first I've heard of it, honestly, though I did see some heated back and forth in today's torture thread. posted by jessamyn at 12:55 PM on November 23, 2007
Apparently, he closed it himself. Log says 8:50 am, Pacific time. I haven't heard anything from him; don't know if Matt or Jess or anyone else has. In the hour previous, he posted this comment, which got some flags and some in-thread blowback, but all I can do is speculate as to whether that had anything to do with it or why. posted by cortex at 12:55 PM on November 23, 2007
No idea. posted by cortex at 12:56 PM on November 23, 2007
Huh. If you close your account can you open it again? I'm scared to click the link
free quonsar, from himself posted by Rumple at 1:02 PM on November 23, 2007
Anyone who closes their own account can have us open it up again for them later assuming it wasn't one of those "quit before I get fired" sorts of deals which in this case it wasn't. posted by jessamyn at 1:04 PM on November 23, 2007
That "close your account" button has turned out to be a bad idea. posted by koeselitz at 1:10 PM on November 23, 2007 [3 favorites]
That "close your account" button has turned out to be a bad idea.
No, I'd say it's still a good idea, even though some users have used it in perhaps a time of heated debate. Behind the scenes, I get at least a couple requests a week from people wanting to close their accounts, pretty much steadily for the past 4 or 5 years. They're sometimes very annoyed that there isn't an option to do it automatically and after I found myself in the same situation (I joined Pounce and was annoyed with the daily emails of everything happening with no way of turning off my account), I decided to make it self-serve so people could bail when they wanted, without having to request/ask/yell/swear at me personally to get it closed.
If you click the link, you're sent to a page asking if you're really really sure and giving some details to warn people away from doing it unless they really want to, but still giving them the option. It's a powerful option, but an option nonetheless that serves a purpose. posted by mathowie at 1:15 PM on November 23, 2007 [2 favorites]
I disagree. Even in this case (which I'm pretty choked up about), I think it's better for quonsar to give himself a timeout than for him to provoke mathowie to do it like he used to do.
That "close your account" button has turned out to be a bad idea.
I can't really agree with that. Again, before that button came along, we had people (a) emailing to ask to have their account closed, (b) just walking away without any indication that they were leaving, and (c) failing to walk away when they intended to.
With the new system, most of (a) and some of (b) and (c) has been displaced by self-directed account closure.
I've heard from a couple people who've closed their accounts as a self-control measure—with the intention of walking away Right Now and coming back some time when/if they feel like they want to spend time being active on the site again. posted by cortex at 1:17 PM on November 23, 2007
So slow. posted by cortex at 1:18 PM on November 23, 2007
I was disagreeing with koeselitz; I agree with Matt and cortex: the button is good. posted by timeistight at 1:18 PM on November 23, 2007
That "close your account" button has turned out to be a bad idea.
I'm not sure what the point of it is. Is it supposed to be a clever way of ridding the site of melodramatic people? Lots of websites provide a way for users to delete their accounts, of course, but I was under the impression that those are generally provided for two reasons: to get the provider to delete your data, if you don't want to use the site anymore and have privacy concerns, or to avoid email. Neither is relevant here, and I can't think of any other benefit that this feature provides, other than maybe protection against abuse if someone discovers your password. posted by gsteff at 1:20 PM on November 23, 2007 [1 favorite]
(b) just walking away without any indication that they were leaving
I guess that makes sense. posted by gsteff at 1:21 PM on November 23, 2007
I'm not sure what the point of it is. Is it supposed to be a clever way of ridding the site of melodramatic people?
It'd be cool if we could close and re-open our accounts ourselves. Totally pointless of course, but I'd do it all the time. posted by puke & cry at 1:25 PM on November 23, 2007 [4 favorites]
I was under the impression that those are generally provided for two reasons: to get the provider to delete your data, if you don't want to use the site anymore and have privacy concerns, or to avoid email. Neither is relevant here
I agreed with you 8 years ago when I started the site and I used to email people wanting to "unsubscribe from metafilter" that they just need to stop using their account.
And yet, people kept asking and demanding and in the last year or so, the requests have turned from most often polite to most often highly annoyed. People doing it frequently mentioned how they could close or delete their accounts on every other site and they wanted the same thing from MetaFilter, so I built the feature so I don't have to have these back-and-forth arguments with people wanting out. posted by mathowie at 1:26 PM on November 23, 2007
I'm sort of the opposite. People email me wanting to close their account and I spend a lot of time saying "are you SURE" etc, I don't know, just to be decent about it maybe with someone who is having a bad day. This set-up means people can take total responsibility for their decisions and we don't have to go back and forth on it forever or get hollered at about it. If they close their account it does remove them from MeFiMailability, and the scoail streams stuff but other than not being able to log in to post/comment, yeah not much changes. posted by jessamyn at 1:31 PM on November 23, 2007
MetaFilter truly is "more addictive than crack" for a lot of us. There are many reasons why someone might want to end their involvement with the site and the "Close Your Account" is just a mechanism to help them do so. posted by timeistight at 1:31 PM on November 23, 2007 [1 favorite]
Maybe you should add a warning/confirmation, so people know that closing the account isn't easily reversible. I could see myself accidentally clicking it. posted by theiconoclast31 at 1:39 PM on November 23, 2007
Did somebody waterboard him. DID THEY? posted by Astro Zombie at 1:41 PM on November 23, 2007
It has one, theiconoclast31. posted by cortex at 1:42 PM on November 23, 2007
Did somebody waterboard him. DID THEY?
I peeboarded him. It's like waterboarding, but more yellow. posted by Lentrohamsanin at 1:43 PM on November 23, 2007 [1 favorite]
Well, interesting. I'm surprised - his comment was controversial, but the in-thread blow-back was quite mild, I thought. Certainly nothing like some of the other dustups he's been in around here. Maybe it was just enough, when added to whatever else is going on for quonsar.
I believe there is a warning/confirmation message for people attempt to close their account, theiconoclast31. posted by never used baby shoes at 1:45 PM on November 23, 2007
yikes, I didn't see this coming. Well, I don't like it. No sir, I don't. Too many people left this week, I am going to develop a holiday phobia. posted by madamjujujive at 1:45 PM on November 23, 2007 [1 favorite]
i'm guessing that it was the accusing him of being a drunk that set him off. posted by empath at 1:57 PM on November 23, 2007
I believe that comment was posted over two hours after he left, empath. posted by never used baby shoes at 1:59 PM on November 23, 2007
Can I be the village idiot now? I've got the hat. posted by Meatbomb at 2:00 PM on November 23, 2007 [6 favorites]
Hey, if you have Mefimail setup to to go directly to your email, and when you close your account, will Mefi members be able to reach you via Mefimail?
Also, should people the user has added as a contact be notified that they've closed their account? It would be nice, but I can imagine it spawning all sorts of Metatalk threads. posted by Brandon Blatcher at 2:02 PM on November 23, 2007
Too many people left this week,
Who else? posted by dobbs at 2:03 PM on November 23, 2007
Quonsar is still lurking. I can smell him. posted by brautigan at 2:04 PM on November 23, 2007 [4 favorites]
Also, should people the user has added as a contact be notified that they've closed their account? It would be nice, but I can imagine it spawning all sorts of Metatalk threads.
I don't want this (as someone who links to a lot of people). I don't even like that profiles mention that accounts are disabled, because it encourages Metatalk threads such as this. If someone closes their account to be dramatic, a Metatalk farewell thread just feeds into their drama, and if someone closes their account with the intent of never coming back, they're not going to see it, so why bother?
Who else?
I believe that references the account closings of Ethereal Bligh (and the account he opened after that, K M Ellis), vronksy, and jennydiski. posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 2:10 PM on November 23, 2007 [3 favorites]
Let's just enjoy the peace and quiet while it lasts. posted by Catfry at 2:10 PM on November 23, 2007 [2 favorites]
I, and others, have noted the appeal of the BIG SHINY RED BUTTON (reference to Ren & Stimpy cartoon "Space Madness" and the "Delete Universe" button) on a weird psychological level. I wonder if, in the near future, instead of a few requests a week to delete accounts, you get nearly as many requests (just as impatient) to restore accounts.
There was also a suggestion to make the 'button' trigger a temporary disabling of the account, a time-out, at least the first time it's used. Of course, things like that, or a user-triggered Restore, will just make a dead-simple answer to a specific problem much more complicated and I'm sure matt and pb have better things to do, bigger ponies to breed. Such is the Law of Unintended Consequences. Or Truth and Consequences. Or Truth or Dare. ("I DARE you to push the BIG RED BUTTON") Whatever.
One more thought: maybe what pushed the q-man out the door was something the rest of us did not see; maybe messages via MeFiMail from who-knows-who about who-knows-what. I suspect (but can't confirm) that he may not have been as happy as many of us with that particular new feature at all, and if he got bothered by things via that source, he might have just decided this wasn't a place for him any longer... I AM just talking out of my ass; blame too much gassy food for Thanksgiving. posted by wendell at 2:14 PM on November 23, 2007
I've been away for, like, an hour. WITHOUT resorting to pushing The Button.
I imagine if quonsar was primarily unhappy with mefi mail he would have opted out of the feature rather than close his whole account. posted by cortex at 2:23 PM on November 23, 2007
I'm curious, Matt: does disabling an account then treat someone as logged out (and can never log in) or as someone logged in who just can't post. ie, if one closes their account, do they see ads and are their viewing preferences kept when they are on the site? posted by dobbs at 2:24 PM on November 23, 2007
The hell? What happened to EB, vronsky, and jennydiski? posted by puke & cry at 2:26 PM on November 23, 2007
Oh, and thanks TPS. posted by dobbs at 2:26 PM on November 23, 2007
people who've closed their accounts as a self-control measure—with the intention of walking away Right Now and coming back some time when/if they feel like they want to spend time being active on the site again.
That's staggering. I'm extraordinarily addicted to Metafilter, but I can't even begin to imagine being this unable to control myself.
Come back q.
the account closings of Ethereal Bligh (and the account he opened after that, K M Ellis), vronksy, and jennydiski.
Holy crap. What did I miss??? Links pls? posted by CunningLinguist at 2:29 PM on November 23, 2007
does disabling an account then treat someone as logged out (and can never log in) or as someone logged in who just can't post. ie, if one closes their account, do they see ads and are their viewing preferences kept when they are on the site?
I am fairly certain that you continue to see the site as a logged in user but can't post or comment. However the next time you log out you won't be able to log in again. posted by jessamyn at 2:30 PM on November 23, 2007
Yeah, I'm with puke & cry. Inquiring minds want to know. posted by BitterOldPunk at 2:31 PM on November 23, 2007
You can read all about the other account closings in one of the two feminist threads. I forget which one. And if you weren't reading in the first place, this is your punishment for hating women.
I reckon you should have to pay up again to get undisabled. I run a forum and the shenanigans when people want to flounce out are just tiring after a while. And then they want to come back, and then flounce again. Enough already. If you don't like it, don't come back. If you do like it, don't be a drama queen.
That said, I'd like a time-out button where I can ban myself from viewing Metafilter for a specified time so I can actually get something done. Not a public flounce, more a padlock on the fridge sort of thing. posted by b33j at 2:33 PM on November 23, 2007 [1 favorite]
The hell? What happened to EB, vronsky, and jennydiski?
It's a long and mostly pretty vague story. You can read this 1100+ comment thread where it all went down. The short of it is that vronsky is taking an indefinite hiatus for non-dramatic real life purposes, jennydiski didn't really say anything about leaving, and EB left and joined and left again because of a mix of unhappiness with the site and strong feelings about sexism on the site (as seen in the thread). posted by cortex at 2:35 PM on November 23, 2007
That said, I'd like a time-out button where I can ban myself from viewing Metafilter for a specified time so I can actually get something done.
I reckon you should have to pay up again to get undisabled. I run a forum and the shenanigans when people want to flounce out are just tiring after a while. And then they want to come back, and then flounce again. Enough already. If you don't like it, don't come back. If you do like it, don't be a drama queen.
I'd draw the distinction between close-and-come-back as a single event and the sort of dramatic flouncing you're describing. I don't mind so much if someone closes their account without a big fuss and then decides later they'd like back in; but someone making a big fucking deal out of it, yeah, less likely to get sympathy, especially if it's a repeater. posted by cortex at 2:37 PM on November 23, 2007
vronsky is taking an indefinite hiatus for non-dramatic real life purposes
Glad to hear that, although he did prankishly announce his departure in the thread with the drama... posted by wendell at 2:39 PM on November 23, 2007
Which was kind of annoying, yeah, but he dropped me a line to say all is well and he didn't mean it as a Fuck You to anyone. posted by cortex at 2:41 PM on November 23, 2007
*cries* posted by konolia at 2:41 PM on November 23, 2007
the account closings of Ethereal Bligh (and the account he opened after that, K M Ellis)
Something fishy is going on... posted by Tube at 2:48 PM on November 23, 2007
EB left because of the response he received in the feminist thread. He seemed fed up with some old-timers on the site, and with some of the rehashed ancient grudges. Too bad, really — he and I haven't always gotten along, but at heart he's a good guy and his leaving is a definite loss for the community. posted by Blazecock Pileon at 2:49 PM on November 23, 2007 [5 favorites]
DON'T DO THAT, Astro Zombie! DON'T EVEN JOKE ABOUT IT. Who's gonna feed Astro Zombie 3 after you've gone? *shudders* posted by wendell at 2:50 PM on November 23, 2007 [1 favorite]
Something fishy is going on...
Are you suggesting that, rather than leaving on their own, they've been eaten by jellyfish?!? Oh, you aren't? OK. posted by wendell at 2:53 PM on November 23, 2007
*cries*
posted by konolia
Not me. I shove my emotions down into a sharp, stony point in my soul. posted by The Deej at 2:55 PM on November 23, 2007
Quonsar and Metafilter are like people in some of the relationship AskMe's we get sometimes. You know, two people who go back a really long way and have been with eachother through some tough times, but the relationship is really fucked up and one person is an immature emotional vampire. You love 'em to death and have had great times but, really, it's better for both of you to cut off contact. The great times don't make up for the immature emotional vampirism. posted by Justinian at 2:56 PM on November 23, 2007
... or a user-triggered Restore, will just make a dead-simple answer to a specific problem...
Hmm, I dunno. Wouldn't that defeat the point? User quits because of heated argument, user reads an inflammatory comment after having quit, user reactivates to carry on argument, user quits... lather, rinse, repeat.
And if you weren't reading in the first place, this is your punishment for hating women.
Not having to check your calendar to make sure that it's really 2007 and that you haven't been sucked back to the 56k era by some space-hole suck-hole is the punishment? What's the reward in this Bizarro world I seem to be stuck in? posted by CKmtl at 2:59 PM on November 23, 2007
EB left and joined and left again because of a mix of unhappiness with the site and strong feelings about sexism on the site
Thanks for the laughs. I missed that completely. posted by dobbs at 3:00 PM on November 23, 2007
Quonsar left without his pants? posted by ardgedee at 3:02 PM on November 23, 2007
Maybe he was just closing up the summer account for the winter, and moving into his winter home/sockpuppet. You don't want to stay in a drafty old account when the mercury starts to drop anyway! posted by blue_beetle at 3:04 PM on November 23, 2007
Who's gonna feed Astro Zombie 3 after you've gone?
Er, I don't feed Astro Zombie 3, Wendell. My job is muhc more important than that.
I keep him from eating. If I didn't, we'd all be fucked. posted by Astro Zombie at 3:11 PM on November 23, 2007
mathowie: No, I'd say it's still a good idea, even though some users have used it in perhaps a time of heated debate. Behind the scenes, I get at least a couple requests a week from people wanting to close their accounts, pretty much steadily for the past 4 or 5 years. They're sometimes very annoyed that there isn't an option to do it automatically and after I found myself in the same situation (I joined Pounce and was annoyed with the daily emails of everything happening with no way of turning off my account), I decided to make it self-serve so people could bail when they wanted, without having to request/ask/yell/swear at me personally to get it closed.
Really, on consideration, I agree. That was really just a personal reaction, but the site is probably better with the option.
The only problem I can foresee with it (though I'm sure you've thought of this) is that it recently seems like enough people might start emailing you guys to turn their account back on that it might turn out to be a hassle. Maybe it's possible to set up an automated reactivation process, like people email something with "reactivate" in the subject from their email listed on their profile, and the account gets reactivated. (I don't know if this would even be needed. I mean, right now, you get probably less than four or five a week. I dunno.)
But while you're here and listening, so I don't have to start another thread about it: I was looking through my contacts last night, and I realized that I was still linked to jenleigh; but it doesn't seem to be possible to dislink from people whose accounts are disabled. Usually, there'd be "x is a contact (edit, remove)" links next to the username, but with disabled accounts, it just says "this account is disabled." Why? Can you make a button to let me do that?
If it's possible, it'd be very useful. posted by koeselitz at 3:12 PM on November 23, 2007
Googly, I talked to him via email. He decided calling people whining....well, you know...wasn't what he wanted to be doing so he's taking a break.
Fair enough. posted by konolia at 3:43 PM on November 23, 2007
...a break.
So he'll be back, I hope. posted by timeistight at 3:50 PM on November 23, 2007
Thanks, konolia. posted by yhbc at 3:54 PM on November 23, 2007
I see. Well, this calls for some redistribution of tasks. Meatbomb can be the snarky clown (good job on the hat - but have you got the fish?), delmoi will do the superverbose comments (just divide your commenting frequency by three and multiply the number of words in them by 27), and god darn it, it looks like I'm just gonna have to start writing for the London Review of Books. posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 3:55 PM on November 23, 2007 [4 favorites]
It sucks when people leave like this. I hope Q hasn't fallen off the wagon. He is one of the very best things about mefi, but he has been up to his feisty old ways lately which has had me wondering. There is a reason people love this guy, and why Matt put up with what has at times been completely unacceptable behavior. Underneath it all seems to lie a heart of gold, not a "a black-hearted, withered-souled, middle-aged asshole." I anxiously await his return and pray for his well being. posted by caddis at 4:01 PM on November 23, 2007 [1 favorite]
My god, quonsar missed a joke. I think the End Times are near. (#)
A prescient comment. posted by matthewr at 4:08 PM on November 23, 2007
Quonsar left us, but three hours later, he revealed that he would return to konolia, a true believer. We must wait for the second coming of quonsar. posted by Krrrlson at 4:16 PM on November 23, 2007 [4 favorites]
Thanks, konolia.
From me as well. And q, if you're reading this, come back when you're ready. This ill-tempered anarchist misses you already. posted by languagehat at 4:17 PM on November 23, 2007
Wow, that sexism thread is something else. Crazy. And that explains the sexism/racism flag I was wondering about. posted by puke & cry at 4:19 PM on November 23, 2007
We have a bloody sexism/racism tag? Didn't we already have an "offensive somethingorother" tag? posted by CitrusFreak12 at 4:22 PM on November 23, 2007 [1 favorite]
I wish I could favorite vito90 a few more times. posted by danb at 4:25 PM on November 23, 2007
There's an 1100 comment thread discussing (among other things) that very question, CF. We're trying something out. posted by cortex at 4:26 PM on November 23, 2007
This ill-tempered anarchist is pissed off you left and happy you're gone. posted by carsonb at 4:26 PM on November 23, 2007
EB left and joined and left again because of a mix of unhappiness with the site and strong feelings about sexism on the site
And because the use of the word "disabled" on profile pages is, like, totally messed up. What's with you people? posted by dhammond at 4:31 PM on November 23, 2007 [3 favorites]
posted by KrrrlsonQuonsar left us, but three hours later, he revealed that he would return to konolia, a true believer. We must wait for the second coming of quonsar.
Based on where he keeps the fishes, I'm worried about the loaves he'll bring. posted by fandango_matt at 4:41 PM on November 23, 2007 [5 favorites]
and one person is an immature emotional vampire.
Matt does a lot for this community, you shouldn't talk about him that way. posted by Falconetti at 4:42 PM on November 23, 2007 [3 favorites]
And to think, it wasn't that long ago that I was trying to bury him in a shallow grave in an effort to steal the title as MeFi's own 'lowercase q'.
This feels like a Pyhrric victory.
He'll be back. posted by quin at 4:44 PM on November 23, 2007
stupid red button sucks more kidney than The Straightener. posted by and hosted from Uranus at 4:58 PM on November 23, 2007
Too many people left this week, I am going to develop a holiday phobia.
Come to think of it, these kind of incidents (and long emotional MeTa threads seem to increase around holiday time. I blame dysfunctional families and tryptophan. posted by jonmc at 4:59 PM on November 23, 2007 [1 favorite]
Ba-ba-ba-ba-baaaaaaa
Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-baaaaaa posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:08 PM on November 23, 2007
You don't want to be around a clavier that's not tempered well. My cat had it once; it was very painful. posted by danb at 6:08 PM on November 23, 2007
Now I want to hit the "Close Account" link on my profile. It's like a big red button that says "Do Not Press". It's just asking for it. posted by schroedinger at 6:11 PM on November 23, 2007
Ethereal Bligh was my favorite commenter, always digging to the core of things without worrying if people see him as a bore because of it. I cannot remember a thread where level of discussion went down because of him. Please come back. posted by Free word order! at 6:16 PM on November 23, 2007 [3 favorites]
He is one of the very best things about mefi, but he has been up to his feisty old ways lately which has had me wondering. There is a reason people love this guy, and why Matt put up with what has at times been completely unacceptable behavior. Underneath it all seems to lie a heart of gold...
I'm just a noob around these parts (3 years yesterday), but the whole time I've been here, I've heard from the old-timers about how quonsar is such a witty, warmhearted, wonderful guy.
Thing is, all I have ever seen is someone whose primary contributions to the discourse are drive-by insults and random all-caps snarks, and who seems not to have the balls or integrity to back up said insults and snarks when he is challenged. His last MeFi comment was a perfect example: drop into the thread, throw down a spurious comment + unwarranted generic insult, and not even have the cojones to back it up when he's challenged. That, to me, doesn't spell "feisty but lovable grizzled veteran," it spells "cowardly troll."
So, quonsar, if you're reading this, and if you even give a shit: kudos to you for taking a break after calling one of the few thoughtful, polite communities on the internet a bunch of whining shitbags. But don't bother coming back until you've figured out what the fuck is wrong with you that you feel the need to call people shitbags for having the temerity to say that torture is bad, and don't even have the courage to defend that insult. posted by googly at 6:21 PM on November 23, 2007 [22 favorites]
Quick! Back to the Classical Composer Puns Derail!
You're all on my Liszt. posted by wendell at 6:25 PM on November 23, 2007
Men Who Come Bach and the Women Who Haydn From Them
kudos to you for taking a break after calling one of the few thoughtful, polite communities on the internet a bunch of whining shitbags. But don't bother coming back until you've figured out what the fuck is wrong with you
The Internet is for epic lulz and high drama. I think quonsar knew that, and I think he left because he saw the lulz fading and the drama becoming all too real. posted by Mr. President Dr. Steve Elvis America at 6:29 PM on November 23, 2007
Sorry for the derail of the derail, wendell. But I assure you that my quonsar-bashing need is Satieated. That's all the seriousness I can Handel for now; I'll be Hayden out for the rest of the evening. posted by googly at 6:31 PM on November 23, 2007
i knew someone who spent 10 years in tibet and got sick of it - he said it was nothing but epic dulz and high lamas posted by pyramid termite at 6:31 PM on November 23, 2007 [2 favorites]
Come on... press the button. Disable yourself. What are you scared of? All of the cool kids are doing it. posted by miss lynnster at 6:32 PM on November 23, 2007 [1 favorite]
I'll press the button if 6 people tell me to. No suckpuppets (i.e. sockpuppets that suck; awesome sockpuppets can vote twice). posted by Mr. President Dr. Steve Elvis America at 6:39 PM on November 23, 2007
I missed that quonsar had disabled his account. I was out Chopin cotton and my brother was balin' hay... posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:42 PM on November 23, 2007
Googly, you are out of line, and the sad thing is you will probably never figure out why. posted by konolia at 6:43 PM on November 23, 2007 [1 favorite]
Oh, and President Elvis whatchama... count me as one of the 6. posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:43 PM on November 23, 2007
You're not getting off that easily, MPDSEA... not after coining the term 'suckpuppet'... posted by wendell at 6:44 PM on November 23, 2007
CHOPIN cotton? I thought you were CHOPIN broccoli...
okay, I'm going to ruin it for everybody now...
Is Georges gettin' BIZET?
Did Charles break out in IVES?
Is Giuseppe VERDI interesting?
Is Philip GLASS half empty?
Did Kurt WEILL away the hours?
Did Gustav MAHLER?
Did Englebert HUMPERDINCK?
*flags self as offensive* posted by wendell at 6:46 PM on November 23, 2007 [2 favorites]
Gersh, you win! posted by jonmc at 6:48 PM on November 23, 2007
I'm just a noob around these parts (3 years yesterday), but the whole time I've been here, I've heard from the old-timers about how quonsar is such a witty, warmhearted, wonderful guy.
Thing is, all I have ever seen is someone whose primary contributions to the discourse are drive-by insults and random all-caps snarks, and who seems not to have the balls or integrity to back up said insults and snarks when he is challenged.
Oh MAN I was just going to post almost the exact same thing, except note that I've been a VERY active reader of this site for *5* years and have never, once, read a comment of q's that didn't make me think "THIS is the dingus that doesn't get banned because of, uh, what now?". I second Vito90. posted by tristeza at 6:48 PM on November 23, 2007 [2 favorites]
hemingway quit piano lessons - it was a farewell to brahms posted by pyramid termite at 6:50 PM on November 23, 2007 [1 favorite]
go rodger your hammerstien. posted by jonmc at 6:51 PM on November 23, 2007
quonsar rarely goes to galleries or museums. "Art?" he says. "Mozart leaves me cold." posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:53 PM on November 23, 2007 [1 favorite]
I'll press the button if 6 people tell me to.
PRESS IT! Expect 5 of my sockpuppets to respond in a similar fashion. posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 6:54 PM on November 23, 2007 [1 favorite]
And it must be said, most of quonsar's comments fall into one of two categories: either Kurt, or Weill. posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:54 PM on November 23, 2007 [3 favorites]
I can't do what 6 people tell me to do
so I guess I'll remain the same a MeFite posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:58 PM on November 23, 2007
Good Lord, Quonsar and EB both gone? What the hell? And people I've never heard of celebrating the fact? A black day here. posted by LarryC at 6:59 PM on November 23, 2007 [3 favorites]
Mr President: press the button! posted by nowonmai at 7:00 PM on November 23, 2007
I've got my Chopin Liszt, but I B flat Baroque. posted by Devils Rancher at 7:03 PM on November 23, 2007
pyramid termite, I know you don't like me.
am i that hard to deal with? - come on, MPDSEA, you can beg and grovel better than that
how badly do you want me to put you out of your misery again? posted by pyramid termite at 7:05 PM on November 23, 2007
pyramid termite, I know you don't like me.
Yeah, pt, c'mon! Cast your vote! Or are you trying to tie it in with a composer pun? Well, forget it, the important thing is that we kick Elvis' ass outta here. posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:05 PM on November 23, 2007
"THIS is the dingus that doesn't get banned because of, uh, what now?".
The jester speaks the truths that would get the courtiers hung. posted by tkolar at 7:08 PM on November 23, 2007 [2 favorites]
Googly, you are out of line, and the sad thing is you will probably never figure out why.
posted by konolia at 9:43 PM on November 23 [+] [!]
Really? I'm out of line? konolia, I appreciate your telling us about your personal communication with him. Really, I do - it helps add some backstory. But you're clearly privy to a lot more than I am because of your personal relationship with him. I don't know quonsar - I only know his internet persona, which in my entire short time here has been nothing but mean-spirited.
You're right - I'll never figure out why I'm "out of line" for doing no more than saying that a member of this community who indiscriminately insults other members of the community is, himself, out of line.
But everyone here has a backstory. Everyone has good days and bad days. Everyone every once in a while says something intemperate. All I am saying is that, in my experience, this particular member has been routinely disrespectful, and I was trying to square that with all the comments about how he is such a wonderful big-hearted guy. posted by googly at 7:08 PM on November 23, 2007 [7 favorites]
no, i'm gonna go all jerry lee lewis on him first ... posted by pyramid termite at 7:09 PM on November 23, 2007
am i that hard to deal with? - come on, MPDSEA, you can beg and grovel better than that
how badly do you want me to put you out of your misery again?
No no no no... We can't kick Elvis' ass out; then who will we have around here to feel superior to?
Why are you all looking at me all of a sudden? posted by wendell at 7:10 PM on November 23, 2007 [1 favorite]
Yeah... So, uh, kinks are good, but I think we're talking about different things.
no, you're just doing some weak ass trolling and i'm toying with you - if you want to pull off some kind of public drama chickenshit net.suicide, then do it
we promise to all pay attention and to notice you when you do it, m'kay? posted by pyramid termite at 7:13 PM on November 23, 2007
Okay, I guess we gotta let googly in on the secret...
Remember "the Star Wars Kid" doing the lightsaber bit in that viral video? Yep, that was quonsar. Now how can you ever stay mad at a guy after that? posted by wendell at 7:14 PM on November 23, 2007 [1 favorite]
no, you're just doing some weak ass trolling and i'm toying with you
Maybe you should just decide to not worry about it. posted by konolia at 7:18 PM on November 23, 2007
Mr. President Dr. Steve Elvis America, I'm not going to tell you to press the button.
You either press it because you want to, or don't press it. We are not your evil overlords. posted by konolia at 7:20 PM on November 23, 2007
Damn, pt... of course! Why didn't I see it? You knew all along. There is much I can learn from you.
Now, let's put this unseemly Dr. Elvis America business behind us and get on with the composer puns.... posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:20 PM on November 23, 2007
Steve, the real challenge here would be finding half a dozen people who would admit in public that they want you to stay. posted by kittens for breakfast at 7:20 PM on November 23, 2007 [2 favorites]
I'd like Steve to stay. He obviously finds my addict biker look attractive. posted by jonmc at 7:21 PM on November 23, 2007
Someone IM me when we get to five. I'll miss the actual guy behind quonsar and I don't think we've seen the last of him. But man, he's been prickly lately. As the site has grown there are fewer people who know his backstory and more who just wonder why he's so cranky, so often, in so many places. posted by jessamyn at 7:22 PM on November 23, 2007
C'mon, someone else has to push the button, I need more drama... posted by pupdog at 7:22 PM on November 23, 2007
And sure, I'll rise to the bait and vote that you delete yourself on the condition that the new account you open ten minutes later has a one-word user name. The gauntlet has been thrown down! posted by kittens for breakfast at 7:25 PM on November 23, 2007 [1 favorite]
The easiest way to understand quonsar is to know this: if he decides he likes you, he'll stand by you no matter what. And if you're the type of person who can appreciate that, he'll probably like you. posted by jonmc at 7:26 PM on November 23, 2007
I'll miss the actual guy behind quonsar and I don't think we've seen the last of him.
people who say they're leaving forever are offenbach posted by pyramid termite at 7:26 PM on November 23, 2007
As I said, googly, you don't get it.
Maybe you should just decide to not worry about it.
posted by konolia at 10:18 PM on November 23 [+] [!]
I can accept that.
But I will reiterate that commenting on someone's public persona - without being privy to the supersecret backstory that gives them carte blanche to insult everyone - doesn't make me "out of line." New and naive, perhaps, but not out of line. posted by googly at 7:28 PM on November 23, 2007 [11 favorites]
googly - don't worry about it, you were on the money. Somebody who pretends to be an asshole online, no matter what they are like in person, is in fact an asshole online. posted by Justinian at 7:29 PM on November 23, 2007 [4 favorites]
oops. That YES was for pt's offenbach... Fast and furious thread going here. posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:30 PM on November 23, 2007
if he decides he likes you, he'll stand by you no matter what.
giving all your love to just one fish... posted by jonmc at 7:32 PM on November 23, 2007
well played, googly. at least one peanut in the gallery was wondering how you'd react to that condescension posted by psmith at 7:33 PM on November 23, 2007 [2 favorites]
there are fewer people who know his backstory
So maybe someone could fill us all in? I haven't really interacted with the guy and have no opinion one way or another. I'm not offended by his comments, but I don't find them particularly funny either. The thing people are getting upset over here was, to me, a pretty clear example of sarcasm. Not very funny sarcasm, but sarcasm.
But obviously, some people are going to take it the wrong way. Of course. And I think they have the right to speak their opinion without being lambasted for not knowing the mystery backstory that this guy saved Christmas back in 1998 or whatever.
Basically, the whole thing reads like some gigantic, worn-out "Chuck Norris" type meme where I'm not in on the joke.
I know darn well we can work it out
Oh yes we can, I know we can can
Yes we can can posted by Wolof at 7:35 PM on November 23, 2007
If six people tell me to go eat some leftover Thanksgiving Upside-Down cake, I will do it. posted by L. Fitzgerald Sjoberg at 7:38 PM on November 23, 2007 [2 favorites]
If six people say that I am gorgeous and brilliant, I will agree with them. posted by jonmc at 7:40 PM on November 23, 2007 [1 favorite]
(To L. Fitzgerald, of course. But feel free to inflate jonmc's ego, too. He looks kinda down.) posted by kittens for breakfast at 7:41 PM on November 23, 2007 [1 favorite]
Thanksgiving Upside-Down cake?
Is that like a regular Pineapple Upside-Downer served on Thanksgiving, or does it contain some Thanksgiving-specific ingredient like cranberries or turkey? Or just leftover cake from yesterday that got shoved into the fridge wrong-side up?
Inquiring minds need to know. Kinda. posted by wendell at 7:44 PM on November 23, 2007
Here's the tally, so far:
1) flapjax at midnight
2) ThePinkSuperhero
3) nowonmai
4) kittens for breakfast (with a condition that I accept)
Additionally:
1) pyramid termite asked me to grovel for him. I declined.
2) konolia pointed out that mefites are not my evil overlords.
3) jessamyn has expressed interest in ironically banning me once I get to five votes. posted by Mr. President Dr. Steve Elvis America at 7:45 PM on November 23, 2007 [1 favorite]
Somebody who pretends to be an asshole online, no matter what they are like in person, is in fact an asshole online.
Well put. posted by terrapin at 7:46 PM on November 23, 2007
Ok, Mr. President Dr. Steve Elvis America. I'll be 5. posted by psmith at 7:46 PM on November 23, 2007
No, kittens was voting for L. Fitzgerald's cake... you seem sort of eager to go... posted by wendell at 7:46 PM on November 23, 2007
I jessamyn just wants to be the sixth vote. If she were gonna ban you, she'd probably just, you know...ban you, man. She has that power. posted by kittens for breakfast at 7:47 PM on November 23, 2007
Er, on a somewhat related note, I see that It's Raining Florence Henderson has been taking a break since posting this comment on November 17 in that 1,100+ thread. What's happening to this family?! posted by chinston at 7:49 PM on November 23, 2007
Though without actually closing the account, I hasten to add. posted by chinston at 7:50 PM on November 23, 2007
I'll be six. Come back with a shorter username? posted by jessamyn at 7:50 PM on November 23, 2007
Just remember, SteveElvis, wen they remember the Great MetaFilter SelfBanning Outbreak of '07, they will remember quonsar and Ethereal Bligh and maybe jennydiski and some other guys... posted by wendell at 7:50 PM on November 23, 2007
And six.
DO you have the courage to do it. DO YOU? posted by Astro Zombie at 7:51 PM on November 23, 2007
he's still alive as of... posted by wendell at 7:52 PM on November 23, 2007
Thanksgiving Upside-Down Cake is like Pineapple Upside-Down Cake, only harvesty. Cranberries and pecans instead of pineapple and maraschino cherries, pumpkin in the cake portion. Personally, I prefer it to PU-DC, because the tartness of the cranberries nicely offsets the sweetness of the glaze.
Credit goes to my girlfriend for the name and this particular cake which I am threatening to eat. posted by L. Fitzgerald Sjoberg at 7:53 PM on November 23, 2007 [1 favorite]
Just don't set your plate down anywhere near that RED BUTTON, please. posted by wendell at 7:55 PM on November 23, 2007
I for one will miss his spunk. posted by Astro Zombie at 7:56 PM on November 23, 2007
Steve, I... No, no, something is not right, this is like Star Wars, or something, where if I vote to ban you I actualize the "MeFi crushes dissenting views" stereotype...I will not turn to the Dark Side!
Wow. This is like one of those TV season jumps where half the cast bails during the summer break. Except that, in this case, the cast will all be back under different names within fifteen minutes to a month. Do we have a page that shows members who have joined in the past twenty-four hours or something? posted by kittens for breakfast at 7:59 PM on November 23, 2007
I vote "Mrs. Prime Minister Prof. Dave Celine Canada" for his new username. posted by googly at 7:59 PM on November 23, 2007
I vote AGAINST. So you've got whatever number of votes you had, minus one. posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 8:00 PM on November 23, 2007
I for one will miss his spunk.
Oh, is that what that smell was? posted by wendell at 8:00 PM on November 23, 2007
Mr. Elvis isn't dead. He's just tired from working third shift as a short order cook at a truck stop in Tennessee. posted by Blazecock Pileon at 8:00 PM on November 23, 2007
That MPDSEA drama wasn't worth the $5 admission. I'd yawn louder and with a fuller extension, but I'm afraid that my jaw might lock up. posted by CKmtl at 8:03 PM on November 23, 2007 [1 favorite]
He decided calling people whining....well, you know...wasn't what he wanted to be doing so he's taking a break.
Good, because I was really offended about the namecalling. Downplaying the use of "stress positions" otoh doesn't take anything away from being a swell guy. posted by dreamsign at 8:03 PM on November 23, 2007
I'm not going to say this was the Best. Flameout. Ever.
Because it wasn't.
Now who wants Lore's cake? posted by wendell at 8:03 PM on November 23, 2007
Previously, on As Metafilter Turns... posted by empath at 8:05 PM on November 23, 2007
And what happens if three people say jonmc is gorgeous and three people say he's brilliant? posted by wendell at 8:06 PM on November 23, 2007
I vote we disable the damn button, already.
Matt, it may be easier from an administrative viewpoint, but around this crew having the kill button at all is like keeping the loaded revolver in the cupboard above the refrigerator, carefully labelled "DO NOT USE THIS IF YOU WANT TO KILL YOURSELF". posted by yhbc at 8:11 PM on November 23, 2007
(You know, after some thought, this thread kinda illustrates just how much this place really has changed over the years. We're all really anonymous now, no matter how long we have been around. Most of the folks here don't even know there was ever a Miguel here.
On the bright side, nobody remembers Bunnyfire either.) posted by konolia at 8:15 PM on November 23, 2007 [1 favorite]
Somebody who pretends to be an asshole online, no matter what they are like in person, is in fact an asshole online.
Freely translated, this is in essence the point of Mother Night, according to Vonnegut himself. "You are what you pretend to be." posted by George_Spiggott at 8:17 PM on November 23, 2007 [2 favorites]
On the bright side, nobody remembers Bunnyfire either.
Oh, now that's not true, and you know it. I remember, and I wasn't even an active member at the time - but I was reading, and participating in my own way. You, and Miguel, and quonsar, and so many others, were all part of what made me want to be a part of MetaFilter so badly (well, plus the great links).
The thing is, I miss so many great contributors that are no longer here, but I have seen so many new contributors come in the years I have been around. It does keep rebuilding, and each new person adds something of their own, but - damn, I would miss quonsar if he never came back. Would it kill MetaFilter if he didn't? No - but it would be different. I just keep wondering how different it needs to be before I don't want to be a part of it so badly myself any more. posted by yhbc at 8:22 PM on November 23, 2007
Or a snowball fight in Hell ? posted by y2karl at 8:24 PM on November 23, 2007
Make the button much bigger and add it to more forms.
Seriously. The flameouts are keeping me warm during these cold winter nights. I want more, more, more. posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 8:26 PM on November 23, 2007 [1 favorite]
We're all really anonymous now, no matter how long we have been around.
I wouldn't particularly agree with that. I think it's just that the member numbers have grown, so it's like a city that gets bigger. Of course you won't know everybody: some you will and others you won't. I see your above comment (and LarryC's comment upthread as well, referring to folks he's never even heard of) as representing the feeling of a longterm MeFitown resident who's a little perturbed that these newcomers don't necessarily know who you are. But that's not the same as a site full of "anonymous" people. I've only been around here for a little more than a year, but there are a lot of people that I feel like I *know*. Doesn't feel like an anonymous place to me at all. posted by flapjax at midnite at 8:26 PM on November 23, 2007
This is like the last season of Babylon 5. posted by Skorgu at 8:26 PM on November 23, 2007 [2 favorites]
I've lately been lamenting the personality conflicts of metafilter, in all their manifold glory (and for my own part been trying to rectify them). That being said I don't particularly regret the egress of Mister Broke Dick Evelyn Waugh ShitBird Troll America, although I'm sure he'll be back. Is there an influx of people asking for trouble these days or is it just me? posted by Divine_Wino at 8:28 PM on November 23, 2007 [1 favorite]
Do we have a page that shows members who have joined in the past twenty-four hours or something?
Cool idea. If this feature doesn't exist (and I assume it doesn't) then it should be created. posted by brain_drain at 8:45 PM on November 23, 2007 [1 favorite]
On a more productive note, maybe it would be helpful to have the message be "Account disabled by user" or somesuch if the disabling is the result of MetaSeppuku? posted by L. Fitzgerald Sjoberg at 8:49 PM on November 23, 2007 [2 favorites]
Because it's polling day, I vote this the most entertaining thread ever. posted by tellurian at 8:50 PM on November 23, 2007
I think there should be a breakaway sect, all disabling their accounts together - matching purple running suits and Nikes, and a waiting starship hiding behind a comet. Only by leaving this plane can you enter the next... posted by pupdog at 8:55 PM on November 23, 2007
I won't miss quonsar. I've been a reader from way way back in the day (before 9/11). I know his backstory, I know Bunnyfire, I know Miguel. I never found quonsar funny, nor insightful.
However, a lot of people (a whole lot of people) who I don't think are insane liked him, for some reason. So I think it's just a difference in tastes. Quonsar is peanut butter, and I'm apparently allergic. Maybe he's good, but all I ever got from him was vomiting, hives, and acute abdominal pain.
So, yeah, I guess it sucks, in a general way, that he's gone. Like peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches getting taken off the school menu. But as the kid who's allergic to peanuts, I'm personally happy about it. posted by bugbread at 9:06 PM on November 23, 2007 [2 favorites]
The thing is, I miss so many great contributors that are no longer here, but I have seen so many new contributors come in the years I have been around. It does keep rebuilding, and each new person adds something of their own, but - damn, I would miss quonsar if he never came back. Would it kill MetaFilter if he didn't? No - but it would be different. I just keep wondering how different it needs to be before I don't want to be a part of it so badly myself any more.
I know this feeling. Miguel was a huge part of this place when I joined and more to the good than not. I miss him--even if he did leave like a thief in the night. That part did not sit so well with me.
But then I miss rodii and holgate and a host of others who added much to the common banter in the past. All of whom decloak now and then in AskMeta
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posted by jessamyn at 12:55 PM on November 23, 2007