MetaFilter: The 10th Anniversary T-shirt June 2, 2009 11:23 PM   Subscribe

Since several people have asked me, I thought I'd propose an idea for the MetaFilter 10th Anniversary T-shirt.

We've discussed MetaFilter T-shirts in the past, and while I love the idea of the baseball jerseys, the user-specific number for the back makes them problematic to produce. I'd need to create individual art for each user's name and number and upload it for every user who wanted one. Unfortunately, Spreadshirt only allows a limited number of vector-art designs in each shop, so I'd need to keep track of each user's shirt purchase so I could delete the art and upload another user's name and number. I'd love to do it, but the process would be tediously long and folks would be waiting a long time.

So I began thinking about something more participatory and varied, like the endless variations on the "MetaFilter: _______" slogan. I'd be willing to set up the art for ten different "MetaFilter: _______" slogans, and folks could submit their favorites and vote on the top ten slogans. After we decide on the top ten slogans, I'll create the art, upload it to Spreadshirt, and either sell the shirts at cost or split the proceeds with MetaFilter. So submit your favorite "MetaFilter: _______" slogans here, vote on the top ten, and I'll set up the art. Ideas? Thoughts? Please discuss.
posted by mattdidthat to MetaFilter-Related at 11:23 PM (92 comments total)

This post was deleted for the following reason: Poster's Request -- frimble



If it was one of those shirts where the sleeves were blue, or even gray, and the chest/back was white, I would be sooo down with either writing or ironing my numbers onto the back. But only if the front said something really, really cool.
posted by iamkimiam at 11:52 PM on June 2, 2009 [1 favorite]


I think, aside from the wearer coming off as an ass (but doesn't wearing an injoke t-shirt already take care of that), the most recent one you've done sums everything up quite well, the "Metafilter: I actually know... more than you can imagine" quote is perfect, really.
posted by Ghidorah at 11:56 PM on June 2, 2009 [5 favorites]


We could pool the artwork together and let people order things themselves... Can someone post the baseball logo as an EPS?
posted by null terminated at 11:57 PM on June 2, 2009 [1 favorite]


I'm actually working on my own shirts right now, so I'd say please don't try selling any of these, thanks.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 12:12 AM on June 3, 2009 [8 favorites]


I suggest this slogan:

Front:
Metafilter:
QVANTAMON

Back:
24530

In a baseball jersey style.
posted by qvantamon at 12:37 AM on June 3, 2009 [1 favorite]


I vote against baseball and for Indian Premier League cricket style.

Go Metafilter Monarchs
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 1:09 AM on June 3, 2009 [3 favorites]


or just make all jerseys with "Anonymous/17564" and throw in a ski mask.
posted by qvantamon at 1:11 AM on June 3, 2009


10 Year shout out!
MotherFuckers!
posted by BrotherCaine at 2:17 AM on June 3, 2009


Damn, that comment looked a bit cooler before the textlogo class and metafilter color were stripped out. I should have known PBs probably seen people try to sneak that by before.
posted by BrotherCaine at 2:19 AM on June 3, 2009


I'm actually working on my own shirts right now, so I'd say please don't try selling any of these, thanks.

God dammit! I have seven thousand Metafilter t-shirts in my garage, and now you're telling me not to use them? They're totally great. They say "Mustache rides- Five cents," and then underneath in magic marker I wrote "If you're on Mentafitter!" They're so fucking classy, and now no one will get to wear them. Thanks a lot, tyrant.
posted by Uppity Pigeon #2 at 2:29 AM on June 3, 2009 [6 favorites]


#20/Same As In Town
posted by stavrogin at 2:46 AM on June 3, 2009 [2 favorites]


What about the writable t-shirts?

We can write in our own!
posted by lysdexic at 4:56 AM on June 3, 2009


I'm actually working on my own shirts right now, so I'd say please don't try selling any of these, thanks.

I'm going to knit myself a MeFi hoodie, and YOU CAN'T STOP ME.
posted by orange swan at 5:03 AM on June 3, 2009 [4 favorites]


whoops, didn't see matthowie's post. I blame caffeine.
posted by lysdexic at 5:09 AM on June 3, 2009


I think my most favorited one was "MetaFilter: The next day I felt like an idiot".

If you want to make a shirt that says "Favorites Whore", I wear an XL.
posted by Joe Beese at 5:17 AM on June 3, 2009 [1 favorite]


Simple: a small LED display stitched right where the pocket would go showing a continuous RSS feed from the site. Finally, a use for all those old, discarded iPods we all have lying around!

(Dry clean only, of course.)
posted by fourcheesemac at 5:23 AM on June 3, 2009


I'm going to knit myself a MeFi hoodie, and YOU CAN'T STOP ME.

Math Howie, you have bitten off more than you can chew. The bootleg Metafilter merc will flow like water. The reistance is very much in your face.
Not from me, though, since I don't know how to make clothes, and even if I did, I wouldn't care enough to do so. But I'm totally gonna put a sticky note that says "That website I like" on the front of my jacket. As soon as it gets chilly, and I don't feel like wearing a sweater, you're fucked.
posted by Uppity Pigeon #2 at 5:57 AM on June 3, 2009 [2 favorites]


Just do what the sports teams do, pick x number of the most-popular player's names and numbers for jerseys for the merch.

How could this possibly go wrong?
posted by desuetude at 6:47 AM on June 3, 2009


The bootleg Metafilter merc will flow like water.

Coming soon* to an Etsy shop near you!

*probably not
posted by Metroid Baby at 6:49 AM on June 3, 2009 [2 favorites]


I was going to silk screen my own t-shirt, assuming I can figure out how my damn silk screen kit works. It will be awesome.
posted by chunking express at 6:53 AM on June 3, 2009


I will probably be wearing this.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 7:18 AM on June 3, 2009


Just do what the sports teams do, pick x number of the most-popular player's names and numbers for jerseys for the merch.

I'd like a throwback rodii, men's size large, please.
posted by Ufez Jones at 7:46 AM on June 3, 2009


Tagline ideas for shirts.

MetaFilter: we have cameras
MetaFilter: USE YOUR WORDS
MetaFilter: This is a bad idea and you should feel bad suggesting it (anyone remember the actual quote?)
MetaFilter: This will wendell
MetaFilter: Self-policing since 1999
MetaFilter: You're wrong! No, you're wrong!
MetaFilter: In the name of the most holy and individual Trinity: Be it known to all, and every one whom it may concern, or to whom in any manner it may belong, That for many Years past, Discords and Civil Divisions being stir'd up in the Roman Empire, which increas'd to such a degree, that not only all Germany, but also the neighbouring Kingdoms, and France particularly, have been involv'd in the Disorders of a long and cruel War: And in the first place, between the most Serene and most Puissant Prince and Lord, Ferdinand the Second, of famous Memory, elected Roman Emperor, always August, King of Germany, Hungary, Bohemia, Dalmatia, Croatia, Slavonia, Arch-Duke of Austria, Duke of Burgundy, Brabant, Styria, Carinthia, Carniola, Marquiss of Moravia, Duke of Luxemburgh, the Higher and Lower Silesia, of Wirtemburg and Teck, Prince of Suabia, Count of Hapsburg, Tirol, Kyburg and Goritia, Marquiss of the Sacred Roman Empire, Lord of Burgovia, of the Higher and Lower Lusace, of the Marquisate of Slavonia, of Port Naon and Salines, with his Allies and Adherents on one side; and the most Serene, and the most Puissant Prince, Lewis the Thirteenth, most Christian King of France and Navarre, with his Allies and Adherents on the other side. And after their Decease, between the most Serene and Puissant Prince and Lord, Ferdinand the Third, elected Roman Emperor, always August, King of Germany, Hungary, Bohemia, Dalmatia, Croatia, Slavonia, Arch-Duke of Austria, Duke of Burgundy, Brabant, Styria, Carinthia, Carniola, Marquiss of Moravia, Duke of Luxemburg, of the Higher and Lower Silesia, of Wirtemburg and Teck, Prince of Suabia, Count of Hapsburg, Tirol, Kyburg and Goritia, Marquiss of the Sacred Roman Empire, Burgovia, the Higher and Lower Lusace, Lord of the Marquisate of Slavonia, of Port Naon and Salines, with his Allies and Adherents on the one side; and the most Serene and most Puissant Prince and Lord, Lewis the Fourteenth, most Christian King of France and Navarre, with his Allies and Adherents on the other side: from whence ensu'd great Effusion of Christian Blood, and the Desolation of several Provinces. It has at last happen'd, by the effect of Divine Goodness, seconded by the Endeavours of the most Serene Republick of Venice, who in this sad time, when all Christendom is imbroil'd, has not ceas'd to contribute its Counsels for the publick Welfare and Tranquillity; so that on the side, and the other, they have form'd Thoughts of an universal Peace...

posted by Kattullus at 7:54 AM on June 3, 2009 [3 favorites]


Kattullus: my favorite is still the old-school "MetaFilter - More Addictive Than Crack"
posted by Ufez Jones at 7:57 AM on June 3, 2009


cough bike jersey cough
posted by ardgedee at 8:02 AM on June 3, 2009 [3 favorites]


*hack*reflective MeFi stickers I can put on my bike helmet*kaff*
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 8:14 AM on June 3, 2009 [3 favorites]


I always liked "Metafilter: It's completely sphincter operated!"
posted by peep at 8:27 AM on June 3, 2009


We're doing Metafilter merchandise? Because I want a wizard hat! On the front it should read "MeFi" and on the back I'm thinking "Magic User, Mother Fucker!" It should probably also have some glitter and rhinestones.

You know, just something nice for formal occasions like weddings and funerals.
posted by quin at 8:45 AM on June 3, 2009 [1 favorite]


I wonder if the Treaty of Westphalia would fit on a shirt.
posted by pb (staff) at 8:47 AM on June 3, 2009 [2 favorites]


What about:

Metafilter: [insert Treaty of Versailles here. yes, the whole thing.]

Ok, maybe not. But for a tagline shirt, I think the quote has to be obscure enough that people want to ask what it means, and the response should be not entirely lame, making people sorry they asked. Or maybe the opposite of all that.
posted by iamkimiam at 8:49 AM on June 3, 2009


I swear I didn't preview.
posted by iamkimiam at 8:49 AM on June 3, 2009


I want a shirt but I don't want to have to attend a meetup to get it. Just let me know where/when/how/whatever, I'm down like four flat tires.
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 9:01 AM on June 3, 2009


Metafilter: I swear I didn't preview.
posted by Rumple at 9:38 AM on June 3, 2009


What unicorn on the cob said. And Mathowie - I'm begging you, please, pretty please! NO MORE 50/50 tees, please? All cotton only! The stink I get from artificial fibers keeps me from wearing my beloved Mefi 8 shirt! Please!
posted by Lynsey at 9:50 AM on June 3, 2009


Wait. Wait. I have an idea that is different from other ideas in this thread:

Metafilter: [insert Treaty of Westphalia]

Awesome idea, and I'm the first person to mention it.
posted by SpiffyRob at 10:02 AM on June 3, 2009 [2 favorites]


Ooh, official t-shirts. I would buy one, but I would have to only wear it NOT to the meetup, because if I wore it to the meetup I would feel like a huge dork.
posted by Night_owl at 10:14 AM on June 3, 2009


Can there please be tshirts in female sizes? All cotton, duh.
posted by theora55 at 10:43 AM on June 3, 2009


Night_owl: Ooh, official t-shirts. I would buy one, but I would have to only wear it NOT to the meetup, because if I wore it to the meetup I would feel like a huge dork.

You are going to a gathering of people to celebrate the 10th anniversary of a website and you're worried about feeling like a huge dork if you wear a t-shirt? That particular line will have been crossed a long time before you don that T.
posted by Kattullus at 10:48 AM on June 3, 2009 [11 favorites]


oooooo...me want. me want!
posted by whimsicalnymph at 11:06 AM on June 3, 2009


Oh, I wouldn't mind wearing a t-shirt. I wouldn't even mind wearing a matchy t-shirt if I were in another city. But this is where I live! I can't be seen walking around with a big group wearing matching t-shirts!
posted by Night_owl at 11:24 AM on June 3, 2009 [1 favorite]


I would like a T-shirt that shows off my fucking awesome guns! Cuz they are all awesome and gunny and suchlike.
posted by Mister_A at 11:27 AM on June 3, 2009 [1 favorite]


I thought the point of the MetaFilter10 meetups was for a coordinated world-wide effort to break the "customize group t-shirts" record. That church group will rue the day!
posted by filthy light thief at 11:33 AM on June 3, 2009 [1 favorite]


You are going to a gathering of people to celebrate the 10th anniversary of a website and you're worried about feeling like a huge dork if you wear a t-shirt? That particular line will have been crossed a long time before you don that T.

The first time I went to a MeFi meetup, a friend of mine compared it to going to a Star Trek convention. Ouch.
posted by orange swan at 11:49 AM on June 3, 2009


Yes, girl-style please. :)

Also, I was reading a book about witch trials in Germany in the late 1600s, and they mentioned the Treaty of Westphalia several times talking about the political context. And I was like, "oh hey, I know how that starts!"
posted by epersonae at 12:00 PM on June 3, 2009 [1 favorite]


Star Trek convention - Trekkies. MetaFilter meetup = Metties? Shudder!
posted by Cranberry at 12:09 PM on June 3, 2009


Dreckies.
posted by Mister_A at 12:45 PM on June 3, 2009


Bowser.
Wearing shades.
Looking over them.
On a surfboard.
With a wave underneath.
Wailing on a double necked guitar.
All in front of a giant pot leaf.
On a cross.
And on top, in cursive, "Happy Birthday Metafilter".

I've put some thought into this.

It will freak Metafilter out.
posted by dirty lies at 12:47 PM on June 3, 2009 [1 favorite]


Matties.
posted by ColdChef at 12:49 PM on June 3, 2009


Taters.
posted by dirtdirt at 1:11 PM on June 3, 2009 [4 favorites]


Mefiheads? (Pronounced MEH-fee-Heds for the similarity we have to meth heads)
posted by Night_owl at 1:14 PM on June 3, 2009


If anybody makes a shirt with "this will wendell" on it, I guess I am obligated to buy 4: one L, one XL, one 2X and one 3X to cover all possible weight situations over the next few years (currently 2X). But instead of MeFi Link Gold (#CCCC00), I'd prefer something more orange (#FF9900), thank you. Then again, I should be marketing the "this will wendell" merch myself and sending a Cease&Desist letter to Matt if he even thinks about using it. I have a Cease&Desist letter form that includes the entire text of the DMCA and the Treaty of Westphalia, but I don't have enough stamps to mail it.
posted by wendell at 1:25 PM on June 3, 2009


Metafilter: All-Stars of the Clever Riposte
posted by lukemeister at 1:26 PM on June 3, 2009 [1 favorite]


And the term for MetaFilter fanatics (beyond MeFites, however that's pronounced), should be either MetaHeads (too close to MetalHeads?), Filts (too close to Filk?), or just Metites with the soft ĕ (and the Fark/Digg/etc types are Anti-Metites... yes, a steal from Seinfeld).
posted by wendell at 1:32 PM on June 3, 2009


Does this mean the solution to JRun errors is to rephase the main deflector dish?
posted by BrotherCaine at 1:34 PM on June 3, 2009


Yeah just watch out for the apparent duplicate of whomever is performing the rephasing of the main dish. And for Pete's sake, don't forget to bleed the antiproton streams from the auxiliary port and starboard deflector arrays!
posted by Mister_A at 1:39 PM on June 3, 2009


Anti-Metites

Heh. We'd need a holy book, of course.
posted by cortex (staff) at 2:55 PM on June 3, 2009


I want a longboat.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 3:48 PM on June 3, 2009


All you guys really need are blank white T-shirts.

'Cos the printer had a JRun error.
posted by cmyk at 4:25 PM on June 3, 2009


I'd wear one that said $5 n00b.
posted by Devils Rancher at 4:58 PM on June 3, 2009 [1 favorite]


You know who else had their own matching shirts for their tenth anniversary party?
posted by dw at 4:58 PM on June 3, 2009 [1 favorite]


Damn, my MeFi in-joke knowledge is inadequate. Originating post of the Treaty of Westphalia joke, pretty please?
posted by Phire at 5:27 PM on June 3, 2009


Phire,

The first time I saw it was by sourwookie. Warning: thread contains nice things we can no longer have.
posted by lukemeister at 6:07 PM on June 3, 2009


It started as part of the crapflooding of threads that happened in the heyday of the img tag. It was a textnomb equivalent to the pissing elephant. The earliest one I can find is these two comments by sourwookie but I don't know if there were earlier examples in deleted threads.
posted by Kattullus at 6:09 PM on June 3, 2009


And lukemeister beat me to it.
posted by Kattullus at 6:09 PM on June 3, 2009


I thought it was meatbomb... and was deleted.
posted by team lowkey at 6:10 PM on June 3, 2009


Got a time-out, too.
posted by team lowkey at 6:14 PM on June 3, 2009


The wiki credits Meatbomb.
posted by lukemeister at 6:17 PM on June 3, 2009


And lukemeister beat me to it.

But Kattullus linked to the actual text, not the blinkenlights.
posted by lukemeister at 6:18 PM on June 3, 2009


Oh, I guess that was after sourwookie. But that's what started the in-joke.
posted by team lowkey at 6:18 PM on June 3, 2009


Wow, wasn't that long before I joined. You'd think I would've caught on, by now.

Anyway, thanks lukemeister and Kattulus (and team lowkey, for linking to an entertaining oddball apology!)
posted by Phire at 6:31 PM on June 3, 2009


Metafilter: Should have just left it at the Treaty of Westphalia, but then I found the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, and then the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, and after that it just kind of snowballed.
posted by lukemeister at 6:46 PM on June 3, 2009 [1 favorite]


Math Howie, you have bitten off more than you can chew. The bootleg Metafilter merc will flow like water.

I like the idea of there being MetaFilter equivalents of "Black Bart Simpson" t-shirts and "Calvin pissing on a Chevy logo" bumper stickers.
posted by brundlefly at 8:37 PM on June 3, 2009


If we want to do something with numbers on the back, what about Neighborhoodies? You can upload your own design (for the front) and do numbers too.
posted by radioamy at 8:57 PM on June 3, 2009


I'm actually working on my own shirts right now

What the hell? I thought you didn't even like in-jokes.
posted by ryanrs at 12:53 AM on June 4, 2009


I did not have the original idea, I was just the idiot that caught the ball and ran with it.
posted by Meatbomb at 2:21 AM on June 4, 2009 [1 favorite]


the term for MetaFilter fanatics etc etc

Y'all are reminding me of teh crasy fangurlz who were my marketing targets upon a time.

All the taters hither thither blithely gather.
posted by zennie at 6:56 AM on June 4, 2009


METAFILTER: I DECLAWED MY CAT AND I DIDN'T VACCINATE MY KIDS
posted by desjardins at 9:49 AM on June 4, 2009


...just as I was finally going to order a jersey...
posted by mimi at 11:27 AM on June 4, 2009


> a friend of mine compared it to going to a Star Trek convention. Ouch.

Yeah, ouch.     For the Trekkies.

Anyway:
- "This MetaFilter, it vibrates?"
- "The." in 10" tall sans serif letters. Tiny MetaFilter logo in upper-right hand corner
posted by ostranenie at 11:44 AM on June 4, 2009


Metafilter: The plastic.com it's ok to remember.
posted by boo_radley at 12:15 PM on June 4, 2009 [1 favorite]


desjardins: "METAFILTER: I DECLAWED MY CAT AND I DIDN'T VACCINATE MY KIDS"

AND I CONSULT THE INTERNET FOR SERIOUS INJURIES AND ILLNESSES INSTEAD OF HEADING STRAIGHT TO A DOCTOR.
posted by radioamy at 3:10 PM on June 4, 2009


AND I CONSULT THE INTERNET FOR SERIOUS INJURIES AND ILLNESSES INSTEAD OF HEADING STRAIGHT TO A DOCTOR.
that's because THE INTERNET IS SRS (medical) BUSINESS.
posted by Night_owl at 3:33 PM on June 4, 2009


Metafilter: wha
posted by CwgrlUp at 3:55 PM on June 4, 2009


I like the idea of there being MetaFilter equivalents of "Black Bart Simpson" t-shirts and "Calvin pissing on a Chevy logo" bumper stickers.

Calvin pissing on the MetaFilter logo?

Or ressurrect the Plastic.Com logo for shirts to wear at the 10s.

I can call the Anniversary Meetups "the 10s", right? Or does it sound like what comes on the Weather Channel right after the "Local on the 8s"?
posted by wendell at 6:47 PM on June 4, 2009


The first time I went to a MeFi meetup, a friend of mine compared it to going to a Star Trek convention. Ouch.

That's really funny. When I was trying to persuade my wife to go to the 10th anniversary meetup, that's exactly what she said: "It's like we're going to a convention of Trekkies."
posted by jayder at 8:02 PM on June 4, 2009


boo_radley: Metafilter: The plastic.com it's ok to remember.

I like the idea of MetaFilter: The X.com it's ok Y.

MetaFilter: The yahoo.com it's okay not to be slightly surprised still exists when browsing to.
MetaFilter: The powells.com it's okay not to buy books from.
MetaFilter: The somethingawful.com it's okay to love.
MetaFilter: The kuro5hin.org that's.... hey, remember kuro5hin?!
MetaFilter: The deathcabforcutie.com you'd be fine with being caught dead on.
posted by Kattullus at 8:08 PM on June 4, 2009


I like Death Cab dammit.
posted by Phire at 9:07 PM on June 4, 2009 [1 favorite]


Doesn't spreadshirt offer the ability to write your own things on pre-selected designs? So in theory a preselected set of colors and front logo on jersey could be made available and each user could do their numbers of what have you on the back. (not to mention it's available shipped from europe as well, saving us overseas folks that pesky import tax. This would require two different shops set up, but still).

Or am I misremembering spreadshirts ability here? Is that perhaps a pro-shop feature?
posted by dabitch at 5:09 AM on June 5, 2009


Spreadshirt apparently uses vinyl adhesives on darks, and inkjet digital printing on lights. While this is okay for custom one-offs (really the only solution) they still don't hold up in the wash like screen printing, which is a much more mature technology. Digital especially, is still in its infancy. We've (meaning where I work -- a t-shirt printing shop) gotten some samples from Cafe Press, who recently went digital inkjet from diffusion transfer, and were not overawed by the color accuracy. with the vinyls, you're limited to a relative paucity of available colors -- you can't mix them like inks, but they do make a nice crisp-looking print for spot color.

My boss has been looking at going digital, (or DTG for direct-to-garment, as the industry is calling it) in the next year or two, but every month we delay, there's some new advance that makes us glad we didn't jump in last month. It's pretty unstable out there right now, with equipment makers going into & out of business every year, inks changing, & techniques evolving. Sorry for the digression - -I just sort of got talking. I'll be quiet, now.
posted by Devils Rancher at 6:45 AM on June 5, 2009 [1 favorite]


Calvin pissing on the MetaFilter logo?

This I would buy. I'm assuming it is available as an auto-tattoo as well?

If only we could convince #1 to commission some Truck Nutz in MeFi Blue...
posted by indiebass at 11:10 AM on June 5, 2009


I like the idea of MetaFilter: The X.com it's ok Y.

MetaFilter: The 4chan.org for assholes with social skills.
posted by dw at 1:52 PM on June 5, 2009 [1 favorite]


givewell: didn't wendell.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 2:07 PM on June 5, 2009


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