Is that thread in a clear Zip-Loc bag? November 17, 2010 5:31 PM   Subscribe

If you're going to delete a post because the subject is already being discussed in another thread, at least help people find that thread.

I've noticed (since I have the "deleted posts" Greasemonkey script) that there are a lot of posts about the TSA getting immediately deleted, usually with a reason something to the effect of "hey, there was another post about this same topic just recently, find that thread". It took me a long time to find this open TSA thread and I suspect that's why you guys (mods) are having to delete so many of these posts. And maybe if you are getting so many posts about this topic then it's time for a new thread. After all, this is an extremely topical hot-button issue that is going to come up again. And yes I know, this is supposed to be about the best of the web and not just current events. I don't know, you guys do what you want, my user number is probably far too large for anyone to give a fuck what I think.
posted by MattMangels to Etiquette/Policy at 5:31 PM (85 comments total)

If someone wants to go to the trouble of actually making a good, substantial new post that isn't either "hey here's another random crappy TSA related thing" or "here are a bunch of links that've already shown up in an open thread", that's fine, but people repeatedly making not-great new posts isn't so much something we want to encourage. It's a weird whack-a-mole situation we're stuck in, but "it's topical and hot-button" is manifestly not a good reason to give up on the posting guidelines and we try not to go there when we have the resources to be around and nip the meh followups in the bud.

I'm sorry you were frustrated looking for the existing threads; that said, it takes about five seconds to type "TSA" into the search bar and get the most recent one served up directly.
posted by cortex (staff) at 5:36 PM on November 17, 2010 [5 favorites]


We really don't decide whether we're going to care about what a user says because of their userumber. I should have added a link to the open thread in the last two TSA posts I removed. I figured people could check for hte TSA tag or the open MeTa about the TSA threads, but that's no excuse for me to be sloppy.

As I said in the open MeTa thread, we're okay if someone wants to make a post that isn't "Here is the latest outrage by TSA" we'd be fine with that, but that's literally all we're getting. Something that isn't just "Look at these fuckers as they violate someone's civil liberties, watch this guy's kid scream" would be fine.

People who want more of the "Look at these fuckers" content will need to avail themselves of the open threads or make a post that has some more information than the latest YouTube about TSA being jerks. There are tons of options, but the people who feel so strongly about this don't seem to be able to set their rage aside and make a post that makes sense to people who aren't, for whatever reason, as flipped out about this.

Don't get me wrong, I dislike what TSA is doing and I hope they stop or are forced to stop. However, post on MetaFilter that are just "here is another crappy thing" is as likely to make TSA stop as it is to make abusive cops/parents/governments stop. Be constructive.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 5:37 PM on November 17, 2010 [2 favorites]


I think as long as you are a user under 100,000, you can have some influence.
posted by lee at 5:38 PM on November 17, 2010


I don't know, you guys do what you want, my user number is probably far too large for anyone to give a fuck what I think.

No need to be pissy about things.
posted by KokuRyu at 5:40 PM on November 17, 2010 [5 favorites]


I don't know, you guys do what you want, my user number is probably far too large for anyone to give a fuck what I think.

All of that's nice #83735, but can you be a dear and fix me a martini?
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 5:42 PM on November 17, 2010 [10 favorites]


[NOT DEKA-MYRIA-USER-IST]
posted by AkzidenzGrotesk at 5:44 PM on November 17, 2010


People's use of tags almost always betray their agenda, no matter what their user number.
posted by dersins at 5:44 PM on November 17, 2010 [2 favorites]


I didn't take it as pissy, just self-deprecating.

Interesting title by the way. Not sure I get it though. Wouldn't clear plastic make it easier to find? Is this something I'd need to have watched the Project Runway finale to get?
posted by salvia at 5:45 PM on November 17, 2010


I'm sorry if my previous comment displayed a lakh of compassion.
posted by AkzidenzGrotesk at 5:45 PM on November 17, 2010 [7 favorites]


Sorry, I was kind of half-joking about the user number comment. It was actually a reference to my last MeTa where I was derided as a n00b (understandably) for not fully reading the FAQ.

Jess and Tex, thanks for responding right away. I don't really personally care about this issue too much, it just occurred to me to put this out there after a few days of seeing at least one deleted TSA post on the front page every time I visited.
posted by MattMangels at 5:47 PM on November 17, 2010 [1 favorite]


Look, this seems pretty well resolved but here's what you might wanna do next time:

"Hey mods,

Could you please add a link to the original TSA FPP when you delete dupes? It would make it much easier to find. Thanks!"

And they would have probably responded with "Hey, we'll do that from now on" and a gif of a donut or something. Because that's the kind of place this is. Your user number doesn't matter unless it's negative and then pb has to kill you because you broke the database.
posted by yaymukund at 5:49 PM on November 17, 2010 [6 favorites]


I don't know, you guys do what you want, my user number is probably far too large for anyone to give a fuck what I think.

I think you should behave yourself for the sake of people with user numbers far larger than yours.
*sobs*
posted by vidur at 5:54 PM on November 17, 2010


Tex. I love it.
posted by Roger Dodger at 5:55 PM on November 17, 2010 [2 favorites]


Your user number doesn't matter unless it's negative
Easy for you to say, you're not one of the 'Lost 47,000s', doomed never to be mentioned in a podcast due to some complicated and frankly fairly whacky ancient numerological taboo promulgated by the Cabal.
posted by Abiezer at 5:57 PM on November 17, 2010 [2 favorites]


Let's be honest: the cabal isn't really energetic enough to, like, promulgate something. Ooze, maybe.
posted by cortex (staff) at 6:10 PM on November 17, 2010 [5 favorites]


Sorry, things are going to be a little hectic until we get the new section of the site dedicated to these posts up and running.
posted by andoatnp at 6:13 PM on November 17, 2010


It took me a long time to find this open TSA thread

How are you searching? Maybe that's the problem. I typed TSA into the search box, and the first result was this post from Nov 10 with 293 comments. That took less than 3 seconds. How is that a long time?
posted by Rhomboid at 6:17 PM on November 17, 2010


I was kind of half-joking about the user number comment. It was actually a reference to my last MeTa where I was derided as a n00b

how to make 'filtering a happy a joyous experience, a tip from me to you - don't make snarky references to old drama. it will only cloud the entire thread.
posted by nadawi at 6:18 PM on November 17, 2010


When my favorites exceed my user number, I will finally be clean of my shame.
posted by Joe Beese at 6:22 PM on November 17, 2010 [5 favorites]


the cabal isn't really energetic enough to, like, promulgate something. --- Heh. Like you're a member, cortex. Your number is way too high.
posted by crunchland at 6:24 PM on November 17, 2010


something something something MINECRAFT something something
posted by slogger at 6:25 PM on November 17, 2010


joe beese - i looked at my user number/favorites count and was like "i will never have that many favorites!" then i went to your profile and realized you have MORE favorites than my user number. i am so ashamed.
posted by nadawi at 6:26 PM on November 17, 2010 [1 favorite]


I've got something "far too large" as well, but it's not my user number.
posted by PareidoliaticBoy at 6:27 PM on November 17, 2010 [1 favorite]


Jess and Tex

Hee, sounds like an afternoon kid show.
posted by nomadicink at 6:29 PM on November 17, 2010


My user # used to be 4-8-15-16-23-42 but every time I used the contact form, cortex would freak out and start attacking his cat with a banjo. Mathowie relocated me to this user number.
posted by special-k at 7:05 PM on November 17, 2010


Always look for the sign.
posted by gman at 7:15 PM on November 17, 2010


I think as long as you are a user under 100,000, you can have some influence.

ummm, remind me again of where one finds one's user number. is it perhaps that weird tattoo I just noticed on the backside of my knee?
posted by philip-random at 7:16 PM on November 17, 2010


No. That's your sell-by date. You can find out your user number by hovering over your username on a comment, and looking at the url in the status bar, or clicking on it, and reading the url. Your user number is 78390.
posted by crunchland at 7:20 PM on November 17, 2010 [1 favorite]


When my favorites exceed my user number, I will finally be clean of my shame.

You hear that Elizabeth? I'm coming to join you honey! *holds chest*
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 7:22 PM on November 17, 2010 [2 favorites]


You can find out your user number by hovering over your username on a comment, and looking at the url in the status bar, or clicking on it, and reading the url.

Cripes. All these years I've been too embarrassed to mention that I had no clue how to find a user number. No wonder I couldn't frikken find it. As a reward, I'll now tell you guys what I have that's "far too large".

Yep ... you guessed it. It's my credit-card balance.
posted by PareidoliaticBoy at 7:39 PM on November 17, 2010


There's an FAQ?

THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 7:52 PM on November 17, 2010


It's pronounced "faaaaaaa-queue". Then it doesn't need an "an".
posted by Sallyfur at 8:10 PM on November 17, 2010


Abiezer: you're not one of the 'Lost 47,000s', doomed never to be mentioned in a podcast

Finally I have an answer.
posted by fiercecupcake at 8:18 PM on November 17, 2010 [1 favorite]


That's the first time I've seen cortex referred to as "tex". I hope it sticks.
posted by dead cousin ted at 8:18 PM on November 17, 2010 [4 favorites]


Do you guys ever have meetups comprised solely of MeFites with user numbers that are prime numbers?
posted by MattMangels at 8:28 PM on November 17, 2010 [1 favorite]


Oedipus Tex
posted by Sailormom at 8:34 PM on November 17, 2010


Do you guys ever have meetups comprised solely of MeFites with user numbers that are prime numbers?

271 x 311. Rats.
posted by Joe Beese at 8:53 PM on November 17, 2010


mama says go back to bed kids.
posted by bwanabetty at 9:18 PM on November 17, 2010


We really don't decide whether we're going to care about what a user says because of their user number.

I can vouch for that.
posted by Joseph Gurl at 9:51 PM on November 17, 2010


When my favorites exceed my user number, I will finally be clean of my shame.
posted by Joe Beese at 11:22 AM on November 18 [1 favorite +] [!]


joe beese - i looked at my user number/favorites count and was like "i will never have that many favorites!" then i went to your profile and realized you have MORE favorites than my user number. i am so ashamed.
posted by nadawi at 11:26 AM on November 18 [+] [!]

---

Favorites on Metafilter = Hit Points in D&D.

hate.
posted by Joseph Gurl at 9:55 PM on November 17, 2010


I don't know, you guys do what you want, my user number is probably far too large for anyone to give a fuck what I think.

o.O
posted by davejay at 10:03 PM on November 17, 2010


Oh, your NUMBER is far too large. I thought you said something else. Nevermind.
posted by davejay at 10:04 PM on November 17, 2010


davejay, did you know that if you google-image search (safe search off) your user number, the first result (NSFW) is a rule 34 return, that actually sort of goes with your last comment.

I've decided that this modern method of arithmancy will reveal something essential about the inner persona of the Metafilter user in a mystical way, but I'm puzzled by my own result. Perhaps it's the part about the soft rubber pancake style grips? Because I'm not convinced of my tremendous stopping power.
posted by taz at 11:08 PM on November 17, 2010 [2 favorites]


Huh.
posted by speedo at 11:15 PM on November 17, 2010


if you google-image search (safe search off) your user number

taz, you got me curious. Mine is this. It probably says a lot about me.
posted by misozaki at 11:17 PM on November 17, 2010 [3 favorites]


perhaps the open TSA thread could be sidebarred with a note suggesting that people post new developments there?
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 11:30 PM on November 17, 2010 [1 favorite]


I get a map of the geographic range of the Rhinobatos penggali, a vulnerable species of shovelnose ray.
posted by ocherdraco at 11:31 PM on November 17, 2010


my user number is probably far too large for anyone to give a fuck what I think

Helpful tip - marrying another MeFi user with a lower user number does not in fact magically decrease your own user number. Not that y6 ever said that it would.
So nope, no remedy there.
Maybe we could pretend that November is User Numbers 80,000+ Appreciation Month.
posted by batgrlHG at 12:08 AM on November 18, 2010


"There's an FAQ?"

No. There's either "a FAQ" or "an F.A.Q." As current arbiter of the Times Digital Style Guide, I decree it to be "a FAQ."
posted by Eideteker at 12:10 AM on November 18, 2010 [2 favorites]


For topic chasers, maybe we could use a very small "Top current tags" list on the front page. If something keeps coming up (maybe during the last month), you'll see a tag there.
posted by pracowity at 12:13 AM on November 18, 2010 [1 favorite]


Oh wait, this isn't work. Please disregard.

Also, everyone knows that what really matters is not the size of your user number but just how prime it is.

(Mine has three factors (other than 1) making me a Class-3 user.)
posted by Eideteker at 12:13 AM on November 18, 2010


It's pronounced "faaaaaaa-queue".

Faaaaaaa-queue too.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 12:40 AM on November 18, 2010 [2 favorites]


Also, everyone knows that what really matters is not the size of your user number but just how prime it is.

PRIME here boo ya
posted by Joseph Gurl at 1:19 AM on November 18, 2010


There's an FAQ?
THIS QUESTION IS ADDRESSED IN THE FAQ.
posted by Wolfdog at 2:25 AM on November 18, 2010 [1 favorite]


My user number factorizes to 2 * 1759.
posted by pracowity at 2:28 AM on November 18, 2010


I think as long as you are a user under 100,000, you can have some influence.

*sob*
posted by bardophile at 2:33 AM on November 18, 2010


I have a five digit SlashDot user number. Does that get me anything?
posted by octothorpe at 4:36 AM on November 18, 2010


Nothing we'd say to your face, but check our blogs later.
posted by nomadicink at 5:16 AM on November 18, 2010


If Jessamyn is Jess and Cortex is Tex then, logically, flagging a comment/post so mods can finally do something about it must be jesstexulating.
posted by MuffinMan at 6:13 AM on November 18, 2010 [2 favorites]


My user number is the zip code of Sharon, Pennsylvania.

Beat that with a stick.
posted by timsteil at 6:19 AM on November 18, 2010


Also, everyone knows that what really matters is not the size of your user number but just how prime it is.

We've been over this already: the most important aspect of your user number is whether it corresponds to a U.S. ZIP code* and where.

*Otherwise, you are an unperson. Sorry, it's in the wiki.
posted by kittyprecious at 6:19 AM on November 18, 2010


Dammit, timsteil!
posted by kittyprecious at 6:20 AM on November 18, 2010


Huh, mine factorizes to 3 * 5503. I'm surprised I got to a prime so quickly.

Oh, and it's the zip for Erie, PA.

Wow, two things I did not know about myself before now. I think the next time I make up a fake address for a sockpuppet, I'll have to locate them in Erie. (I used to use Columbus, OH, but there seems to be no user 43201.)
posted by Karmakaze at 6:39 AM on November 18, 2010


61293 "is not found" in USPS database which means it must be the super secret zip code where people in witness protection live.
posted by pointystick at 6:52 AM on November 18, 2010


Jess and Tex?

Oh my God...

Matt as...Buzz Lightyear
Cortex as...Woody
Jessamyn as...Jesse

And then they all starred in "Butt Puzzle 3: 3-D."
posted by MonkeyToes at 6:53 AM on November 18, 2010


timsteil: My user number is the zip code of Sharon, Pennsylvania.

Beat that with a stick


I don't know, does Ruthven, Iowa beat Sharon, Pennsylvania?
posted by DarlingBri at 6:56 AM on November 18, 2010


"We've been over this already: the most important aspect of your user number is whether it corresponds to a U.S. ZIP code* and where."

Just what I'd expect from a Class-4 user.

"PRIME here boo ya"

Congrats, as a Class-1 MeFi user, you're eligible for MetaFilter Prime. I hear it's nice. Free shipping on all returned/deleted comments!
posted by Eideteker at 7:25 AM on November 18, 2010


the most important aspect of your user number is whether it corresponds to a U.S. ZIP code* and where.

+1 kudos for properly capitalizing "ZIP"!

My user number, 26432, doesn't exist as a ZIP code in the United States, but if you search Google Maps for 26432, it plops you in the middle of the Saudi Arabian desert. Therefore, I am Osama bin Laden.
posted by Gator at 7:37 AM on November 18, 2010


When my favorites exceed my user number, I will finally be clean of my shame.

Damn it. That's another Mefi Achievement I have to strive to unlock now.

Thanks.
posted by quin at 8:00 AM on November 18, 2010


Mathews, Louisiana. What do I win?
posted by catlet at 8:05 AM on November 18, 2010


You win Sharon. Sharon Mathews.
posted by Eideteker at 9:10 AM on November 18, 2010


Hmmm. Perhaps catlet is late out the gate.
posted by timsteil at 10:01 AM on November 18, 2010


Rule 34. Effingham, GA, indeed.
posted by tallus at 10:39 AM on November 18, 2010


Prosperity, WV. That's right, I am a prosperous landlord.

Also, my user number factorizes to 13*1993. Which is funny, I was 13 in 1993 OH MY GOD THEY KNOW EVERYTHING
posted by Errant at 10:53 AM on November 18, 2010


I'd rather win a bottle of rye, or maybe an experience!

(This is the strangest Yankee Swap ever.)
posted by catlet at 11:53 AM on November 18, 2010


it takes about five seconds to type "TSA" into the search bar and get the most recent one served up directly.

Not everyone can understand all this technical mumbo-jumbo. Can you try to make it a little simpler?
posted by panboi at 12:46 PM on November 18, 2010


octothorpe: We joined Metafilter on the same day. Yay us!

Also, my slashdot user id is lower than my Metafilter id, and I suspect that and a buck fifty will buy me a cup of coffee, at least in some parts of the country.
posted by Lazlo Hollyfeld at 2:54 PM on November 18, 2010


timsteil: "My user number is the zip code of Sharon, Pennsylvania.

Beat that with a stick.
"

Shenango Valley, represent!

(My user number is nowhere near that low. But I grew up in the SV, and no one ever mentions that place. Probably for good reason.)
posted by Lulu's Pink Converse at 4:34 PM on November 18, 2010


My user number is the ZIP code of Elgaland-Vargaland.
posted by Joseph Gurl at 5:44 PM on November 18, 2010


My user number as a zip code [with zeros in the appropriate places] is eerily near to where my dad lives.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 5:53 PM on November 18, 2010


My user number is the zip code of Minerva, NY, and the first google image result is a graph of the incredibly slow housing market in Minerva.

Also, it factorizes to 71*181, which is pretty cool.
posted by kaibutsu at 11:08 PM on November 18, 2010


I thought my usernumber was Macon, Georgia, but it turns out I transposed a digit and it doesn't work. Putting it into Google gets some dorky Linux bug report. Google Maps gets me what appears to be a travel agent in Ravensburg, Germany.

I don't know what to make of any of this.
posted by Happy Dave at 3:00 AM on November 19, 2010


Every time this zipcode thing comes up, I can't remember what mine was and I get excited that it might be something neat, and every time I end up finding again that 07418 is Glenwood, New Jersey.

User number is 2 * 3709, though. That's not bad.
posted by cortex (staff) at 7:10 AM on November 19, 2010


Never realized that my user number is Rockford, AL.

crazy!
posted by special-k at 9:38 AM on November 19, 2010


Just outside Scranton, PA. Sexy!
posted by Lazlo Hollyfeld at 12:48 PM on November 19, 2010


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