 favorites]

I'm just hoping this elephant thing does not turn into a repeat of another site's HA HA Guy "Grey Wave." (Link goes to Wikipedia.)
posted by The Deej at 11:52 AM on October 8, 2006

Oh and just to get it out of the way:

I, for one welcome our new elephant overlords.
posted by The Deej at 11:53 AM on October 8, 2006

Well played, brownpau, well played indeed.
posted by loquacious at 11:57 AM on October 8, 2006

posted by loquacious at 11:59 AM on October 8, 2006

From one of the threads:

Oh! However did this happen? Weird. [...] This is getting wierd.[sic]

Don't be cute. "Oh! I never thought that such a coincidence could ever occur! Mercy me!" Please.

I'd like to see Matt delete all these posts. The ones that actually are the best of the web could be reposted at another time. As it is: this trick's been done before. It wasn't funny then, and Matt trimmed the fat then, too.
posted by solid-one-love at 12:01 PM on October 8, 2006

Oh, shush you. solid-one-grumptioushumphater is more like it.
posted by loquacious at 12:07 PM on October 8, 2006

I don't know about the rest, but I didn't get a memo. I saw the links and figured it was a conspiracy. I had a site I was saving for the Hot Stove Season and altered it to empasize the theme of the day.

We have Fun Friday. What's wrong with the occasional Theme Day? The links today are certainly better than another "Your Politicians Sucks" newsfilter link.
posted by ?! at 12:13 PM on October 8, 2006

I agree. I'm not saying this is a bad thing. I was confused/curious.
posted by loquacious at 12:14 PM on October 8, 2006

AskMe.

Counting down to a betusked sock puppet in 3... 2...
posted by mwhybark at 12:14 PM on October 8, 2006

*sigh* Can we skip this and just go re-read the Rabbit Day callout? It'll be the same, promise.
posted by mediareport at 12:15 PM on October 8, 2006

sometimes things just happen
posted by pyramid termite at 12:16 PM on October 8, 2006

Fucking elephant cabal.
posted by disclaimer at 12:17 PM on October 8, 2006

Damn, I have a great elephant FPP that I can't post for a few more hours. Don't anybody jinx it before then!
posted by LarryC at 12:17 PM on October 8, 2006

solid-one-love : "I'd like to see Matt delete all these posts. The ones that actually are the best of the web could be reposted at another time. As it is: this trick's been done before."

I understand deleting bad posts, but you'd like Matt do delete posts that are the best of the web because this type of posting has been done before?

Why?
posted by Bugbread at 12:18 PM on October 8, 2006

Heh. I love it.
posted by taz at 12:19 PM on October 8, 2006

Great. Another fustian elephant post.
posted by horsewithnoname at 12:19 PM on October 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

Why?

Because as a group, this stunt is nothing more than an inside joke. Individually, some of those posts may be interesting and the best of the web, Collectively, it's a clusterfuck. Kill 'em all. The good posts will come back.
posted by solid-one-love at 12:24 PM on October 8, 2006

8/10 - Never Forget.
posted by armoured-ant at 12:25 PM on October 8, 2006 [4 favorites]

Because as a group, this stunt is nothing more than an inside joke.

your repeated attempts to annoy people on this site may become an inside joke, too

grumpy
posted by pyramid termite at 12:26 PM on October 8, 2006

I cannot tell a lie: it was I who peed in solid-one-love's Cheerios.

AND I'D DO IT AGAIN
posted by Ryvar at 12:27 PM on October 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

posted by ninjew at 12:27 PM on October 8, 2006

Because as a group, this stunt is nothing more than an inside joke.

It's not even an inside joke. There was no memo. It's a community at play. I respectfully disagree with your postion.
posted by cortex at 12:28 PM on October 8, 2006

Collectively, I'm going to pull a wild guess right out of my ass and say that most of us don't mind the clusterfuck.

I only hope that Matt lets any flagging talk rather than simply deleting things just because.
posted by loquacious at 12:28 PM on October 8, 2006

Again, it's like you live in Bizarro World. The idea that I am trying to annoy anyone is, frankly, laughable.

Unlike you, I can tell someone I'm done with them and adhere to that policy. Buh-bye. May your herniated brain not get any worse.
posted by solid-one-love at 12:30 PM on October 8, 2006

"Oh! I never thought that such a coincidence could ever occur! Mercy me!"

Well, the thing seems to have been posted by a near-simultaneous double post of the NYT mag piece, so unless you're saying that was part of the conspiracy, all you have left is reklaw jumping on the bandwagon with a search for elephant news, pyramid termite Googling up random elephant links, and cortex going to YouTube. Not quite a conspiracy.

pyramid termite: sometimes things just happen

Yeah, but that doesn't mean further links couldn't show up just as well in one of the existing threads.
posted by mediareport at 12:30 PM on October 8, 2006

I think it's elephantastic.
posted by Elmore at 12:30 PM on October 8, 2006

I don't mind the clusterfuck.

Who's with me?
posted by Kickstart70 at 12:31 PM on October 8, 2006

"the thing seems to have been started"
posted by mediareport at 12:31 PM on October 8, 2006

s-o-l: it is not necessary to be an insider to enjoy an inside joke. Laugh a little and appreciate the months of excruciating toil and the exquisite split second timing that such a "stunt" requires.
posted by Cranberry at 12:32 PM on October 8, 2006

And, irrespective of anything else, I'm please that an inquistive poke of the "elephant" tag reminded me of this old gem.
posted by cortex at 12:34 PM on October 8, 2006

Unlike you, I can tell someone I'm done with them and adhere to that policy. Buh-bye. May your herniated brain not get any worse.

Jesus, dude. Unclench. I'd hate to see what it was like when you were trying to annoy someone.

Seriously, take a walk and leave the terminal behind for a bit. Smell some flowers or something. Pet a cat.
posted by loquacious at 12:35 PM on October 8, 2006

Solid-one-love at a party: "Your whimsical conversation is nothing more than an inside joke. Individually, some of your bon mots may be interesting and the best of the party, Collectively, it's a clusterfuck. Shut up! The good conversation will come back."
posted by scody at 12:35 PM on October 8, 2006

The idea that I am trying to annoy anyone is, frankly, laughable.

if you had a sense of humor, that is

May your herniated brain not get any worse.

of course, we know that no one ever posts a cheap shot to annoy someone

keep trying ... you might actually do it someday
posted by pyramid termite at 12:38 PM on October 8, 2006

I think it is clusterfucktastic.
posted by Elmore at 12:41 PM on October 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

I thought had something to do with this. But then, I'm pretty partisan.
posted by maryh at 12:48 PM on October 8, 2006

BWA HA HA HA HA!! ... maryh, is that for real? ... oh, man ... it is!
posted by pyramid termite at 12:50 PM on October 8, 2006

> Well played, brownpau, well played indeed.

bp keeps climbing right up the "seriously clever" charts. Noticed and remarked upon.
posted by jfuller at 12:50 PM on October 8, 2006

related?
posted by amberglow at 12:52 PM on October 8, 2006

oops--sorry, mary : >
posted by amberglow at 12:52 PM on October 8, 2006

I thought had something to do with this.

That... That's unspeakably fantastic. It's even better than their goatse cover.
posted by loquacious at 12:53 PM on October 8, 2006

Oooh. What about baby elephant pics, are those okay? Or do they have to be pissing?


posted by routergirl at 12:54 PM on October 8, 2006

Ha! I love this. In fact, I think it should be done more often. Lighten up, s-o-l.

However, now that this stunt is well played out I think the perpretators must reveal themselves and their plan. :)

Also, it reminds me of a similar stunt where three (I think) posts in a row used the same little-used word. Does anyone still have that link?
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 12:55 PM on October 8, 2006

posted by mwhybark at 12:56 PM on October 8, 2006 [16 favorites]

solid-one-love : "Because as a group, this stunt is nothing more than an inside joke. Individually, some of those posts may be interesting and the best of the web, Collectively, it's a clusterfuck."

As a group, it's an inside joke, and a collection of FPPs, some good and some bad. Being an inside joke doesn't make any of the individual links better or worse, and it sure as hell doesn't make them cease to still be FPPs. Collectively, it's not a clusterfuck, it's an inside joke, containing some good and some bad links. I see no reason to intentionally throw out the baby with the bathwater.
posted by Bugbread at 12:57 PM on October 8, 2006

Oooh. What about baby elephant pics, are those okay? Or do they have to be pissing?

All elephant pics are welcome. Especially baby elephant pics. Though you'd undoubtably score some kind of bonus points if you could drum up a pic of a baby elephant pissing.
posted by loquacious at 1:03 PM on October 8, 2006

mwhybark, good job! :)
posted by The Deej at 1:04 PM on October 8, 2006

thanks everybody
posted by matteo at 1:13 PM on October 8, 2006

Oh, and remember, next Friday is Hawaiian shirt day. So, y'know, if you want to, go ahead and, uh, wear a Hawaiian shirt and jeans.
posted by naxosaxur at 1:19 PM on October 8, 2006

Right now I'm imagining s-o-l deleting link after link to pachyderm-related content from his browser, choking back angry sobs as he rightclicks and banishes hoarded - nay, carefully harvested and lovingly saved - bookmarks, hot tears running down burning cheeks, occasionally catching a pain-blurred glimpse at the calendar hanging on the wall by his computer, October, 2006(The month's picture, like the other 11, depicts a happy elephant family enjoying a happy elephant activity), the MONDAY 9 square circled, with NEXT FPP!!! GONNA BE GREAT!!! scrawled joyfully in the center. He trumpets in rage, and returns to the links...
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 1:20 PM on October 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

What the hell happened on August 10?
posted by Rhomboid at 1:27 PM on October 8, 2006

I love mefi elephant day. It's funphantastic.
posted by fluffy battle kitten at 1:32 PM on October 8, 2006

What the hell happened on August 10?

Hellifiknow.
posted by loquacious at 1:35 PM on October 8, 2006

Two nations divided by different dating systems, as George Bernard Shaw didn't say.
posted by greycap at 1:37 PM on October 8, 2006

I think it is stupid, but I'm not overly fond of elephants. So, I'll just do what I do with other FPPs that don't interest me - ignore them.

Now, if it were bat day, I'd feel totally differently. Unless some idiot posted an FPP on Bay Boy. That shit's just wrong...
posted by QIbHom at 1:39 PM on October 8, 2006

solid-one-harrumph
posted by Divine_Wino at 1:40 PM on October 8, 2006

As a group, it's an inside joke, and a collection of FPPs, some good and some bad. Being an inside joke doesn't make any of the individual links better or worse, and it sure as hell doesn't make them cease to still be FPPs.

And the one AskMe post. The problem lies with the "some bad" posts (and I haven't looked, they weren't flagged, I'm assuming they're mostly fine). If you delete an elephant FPP or AskMe on "elephant day" people are more likely to get all up in your tusks because you don't get the joke, are humorless, whatever. It's just a hypothetical and this seems to have gone okay today, but theme days are always going to have some folks who love 'em and some who hate 'em and a group of people who are confused either happily or irritatedly.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 1:42 PM on October 8, 2006

There's always someone who ruins it.
posted by matthewr at 1:43 PM on October 8, 2006

I was about to comment on that, matthewr.

I don't have a problem with Elephant Day, but I wish people would try harder.
posted by dw at 1:46 PM on October 8, 2006

The only flash mob I ever saw, I fished a dried booger out of my nose and wiped it on the closest participant to me (they numbered almost 30 and were twirling with umbrellas and were too absorbed in their attempt to blow my mind to notice my booger). I would sorely like to wipe a booger on one of the people who made an elephant post.
posted by Mayor Curley at 1:49 PM on October 8, 2006

I thought it was cute. Not all of the fpp's were the best of teh web but then again not all fpp's can be (apparently).
posted by sveskemus at 1:51 PM on October 8, 2006

If you delete an elephant FPP or AskMe on "elephant day" people are more likely to get all up in your tusks because you don't get the joke, are humorless, whatever.

Yeah, but those people shouldn't get on your tusks, and they're out of line if they do—the silliness should be done with enough self-awareness that a deletion won't hurt any feelings. But I hear what you're saying: right or wrong, you might well get complaints from deletee merryattempters.

He says, as the person with (barring that weak-ass Wikipedia shit) arguably the weakest post in the set.
posted by cortex at 1:53 PM on October 8, 2006

The only post so far that I personally have a problem with so far is the one-link to Wikipedia that matthewr just linked to.

The rest of them are all amazingly diverse and good.
posted by loquacious at 1:54 PM on October 8, 2006

*tackles Mayor Curley, pins him down, and starts scootin' his butt all over him like a dog with a wormy dog butt*
posted by loquacious at 1:56 PM on October 8, 2006

posted by taz at 1:59 PM on October 8, 2006 [2 favorites]

MetaTalk: getting all up in your tusks because you don't get the joke
posted by Rhomboid at 2:00 PM on October 8, 2006

solid-one-love : "Best of the bunch because it points out how stupid this exercise is."

So good FPPs about elephants are bad if there are many of them, but within a set of FPPs on elephants, the best FPPs are the ones which are single links to wikipedia, because they show that the good FPPs are stupid for clustering with others?

So, if, hypothetically, we were to delete some, but not all, of the FPPs, we'd keep the one that's a single link to wikipedia, because it's the best of all of them?

Up is truly down today.
posted by Bugbread at 2:01 PM on October 8, 2006

I forgot to mention that making a metatalk post about it gives the Cool Nerds verification that they like totally blew a square's mind, man! So you shouldn't do it. If you see an obvious attempt at spectacle, your best option if you can't damage it is to ignore it.
posted by Mayor Curley at 2:02 PM on October 8, 2006

It was cute at first, but the last several elephant posts have been contrived and not at all interesting. Stop trying so hard.
posted by monju_bosatsu at 2:06 PM on October 8, 2006

Bugbread, since a mod has shown up it has become apparent that Elephant Day is going to be tolerated, if not encouraged. So your logic doesn't follow.

I'll be over here in the Grumpus seating with the Mayor.
posted by solid-one-love at 2:09 PM on October 8, 2006

Deep down, the internet is about elephants.
posted by dhammond at 2:11 PM on October 8, 2006

Stop trying so hard.

There goes my Joseph Merrick/Ganesha/Timothy Olyphant post.
posted by horsewithnoname at 2:11 PM on October 8, 2006

Someone make a post about lemmings. Not me, I'm too lazy.
posted by Marnie at 2:15 PM on October 8, 2006

The Elephant Gate at the Carlsberg Brewery (Copenhagen).


posted by ericb at 2:16 PM on October 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

solid-one-love : "Bugbread, since a mod has shown up it has become apparent that Elephant Day is going to be tolerated, if not encouraged. So your logic doesn't follow."

If a nuclear bomb exploded in my living room in 5 seconds, I'd die.

1...2...3...4...5...6...

A nuclear bomb has not exploded in my living room. Does that mean that the logic "If it had happened, I would have been killed" does not follow?
posted by Bugbread at 2:17 PM on October 8, 2006

Re the AskMe post - it wasn't a theme question per se. It was because I grew terribly sad reading about the state of elephant populations, and wondered what a person should do. Thus it is not a jokey elephant post, but a serious question about elephants. Perhaps I should have left it until next week.
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 2:20 PM on October 8, 2006

Get back to me when you're making a lick of sense. I'm not talking hypotheticals. I would like to see all the elephant posts deleted. They are not going to be. I think that, since they are not going to be deleted, that one post is the best of them because it shows how dumb the game is. I have made no suggestion whatsoever about deleting some posts but not all posts, so that hypothetical is a strawman.

This is a consistent viewpoint. I don't get what your boggle is.
posted by solid-one-love at 2:21 PM on October 8, 2006

since a mod has shown up it has become apparent that Elephant Day is going to be tolerated, if not encouraged.

No, all I said was that just because it's some freaking nerd holiday it doesn't mean that all posts by said nerds will be obliterated. The single link Wikipedia post was removed because it was a bad post. The rest seem to me, on cursory inspection, to be okay posts. If MeFi gets themey too often, we can talk about putting the kibosh on this sort of thing, but I'm strongly in "where's the harm?" camp at this point
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 2:22 PM on October 8, 2006

Well, at least we can agree that they're nerds.
posted by solid-one-love at 2:23 PM on October 8, 2006

If my mum had had wheels, she just might have been a tram.

Mayor! Lighten up. Do it now.

ericb, where's that photo taken?
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 2:25 PM on October 8, 2006

"get all up in your tusks"-- Elephant Day was worth it for this phrase alone.
posted by Fuzzy Monster at 2:28 PM on October 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

In the past few hours I have:

Learned a bunch of stuff I didn't know about elephants.
Learned further things about elephants that I knew bits about already.
Took a few trips down memory lane.
Learned about Carlsburg beer.
Learned about pheremones and sex in both elephants and humans.
And much more from various tangents I wouldn't have ordinarily travelled, with even more to go...

I've also been thoroughly squicked out by macro shots of giant spiders.

At this point I'm out of the confused/bemused camp and I'm strongly in the [This is good] camp.
posted by loquacious at 2:29 PM on October 8, 2006

Well, at least we can agree that they're nerds.

Dude. You're on MetaFilter. You're talking about a demographic that pees their pants when Steve Wozniak shows up. You're talking about a demographic that doesn't think anything is odd about knitting sweaters for their computers, or trees.

This place has more freakin' nerds than Space Camp, and it's why I'm here. If I have to start hiding my nerdliness here I'm gonna have to go Columbine or some shit.
posted by loquacious at 2:33 PM on October 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

ericb, where's that photo taken?

Thatr's the famous elephant gate at the Carlsberg Brewery in Copenhagen. [BTW -- The company stopped using the swastika on the elephant in the 1930s because of the Nazi's appropriation of the symbol].


posted by ericb at 2:34 PM on October 8, 2006

Happy Elephantines Day!


posted by dgaicun at 2:35 PM on October 8, 2006

Sorry, you guys are over two weeks late:
Elephant Appreciation Day was September 22.
posted by chrisamiller at 2:39 PM on October 8, 2006

These types of shenanigans are a huge turnoff for me. There are a lot of sites on the web where I can watch cabals of monkeys screw up the site; I'd hope that metafilters operators have the sense to grab the reigns here.

I'm *this close* to removing metafilter from my bookmarks.
posted by Osmanthus at 2:43 PM on October 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

I would like to apologize for posting about Mr Snuffleupagus who, I have since learned is not actually an elephant but more like a mammoth and definitely a snuffleupagus. I am thoroughly chastened.

At least it wasn't about elephants getting picked off behind the front lines...
posted by nevercalm at 2:44 PM on October 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

On preview....maybe its time for ElePhilter?


Nah.
posted by nevercalm at 2:45 PM on October 8, 2006

Osmanthus, a proper flameout requires more cursing and foaming at the mouth. Please practice.
posted by Justinian at 2:46 PM on October 8, 2006

“Myrtle,” she says. “Lookit here at this dog with this bone in ’s mouth.”

I'm *this close* to removing metafilter from my bookmarks.

Between this and s-o-l's killfile anouncement in the deleted Wikipedia thread, I am feeling the drama.
posted by cortex at 2:46 PM on October 8, 2006

I basically agree with solid_one_love, though I wouldn't go so far as to call for mass deletion. Obviously mileages vary, but as I scrolled up the page and saw one elephant post after another, I thought "oh, it's some cutesy concerted effort" and lost all interest in the individual posts. If it had been on its own, I'd have been all over the baseball post, linking to the earliest version of the A's and sharing some 19th-century baseball lore. But since I knew it was just there because people were busily digging up everything elephant-related they could find, I didn't feel the need. And it's not just me, because a cursory glance through the threads shows that most of the chatter is about the "coincidence." Hardly anybody wants to talk about the alleged topics of the threads. Which is the problem with this kind of conceptual posting, and why I think it goes against the spirit of MeFi. But that's just me.

*shuffles off to the Grump Corner*
posted by languagehat at 2:47 PM on October 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

"I'm *this close* to removing metafilter from my bookmarks."

Oh, fuck, please God, no!
posted by Ethereal Bligh at 2:50 PM on October 8, 2006 [3 favorites]

Oh yeah, thanks EB, that reminds me—

*pokes Osmanthus with a sharp stick in hopes of a flameout*
posted by languagehat at 2:51 PM on October 8, 2006

Solid-one-love, why do you hate elephants?
posted by geekhorde at 2:53 PM on October 8, 2006

Awesome. I've been greasemonkey'd.
posted by loquacious at 2:55 PM on October 8, 2006

And normally I'm pretty 'get off my damn lawn you damn kids' kind of grumpy, but I didn't mind any of this. It's funny and harmless. And if not really really funny, then at least kind of goofy. And there's nothing wrong with that.

I think everybody needs to get their collective panties out of a wad.
posted by geekhorde at 2:56 PM on October 8, 2006

I'm *this close* to removing metafilter from my bookmarks.

No! Not after all your fantastic front page contributions and thoughtful answers in AskMe!
posted by scody at 2:59 PM on October 8, 2006

As I reckon it, you have four choices when you see a page full of elephant-themed FPPs. You get angry and call for them to be deleted. You don't read them. You read some, or all. Or you try to write the best damn elephant-themed FPP you can.

I chose what I considered the most fun of the above options.
posted by Astro Zombie at 2:59 PM on October 8, 2006

I hope you enjoyed Elephant Day, because your grandkids won't know what that even meant.
posted by absalom at 3:05 PM on October 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

my ears are bleeeding. i have a headache. make the pachyderms go away.

stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it




GYOF(E)B
posted by lalochezia at 3:06 PM on October 8, 2006

I hope you enjoyed Elephant Day, because your grandkids won't know what that even meant.

If I'm reading the undertones correctly, that's kind of depressing.

I probably won't ever find out what elephant tastes like, will I?
posted by loquacious at 3:09 PM on October 8, 2006

I'm *this close* to removing metafilter from my bookmarks.

Hey, join the club. I don't even have MetaFilter in my bookmarks now. I used to type in www.metafilter.com but then I learned I could just type metafilter and Ctrl+Enter.
posted by grouse at 3:10 PM on October 8, 2006

Oooh oooh can I be in your killfile too, s-o-l? Please please please?
posted by grouse at 3:12 PM on October 8, 2006

This place has more freakin' nerds than Space Camp, and it's why I'm here.


posted by Rhomboid at 3:13 PM on October 8, 2006 [3 favorites]

One day they will grow clones elephant meat, so we certainly will know what it tastes like, even if we don't know what it once looked like.
posted by Astro Zombie at 3:13 PM on October 8, 2006

If it had been on its own, I'd have been all over the baseball post...[B]ut since I knew it was just there because people were busily digging up everything elephant-related they could find

Except that the baseball post was the one post that *wasn't* "just there because people were busily digging up everything elephant-related they could find." ?! already explained:

I had a site I was saving for the Hot Stove Season and altered it to empasize the theme of the day.

I'm still mostly with languagehat and solid-one-love, though, and think altering the baseball post to fit the theme probably hurt the post more than helped. And, speaking from experience, doing a quick search after suddenly deciding on a topic almost always results in a lame post.

I also think a single awesome elephant-related thread, with tons of elephant-related links, would have been almost as fun (and easier to find later). Kind of like a metachat-style THIS IS AN ELEPHANT THREAD post, if either reklaw, pyramid termite, cortex or gwint had thought to start that instead of posting a questionable set of links to the front page.
posted by mediareport at 3:21 PM on October 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

Please, please remove metafilter from your bookmarks. If you are that put off and "well I NEVER!" over people having some mostly harmless fun for one day then I really don't want you around either.

I had no clue what was going on here and thought it was mildly amusing, yet not all that interesting (since I am not too terribly interested in elephants, unless they learn to jump. that shit would be terrifying). Some people don't like it at all. That's fine. But near giving up on coming to the site and reading it anymore more because of it? Jesus christ.

I can appreciate that you don't care for the shenanigans, but please leave out the histrionics.
posted by Stunt at 3:21 PM on October 8, 2006

I'm *this close* to removing metafilter from my bookmarks.

I hate friggin' drama queens. Leave if you are going to leave. OTBIM (On The Board I Moderate), anyone who drama queens gets a permanent disabling so they don't change their mind.
posted by Kickstart70 at 3:21 PM on October 8, 2006

When I say I may stop coming to metafilter I am not trying to be dramatic. I'm not a big poster here and have no emotional investment here. Also I am not talking to the members of mefi, but rather to the editors.
There is a lot of competition for my attention on the web. When metafilter's noise level goes up my desire to come back goes down.
In particular, Digg is one of the competitors Metafilter has to contend with; Digg is a fire hose of information and I've seen nearly every article linked to on mefi ealier on digg. It is only the higher quality of comments and moderation on mefi that makes it more attractive. When those go away, I've got no reason to come here.
posted by Osmanthus at 3:24 PM on October 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

loquacious writes "I probably won't ever find out what elephant tastes like, will I?"

Tastes like chicken.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 3:26 PM on October 8, 2006

How about this:

Elephanophiles (lh: is that a word?): Please lay off the elephant posts. They were cute, but MeFi is supposed to be more eclectic.

Grumpy Folk: It was a cute joke. That's all. If we are not here to have fun then why the Hell are we here?
posted by SteveTheRed at 3:27 PM on October 8, 2006

Digg is a fire hose of information

Okay.

and I've seen nearly every article linked to on mefi ealier on digg.

I don't believe that. Please elaborate.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 3:27 PM on October 8, 2006

Osmanthus, the door is thatway. Don't let it hit you in the ass on the way out.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 3:27 PM on October 8, 2006

Drama queening? Ooh, you better believe that's a paddling.
posted by Rhomboid at 3:27 PM on October 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

solid-one-love : "that hypothetical is a strawman"

Is that even possible?

Osmanthus : "I'd hope that metafilters operators have the sense to grab the reigns here."

Every one of those links were posted by a metafilter operator.

Osmanthus : "I'm *this close* to removing metafilter from my bookmarks."

MeFi might just not be for you. It happens.
posted by Bugbread at 3:29 PM on October 8, 2006

Oh, God, please flame out before you go, Osmanthus. It's been so long since a really good flame out.
posted by Astro Zombie at 3:30 PM on October 8, 2006

It is only the higher quality of comments and moderation on mefi that makes it more attractive. When those go away, I've got no reason to come here.

When those go away, I'll be the first to join you. This is not the end of those comments. The sky is not falling. It's just some elephants.

The digg firehose is an awesome thing to behold, but not something one can easily sip from. (That particular link is actually on my linkbar, alongside the various MeFi links, Popurls, Monkeyfilter and more.)
posted by loquacious at 3:32 PM on October 8, 2006

Osmanthus, I can understand your reasoning there, but like I said: this is a single day of timfoolery (it appears to be anyway). Not really evidence of a long-term decline (I'm sure others would point to youtube posts or Iraqfilter as markers of that trend).

I have similar issues with noise levels on many sites and so I avoid them. Things like this seemingly increase the SNR in some people's perceptions, but it will pass quickly and if it gets too out of hand or results in vastly sub-par quality on the front page then matt and jess will surely do something about it.

For me the community and interactions are just as interesting (if not more so) than the links tossed up, so I enjoy seeing little things like this from time to time. If it was a 24-7 joyride then I'd likely have issues as well.

Summary: if mefi eventually ends up not being for you, that sucks but it happens. This really isn't a the-sky-is-falling situation though, so for now just relax.
posted by Stunt at 3:34 PM on October 8, 2006

Well, I for one promise to post no further FPPs on elephants today.
posted by Astro Zombie at 3:38 PM on October 8, 2006

If you leave now, the elephants have won.
posted by ninjew at 3:38 PM on October 8, 2006

I'm *this close* to removing metafilter from my bookmarks.

Can I have your user number?
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 3:39 PM on October 8, 2006

*glances sideways at languagehat; holds breath*
posted by scody at 3:39 PM on October 8, 2006

I'm down to "m [enter]"
posted by 31d1 at 3:43 PM on October 8, 2006

I find myself more in the Languagehat camp, and that's a reason that I don't often frequent MeCha anymore. I get too diabetic about it.

Still, to solid-one-love: Lighten up, Frances.
posted by klangklangston at 3:44 PM on October 8, 2006

When I say I may stop coming to metafilter I am not trying to be dramatic. I'm not a big poster here

First comment to MeTa ever: a threat to leave the site. I think that is a new record and an instant legend. Tack the boy up in the Wiki archives, someone!
posted by scarabic at 3:44 PM on October 8, 2006

Oh, and as an observation on the elephant thing itself: elephants! That's a hell of a lot better than spiders, at least. While everyone else was making pachyderm-related FPPs, jonson decided to be a rebel and post something about spiders.

SPIDERS.

This sort of deviating from the hive mind is unacceptable. Now, I'm not going to call for a pitckfork-style weeinie roast, but I'd just like to make my displeasure known. Perhaps there's a petition somewhere I can sign.

Although I suppose I should be thankful that you weren't the lead hooligan behind a spider day posting spree. For now forgiveness shall be granted and I'll be lenient in light of all of your excellent posts, BUT I'M ON TO YOU. Don't think that you can sell our race out so easily and hope that none of us will notice. I'm watching you, jonson.




do not believe their lies. they may promise you tasty bugs and luxurious high rise webbing, but they will turn on you and eat your innards the second your back is turned.
posted by Stunt at 3:48 PM on October 8, 2006

There is a lot of competition for my attention on the web.

You must have us confused with people who care. I'm not saying you should go, but remember that MetaFilter is desperate to keep your eyeballs, and if you have to go, such is the way of things.
posted by grouse at 3:49 PM on October 8, 2006

*throws peanuts at thread*
posted by jonmc at 3:51 PM on October 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

There is a lot of competition for my attention on the web.

Oh god, now I'm allowing myself to hope (just like with the damn Mets). Sir or madam, you are talking like the prize booby of all prize boobies. You have great potential, and I say this as someone with (though I say it who shouldn't) quite an eye for these things. If you will just stick around long enough to get really, personally insulted and start firing insults in all directions... Look, just sit over there for a minute, will you?

*runs off to get whip, stake, lighter, marshmallows*
posted by languagehat at 3:56 PM on October 8, 2006

I'm *this close* to removing metafilter from my bookmarks.

The overt nerds run this place. If you leave, they win.

Remember, they hate us for our freedom. Our freedom, and our success with women who have never seen a dungeon map.
posted by Mayor Curley at 3:59 PM on October 8, 2006 [2 favorites]

digg is a competitor to MetaFilter? If you want to compare sheer numbers in the people who visit, sure. If you want to compare cohesiveness of the community, not a frigging chance.

That being said, Mr. O isn't apparently a community guy so no doubt he doesn't 'get it'. In which case it's even more likely that MetaFilter is not for him.
posted by Kickstart70 at 4:00 PM on October 8, 2006

posted by loquacious at 4:02 PM on October 8, 2006 [6 favorites]

It was funny and quirky because it was spontaneous. Two people posted the NYT elephant story at almost exactly the same time, and a few users ran with that... then more. Just a bit of goofy, but nothing nefarious.

When groups of people get together offsite and agree that they will post X or Z to mefi, it isn't usually very amusing, and it feels like an exclusionary joke, but this was just in-the-moment, playful and impulsive riffing.

(or, what Greg Nog said while I wasn't looking, but now that I've typed it all up, damn it, I'm posting it!)
posted by taz at 4:02 PM on October 8, 2006

Is it too much to ask for a picture of an elephant shitting the American flag?
posted by graymouser at 4:02 PM on October 8, 2006

Osmanthus, don't fuck with the elephants.


posted by Kickstart70 at 4:07 PM on October 8, 2006 [2 favorites]

Is it too much to ask for a picture of an elephant shitting the American flag?



Close enough.
posted by ericb at 4:09 PM on October 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

loquacious: Since when would languagehat discard Webster's? Come on.
posted by grouse at 4:11 PM on October 8, 2006

Aw! Can somebody bring in a bunch of blind guys to feel that thing Kickstart70 posted and figure out what it is?
posted by taz at 4:11 PM on October 8, 2006

Osmanthus: walk away, come back tomorrow. It'll be over again. The thing about this is that it happened completely by accident. The last time it happened was 4 years ago. Don't worry about it.
posted by bob sarabia at 4:15 PM on October 8, 2006

It's nice when a circus comes to town.
posted by of strange foe at 4:16 PM on October 8, 2006

Can somebody bring in a bunch of blind guys to feel that thing Kickstart70 posted and figure out what it is?

*stabs out eyes*

*volunteers*
posted by mediareport at 4:18 PM on October 8, 2006

150+ comments and no elephant goatse?! WTF?!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 4:19 PM on October 8, 2006

I'm *this close* to removing metafilter from my bookmarks.
posted by Osmanthus at 10:43 PM GMT on October 8 [+] [!]


It's the cuban missile crisis all over again.
posted by sgt.serenity at 4:22 PM on October 8, 2006

Shh! You'll wake the baby.


posted by peacay at 4:23 PM on October 8, 2006

I'm *this close* to removing metafilter from my bookmarks.

you will be missed.

*scratches ass*
posted by jonmc at 4:24 PM on October 8, 2006

Meh.

It really wasn't that clever. Two of the FPP's were decent, the rest were filler. I'm all for shenanigans, but make them, like, funny or something next time.
posted by bardic at 4:27 PM on October 8, 2006

Oops, changed my mind.

Nuke all pachyderm posts from orbit please tia.
posted by bardic at 4:31 PM on October 8, 2006

*sniffs jonmc's finger*

Seriously though, where's Elephantitis Day? That would have to be more interesting...
posted by anthill at 4:31 PM on October 8, 2006

Hey, loq! That's my summon card! It's reserved for the situations where I agree with him! This one might just be our major falling out. Please take it back. You heard me, take it back.

*threatens severing hand*
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 4:32 PM on October 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

Our freedom, and our success with women who have never seen a dungeon map.

Ah, yes, the old tried-and-true ad hominem attack on one's virility and sexuality. Well used even in Plato's day.

You didn't get the memo, Curley? Nerds are the hottest thing going on the dating market now. All the girls want one. Geeks make better lovers. All those hours of video game playing make them masters of manipulating feedback-response loops and figuring out puzzles. Oh, yes, they will find your G-spot, and you'll remember it fondly, always. They self-entertain, they're often well paid, and you can take 'em home to mother - and even if they're secretly nastier than an entire barful of bikers she'll never know.

They'll moisten your panties with mere words alone. They're intense, loyal, and intensely loyal. They often have strong ethics, if not morals. They have a firm grasp of microbiology and human diseases social and otherwise, and how to avoid getting them. They have a thousand fantastic ways to titallate your mind and your senses, and most of them are illegal, if not outright dangerous.

Besides, when was the last time you've seen someone tie a bowline or a slide hitch in a cherry stem?

I've never had a problem with getting laid. Heck, I've even picked up an extremely cute (and dangerously adventurous) girl with the line "Nice disks. Wanna fsck?" Spoken aloud, in public, in mixed company no less. How do you like them apples?

Sorry, but we're already in yr bars pickin' up yr women.

Of course, you can't ever get a nerd to shut the fuck up, but that's a relative small price to pay for a life of unspeakable sexual bliss and an endless stream of crazy new shit.
posted by loquacious at 4:36 PM on October 8, 2006 [6 favorites]

King Crimson doing Elepant Talk (youtube).

You fucking phillistines.
posted by bardic at 4:36 PM on October 8, 2006

I'm *this close* to removing metafilter from my bookmarks.

Contacts: This user doesn't link to any other MetaFilter members. No other MetaFilter members link to this user.

member since: November 18, 2004

Posting History:
MetaFilter: no posts and 83 comments
MetaTalk: no posts and 2 comments
Ask MeFi: no questions and no answers
MeFi Music: no songs and no comments and no playlists
MeFi Projects: no posts

Favorites: none saved and contributions from Osmanthus saved by others 1 times

I'm not a big poster here and have no emotional investment here. Yes. We see that. As do the Editors. So why even bother mentioning it?

Thr rest of the internet is competing for you! Where oh where will you deign to settle the glorious attention of your web-browser? Digg? Or... something else?

*holds breath*
posted by exlotuseater at 4:40 PM on October 8, 2006

*sniffs jonmc's finger*

buy me a drink first.
posted by jonmc at 4:42 PM on October 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

This would be funny and clever if these posts remotely belonged on mefi.

Best of the web? No.
posted by brassafrax at 4:42 PM on October 8, 2006

*hands brassafrax a laxative*
posted by jonmc at 4:43 PM on October 8, 2006

I've posted lots of FPPs and comments here. So by your logic exlotuseater, what I say carries a lot of weight compared to some n00b. Nice to know. (Although I disagree myself.)

So verily, I thus decree: The posts tended to suck and most of them should be pulled.

(See, I made a little elephant joke there.)
posted by bardic at 4:46 PM on October 8, 2006

Elephant Day sneerers (like me, sorta) shouldn't miss LarryC's post about Peale's Mastodon and its role as "the first unofficial totem of United States culture." Good stuff.
posted by mediareport at 4:48 PM on October 8, 2006

posted by Jimbob at 4:49 PM on October 8, 2006

The Sultan's Elephant



Courtesy: Royal de Luxe.
posted by ericb at 5:00 PM on October 8, 2006

Having written one of the original posts that seems to have started all this business, I can assure you that there was no conpsiracy. I was just fascinated by the whole thing.

I also am a little sad that in all the posting of links about elephants(which was kind of funny to see), an actual discussion about the content of the various posts never really occured. I guess I'm just naive. I did love the "I want an Elephant" song that homunculus posted.
posted by cal71 at 5:01 PM on October 8, 2006

Anyway, I don't think the posts should be deleted. But I do think no more should be posted.
posted by Kickstart70 at 5:02 PM on October 8, 2006

I'm *this close* to removing metafilter from my bookmarks.

GOODBYE TO ALL MY INTERNET FRIENDS FOREVER
posted by StrasbourgSecaucus at 5:03 PM on October 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

an actual discussion about the content of the various posts never really occured

Yep, that's the problem with these theme day things.
posted by mediareport at 5:05 PM on October 8, 2006

I thought my comment was fair, jonmc.

But your response fits right in with the general level of discourse today.
posted by brassafrax at 5:05 PM on October 8, 2006

This would be funny and clever if these posts remotely belonged on mefi.

Best of the web? No.

I think it's the best of the web when a random assortment of people take inspiration off other people in their community to have a bit of spontaneous fun.

People are damn right this shit would never happen on Digg. That's why Digg is a messy array of random links I don't even bother with, and Metafilter is a Community Weblog. I concur with jonmc. Pull your withered thumb out of your arsehole and lighten the fuck up.
posted by Jimbob at 5:11 PM on October 8, 2006

well, it'd just break my fat old heart if you dispproved.
posted by jonmc at 5:12 PM on October 8, 2006

that was for brassafrax, not jimbob.
posted by jonmc at 5:13 PM on October 8, 2006

No offense taken jonmc.
posted by Jimbob at 5:13 PM on October 8, 2006

Also, me and pips are watching Emeril Live! He's got Jimmy Buffett as a special guest. I bet it'd be really fun to sit on the porch getting loaded with those two.
posted by jonmc at 5:15 PM on October 8, 2006

True that.
posted by Jimbob at 5:15 PM on October 8, 2006

I can assure you that there was no conpsiracy.

that's correct ... i decided to make that post on my own and haven't encouraged anyone else to make theirs

i doubt that something like that's going to happen for awhile

I'm *this close* to removing metafilter from my bookmarks.

i'm *this close* to starting to drink beer

it's a suspense filled day here on metafilter, i tell you
posted by pyramid termite at 5:17 PM on October 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

Jimbob, it's precious how you remind us all of the values of community and finish with this: "Pull your withered thumb out of your arsehole and lighten the fuck up."

Umm, notice the cognitive dissonance there, Einstein?
posted by bardic at 5:19 PM on October 8, 2006

Community ain't all lollypops and roses, bardic.
posted by Jimbob at 5:21 PM on October 8, 2006

Ah, so you're not just an asshole, but a hypocrite as well.

Just checking.
posted by bardic at 5:23 PM on October 8, 2006

My community brother.
posted by bardic at 5:24 PM on October 8, 2006

Heh, see I love Metafilter because I can come here and be called an arsehole and a hypocrit. Wouldn't happen on Digg. Someone would give your comment some thumbs-down, and I'd be none the wiser!
posted by Jimbob at 5:27 PM on October 8, 2006

posted by Alvy Ampersand at 5:30 PM on October 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

...Emeril Live! He's got Jimmy Buffett as a special guest. I bet it'd be really fun to sit on the porch getting loaded with those two.

No offense, but I'd be hard pressed to think of a more annoying pair to get drunk with. One of them won't shut the fuck up about "BAM!" and the other one won't shut the fuck up about cheeseburgers in paradise. I think I'd rather spend an evening dropping cinderblocks on my feet.
posted by dersins at 5:33 PM on October 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

*nakedly rides drunken elephant through thread or drunkenly rides naked elepahnt through thread. or something.*

(seriously, to everyone getting upset, relax. in the grand scheme of things, a little harmless silliness is really not worth getting into a froth over)
posted by jonmc at 5:34 PM on October 8, 2006

All this bickering and strife is distracting everyone from the true threat to this community. THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT THEY WANT.

They hate us for our freedoms. Also, our lack of eight legs, spinnerets, urticating hairs, and baby bald eagle eating.

I don't want to hear any spider symphathizing bullshit, either. If you aren't with us, you're with the spiders. You know who else liked spiders?

That's right.
posted by Stunt at 5:35 PM on October 8, 2006

the other one won't shut the fuck up about cheeseburgers in paradise.

why don't you get drunk and screw, already? ;>
posted by jonmc at 5:35 PM on October 8, 2006

The sad, sad thing is, if there were 12 posts about Iraq and Terrorism and US politics in a row, no-one would blink an eye...
posted by Jimbob at 5:41 PM on October 8, 2006

Jimbob, I think by "community" you mean "dysfunctional family." Which I would agree is an apt metaphor for this place.

But since I have one of those IRL, let's not say our farts smell like pathchouli oil. This place can be pretty damn nasty, and flameouts are encouraged -- encouraged -- in this very thread by some of our crusty, "loveable" personalities.

So let's not diminish the value of a concept as important as community by applying it to this place. It ain't. The word gets thrown around a lot, but merely as a rhetorical club.

(And yes, I am drinking.)
posted by bardic at 5:51 PM on October 8, 2006

You know who else liked spiders?

That's right.

walt disney?

wait ... this changes everything ...



no, it doesn't

that was close
posted by pyramid termite at 5:56 PM on October 8, 2006

Oh son of a bitch, way to ruin a joke, clandestine redirects that are hidden for me due to caching.

My link was to this image, but amusingly enough redirects to disney's page for most people it seems
posted by Stunt at 5:56 PM on October 8, 2006

(And yes, I am drinking.)

Me, too.


posted by ericb at 6:00 PM on October 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

Deep down, the internet is about elephants.

There might be something to this. That 'elephant-headed-god' upthread is in all likelyhood some variation on Ganesha^, a patron of good fortune. Linkless, alas, I have vague memories associating him with travelers and exchange. If you squint, that could make him a patron of networking, and what be this hyar intarweb than a series of interconnected, um, tubes?
posted by mwhybark at 6:03 PM on October 8, 2006

posted by pyramid termite at 6:04 PM on October 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

Lolocaust!
posted by bardic at 6:07 PM on October 8, 2006

the other one won't shut the fuck up about cheeseburgers in paradise.

why don't you get drunk and screw, already? ;>

Forget the food and the booze (and the cheesy paradise). Let's all get happy in St Tropez.
posted by liam at 6:10 PM on October 8, 2006

(And yes, I am drinking.)

That's like the middle-class version of "I'm just keepin' it real," isn't it? I'm just guessing because hearing it makes me gag the same way.

Anyhoo, it sounds to me like bardic needs a community hug!!!
*Wraps trunk around bardic, makes him spill his Bartles & Jaymes*
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 6:11 PM on October 8, 2006

Let's all get happy in St. Tropez.
posted by liam at 6:11 PM on October 8, 2006

let's not say our farts smell like pathchouli oil.

well, there's a grim thought.
posted by jonmc at 6:11 PM on October 8, 2006

posted by Rhomboid at 6:12 PM on October 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

Today there were two weather elephants over the central USA and an elephant over Quebec (reference top photo). One very bold elephant was over the north central USA, and another was over Texas and the lower Mississippi Valley. An elephant represents a demon Commander, such as Baal.

wtf? ... this site is seriously wacked
posted by pyramid termite at 6:15 PM on October 8, 2006 [2 favorites]

THIS WHOLE THING IS A MAMMOTH CLUSTERFUCK
posted by stenseng at 6:15 PM on October 8, 2006

No, it means I'm drinking some wine. And enjoying it. When you turn 21, you should try it.

Until then, douchebag!
posted by bardic at 6:17 PM on October 8, 2006

OK, I've had it. I've seen "elephantitus" mentioned at least three times today, and GODDAMIT, it's "elephantiasis". GOOGLE IT.

/me passes out
posted by 31d1 at 6:17 PM on October 8, 2006

See, you've gotta go and post the elephant schlong and now we'll be all het up about circumcision, to say nothing of jonmc's feelings about the lack of man muff.
posted by stet at 6:17 PM on October 8, 2006

to say nothing of jonmc's feelings about the lack of man muff.

it's my understanding that patchouli oil can help with razor burn
posted by pyramid termite at 6:19 PM on October 8, 2006

But girls who wear pathcouli oil never shave.

Ponder the mystery, bitches.
posted by bardic at 6:26 PM on October 8, 2006

Grampa: Hey, they're playing the Elephant song!
Jasper: I love that. Reminds me of elephants!
posted by evilcolonel at 6:29 PM on October 8, 2006

Weird, that's the fourth time today a tipsy irate dude's called me a 'douchebag' and disparaged my level of maturity without a hint of self-awareness.

I think it's 'cause I'm wearing new pants.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 6:34 PM on October 8, 2006

Enjoy Metafilter's occasional exuberant quirks. They are a sign of vitality.

While I understand the desire to maintain standards of quality, I feel very old when I think of how many group efforts I have seen die from loss of spirit. Rather than rebuke enthusiasm, direct the energy to more favorable ends. And let the FPPs each stand on their own merit.
posted by zennie at 6:34 PM on October 8, 2006

Since when would languagehat discard Webster's? Come on.

Damn straight. I make my living off Webster's. You'll pry my Webster's out of my cold, dead hands. Speaking of which, where's my flameout? You get back here, Osmanthus! I want to see some foaming at the mouth right now!
posted by languagehat at 6:37 PM on October 8, 2006

I adore this place, but God we take it way too seriously sometimes.

(Hence Elephant Day.)
posted by LarryC at 6:43 PM on October 8, 2006

p/t, there's a could-formed image of the head of an elephant in the center of the pic. As to the biblenews site, who knows? Might make a fine FPP!
posted by mwhybark at 6:50 PM on October 8, 2006

er, cloud. Aargh.
posted by mwhybark at 6:51 PM on October 8, 2006

There's all this talk about clusterfucks, but I don't actually see any cluster of elephants fucking.

I demand a pachydermial orgy of gargantuan proportions, post haste.
posted by Anonymous at 6:51 PM on October 8, 2006

let's not say our farts smell like pathchouli oil.

This is especially funny because patchouli actually smells kinda like farts.

Unwashed vegan hippie farts, but farts nonetheless.
posted by dersins at 6:51 PM on October 8, 2006

woops, just realized p/t musta seen the pachyderm in the pic above. sri!
posted by mwhybark at 6:58 PM on October 8, 2006

You get back here, Osmanthus!

languagehat, I—look. Sit down. Really, you need to.

Christ. I don't know how to—I don't do this sort of thing. I have no words. I'll just be straight, here:

I think Osmanthus may have taken Mefi off his bookmarks.
posted by cortex at 6:58 PM on October 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

INT'L CAPS LOCK DAY IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER BITCHES!!!!!111!
posted by tsarfan at 6:59 PM on October 8, 2006

to say nothing of jonmc's feelings about the lack of man muff.

I'm trying to grow. Besides, tush is the money muff.
posted by jonmc at 7:02 PM on October 8, 2006

I don't actually see any cluster of elephants fucking.



we're having some trouble with that
posted by pyramid termite at 7:04 PM on October 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

peaking of which, where's my flameout?
yeah, it's sure been a long time between drinks, hasn't it?

I think we need to make a concerted effort to search out some poor sap whom we can goad into a massive, flaming wreck. It needs to be someone sensitive enough to react to suitable bait, yet tenacious enough to stick at it while we feed the flame into a bonfire. At least minor paranoia and/or schitzophrenia would be an added bonus, but not absolutely required.
posted by dg at 7:05 PM on October 8, 2006

elephants are overrated. I prefer FERAL SWINE!


posted by jonmc at 7:06 PM on October 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

"what do you mean you want to watch us masturbate?"
posted by pyramid termite at 7:09 PM on October 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

I WILL KILL THE ELEPHANTS AND I WILL MAKE GENUINE IVORY KEYS FOR THE PIANO ON WHICH I WILL PLAY ANYTHING BUT AMAZING GRACE WHILE I EAT ELEPHANT STEW, YOU ELEPHANT-LOVING PUSSIES.
posted by weretable and the undead chairs at 7:09 PM on October 8, 2006

Also.
posted by weretable and the undead chairs at 7:11 PM on October 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

I'm a wild bore, and I'm offended by jonmc's last picture.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 7:13 PM on October 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

It's a flash mob thing, "hey, lets all blow loquacious's mind..."
posted by Iron Rat at 7:13 PM on October 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

previous pachydermal posting

i want an elephant

the elephant page

art by elephants.com


elephant polo

take between one and four feet of a tender young elephant and place them to stand in luke-warm water for at least four hours. Remove the skin and bones and cut them in four lengthwise and then slice these bits again in two
posted by quonsar at 7:25 PM on October 8, 2006

Since when would languagehat discard Webster's? Come on.

Jesus fucking Judas in the ass with a hand-carved ivory strapon! How the fuck am I supposed to run this ICE Middle Earth campaign against Mordor if you Mountain Dew-addled twits can't even bother to read the supplemental rule sheet and tables? PUT DOWN THE CHEETOS, PUT DOWN THE LIGHT SABER AND SHUT UP. YOUR GM IS SPEAKING.

*takes a deep, wheezing breath from his inhaler*

OK. Look. I played the "Summon Languagehat" card. I "Summoned Languagehat", see? Now, why did I summon languagehat? To use him to attack someone! Very good!

Now, on the card labled "Summon Languagehat", in the little box on the bottom it reads:

Use this card to summon languagehat and end Prescriptivism for the duration of this thread. Requires Rampant Pedantry

Discard Webster's and Armchair Linguistics. Weakens Sapir-Worf Hypothesis

Did you read that? That's what it does to targets of attack.

Let's say I used this card on, say, you. You would discard any copy of Webster's you had available as well as Armchair Linguistics. Any attempt to use the Sapir-Worf Hypothesis as counterattack or defense would be much less effective.

Why the fuck would languagehat even need Webster's? It's only 300,000-odd entries. He already has it memorized. That book in his hands on the card? That's a magical copy of the Unabridged Oxford English Dictionary. What else would it fucking be? OK, it's a wireless-enabled PDA in a hollowed out old cookbook BUT FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS GAME IT'S MAGICAL, OK?
posted by loquacious at 7:26 PM on October 8, 2006 [5 favorites]

tush is the money muff

I don't know what you mean, but I'm definitely not googling it.
posted by librarina at 7:29 PM on October 8, 2006

It's a flash mob thing, "hey, lets all blow loquacious's mind..."

No offense, but you must be new here. I blew out my own mind ages and ages ago, well before joining this sweltering three-ring circus of drama clowns, freaks, nerds and weirdos.

I remain as yet nonplussed.
posted by loquacious at 7:32 PM on October 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

I like elephants.
posted by jason's_planet at 7:42 PM on October 8, 2006

we need to take up a collection for loquacious ... it's about time he got plussed
posted by pyramid termite at 7:43 PM on October 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

I'm divided...
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 7:46 PM on October 8, 2006

Okay, this seems like a great thread to ask this: a long time ago (like pre-Internet) I ran across a gag picture of a bunch of elephants milling around a gigantic telephone. Anyone know what this is or where I could get a copy of it?
posted by kindall at 7:49 PM on October 8, 2006

Generally, it's more fun to multiply. Not so much if you go fourth, though.
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 7:50 PM on October 8, 2006 [2 favorites]

There used to be an large pink elephant wearing spectacles and holding a martini glass in Seattle Center.
posted by hortense at 8:04 PM on October 8, 2006

If I made my posts here hoping for 125 comment discussions I'd post only controversial topics.

While I wish everyone loved baseball, I know they don't. I keep my posts few and far between because I realize only a few will appreciate sites such as the Philadelphia Athletics Historical Society. I did empasize the A's mascot element for the post today, but with only a little filler. Including my own dig against a too common posting convention.

Would I again post in the middle of a theme run? No, but primarily because the next time it would feel forced.

I don't post for the love or to create a furor. I do it because I think the subject was cool.

I really don't understand the uproar today. We're not limited to how many posts can be made. We won't fill up this MetaBucket. It's not as if it takes long to decide a FPP is worth the time to check out. I can scan the front page in a few seconds.

Is it really a concern about how some FPPs won't get many comments? Do others really consider a post a failure if it doesn't garner many comments?

As for my post...it'll be open for 30 days. Stop in and tell me what you thought about Black Saturday. Or not.
posted by ?! at 8:04 PM on October 8, 2006

kinda like this one
posted by hortense at 8:14 PM on October 8, 2006

So do these elephants vibrate or not?
posted by trip and a half at 8:17 PM on October 8, 2006

The money muff?

How the fuck do I get this swallow of beer out of my sinuses?
posted by Divine_Wino at 8:19 PM on October 8, 2006

Hey, Florence this thread should provide some poetry fodder, no?
posted by The Deej at 8:22 PM on October 8, 2006

Only if you electrocute them. :(
posted by loquacious at 8:22 PM on October 8, 2006

has anyone posted this yet? because if not, man, i win.
posted by keswick at 8:24 PM on October 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

I saw elephants walking by the Capitol last year. That was cool.
posted by MrMoonPie at 8:24 PM on October 8, 2006

A man (presumably a zoo keeper) is cleaning elephants on a normal day...and then things go horribly, horribly wrong.

Yes. Yes, indeed.
posted by horsewithnoname at 8:27 PM on October 8, 2006

LarryC: I adore this place, but God we take it way too seriously sometimes.

(Hence Elephant Day.)

I would think Elephant Day is proof that, every once in a while, some of us don't take Metafilter too seriously.
posted by spaltavian at 8:28 PM on October 8, 2006

How the fuck do I get this swallow of beer out of my sinuses?

BLOW HARDER!
posted by loquacious at 8:37 PM on October 8, 2006

Or, hold your nose, shut your mouth tightly and blow really hard - beer should come out your ears. Turn your video camera on first, though.
posted by dg at 9:02 PM on October 8, 2006

I'm *this close* to removing metafilter from my bookmarks.

Because the url is just impossible to remember?
posted by oxford blue at 9:09 PM on October 8, 2006

Where's the Effervescing Elephant or Nellie The Elephant?
posted by spacelux at 9:11 PM on October 8, 2006

Actually, that zoo keeper in the YouTube link also had beer in his sinuses, the elephant was just helping him by equalizing the pressure in his head. You know how sensationalistic the MSM is though, hence the ominous music and scary editing.

So, you know, just stick your head up inside the largest mammal you can find, and everything should be hunky dory.

And take pics.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 9:11 PM on October 8, 2006

spacelux: I was going to use Nellie in a post, but I couldn't think of anything to hang it ongot distracted in here.

Besides, I still can't post for another 3 hours.
posted by loquacious at 9:26 PM on October 8, 2006

When y'all decide to have a SEND DAVY MONEY DAY let me know.
posted by davy at 9:45 PM on October 8, 2006

posted by pyramid termite at 9:54 PM on October 8, 2006

digg is a competitor to MetaFilter? If you want to compare sheer numbers in the people who visit, sure. If you want to compare cohesiveness of the community, not a frigging chance.

That's like saying, "not only does Fark beat MetaFilter for sheer number of visitors, if you want to compare the pith of the headlines, Fark destroys MeFi!!!"

That is to say, number of visitors is a universally applicable metric. "Cohesiveness of community" if you're defining MeFi as the gold standard, is not. Diggsters are pretty into Digg, if you notice.

posted by scarabic at 10:05 PM on October 8, 2006

That's the spirit! Hump the Bell curve!

If you do any such thing I will hunt you down and fill you with spider eggs.
posted by loquacious at 10:21 PM on October 8, 2006

I'd like to see you try.
posted by oxford blue at 10:32 PM on October 8, 2006

im in ur community weblog postin ur pachyderms
posted by I Am Not a Lobster at 10:43 PM on October 8, 2006

yeah, who the hell needs wheaties for breakfast?... eat a bowl of spider eggs first thing in the morning and you can go through the rest of your day knowing that's the worst thing that'll happen to you all day
posted by pyramid termite at 10:45 PM on October 8, 2006 [4 favorites]

Slooks slike scaviar.
posted by oxford blue at 10:46 PM on October 8, 2006

loquacious: I'm glad to hear that someone thought about the Toy Dolls in the midst of the elephant party.
posted by spacelux at 10:48 PM on October 8, 2006

Can I just say thank you everyone elephantine? Today was an awesome day, here on Metafilter.
posted by Paragon at 11:02 PM on October 8, 2006

"if you're defining MeFi as the gold standard..."

Oh, I'm not. I'm much too enthralled with UserFriendly, since I was the one who really built up the community there.</selffellatio>
posted by Kickstart70 at 11:08 PM on October 8, 2006

I can stand the sight of worms
And look at microscopic germs
But Technicolor pachyderms
Are really too much for me
posted by evilcolonel at 11:14 PM on October 8, 2006

posted by pyramid termite at 11:27 PM on October 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

I am not the type to faint
When things are odd
Or things are quaint
But seeing things you know that ain't
Can certainly give you an awful fright
What a sight!
posted by spacelux at 11:33 PM on October 8, 2006

posted by pyramid termite at 11:40 PM on October 8, 2006 [2 favorites]

A few of these posts were truly the best of the web. Yes, elephants are funny because they're big and they make big poops, but elephants make for some exciting ethology.

The Cartesian model of animal behavior has been accepted for centuries, and it's killing not just animals, but people.

Can Gorilla day be next??? Please???
posted by freshwater_pr0n at 12:09 AM on October 9, 2006

brassafrax writes "This would be funny and clever if these posts remotely belonged on mefi.

"Best of the web? No."

I'm not saying the elephant storm was the best series of links ever; however, you might like to wait until you've been here more than a _week_ and maybe have made a few dozen comments or even a FPP before you start cutting down the contributions of others.
posted by Mitheral at 12:19 AM on October 9, 2006

Because, naturally, the value of your opinion is proportional to the time you have spent here, not including lurk time before signing up.
posted by UbuRoivas at 12:35 AM on October 9, 2006

I'm down with gorillas, but wait at least a couple-few months or something. Surprise us.

(dons extremely silly looking art major beret*)

I was thinking about the graffiti-like aspects of phenomenon like this, and how it arises and expresses itself in lots of situations online and off in, nearly every available medium from trees, rocks or the earth itself to the etched silicon of microchips, in all sorts of flavors from outright griefing to mundane in-jokes and onward poignant cries for help.

In a way it's a hallmark indicator of a given media maturing - boredom and stagnation with the media leading to spontaneous new uses, no matter how apparently pointless or redeeming.

Since nearly all media - intended, found, or invented - is primarily concerned with some form of communication we might even extend the grafitti metaphor to communities, especially ones centered around a given media. I would also argue that grafitti is often a form of play, and very often rooted in mischeviousness either destructive or creative or both.

However - as the old horse lies - the family that plays together, stays together. Primates and other higher functioning communal animals often play together, accidentally (or perhaps purposefully) inventing new games which get picked up and implemented by others in the group rapidly. In the instance of humans it is apparent that wide scale adoption of a given mode of play is often spontaneous, occurring without verbal or symbolic language.

Sometimes the play has a purpose, say, the instruction of a new technique. Sometimes the only end result is people just letting off steam and having fun.

But sometimes the graffiti-like play gives rise to new associations and connections, new ways of using a media or entirely new methodologies and philosophies. (Something that the Surrealists, Da Daists, Situationists and dozens of other more respectable flavors of philosophy are interested in, large and small. The birthplaces of new ideas and ways, where the mysterious, unexplainable spark of invention lives.)

But sometimes it's a just whole lot of gibberish, nonsense, and noise. It seems to depend almost entirely on the perspective of the individual.

(*Beret does not actually bestow wearer with art degree.)
posted by loquacious at 12:48 AM on October 9, 2006 [1 favorite]

I'm in ur MeFi posting ur elephantz!
posted by antifuse at 1:36 AM on October 9, 2006

Man. Looks like someone spat in s-o-l's socks. Also:

"OK, I've had it. I've seen 'elephantitus' mentioned at least three times today, and GODDAMIT, it's 'elephantiasis'. GOOGLE IT."

Thank you, 31d1. I've told people that on several occasions, and they never believe me.
posted by brundlefly at 1:48 AM on October 9, 2006

Man. Looks like someone spat in s-o-l's socks.

that's not spit.
posted by quonsar at 4:09 AM on October 9, 2006 [1 favorite]

"The Cartesian model of animal behavior"???
posted by grouse at 4:17 AM on October 9, 2006

The idea that I am trying to annoy anyone is, frankly, laughable.

on the other hand, acknowledging the annoyance of your trying ideation would be laughably frank.
posted by quonsar at 4:17 AM on October 9, 2006

posted by sveskemus at 6:05 AM on October 9, 2006

It's disappinting that that elephant doesn't go to Elephant and Castle.
posted by grouse at 6:13 AM on October 9, 2006

What did Tarzan say when he saw the elephants coming over the hill?

"Here come the elephants over the hill."


What did Tarzan say when he saw the elephants coming over the hill wearing dark glasses?

Nothing, he didn't recognize them.


Why do elephants wear pink tennis shoes?

Because white ones get dirty too fast.


Why do elephants float down the river on their backs?

So they won't get their tennis shoes wet.


Why do elephants have wrinkled ankles?

Because their tennis shoes are too tight.


Why do elephants have wrinkled knees?

From playing marbles.
posted by languagehat at 6:14 AM on October 9, 2006

Ha!

I've seen 'elephantitus' mentioned at least three times today, and GODDAMIT, it's 'elephantiasis'.

Pure misunderstand. They're actually trying to write "hella fan Titus"—but, as should be tragically obvious to normal folks, no fan of that FOX filler can be expected to spell well, and that goes doubly for hella fans.
posted by cortex at 6:38 AM on October 9, 2006

PURE MISUNDERSTAND!
posted by cortex at 6:38 AM on October 9, 2006

"Speaking of which, where's my flameout?"

Watch out, LH, Bardic may call you a hypocrite.
posted by klangklangston at 6:44 AM on October 9, 2006

Languagehat, when's your birthday? I like you, I might just flameout as a birthday present.

You know I have the tenacity and thorough grasp of tortured logic. I'd be a great flameout.
posted by Bugbread at 7:02 AM on October 9, 2006

Q: Why does the elephant paint it's toenails different colors?

A: So it can hide in the gumball machine.
posted by loquacious at 7:08 AM on October 9, 2006

To be fair, Stacy Keach rocked on that show.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 7:41 AM on October 9, 2006

Editors? Competition? Digg?!

Must be a clever ruse to coax out the swine for some good old fashioned public immolation.

I now declare myself chief of reactionary affairs. I'm hiring for my mob over ↑ *there*
posted by Jeremy at 7:54 AM on October 9, 2006

Why does the elephant paint it's toenails different colors?

It doesn't, that sentence was only there to get on LH's nerves due to the obvious misspelling - which, with its increasing use, he knows he will soon have to bless based as a descriptivist victory.

Seriously, I have little opinion on whether Elephant Day should've happened. I only know that it was the spur for my first FPP in nearly a year, and one which I think was actually warranted. I just didn't even think of posting it until I saw the other elephant posts.

One point, though: When I saw multiple elephant posts, what was the first thing I did? Go into the handiest one and start bitching and asking WTF is going on? No, I went to MeTa to see if someone had posted a MeTa thread about it, and lo and behold, they had. Is this so much to ask? I'm not holding myself up as a paragon of How To Behave on Mefi, but Jesus, I'd hope this would at least be the baseline, common-sense thing to do.
posted by soyjoy at 7:56 AM on October 9, 2006

Whereas I hold myself up as, not a paragon of How To Behave on Mefi, but Jesus.
posted by cortex at 8:10 AM on October 9, 2006

i used to hold myself up all the time, but i kept dropping the gun when i reached for the sky
posted by pyramid termite at 8:13 AM on October 9, 2006

What's brown and found between elephants' toes?

Slow natives.
posted by horsewithnoname at 8:21 AM on October 9, 2006

UbuRoivas writes "Because, naturally, the value of your opinion is proportional to the time you have spent here, not including lurk time before signing up"

No, but when one comes across as a n00b whose posting history is 80% dismissive of others I think a little restraint on the negativity is in order.
posted by Mitheral at 8:40 AM on October 9, 2006

The Elephant Vanishes.
posted by Skygazer at 8:43 AM on October 9, 2006

What does an elephant use as a tampon?

Sheep.

What does an elephant use as a vibrator?

Epileptics.
posted by Astro Zombie at 8:50 AM on October 9, 2006

I don't need to hold myself up as Jesus, because Jesus holds me up.

Especially when we're walking on the beach. (Man, I hate that hot sand! Thank you, Jesus.)
posted by soyjoy at 9:11 AM on October 9, 2006

personally i think it's funny the MeTa has more comments than the entirity of the elephant posts.
Guess I was a few weeks early
posted by edgeways at 9:25 AM on October 9, 2006

"What does an elephant use as a tampon?

Sheep."

Why do elephants have trunks?

Sheep don't have strings.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 9:26 AM on October 9, 2006

"my sweater came from what? ... EWWWWWW!!"
posted by pyramid termite at 9:58 AM on October 9, 2006 [1 favorite]

Why did the elephant laugh when he saw Tarzan?

He couldn't believe Tarzan used that little thing to breathe.

Oddly enough I was on the road last weekend and I only took on White Stripes album with me. Guess which one.
posted by clevershark at 10:37 AM on October 9, 2006

How many elephants can you fit in a VW Bug?

Four. Two in the front, two in the back.


How can you tell if there's an elephant in your fridge?

Footprints in the butter.


How can you tell if there are two elephants in your fridge?

You can hear them talking.


How can you tell if there are three elephants in your fridge?

You can't close the door.


How can you tell if there are four elephants in your fridge?

There's a VW Bug parked next to it.
posted by brundlefly at 10:38 AM on October 9, 2006 [1 favorite]

Now that no-one's really reading this any more, I might as well confess for posterity's that this was mostly my fault. That NY Times Magazine article got double-posted entirely by coincidence, it tickled me, and then thought I'd make a post about elephants myself to add to the effect... and then my old friend Mr. pyramid termite jumped on the bandwagon, and we were off.

I LOVED IT ALL AND I'D DO IT AGAIN. So there. It was incredibly interesting to read so much about elephants -- give Mefites a theme, and they come up with some really cool stuff about it. Especially when the theme is something as great as elephants.

That is all.
posted by reklaw at 10:51 AM on October 9, 2006

it was all worth it just to annoy shit-outta-lucksolid-one-love.
posted by quonsar at 11:01 AM on October 9, 2006

Wasn't annoyed. Thought it was dumb and said so.

You couldn't annoy me by poking me with a stick, quonsie.
posted by solid-one-love at 11:03 AM on October 9, 2006

You couldn't annoy me by poking me with a stick, quonsie.



oh, yes he could
posted by pyramid termite at 11:11 AM on October 9, 2006 [1 favorite]

I love solid-one-love's "I've added you to my killfile!" tantrums. Hopefully soon, we'll all be in his killfile, and we'll never again have a reason to speak to him.

I figured by now we'd all been added to his killfile and he was talking to himself.
posted by jonmc at 11:45 AM on October 9, 2006

solid-one-love : "You couldn't annoy me by poking me with a stick, quonsie."

Nah, you'd need to post an elephant FPP for that.
posted by Bugbread at 12:19 PM on October 9, 2006

Memo to MeFi mahouts:
This thread now shows 314 comments. Shall the howdah join the longboat as a contender for longest thread? Shall someone mark an elcetronic aclendar so that Elephant Day will not be forgotten 10-8-07?

Personally, I think elephants are ok in their place, but I would not want to vote for one.
posted by Cranberry at 1:18 PM on October 9, 2006

Of course, you mentally corrected elcetronic to electronic, and aclendar to calendar.
posted by Cranberry at 1:20 PM on October 9, 2006

i did, cranberry ... but how do i mrak something?
posted by pyramid termite at 2:26 PM on October 9, 2006

just licck your oumse.
posted by jonmc at 3:56 PM on October 9, 2006

WHEREAS metafilter is recogniſed as a leader in its field

ACKNOWLEDGING its implicit right to proclaim all matters pachydermal, expreſſio unis est excluſio alterius, &c. &c.

THENCEFORTH October 8 shall be hence and ergo propter post hoc non ſequiter et cetra, Elephant day, Excepting, Ignorantia juris non excuſat.

ſO DECLARE WE, THE PEOPLE.
posted by oxford blue at 4:41 PM on October 9, 2006

318 comments. Is that a record? Oh wait, I forgot 9/11.
posted by snsranch at 4:41 PM on October 9, 2006

just licck your oumse.

COCKIER JOY SLUT MU US.
posted by ericb at 6:04 PM on October 9, 2006

Q: How do you know when you have an elephant in your bed?

A: He has a big "E" on his pyjamas.
posted by Wolof at 6:29 PM on October 9, 2006

loquacious: Awesome. I've been greasemonkey'd..

Where? I want to see this script. What does it do?
posted by Meep! Eek! at 6:38 PM on October 9, 2006

                         
                  ___.-~"~-._   __....__
                .'    `    \ ~"~        ``-.
               /` _      )  `\              `\
              /`  a)    /     |               `\
             :`        /      |                 \
        < `-._|` .-. ( / . `;\\br>
         `-. `--'_.'-.;\___/'   .      .       | \\
      _     /:--`     |        /     /        .'  \\
     ("\   /`/        |       '     '         /    :`;
     `\'\_/`/         .\     /`~`=-.:        /     ``
       `._.'          /`\    |      `\      /(
                     /  /\   |        `Y   /  \
               jgs  J  /  Y  |         |  /`\  \
                   /  |   |  |         |  |  |  |
                  "---"  /___|        /___|  /__|
                         '"""         '"""  '"""

from here.

10/8 NEVAR FORGETS
posted by mwhybark at 6:48 PM on October 9, 2006

ah, phooey.

shoulda known.
posted by mwhybark at 6:49 PM on October 9, 2006

Oh for pete's sake. We've been beaten to it, even if I prefer our stuff.
posted by mwhybark at 6:52 PM on October 9, 2006

*sticks fingers in ears*

I CAN'T SEE YOU!
posted by oxford blue at 7:02 PM on October 9, 2006

snsranch writes "318 comments. Is that a record? Oh wait, I forgot 9/11"

Not even close. mr_crash_davis withdrawing from the scholarship generated 372. The Suicide girls image ad garnered 649 comments and it still had legs, Matt closed early. Which of course just spawned another 137 comments later.
posted by Mitheral at 8:21 PM on October 9, 2006

posted by pyramid termite at 8:43 PM on October 9, 2006 [1 favorite]

That scholarship one is a boatload of funny, I can't believe I never read it before.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 9:24 PM on October 9, 2006

Not even close. mr_crash_davis withdrawing from the scholarship generated 372. The Suicide girls image ad garnered 649 comments and it still had legs, Matt closed early. Which of course just spawned another 137 comments later.

How could any of you forget the sheer, overwhelming massiveness of 9622v2? I damn near wore the keycaps off two keyboards on that one.
posted by loquacious at 10:28 PM on October 9, 2006

2686 comments on 9622v2. Those were the days and nights and days and nights and days and nights...
posted by Cranberry at 12:20 AM on October 10, 2006

Just wanted in. Thanks!
posted by puddinghead at 1:35 AM on October 10, 2006

What's going on here?
posted by If I Had An Anus at 5:51 AM on October 10, 2006

Ain't nothin' Goin' On But The Rent.
posted by jonmc at 6:00 AM on October 10, 2006

posted by Rhomboid at 6:42 AM on October 10, 2006 [4 favorites]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH IT'S GOING TO FALL THROUGH AND CRUSH ME AND MY JUNK
posted by loquacious at 6:53 AM on October 10, 2006

Thatr's the famous elephant gate at the Carlsberg Brewery in Copenhagen.

Better Nate than lever: thanks, ericb.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 6:56 AM on October 10, 2006

The creepy thing about ceiling elephant is that he only watches you masturbate once, and then he never forgets it.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 7:30 AM on October 10, 2006

Well, I should hope not. My masturbation rituals startle even Alistair Crowley.
posted by loquacious at 7:34 AM on October 10, 2006

after mating, the elephant climbs the surrounding trees to test them for sturdiness and roominess



once the tree is selected, she begins work on the nest ... the male never helps with this task, due to weight restrictions



when all is ready, one egg is laid and is brooded over by the lady elephant, who will sit in the tree for 32 days until her offspring is hatched ... her mate will feed her by handing off peanuts with his trunk
posted by pyramid termite at 8:11 AM on October 10, 2006 [2 favorites]

I'm just catching up on my Mefi reading for the past few days, and I got to say that I'm with the side which says that behavior was lame and is a net negative for the site.

If I had been reading the site then, I probably would have thrown together a post about lemmings or the psychological need to be a part of a group manifesting itself in conformity and increasing insularity or maybe a post about how quickly jokes die.
posted by dios at 8:18 AM on October 10, 2006

how quickly jokes die.

so help me, I originally read this as 'how quickly Quincy Jones died," and had a moment of panic.
posted by jonmc at 8:35 AM on October 10, 2006

he didn't die, he just faded into the landscape
posted by pyramid termite at 8:38 AM on October 10, 2006 [1 favorite]

I probably would have thrown together a post about...

Reactionary posts suck.
posted by If I Had An Anus at 8:52 AM on October 10, 2006

Well, unlike most of the elephant posts, any post I would have made would have had independent worth and fit the Metafilter criteria. That it would have reflected on the other posts would only go to its timeliness and relevancy.
posted by dios at 8:55 AM on October 10, 2006

I would have made the Best. Post. Evar! The others would have been ashamed of their collective tomfoolery, and realized how detrimental it is to the spirit of COMMUNITY when people spontaneously play together once in a while. They would have stopped immediately and got back to linking, and spidering, and cataloguing the best of the web, in completely random order. I would have been a God.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 9:18 AM on October 10, 2006

Well, unlike most of the elephant posts, any post I would have made would have had independent worth and fit the Metafilter criteria. That it would have reflected on the other posts would only go to its timeliness and relevancy.

Please just shut up about how awesome your post would be and just post something - cause you do make good posts.

No sense in just talking about it, though.
posted by loquacious at 9:31 AM on October 10, 2006

I always catalogue before spidering. And linking is reserved for the end of the day, when I relax in my smoking jacket with a glass of brandy.

Except on tuesdays, wherein spidering always comes first.
posted by Rhomboid at 9:32 AM on October 10, 2006

I probably would have thrown together a post about lemmings

Copycat.
posted by soyjoy at 10:22 AM on October 10, 2006

loquacious writes "I've never had a problem with getting laid. Heck, I've even picked up an extremely cute (and dangerously adventurous) girl with the line 'Nice disks. Wanna fsck?'"


A Catmaiden? (I keed, I keed!)
posted by orthogonality at 10:25 AM on October 10, 2006

I probably would have thrown together a post about lemmings


posted by pyramid termite at 10:45 AM on October 10, 2006 [1 favorite]

No, no Jumbo! Don't do it. You have so much to live for. Consider your magnificent trunk and ears; don't just dwell on your stunted left tusk.
posted by Cranberry at 1:17 PM on October 10, 2006

why is it that sad-looking animals are always perceived to be smarter? (that multiple above is heart-breaking)
posted by amberglow at 2:53 PM on October 10, 2006

Depression is hawt.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 2:56 PM on October 10, 2006

Depression is hawt.

It's how I get all the ladies.

Oh, wait.
posted by dersins at 3:29 PM on October 10, 2006

Those photos confuse!
posted by oxford blue at 4:55 PM on October 10, 2006

Doctor Touts Vasectomies for Elephants
posted by taosbat at 5:57 PM on October 10, 2006

I don't think this Dr Touts-Vasectomies-for-Elephants is as reputable as you think, dear taosbat.
posted by oxford blue at 6:31 PM on October 10, 2006

reputable?
posted by taosbat at 6:45 PM on October 10, 2006

Well in answering your question I'd like to mention this comment by our dear friend Samuel Johnson "Nothing odd will do long". It really makes you think.
posted by oxford blue at 6:56 PM on October 10, 2006

Actually, the great thing about being elephant is they can never make you think.
posted by If I Had An Anus at 7:17 PM on October 10, 2006

Oh, cucumbers!
posted by taosbat at 7:25 PM on October 10, 2006 [1 favorite]

Elephants can make you fall in love though.
posted by oxford blue at 7:39 PM on October 10, 2006

*tusk, tusk*
posted by maryh at 9:46 PM on October 10, 2006