Oh, please. February 14, 2007 4:31 AM Subscribe
Just so I'm clear: in this this thread, are we mocking people who can't spell, words in all caps, or chatfilterish questions phrased in a mildly insulting way?
posted by blue mustard at 4:51 AM on February 14, 2007
posted by blue mustard at 4:51 AM on February 14, 2007
Words fail me. Well, not all of them: REDICULOUS!
posted by veggieboy at 4:53 AM on February 14, 2007
posted by veggieboy at 4:53 AM on February 14, 2007
blue mustard: all of them.
These things are not unrelated.
Maybe the poster is a bad speller, or maybe they're just careless. The caps and the chatfilter are definitely not cool. Delete.
posted by atrazine at 4:54 AM on February 14, 2007
These things are not unrelated.
Maybe the poster is a bad speller, or maybe they're just careless. The caps and the chatfilter are definitely not cool. Delete.
posted by atrazine at 4:54 AM on February 14, 2007
I think "REDICULOUS" is when you do something "ridiculous" twice.
Of course, I'm no stranger to typos.
posted by Brittanie at 4:55 AM on February 14, 2007
Of course, I'm no stranger to typos.
posted by Brittanie at 4:55 AM on February 14, 2007
Ferchissake, just flag it and move along
Matt or Jessamyn will nix it as soon as they see the flags.
Hopefully they'll also take a second to close this unnecessary post, too.
posted by briank at 5:01 AM on February 14, 2007
Matt or Jessamyn will nix it as soon as they see the flags.
Hopefully they'll also take a second to close this unnecessary post, too.
posted by briank at 5:01 AM on February 14, 2007
Or "Redonkulous"
posted by robocop is bleeding at 5:11 AM on February 14, 2007
posted by robocop is bleeding at 5:11 AM on February 14, 2007
I think we should keep it up there as an example. You know, a sort of virtual body of one of our foes, impaled on a lance and staked outside the main gate for the crows to peck. It'll make people think twice about ALLCAPS and bad spelling. Redwangulous indeed!
posted by Mister_A at 5:15 AM on February 14, 2007
posted by Mister_A at 5:15 AM on February 14, 2007
I tell you, we don't need Thrillhouse to make 40kers look bad; Burhanistan and I are in charge of that.
posted by Mister_A at 5:17 AM on February 14, 2007
posted by Mister_A at 5:17 AM on February 14, 2007
TECHNICALLY HE DID NOT USE ALLCAPS OR HIS POST WOULD HAVE LOOKED SORT OF LIKE THIS.
posted by baphomet at 5:17 AM on February 14, 2007
posted by baphomet at 5:17 AM on February 14, 2007
You're NOT that cool
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 5:29 AM on February 14, 2007
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 5:29 AM on February 14, 2007
I read it both times in the question as "redelicious."
posted by nevercalm at 5:30 AM on February 14, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by nevercalm at 5:30 AM on February 14, 2007 [1 favorite]
And then he quoted, with some glee, a passage from Thrillhouse's userpage: "Top 10 Tags on Ask MeFi: throat (1) storage (1) scrotum (1)"
posted by duende at 5:42 AM on February 14, 2007 [3 favorites]
posted by duende at 5:42 AM on February 14, 2007 [3 favorites]
*cough* (1)
posted by Armitage Shanks at 5:51 AM on February 14, 2007
posted by Armitage Shanks at 5:51 AM on February 14, 2007
I kinda think the guy's account got hacked or he left it signed in somewhere. His other questions/answers are normal.
posted by AV at 5:53 AM on February 14, 2007
posted by AV at 5:53 AM on February 14, 2007
There have been a few of these, "WHAT IS UP WIT YOU PEOPLE??" askme's recently. It's symptomatic of our society that is both overcrowded and a fan of privacy, that we develop these somewhat silly "pet peeves", yet we have no real place to rant about them save online.
posted by muddgirl at 5:56 AM on February 14, 2007
posted by muddgirl at 5:56 AM on February 14, 2007
we have no real place to rant about them save online
And the Laff Shack, out on Route 51 South by the Comfort Inn.
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 6:10 AM on February 14, 2007
And the Laff Shack, out on Route 51 South by the Comfort Inn.
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 6:10 AM on February 14, 2007
I kinda think the guy's account got hacked or he left it signed in somewhere.
Or he posted in a manic pique or while chemically altered. The use of CAPS for EMPHASIS is consistent with other questions.
And mock all you like, but "rediculous" is a damned common misspelling, probably owing to a general disconnect between the word and "ridicule". (It's kind of ironic that that would lead to the semantic relationship coming back to eat its own tail, too.)
And what muddgirl said. I'd bet that very specific peeves about human behavior sprout more readily/frequently in densely populated areas—so much more exposure to other peoples' habits without necessarily greater involvement with them socially.
posted by cortex at 6:16 AM on February 14, 2007
Or he posted in a manic pique or while chemically altered. The use of CAPS for EMPHASIS is consistent with other questions.
And mock all you like, but "rediculous" is a damned common misspelling, probably owing to a general disconnect between the word and "ridicule". (It's kind of ironic that that would lead to the semantic relationship coming back to eat its own tail, too.)
And what muddgirl said. I'd bet that very specific peeves about human behavior sprout more readily/frequently in densely populated areas—so much more exposure to other peoples' habits without necessarily greater involvement with them socially.
posted by cortex at 6:16 AM on February 14, 2007
I thought the essence of the question, "Why do you wear a Bluetooth headset everywhere?" was a good one, so I answered that. The asker phrased it for optimal offense, though.
posted by ardgedee at 6:16 AM on February 14, 2007
posted by ardgedee at 6:16 AM on February 14, 2007
He's right though. People look like dorks walking around with those things on. You might as well add a pocket protector and a calculator on the belt to complete the effect.
posted by caddis at 6:21 AM on February 14, 2007
posted by caddis at 6:21 AM on February 14, 2007
I walk around with a two hundred pound Mayan Calendar Stone strapped to my back. You may think I look unstylish but I always know what day it is.
posted by Fuzzy Monster at 6:34 AM on February 14, 2007 [5 favorites]
posted by Fuzzy Monster at 6:34 AM on February 14, 2007 [5 favorites]
Why do many MetaFilter users get upset about spelling and grammar?
posted by welephant at 6:43 AM on February 14, 2007
posted by welephant at 6:43 AM on February 14, 2007
They are brainwashed by english majors welephant.
posted by wheelieman at 6:50 AM on February 14, 2007
posted by wheelieman at 6:50 AM on February 14, 2007
I am the very model of an english majors welephant.
posted by Armitage Shanks at 6:51 AM on February 14, 2007 [5 favorites]
posted by Armitage Shanks at 6:51 AM on February 14, 2007 [5 favorites]
jesus fuck, snow day huh?
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 7:02 AM on February 14, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 7:02 AM on February 14, 2007 [1 favorite]
Why do many MetaFilter users get upset about spelling and grammar?
I don't know if you're looking for a real answer, but I'll take a stab: It's part of what helps separate ask.me from Yahoo! Answers and its attendant yahoos.
Pobody's nerfect and I really don't care if someone makes a mistake. But shouting and carelessness are bad form.
In conclusion, get thee off my lawn.
posted by veggieboy at 7:06 AM on February 14, 2007
I don't know if you're looking for a real answer, but I'll take a stab: It's part of what helps separate ask.me from Yahoo! Answers and its attendant yahoos.
Pobody's nerfect and I really don't care if someone makes a mistake. But shouting and carelessness are bad form.
In conclusion, get thee off my lawn.
posted by veggieboy at 7:06 AM on February 14, 2007
In a medium where you only have the words people write to ridicule, making fun of someone's grammar is about the same as calling someone a "fatty."
posted by Dave Faris at 7:25 AM on February 14, 2007
posted by Dave Faris at 7:25 AM on February 14, 2007
n a medium where you only have the words people write to ridicule, making fun of someone's grammar is about the same as calling someone a "fatty."
Oh, please.
posted by caddis at 7:28 AM on February 14, 2007
Oh, please.
posted by caddis at 7:28 AM on February 14, 2007
"Ferchissake, just flag it and move along"
Nah, the chatfilter of "What do I tell my girl for V-Day?" is still up. The flags are less effective from a user standpoint.
posted by klangklangston at 7:34 AM on February 14, 2007
Nah, the chatfilter of "What do I tell my girl for V-Day?" is still up. The flags are less effective from a user standpoint.
posted by klangklangston at 7:34 AM on February 14, 2007
Dave Faris, I'm ridiculing the totality of the post, not solely the more obviously REDICULOUS aspects. That said, there is something inherently funny about the madcap ALLCAPS misspelling. For example,
MISSTAKES WERE MAID
That's funny, see?
posted by Mister_A at 7:41 AM on February 14, 2007
MISSTAKES WERE MAID
That's funny, see?
posted by Mister_A at 7:41 AM on February 14, 2007
You must be british, and have a more refined sense of humor.
posted by Dave Faris at 7:45 AM on February 14, 2007
posted by Dave Faris at 7:45 AM on February 14, 2007
To be fair those headsets are totally REDICULOUS.
My favorite part is when I wander down to the discount autoparts store on fourth ave for a taillight bulb or something and there are three or four unemployed dudes hanging out and talking to each other about the best spoiler for their Dodge Astro and all of them are rocking those blue glowing headsets. It's like I'm a guy in a cheap sci-fi movie and I'm the one who notices the pods are taking over.
I like those dudes a bunch because they don't give a greasy shit what I think about their bluetooth headsets and their No Fear decals and their green sweat pants tucked into hightop Timberland construction boots. I also like that they are usually semi-bonked on Bacardi at 10 am.
In fact I like those headsets because they can warn us that someone is probably either a self-important dickhead or a busy tech support person or a groovy middle-aged doofus with an interest in shiny metal bits for their car.
What are those bluetooth headsets if not humanity itself in all of its graceless and sweaty fumbling?
posted by Divine_Wino at 8:09 AM on February 14, 2007 [2 favorites]
My favorite part is when I wander down to the discount autoparts store on fourth ave for a taillight bulb or something and there are three or four unemployed dudes hanging out and talking to each other about the best spoiler for their Dodge Astro and all of them are rocking those blue glowing headsets. It's like I'm a guy in a cheap sci-fi movie and I'm the one who notices the pods are taking over.
I like those dudes a bunch because they don't give a greasy shit what I think about their bluetooth headsets and their No Fear decals and their green sweat pants tucked into hightop Timberland construction boots. I also like that they are usually semi-bonked on Bacardi at 10 am.
In fact I like those headsets because they can warn us that someone is probably either a self-important dickhead or a busy tech support person or a groovy middle-aged doofus with an interest in shiny metal bits for their car.
What are those bluetooth headsets if not humanity itself in all of its graceless and sweaty fumbling?
posted by Divine_Wino at 8:09 AM on February 14, 2007 [2 favorites]
Thrillahouse would so totally get his ass handed to him by a boggart.
OMG IT'S A BLUETOOTH HEADSET COMING STRAIGHT AT ME HELP PROFESSOR LUPIN!
posted by cog_nate at 8:15 AM on February 14, 2007
OMG IT'S A BLUETOOTH HEADSET COMING STRAIGHT AT ME HELP PROFESSOR LUPIN!
posted by cog_nate at 8:15 AM on February 14, 2007
muddgirl writes "It's symptomatic of our society that is both overcrowded and a fan of privacy, that we develop these somewhat silly 'pet peeves', yet we have no real place to rant about them save online."
Now you know why those crazy people on the bus are crazy, no net access.
posted by Mitheral at 8:23 AM on February 14, 2007
Now you know why those crazy people on the bus are crazy, no net access.
posted by Mitheral at 8:23 AM on February 14, 2007
"Rediculous" and "definately" are two of the more common misspellings I see online, and they drive me crazy. I cannot help but be annoyed every time. I'm not so much a grammar nazi - but spelling mistakes of basic words really get my goat.
And I need my goat.
If anyone ever says "ridonkulous," or god forbid, "rickockulous" within my hearing, I swear I will stab them.
posted by pinky at 8:35 AM on February 14, 2007 [1 favorite]
And I need my goat.
If anyone ever says "ridonkulous," or god forbid, "rickockulous" within my hearing, I swear I will stab them.
posted by pinky at 8:35 AM on February 14, 2007 [1 favorite]
I cannot help but be annoyed every time.
Deep breathing exercises help. You have nothing to fear but the loss of your peeves. Ommmmmm. Seriously.
posted by cortex at 8:39 AM on February 14, 2007
Deep breathing exercises help. You have nothing to fear but the loss of your peeves. Ommmmmm. Seriously.
posted by cortex at 8:39 AM on February 14, 2007
It's a shame that question was asked so poorly. I have slightly tangential thoughts on the matter that don't merit an askme of their own:
If I spend a few days with my cell telephone in the same pocket without a break (except of course to sleep) I get funny twitches in my thigh muscle that feel a bit like the phone ringing on "vibrate" mode. I've wondered whether this was some psychological "phantom ring" effect or if the phone battery (or some microwave effect) was having a physical effect on my muscle tissue.
I've read articles about traffic cops developing a high rate of testicular cancer from holding radar guns in a rest position against their crotches while waiting for cars to fly by, and how researchers have pointed to microwave emissions (I may be wrong about the wavelengths).
I've wondered if a much smaller version of this effect was taking place with my cell telephone. And I wonder about the newness of the technology, and how medical diagnosis of such problems naturally never happens until the problems manifest themselves in enough cases as to constitute a trend.
Which brings me to my reason for not wearing a bluetooth earpiece (and for always plugging in an earbud/microphone when I talk on my cell telephone for any length of time). Maybe I'm just paranoid, but with an absence of long-term studies on the effects of cell telephone radiation, I'm wary about putting batteries and transmitters that close to my brain.
I'd hate to be part of some study thirty years down on high instances of brain cancer in bluetooth users. I'd hate to go deaf in one ear due to something unforseen in the design of these things. I obviously don't know enough about them, but maybe nobody does, yet.
posted by breezeway at 9:18 AM on February 14, 2007 [1 favorite]
If I spend a few days with my cell telephone in the same pocket without a break (except of course to sleep) I get funny twitches in my thigh muscle that feel a bit like the phone ringing on "vibrate" mode. I've wondered whether this was some psychological "phantom ring" effect or if the phone battery (or some microwave effect) was having a physical effect on my muscle tissue.
I've read articles about traffic cops developing a high rate of testicular cancer from holding radar guns in a rest position against their crotches while waiting for cars to fly by, and how researchers have pointed to microwave emissions (I may be wrong about the wavelengths).
I've wondered if a much smaller version of this effect was taking place with my cell telephone. And I wonder about the newness of the technology, and how medical diagnosis of such problems naturally never happens until the problems manifest themselves in enough cases as to constitute a trend.
Which brings me to my reason for not wearing a bluetooth earpiece (and for always plugging in an earbud/microphone when I talk on my cell telephone for any length of time). Maybe I'm just paranoid, but with an absence of long-term studies on the effects of cell telephone radiation, I'm wary about putting batteries and transmitters that close to my brain.
I'd hate to be part of some study thirty years down on high instances of brain cancer in bluetooth users. I'd hate to go deaf in one ear due to something unforseen in the design of these things. I obviously don't know enough about them, but maybe nobody does, yet.
posted by breezeway at 9:18 AM on February 14, 2007 [1 favorite]
Rediculous is just diculous all over again.
Oh, and breezeway? Just wrap your phone in tinfoil like I do.
posted by Floydd at 9:28 AM on February 14, 2007
Oh, and breezeway? Just wrap your phone in tinfoil like I do.
posted by Floydd at 9:28 AM on February 14, 2007
There's this one guy I see sometimes and he's got the giant headset that looks like he stole it from a McDonald's drivethrough, with a huge windbaffle and that studio headset curly cord and he's got it plugged into one of those mid-nineties brick-size cellphones in the faux-leather belt holster. I'm always reminded of when all the kids were playing the laser tag and I asked for a laser tag set and my dad went down to Radio Shack and got me the offbrand "Lazer Blast" or whatever it was called, the inferior model. I was too embarrassed to play with it in public, but not this guy, no sir, his shit works and so what? Of course he's going to use it. I always want to buy that guy one of those giant old school radios that gets cb channels and shortwave and is all wrapped in black rubber and has a six foot antenna and a big package of Black Cat D cells and just, you know, hang out for a while.
posted by Divine_Wino at 9:35 AM on February 14, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by Divine_Wino at 9:35 AM on February 14, 2007 [1 favorite]
I get funny twitches in my thigh muscle that feel a bit like the phone ringing on "vibrate" mode. I've wondered whether this was some psychological "phantom ring" effect or if the phone battery (or some microwave effect) was having a physical effect on my muscle tissue.
I thought it was just me.
posted by exlotuseater at 9:39 AM on February 14, 2007
I thought it was just me.
posted by exlotuseater at 9:39 AM on February 14, 2007
oh, and "jesus fuck, snow day" is my new mantra.
posted by exlotuseater at 9:40 AM on February 14, 2007
posted by exlotuseater at 9:40 AM on February 14, 2007
Re: the question piqued my interest as well, because, judging by all the folks I see with those things (might as well be implanted) on, I figure it's just a matter of time before we all become assimilated.
posted by Lynsey at 9:59 AM on February 14, 2007
posted by Lynsey at 9:59 AM on February 14, 2007
welephant: "Why do many MetaFilter users get upset about spelling and grammar?"
Who's upset? We're having fun at somebody else's expense. It's very different.
posted by koeselitz at 10:10 AM on February 14, 2007
Who's upset? We're having fun at somebody else's expense. It's very different.
posted by koeselitz at 10:10 AM on February 14, 2007
AMIRITEFILTER
posted by ninjew at 10:28 AM on February 14, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by ninjew at 10:28 AM on February 14, 2007 [1 favorite]
I wear one because I like making other people absurdly angry over trivial things, and just in general being REDICULOUS. I don't even have a phone -- just the headset.
posted by pardonyou? at 10:28 AM on February 14, 2007
posted by pardonyou? at 10:28 AM on February 14, 2007
I crginre to tnihk how mnay temis I've plabbory sellepd ruolucidis the wnorg way.
posted by matty at 11:26 AM on February 14, 2007
posted by matty at 11:26 AM on February 14, 2007
Deep breathing exercises help. You have nothing to fear but the loss of your peeves. Ommmmmm. Seriously.
Sounds good. Just please, for the love of all that is holy, don't tell me to take a look at that. I'm a little sensitive about that.
posted by pinky at 11:50 AM on February 14, 2007
Sounds good. Just please, for the love of all that is holy, don't tell me to take a look at that. I'm a little sensitive about that.
posted by pinky at 11:50 AM on February 14, 2007
I blame Seinfeld.
And "Jesus fuck, snow day" MUST be the name of my first album.
posted by dreamsign at 11:56 AM on February 14, 2007
And "Jesus fuck, snow day" MUST be the name of my first album.
posted by dreamsign at 11:56 AM on February 14, 2007
I'd hate to be part of some study thirty years down on high instances of brain cancer in bluetooth users.
You're more likely to be part of a follow up to the study where they showed that guys who carry a cell phone lots have lower sperm counts, specifically the ones who keep it in their pants pocket. It was a pilot study I think and the results surprised them, so it's being repeated to expand and confirm the results (so don't take it as gospel yet). I'm not sure where it was published, I heard about it on one of the science podcasts I subscribe to in the last month or two.
posted by shelleycat at 12:04 PM on February 14, 2007
You're more likely to be part of a follow up to the study where they showed that guys who carry a cell phone lots have lower sperm counts, specifically the ones who keep it in their pants pocket. It was a pilot study I think and the results surprised them, so it's being repeated to expand and confirm the results (so don't take it as gospel yet). I'm not sure where it was published, I heard about it on one of the science podcasts I subscribe to in the last month or two.
posted by shelleycat at 12:04 PM on February 14, 2007
Well, I'll give him a point for effort. Everyone knows that the way to grind your axe on metafilter is to cherry pick commentary from Salon, the NYT, and DailyKOS to build a post in the blue.
posted by KirkJobSluder at 12:10 PM on February 14, 2007
posted by KirkJobSluder at 12:10 PM on February 14, 2007
...they showed that guys who carry a cell phone lots have lower sperm counts, specifically the ones who keep it in their pants pocket.
Or, as we like to call it: "the poor mans' vasectomy".
posted by Floydd at 12:39 PM on February 14, 2007
Or, as we like to call it: "the poor mans' vasectomy".
posted by Floydd at 12:39 PM on February 14, 2007
I get funny twitches in my thigh muscle that feel a bit like the phone ringing on "vibrate" mode.
DUDE. I had no idea this happened to anyone but me. I downplayed it; didn't mention it to anyone, but it's not just like the phone on vibrate. I could swear that that's what it was, but when I check, clearly the phone hasn't rung. Argh. Now I'm a bit concerned.
posted by dreamsign at 1:01 PM on February 14, 2007
DUDE. I had no idea this happened to anyone but me. I downplayed it; didn't mention it to anyone, but it's not just like the phone on vibrate. I could swear that that's what it was, but when I check, clearly the phone hasn't rung. Argh. Now I'm a bit concerned.
posted by dreamsign at 1:01 PM on February 14, 2007
Hmm. A quick search just turns up this article again and again. Stimulation of the motor cortex leading to muscle twitches.
posted by dreamsign at 1:06 PM on February 14, 2007
posted by dreamsign at 1:06 PM on February 14, 2007
It really concerns me, too. I try to change pockets, or put my phone in a jacket pocket if I can. And seriously, if having a phone six inches away from my balls could lower my sperm count, in the case of a bluetooth earpiece, who knows what having one a half inch from my brain would do?
I think the answer is, "nobody knows," so I'm not going to chance it. Plus it makes people look like they've been tagged for some migration study.
posted by breezeway at 1:36 PM on February 14, 2007
I think the answer is, "nobody knows," so I'm not going to chance it. Plus it makes people look like they've been tagged for some migration study.
posted by breezeway at 1:36 PM on February 14, 2007
Whenever I see a guy wearing one of those at the supermarket, slowly and dully describing everything he sees in the refrigerated pasta section to the person on the other end, I wish I had a higher embarrassment threshold so I could go go by him and say in a feminine voice "are you coming to bed, lover? I need it now." just so his wife is convinced it's all a sham and he's really having an affair. Or something like that.
posted by George_Spiggott at 1:55 PM on February 14, 2007
posted by George_Spiggott at 1:55 PM on February 14, 2007
George,
If you do that, please for the love of mankind, make a MP3 for the world to hear.
posted by Hands of Manos at 1:58 PM on February 14, 2007
If you do that, please for the love of mankind, make a MP3 for the world to hear.
posted by Hands of Manos at 1:58 PM on February 14, 2007
I'd hate to be part of some study thirty years down on high instances of brain cancer in bluetooth users.
I'd hate to be part of a study for technophobes who think every new technology gives them cancer despite complete and utter lack of scientific evidence.
Oh yeah, and you know what I do think when I see a guy on one of those Bluetooth things? I think "oh, there's someone using the latest technology to communicate with his friend, business associate, or significant other."
Then, get this, guys!!11!11 Guess what I do?????????
I go about my business without playing a childish prank on him, because I am a grownup, and my own personal phobias and superstitions don't give me the right to be rude to strangers.
posted by drjimmy11 at 2:38 PM on February 14, 2007
I'd hate to be part of a study for technophobes who think every new technology gives them cancer despite complete and utter lack of scientific evidence.
Oh yeah, and you know what I do think when I see a guy on one of those Bluetooth things? I think "oh, there's someone using the latest technology to communicate with his friend, business associate, or significant other."
Then, get this, guys!!11!11 Guess what I do?????????
I go about my business without playing a childish prank on him, because I am a grownup, and my own personal phobias and superstitions don't give me the right to be rude to strangers.
posted by drjimmy11 at 2:38 PM on February 14, 2007
She divorced you after that huh, drjimmy11? Took everything? I'd be hysterical too.
posted by Divine_Wino at 2:42 PM on February 14, 2007
posted by Divine_Wino at 2:42 PM on February 14, 2007
I WOULD ALSO HATE TO BE PART OF A STUDY. UNLESS IT WERE, LIKE, AWESOME. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.
posted by Kwine at 3:11 PM on February 14, 2007
posted by Kwine at 3:11 PM on February 14, 2007
Well, drjimmy11, I guess that's where you and I differ. You'd rather have brain cancer than a slightly overblown fear of bluetooth headsets. I'd rather wait until some research is done (or until I know more about what research exists) before I claim that a lack of evidence means a lack of risk. Once upon a time, there was no evidence that you could get chronic lung problems from living in an airtight, climate-controlled building.
By your extrapolating a fear of "every new technology" from my specific question (in which I "wonder about" things and clearly state my incomplete understanding) I think it's fair for me to assume intentional insult in your words.
I guess I'm wasting my time either way.
posted by breezeway at 3:39 PM on February 14, 2007
By your extrapolating a fear of "every new technology" from my specific question (in which I "wonder about" things and clearly state my incomplete understanding) I think it's fair for me to assume intentional insult in your words.
I guess I'm wasting my time either way.
posted by breezeway at 3:39 PM on February 14, 2007
Guess what? I don't even have any kind of cell phone, PDA, or smart phone; I don't even have a laptop, and my home phone is the old-fashioned kind with wires and cords. (I do however have 3 handheld 40 channel CBs that, when I bother to insert batteries, give me little but static.) And I'm so glad I can still buy ink ribbons for the dot matrix printer I found at a flea market as those inkjet ink cartridges are flipping expensive and don't last long (and don't get me started on those wasteful laser printers). But you kids are so cute about your k3wl nifty gadgets.
posted by davy at 4:59 PM on February 14, 2007
posted by davy at 4:59 PM on February 14, 2007
I would do that if I could, davy, I really would. I don't have a land line, and the only real computer I have is old and stands unconnected from the rest of the world (except for a necessary link to the ConEd power grid). I do my writing on it.
I have a Blackberry for my phone, and that's how I connect to the internet and post here (and get email, and organize my calendar, and keep track of money and a host of other things). It's convenient and strangely affordable.
I feel like a tool having such a high-tech gizmo to communicate with when I know how to send smoke signals and can shout really loud. Pitfalls of worming around in the big apple.
posted by breezeway at 5:16 PM on February 14, 2007
I have a Blackberry for my phone, and that's how I connect to the internet and post here (and get email, and organize my calendar, and keep track of money and a host of other things). It's convenient and strangely affordable.
I feel like a tool having such a high-tech gizmo to communicate with when I know how to send smoke signals and can shout really loud. Pitfalls of worming around in the big apple.
posted by breezeway at 5:16 PM on February 14, 2007
I don't even have electricity. I access the internet via carrier pigeons. Beat that.
posted by languagehat at 5:59 PM on February 14, 2007
posted by languagehat at 5:59 PM on February 14, 2007
I wear my cell horizontally across the front of my belt and frequently think it's ringing when it's actually just my stomach growling. Usually it's on my way home from work before I've eaten dinner. It never fails to make me chuckle.
On the subject of Bluetooth headsets, I've wondered about the phenomena of people wearing them everywhere before as well. (Could have been a good askme post as well, but this one was crap). I wonder because on more than one occasion, I've seen people wearing them, and they are clearly turned off. WTF? Is it a fashion statement or what? I also don't get people who are using their headset, and holding their phone in their hand. If it was a PDA style phone, it might make sense, but often they are just normal phones that the caller is waving around. Why deal with the crappy sound and poor battery life of a Bluetooth headset, if you are not gaining it's one benefit, being hands-free?
Weirdos.
posted by quin at 6:02 PM on February 14, 2007
On the subject of Bluetooth headsets, I've wondered about the phenomena of people wearing them everywhere before as well. (Could have been a good askme post as well, but this one was crap). I wonder because on more than one occasion, I've seen people wearing them, and they are clearly turned off. WTF? Is it a fashion statement or what? I also don't get people who are using their headset, and holding their phone in their hand. If it was a PDA style phone, it might make sense, but often they are just normal phones that the caller is waving around. Why deal with the crappy sound and poor battery life of a Bluetooth headset, if you are not gaining it's one benefit, being hands-free?
Weirdos.
posted by quin at 6:02 PM on February 14, 2007
I'd hate to be part of a study for technophobes who think every new technology gives them cancer despite complete and utter lack of scientific evidence.
One of my favorite stories from my dad's youth is how they would use x-ray machines in shoe stores. I mean, why not? You have the technology. Why be backward simpletons about it? Rulers indeed. Pffft.
There isn't a huge market in seeing your products tested over an adequate term if that isn't what regulation demands. And it doesn't, for most things. There's a little short-term testing and off you go. Nobody waits decades to see if cancer is the result. So your "lack of evidence" argument doesn't work when you've got your head firmly buried in the sand.
posted by dreamsign at 6:10 PM on February 14, 2007
One of my favorite stories from my dad's youth is how they would use x-ray machines in shoe stores. I mean, why not? You have the technology. Why be backward simpletons about it? Rulers indeed. Pffft.
There isn't a huge market in seeing your products tested over an adequate term if that isn't what regulation demands. And it doesn't, for most things. There's a little short-term testing and off you go. Nobody waits decades to see if cancer is the result. So your "lack of evidence" argument doesn't work when you've got your head firmly buried in the sand.
posted by dreamsign at 6:10 PM on February 14, 2007
I live in a yurt, eat yogurt; it hurts when I squirt!
posted by Dizzy at 6:20 PM on February 14, 2007
posted by Dizzy at 6:20 PM on February 14, 2007
Hey breezeway, to me it looks painful browsing the web on on a BlackBerry. Such tiny screens and keyboards; I've got "progressive" bifocals and STILL take off my glasses and squint to thread a needle. You're under 30, yes?
posted by davy at 6:36 PM on February 14, 2007
posted by davy at 6:36 PM on February 14, 2007
Alas, davy, though I'm young yet, I'm no longer under 30. My Blackberry has a relatively big screen, though it does tire my eyes. I got a specialized bit of plastic to put on the screen so the light doesn't blind me as much, and I have a QWERTY keyboard so it's not as hard to type as some of the older models.
I grew up with a Sinclair ZX80 conputer, with a membrane keyboard and cassette tape drive, so I'm used to the typing struggle and long waits.
All that said, my thumbs are a bit tired from the rigors of Meffy use.
posted by breezeway at 8:54 PM on February 14, 2007
I grew up with a Sinclair ZX80 conputer, with a membrane keyboard and cassette tape drive, so I'm used to the typing struggle and long waits.
All that said, my thumbs are a bit tired from the rigors of Meffy use.
posted by breezeway at 8:54 PM on February 14, 2007
Damn. All this snow and ice and I was stuck at work with no intertron access of any kind and approximately one customer per hour.
I can report that today, in honor of LOVE, I had zero customers approach me while wearing bluetooth headsets and only ONE customer approach me while actively talking on the phone.
Which, if we're getting on the topic of REDICULOUS: WHY?
If you want me to give you the coffee beverage that you desire, why not HANG UP THE FUCKING PHONE rather than pointing at the menu and expecting me to read your mind and APOLOGIZING to the person with whom you are ON THE FUCKING PHONE that you are INTERACTING WITH A HUMAN. Please, for the love of Dog, when you are interacting with a cashier, at least PUT THE PHONE DOWN. We are not merely life-like robots trained to cater to your every whim. We have feelings too.
The reason why a trained money couldn't do my job is that there is no monkey in the world who would resist flinging their poo at such rudeness. And poo-flinging is never high-quality customer service.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 10:26 PM on February 14, 2007
I can report that today, in honor of LOVE, I had zero customers approach me while wearing bluetooth headsets and only ONE customer approach me while actively talking on the phone.
Which, if we're getting on the topic of REDICULOUS: WHY?
If you want me to give you the coffee beverage that you desire, why not HANG UP THE FUCKING PHONE rather than pointing at the menu and expecting me to read your mind and APOLOGIZING to the person with whom you are ON THE FUCKING PHONE that you are INTERACTING WITH A HUMAN. Please, for the love of Dog, when you are interacting with a cashier, at least PUT THE PHONE DOWN. We are not merely life-like robots trained to cater to your every whim. We have feelings too.
The reason why a trained money couldn't do my job is that there is no monkey in the world who would resist flinging their poo at such rudeness. And poo-flinging is never high-quality customer service.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 10:26 PM on February 14, 2007
the way i learned to avoid spelling "ridiculous", and other words, wrong, was to figure out what their root word is. for "ridiculous", it's "ridicule". ask yourself, "hm, when was the last time i was rediculed?"
posted by quarter waters and a bag of chips at 10:31 PM on February 14, 2007
posted by quarter waters and a bag of chips at 10:31 PM on February 14, 2007
"hm, when was the last time i was rediculed?"
I don't know from rediculed, but I was reticuled the other day when SWAT showed up at my door for reasons, as a gentleman, I won't discuss here. Fortunately those blue bastards never see the serial-claymore-mines-in-the-stair-case-walls gag, and I got away clean.
Wait. What were we talking about again?
posted by quin at 11:06 PM on February 14, 2007
I don't know from rediculed, but I was reticuled the other day when SWAT showed up at my door for reasons, as a gentleman, I won't discuss here. Fortunately those blue bastards never see the serial-claymore-mines-in-the-stair-case-walls gag, and I got away clean.
Wait. What were we talking about again?
posted by quin at 11:06 PM on February 14, 2007
You're more likely to be part of a follow up to the study where they showed that guys who carry a cell phone lots have lower sperm counts, specifically the ones who keep it in their pants pocket.
So, how long do you think I have to carry my phone in my pocket to avoid paying the $400 for a vasectomy? Will it work faster if I shove it down my undies? What about if I was to shove both of my mobile phones down there - would it work twice as fast, or it the amount of radiation not important?
Seriously.
posted by dg at 3:53 AM on February 15, 2007
So, how long do you think I have to carry my phone in my pocket to avoid paying the $400 for a vasectomy? Will it work faster if I shove it down my undies? What about if I was to shove both of my mobile phones down there - would it work twice as fast, or it the amount of radiation not important?
Seriously.
posted by dg at 3:53 AM on February 15, 2007
loop the phone-lanyards around your knob and call yourself ALL DAY.
You'll probably go through $400 in batteries anyway, and you'll get weird looks long before that from your crotch ringing.
posted by exlotuseater at 5:31 AM on February 15, 2007
You'll probably go through $400 in batteries anyway, and you'll get weird looks long before that from your crotch ringing.
posted by exlotuseater at 5:31 AM on February 15, 2007
And if you put both phones on vibrate, you might be able to tap yourself out in just a couple weeks.
posted by breezeway at 6:06 AM on February 15, 2007
posted by breezeway at 6:06 AM on February 15, 2007
Not chatfilter. More like rantfilter.
Ummm. I think you may have hit upon something there.
posted by jimfl at 5:06 PM on February 16, 2007
Ummm. I think you may have hit upon something there.
posted by jimfl at 5:06 PM on February 16, 2007
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posted by Brittanie at 4:46 AM on February 14, 2007