James Brown obituary: tripled in sixty seconds December 25, 2006 12:17 AM Subscribe
Staged? Oh dear lord, we should report this to the authorities. I can't believe that people would kill James Brown just to set up a triple post on metafilter...fucking sociopaths!
posted by Stunt at 12:29 AM on December 25, 2006 [1 favorite]
posted by Stunt at 12:29 AM on December 25, 2006 [1 favorite]
*whistles, looks innocent*
posted by scody at 12:30 AM on December 25, 2006 [1 favorite]
posted by scody at 12:30 AM on December 25, 2006 [1 favorite]
That was awesome.
posted by The God Complex at 12:30 AM on December 25, 2006
posted by The God Complex at 12:30 AM on December 25, 2006
I'm just stunned that either Matt (ostensibly in Hawaii on vacation) or Jess (3:00 AM on the East Coast on Christmas Day) were up and on Metafilter to catch/delete the triple. Talk about conscientious admins!
posted by jonson at 12:31 AM on December 25, 2006
posted by jonson at 12:31 AM on December 25, 2006
I'm also pretty impressed at the attention, but glad there's no cross-talk.
posted by cgc373 at 12:33 AM on December 25, 2006
posted by cgc373 at 12:33 AM on December 25, 2006
Oh wow, you're right, they ARE deleted now. Woah. Have to wonder what Matt or Jess was doing up and actually, you know, moderating.
For that matter, what the hell am I still doing up? Up for 21 hours and running on three hours of sleep...yeeeaaah. Time to head to bed. Posting tired is only slightly better than posting drunk.
posted by Stunt at 12:33 AM on December 25, 2006
For that matter, what the hell am I still doing up? Up for 21 hours and running on three hours of sleep...yeeeaaah. Time to head to bed. Posting tired is only slightly better than posting drunk.
posted by Stunt at 12:33 AM on December 25, 2006
I got home late last night. I actually saw it on flickr first, as a screenshot (in a friend's photostream as a private photo for some reason, or I'd link to it).
posted by mathowie (staff) at 12:34 AM on December 25, 2006
posted by mathowie (staff) at 12:34 AM on December 25, 2006
I was sad to see them go.
posted by The God Complex at 12:34 AM on December 25, 2006
posted by The God Complex at 12:34 AM on December 25, 2006
Agreed, TGC. James Brown and his clones touched so many lives; losing them was a tragedy.
ok, I'm really leaving this time.
posted by Stunt at 1:14 AM on December 25, 2006 [2 favorites]
ok, I'm really leaving this time.
posted by Stunt at 1:14 AM on December 25, 2006 [2 favorites]
I wish obit threads could be better constructed. I fully understand why they are quick and dirty, as quality (in this case) takes a backseat to mediocre but fast. Seems, I dunno, almost double sad that a person passes away, and they are immortalized by a time-line and a short wire-news story from an ad rich outlet.
posted by edgeways at 1:28 AM on December 25, 2006
posted by edgeways at 1:28 AM on December 25, 2006
Often the good stuff in the obituaries comes from people's links in their comments. There are some great performances on YouTube from James Brown, and people will link them throughout the day. A few are already up.
posted by cgc373 at 1:31 AM on December 25, 2006
posted by cgc373 at 1:31 AM on December 25, 2006
A few are already up.
Good for those who posted them, boo to those who posted periods.
posted by Joeforking at 1:39 AM on December 25, 2006
Good for those who posted them, boo to those who posted periods.
posted by Joeforking at 1:39 AM on December 25, 2006
I wish obit threads could be better constructed...Seems, I dunno, almost double sad that a person passes away, and they are immortalized by a time-line and a short wire-news story from an ad rich outlet.
Amen. A link to a news story and one or two of the most obvious bios you can find is about the least respectful way I can think of to honor someone. But everyone wants to be first to report a famous person's kicked, for some strange reason, and so can't be bothered to put together a decent post. Someone else might get there first.
Double sad, yep.
posted by mediareport at 1:58 AM on December 25, 2006 [1 favorite]
Amen. A link to a news story and one or two of the most obvious bios you can find is about the least respectful way I can think of to honor someone. But everyone wants to be first to report a famous person's kicked, for some strange reason, and so can't be bothered to put together a decent post. Someone else might get there first.
Double sad, yep.
posted by mediareport at 1:58 AM on December 25, 2006 [1 favorite]
Jess (3:00 AM on the East Coast on Christmas Day) was up and on Metafilter
Jessamyn killed our Lord, so Christmas doesn't much matter to her.
posted by Mayor Curley at 4:26 AM on December 25, 2006
Jessamyn killed our Lord, so Christmas doesn't much matter to her.
posted by Mayor Curley at 4:26 AM on December 25, 2006
Way cool. James Brown was just that large, that important, that great.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:01 AM on December 25, 2006 [1 favorite]
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:01 AM on December 25, 2006 [1 favorite]
everyone wants to be first to report a famous person's kicked
This, and the endless stupid periods, are irritating the hell out of me.
Ideally, we would have a well constructed post and illuminating comments - like we try for in every other goddamn post.
Didn't the periods start as a sign to say "there are no words to express the sadness I feel over this loss"? Now it seems, people are just posting their dots to be in on an obit thread. It's so lame.
Surely you do have the words. It's James Brown! Post a link to something he did you liked. Tell us a story about how you hung out with him in rehab. Rant about how he was overrated. Reminisce about getting laid for the first time to a James Brown record. Something.
But a dot? What's the freaking point? (quite honestly no pun intended)
/grouchy bah humbug hating on the holidays moodiness and yeah i've posted a dot or two don't bother to look i know they are there.
posted by CunningLinguist at 6:33 AM on December 25, 2006 [4 favorites]
This, and the endless stupid periods, are irritating the hell out of me.
Ideally, we would have a well constructed post and illuminating comments - like we try for in every other goddamn post.
Didn't the periods start as a sign to say "there are no words to express the sadness I feel over this loss"? Now it seems, people are just posting their dots to be in on an obit thread. It's so lame.
Surely you do have the words. It's James Brown! Post a link to something he did you liked. Tell us a story about how you hung out with him in rehab. Rant about how he was overrated. Reminisce about getting laid for the first time to a James Brown record. Something.
But a dot? What's the freaking point? (quite honestly no pun intended)
/grouchy bah humbug hating on the holidays moodiness and yeah i've posted a dot or two don't bother to look i know they are there.
posted by CunningLinguist at 6:33 AM on December 25, 2006 [4 favorites]
like we try for in every other goddamn post.
Really?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:37 AM on December 25, 2006
Really?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:37 AM on December 25, 2006
Seems, I dunno, almost double sad that a person passes away, and they are immortalized by a time-line and a short wire-news story from an ad rich outlet.
Seems even sadder when I click the first link in a sentence that reads, "This is hilarious" and I read that James Brown is dead. My first thought was, "What's so funny about James Brown dying?"
posted by leftcoastbob at 6:53 AM on December 25, 2006
Seems even sadder when I click the first link in a sentence that reads, "This is hilarious" and I read that James Brown is dead. My first thought was, "What's so funny about James Brown dying?"
posted by leftcoastbob at 6:53 AM on December 25, 2006
Why hasn't Richard Pryor's passing been reposted? Isn't it about due (again)?
posted by Smart Dalek at 6:56 AM on December 25, 2006
posted by Smart Dalek at 6:56 AM on December 25, 2006
"What's so funny about James Brown dying?"
He was in that "2 Legit 2 Quit" video and he claimed he was "high on God". That's what's funny about James Brown dying.
posted by interrobang at 7:11 AM on December 25, 2006
He was in that "2 Legit 2 Quit" video and he claimed he was "high on God". That's what's funny about James Brown dying.
posted by interrobang at 7:11 AM on December 25, 2006
What of the dots
in those deleted threads
dots
never to be heard
surely
through some
administrative ellipse
the can be
replanted
posted by cortex at 7:13 AM on December 25, 2006 [1 favorite]
in those deleted threads
dots
never to be heard
surely
through some
administrative ellipse
the can be
replanted
posted by cortex at 7:13 AM on December 25, 2006 [1 favorite]
It would seem that obit threads are sometimes the only threads many members feel comfortable posting in. You always see a lot of new names in these threads. (although it would appear based on this thread that now even the period is no longer a safe and snark-resistant post to make)
Just another part of Metafilter culture, I suppose.
disclaimer: IHNPAP (i have never posted a period)
posted by davey_darling at 7:13 AM on December 25, 2006
Just another part of Metafilter culture, I suppose.
disclaimer: IHNPAP (i have never posted a period)
posted by davey_darling at 7:13 AM on December 25, 2006
seriously , i thought the dot, was a moment of silence. but what the hell do i know.
posted by nola at 7:55 AM on December 25, 2006
posted by nola at 7:55 AM on December 25, 2006
> I wish obit threads could be better constructed. I fully understand why they are quick and dirty, as quality (in this case) takes a backseat to mediocre but fast.a
I agree, but news media have the advantage of keeping fully drafted obits ready for famous people who aren't dead yet, and the staff to occasionally revise them with updates on their latest accomplishments (or maladies, as the case may be).
AP, Reuters, etc. are all doing the 'First Post!' game when a celebrity dies, the main difference is that they're better prepared, and rarely have to write anything more besides the cause of death.
posted by ardgedee at 7:59 AM on December 25, 2006
I agree, but news media have the advantage of keeping fully drafted obits ready for famous people who aren't dead yet, and the staff to occasionally revise them with updates on their latest accomplishments (or maladies, as the case may be).
AP, Reuters, etc. are all doing the 'First Post!' game when a celebrity dies, the main difference is that they're better prepared, and rarely have to write anything more besides the cause of death.
posted by ardgedee at 7:59 AM on December 25, 2006
It would seem that obit threads are sometimes the only threads many members feel comfortable posting in.
Why in heaven's name would you join a group like this if you were too timid to post anything but a dot in a long line of other dots? I mean, I think you're right, but gads.
posted by CunningLinguist at 8:03 AM on December 25, 2006
Why in heaven's name would you join a group like this if you were too timid to post anything but a dot in a long line of other dots? I mean, I think you're right, but gads.
posted by CunningLinguist at 8:03 AM on December 25, 2006
See, this is what I'm talking about. Awesome.
Right. Off to get into the spirit(s) and quit bitching.
posted by CunningLinguist at 8:12 AM on December 25, 2006
Right. Off to get into the spirit(s) and quit bitching.
posted by CunningLinguist at 8:12 AM on December 25, 2006
Why in heaven's name would you join a group like this if you were too timid to post anything but a dot in a long line of other dots?
Other features?
posted by cortex at 8:13 AM on December 25, 2006
Other features?
posted by cortex at 8:13 AM on December 25, 2006
*throws robe on thread, gently leads it off page*
posted by jonmc at 8:54 AM on December 25, 2006 [1 favorite]
posted by jonmc at 8:54 AM on December 25, 2006 [1 favorite]
You know what you'll end up with if you discourage the "." is a bunch of ":(" Is that what you really want?
posted by wendell at 9:57 AM on December 25, 2006
posted by wendell at 9:57 AM on December 25, 2006
god, you dot haters blow. Let people mourn their way, for christ's sake.
posted by shmegegge at 9:58 AM on December 25, 2006
posted by shmegegge at 9:58 AM on December 25, 2006
What shmegegge said.
posted by leftcoastbob at 10:38 AM on December 25, 2006
posted by leftcoastbob at 10:38 AM on December 25, 2006
Why in heaven's name would you join a group like this if you were too timid to post anything but a dot in a long line of other dots?
Not everyone feels that they are required to post something even if they have nothing to say. I applaud that philosophy.
posted by leftcoastbob at 10:40 AM on December 25, 2006
Not everyone feels that they are required to post something even if they have nothing to say. I applaud that philosophy.
posted by leftcoastbob at 10:40 AM on December 25, 2006
I blame Newsfilter, which encourages a certain type of MeFite to rush to be first to post the latest death, disaster, or Bush-is-teh-stoopidz story.
posted by LarryC at 11:13 AM on December 25, 2006
posted by LarryC at 11:13 AM on December 25, 2006
Not everyone feels that they are required to post something even if they have nothing to say. I applaud that philosophy.
That's sort of what I was getting at. There have been countless threads that I have started typing a comment, realized that somebody else would be along to say the exact same thing that I was going to (only better), and deleted what I had so far. (and the site is better for it, I'm sure)
However, when everyone else is posting a period, it's pretty easy (and relatively anonymous) to hop on board.
Sort of the same reason that the image dump trainwreck threads were (are) so popular - very low bar for entry and participation with little fear of reprisal/callout.
posted by davey_darling at 11:19 AM on December 25, 2006
That's sort of what I was getting at. There have been countless threads that I have started typing a comment, realized that somebody else would be along to say the exact same thing that I was going to (only better), and deleted what I had so far. (and the site is better for it, I'm sure)
However, when everyone else is posting a period, it's pretty easy (and relatively anonymous) to hop on board.
Sort of the same reason that the image dump trainwreck threads were (are) so popular - very low bar for entry and participation with little fear of reprisal/callout.
posted by davey_darling at 11:19 AM on December 25, 2006
I'm pretty sure an "instant triple" has happened before, I know instant doubles have happened once.
posted by delmoi at 11:26 AM on December 25, 2006
posted by delmoi at 11:26 AM on December 25, 2006
Let people mourn their way, for christ's sake.
I think it's pretty fucked up that simply pressing one key on your keyboard is considered "mourning".
posted by Joeforking at 11:58 AM on December 25, 2006
I think it's pretty fucked up that simply pressing one key on your keyboard is considered "mourning".
posted by Joeforking at 11:58 AM on December 25, 2006
I think it's pretty fucked up that simply pressing one key on your keyboard is considered "mourning".
Oh come on. Pressing the key is the public expression of the sadness of the mourner at the computer. This isn't rocket science.
The dots are fine; that they bring new posters out of the woodwork is a *good* thing for the site. Now can we get back to hating the quick and lazy obit racers?
posted by mediareport at 12:13 PM on December 25, 2006
Oh come on. Pressing the key is the public expression of the sadness of the mourner at the computer. This isn't rocket science.
The dots are fine; that they bring new posters out of the woodwork is a *good* thing for the site. Now can we get back to hating the quick and lazy obit racers?
posted by mediareport at 12:13 PM on December 25, 2006
I'd love to see an experimental one-week ban on newsfilter just to see how it goes. If someone dies, you have to craft a good post about that person if you don't want it to be deleted. If a newsworthy event occurs, you have to craft a good post about the subject of the event -- only if it's a decent post that would stand without the news story would it stay up. Never happen, I know.
posted by George_Spiggott at 12:59 PM on December 25, 2006
posted by George_Spiggott at 12:59 PM on December 25, 2006
I think it's pretty fucked up that simply throwing a handful of dirt/buying flowers/wearing dark clothing/listening to organ music/pouring alcohol on the ground is considered "mourning."
posted by nebulawindphone at 1:37 PM on December 25, 2006
posted by nebulawindphone at 1:37 PM on December 25, 2006
Hi everyone! my name is hortense and I am a "quick and lazy obit racer". Please don't hate on me. Brevity rules.
Therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit,
And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes,
I will be brief.
~William Shakespeare, Hamlet
posted by hortense at 3:03 PM on December 25, 2006
Therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit,
And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes,
I will be brief.
~William Shakespeare, Hamlet
posted by hortense at 3:03 PM on December 25, 2006
news media have the advantage of keeping fully drafted obits ready for famous people*
I have a similar policy: I keep a text file of regularly updated full stops, so I can just cut and paste them into a thread at the first sound of a clog being popped.
posted by Abiezer at 3:15 PM on December 25, 2006
I have a similar policy: I keep a text file of regularly updated full stops, so I can just cut and paste them into a thread at the first sound of a clog being popped.
posted by Abiezer at 3:15 PM on December 25, 2006
I think it's pretty fucked up that simply pressing one key on your keyboard is considered "mourning".
I think it's pretty fucked up that you think your definition of mourning should mean anything to anyone else.
posted by shmegegge at 3:43 PM on December 25, 2006 [2 favorites]
I think it's pretty fucked up that you think your definition of mourning should mean anything to anyone else.
posted by shmegegge at 3:43 PM on December 25, 2006 [2 favorites]
quonsar's comment above was lost on you then, schmeg?
posted by Joeforking at 3:55 PM on December 25, 2006
posted by Joeforking at 3:55 PM on December 25, 2006
Antonysterical.
posted by George_Spiggott at 6:06 PM on December 25, 2006
posted by George_Spiggott at 6:06 PM on December 25, 2006
I think it's pretty fucked up that simply pressing one key on your keyboard is considered "mourning".
I've always thought that it was pretty much the same thing as putting a rock on a grave. Just shows that you cared enough to show up.
posted by leftcoastbob at 6:12 PM on December 25, 2006 [1 favorite]
I've always thought that it was pretty much the same thing as putting a rock on a grave. Just shows that you cared enough to show up.
posted by leftcoastbob at 6:12 PM on December 25, 2006 [1 favorite]
ardgedee writes "I agree, but news media have the advantage of keeping fully drafted obits ready for famous people who aren't dead yet, and the staff to occasionally revise them with updates on their latest accomplishments (or maladies, as the case may be)."
Hey I'm ready. Assuming I'm at my computer when I hear of their death you've got some awesome posts coming from my dead pool.
posted by Mitheral at 6:22 PM on December 25, 2006
Hey I'm ready. Assuming I'm at my computer when I hear of their death you've got some awesome posts coming from my dead pool.
posted by Mitheral at 6:22 PM on December 25, 2006
hortense : I hope you don't feel i was hating on you with my comment re: well crafted obit threads. Just on the policy that first post on a topic (news-filter) is the one that gets saved over other post that might be far and away better crafted. If I had taken a half hour or hour to construct a post incorporating video, audio, some good text and multiple links for the death of someone I admired it would have been tossed on the dung heap of double posts next to a 3 minute job of linking to CNN. I hate that aspect of new-filter on metafilter. Which is why I'll only do obit posts of people if it doesn't make it to the front page within a few days. (not saying my obit threads are stellar, but at least I try).
posted by edgeways at 11:25 PM on December 25, 2006
posted by edgeways at 11:25 PM on December 25, 2006
No worries edgeways, funny thing is I had a three link obit at 11:45 pm but pushed the back button and waited a while.Midnight passed and I posted a pared down version,knowing that plenty of people would bring links and stories in comments, yours
posted by hortense at 11:56 PM on December 25, 2006
posted by hortense at 11:56 PM on December 25, 2006
Also hilarious: Gerald Ford got one single double post. Sorry, big G.
posted by cortex at 4:52 PM on December 27, 2006
posted by cortex at 4:52 PM on December 27, 2006
Also hilarious: Gerald Ford got one single double post. Sorry, big G.
James Brown is far more important than a half-term POTUS who's most memorable acts were pardoning a crook and beaning people with golf balls.
posted by timeistight at 12:43 PM on December 28, 2006
James Brown is far more important than a half-term POTUS who's most memorable acts were pardoning a crook and beaning people with golf balls.
posted by timeistight at 12:43 PM on December 28, 2006
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posted by IronLizard at 12:22 AM on December 25, 2006