R-E-S-P-E-C-T

February 11, 2008 12:38 PM

This is how to do ObitFilter.

I know it's still early, but kudos to eveyrone participating. Reasoned debate, respectful dissension with reasons why, distinct lack of snark.

Good job.

posted by dirtynumbangelboy to MetaFilter-related at 12:38 PM (33 comments total)

In before interment.
posted by BeerFilter at 12:48 PM on February 11, 2008

This, on the other hand, isn't. Are we now to not only have obitfilter posts when people die, but also on every anniversary of their death?
posted by Steven C. Den Beste at 12:51 PM on February 11, 2008

A Wikipedia link, a press release and a story from 2005?
posted by box at 1:01 PM on February 11, 2008 [2 favorites]

dnab's talking about the whole thread, not the links per se, if I read him aright, box.
posted by cgc373 at 1:09 PM on February 11, 2008

So when this one eventually turns into a trainwreck, do we post the callout as a new MeTa post or just start talking about it here?
posted by burnmp3s at 1:12 PM on February 11, 2008

I think you're right, cgc. And I think dnab's right about the discussion.
posted by box at 1:22 PM on February 11, 2008

Unfortunately, MeFi is about the links. Even if it's a great conversation, if the links suck, the post sucks and should be deleted. IANAL.
posted by blue_beetle at 1:37 PM on February 11, 2008

[NOT LINKIST]
posted by cgc373 at 1:49 PM on February 11, 2008

It has more to do with how polarizing a nature the dead celeb in question had than any "good job" on the part of posters here, I think.
posted by Burhanistan at 1:54 PM on February 11, 2008

When I die, I would like an obitFilter thread that links to this: http://youtube.com/watch?v=fRHE-4XLqD4.
posted by False Dichotomy at 2:02 PM on February 11, 2008

But is you pause to find some links, you might lose the Obituaryfilter race and the chance to parade your sensitivity!

There is no right way to do newsfilter, even about dead people.
posted by LarryC at 2:07 PM on February 11, 2008 [2 favorites]

Kinda crappy post, though, innit? I mean, there's nothing web related, there's no cool and unexpected find, anyone who reads the newswires already knows everything in that FPP.
posted by klangklangston at 2:27 PM on February 11, 2008

But is you pause to find some links, you might lose the Obituaryfilter race and the chance to parade your sensitivity!

As well as to parade your insensitivity in response. ;)
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 2:56 PM on February 11, 2008

I think it's mostly because the guy wasn't all that controversial and anyone who hadn't heard about him and would normally have said something stupid like "I've never heard of him! Why is this on the front page?" was cut short by the fact that the dude was the US's only holocaust survivor congressman. Usually, the things that ruin obits are controversy and/or lack of notoriety.
posted by shmegegge at 3:00 PM on February 11, 2008

Kudos to everyone! You weren't shitheads! This time!
posted by brain_drain at 3:04 PM on February 11, 2008 [2 favorites]

And I think dnab's right about the discussion.

It has more to do with how polarizing a nature the dead celeb in question had than any "good job" on the part of posters here, I think.

It seems to be fairly polarizing - there's a big argument about whether he caused a 15 year old girl to lie before congress, and the fact that he voted for the Iraq war... And I can't tell if you all are serious about this being a meritorious discussion. It seems about the same as usual to me - there are disagreements and insults, as well as respectful statements and memorials.
posted by mdn at 3:09 PM on February 11, 2008

False Dichotomy: I would stipulate, in my will, that an LCD monitor with speakers is to be installed in my tombstone. And it will play that clip, on infinite loop.
posted by ninjew at 3:20 PM on February 11, 2008

If I don't get my own ObitFilter post when I die, I'm calling y'all out.
posted by jmd82 at 3:21 PM on February 11, 2008

This is how to do ObitFilter right.
posted by monju_bosatsu at 4:29 PM on February 11, 2008

Flagged as noise.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 4:31 PM on February 11, 2008

Oh no you d'n't!
posted by blue_beetle at 6:21 PM on February 11, 2008

Yeah, sorry, I should have been more clear: I was referring to the discussion. I'll leave the question of whether Obitfilter should be done to other people. All I wanted to say was that it was a refreshing change. Would have been nice to have been snark-free here, too, but baby steps I suppose.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 6:48 PM on February 11, 2008

Would have been nice to have been snark-free here, too, but baby steps I suppose.

Baby Steps =! Wholesale Revolution
posted by Burhanistan at 7:02 PM on February 11, 2008

"Would have been nice to have been snark-free here, too, but baby steps I suppose."

You're like a pitcher blaming the batters for a high ERA.
posted by klangklangston at 7:09 PM on February 11, 2008 [1 favorite]

Steven C. Den Beste writes "This, on the other hand, isn't. Are we now to not only have obitfilter posts when people die, but also on every anniversary of their death?"

I'd much rather a year old post than breathless links to wikipedia+CNN.

jmd82 writes "If I don't get my own ObitFilter post when I die, I'm calling y'all out."

We're pretty good about obitfilter for members. There is even a page on the wiki collecting them. Just make sure your family/executor/landlord has instructions to let someone here know.
posted by Mitheral at 8:53 PM on February 11, 2008

Oh, and Sheldon Brown's obit post was good too.
posted by Mitheral at 8:56 PM on February 11, 2008

I would stipulate, in my will, that an LCD monitor with speakers is to be installed in my tombstone.

I want one too, so that I can rickroll my mourners -- followed up with a quick goatse for good measure.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 6:06 AM on February 12, 2008

When I die, I would like an obitFilter thread that links to this: http://youtube.com/watch?v=fRHE-4XLqD4.

Also: does anyone remember that hotel lobby from a movie where it's the site of a humongous ongoing gun battle? Maybe one of the Die Hard movies?

Or am I just confusing it with a scene in a first person shooter like Half Life?

Also also: that video is much less awesome than it is with Fat Boy Slim's backing.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 6:14 AM on February 12, 2008

Are you thinking of the gun battle from The Matrix, PMcD?
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 6:36 AM on February 12, 2008

klangklangston, I have made many high errors.
posted by Mister_A at 9:16 AM on February 12, 2008

Thanks, Steven - I was hoping I'd get at least some sort of token mauling. I don't think Chris Lightfoot got a MeFi obit when he died, and one year seemed a better time to do it than just some random point in time. If he wants a two year post though, he'd better do something really extraordinary.
posted by crocomancer at 9:17 AM on February 12, 2008

I want one too, so that I can rickroll my mourners

It seems like the big win here would be to arrange for a psychic to approach your family after your death and convince them that you're trying to contact them from Beyond, and that a séance is in order. Get them all sitting down, candles lit, hands held, maybe some thunder Foleyed in if you can afford the deluxe package, and then, finally, the medium's face goes tight and still. And she opens her mouth, and:

We're no strangers to love
You know the rules
And so! do! I...
posted by cortex at 12:15 PM on February 12, 2008

This is a really nicely constructed obit post. Kudos, cmgonzalez.
posted by maryh at 12:37 AM on February 14, 2008