The Peanut Gallery November 27, 2010 2:14 PM Subscribe
I was just wondering... How many of you guys browse askmefi primarily as a source of entertainment, rather than as a potential answerer?
I kind of feel guilty about it (not sure why, maybe getting entertainment from other people's plight is kind of exploitative, in an abstract way), and the knowledge that I was not alone would reassure me that I am not awful for doing this.
I kind of feel guilty about it (not sure why, maybe getting entertainment from other people's plight is kind of exploitative, in an abstract way), and the knowledge that I was not alone would reassure me that I am not awful for doing this.
Bless me Mathowie, for I have sinned. It has been 641 days since my last confession.
posted by special-k at 2:17 PM on November 27, 2010 [7 favorites]
posted by special-k at 2:17 PM on November 27, 2010 [7 favorites]
I am not a shrink. Please seek your validation elsewhere. kthxbai
posted by Ardiril at 2:19 PM on November 27, 2010
posted by Ardiril at 2:19 PM on November 27, 2010
Browsing for the lulz is forgiveable. Contributing to it is totally not okay. Whether this makes you a bad person pretty well depends on your personal moral compass, but if this thread becomes a "let's talk about lulzy AskMe questions" that's not so great.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 2:21 PM on November 27, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 2:21 PM on November 27, 2010 [1 favorite]
Are you staring or just glancing? Glancing is ok.
posted by le morte de bea arthur at 2:21 PM on November 27, 2010 [4 favorites]
posted by le morte de bea arthur at 2:21 PM on November 27, 2010 [4 favorites]
jessamyn can I read an implied "for the lulz" after "contributing to it" or did you just forbid me from posting on ask metafilter
posted by tehloki at 2:23 PM on November 27, 2010
posted by tehloki at 2:23 PM on November 27, 2010
I love the randomness. And it's relatively well-written randomness at that, as far as the internet goes. I totally read it for entertainment and sometimes feel guilty. However, I am not so smart so it's pretty rare that I have anything useful to add. I admire other members that always have something beneficial and cogent to add. For me, I guess I feel it's better to read silently for pleasure than give horrible advice, which is what I would be giving most of the time.
Metafilter and metatalk are random as well, but they make me stabby.
posted by milarepa at 2:25 PM on November 27, 2010
Metafilter and metatalk are random as well, but they make me stabby.
posted by milarepa at 2:25 PM on November 27, 2010
The 'it' in jessamyn's second sentence clearly refers to 'the lulz' and not AskMe at large.
posted by carsonb at 2:25 PM on November 27, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by carsonb at 2:25 PM on November 27, 2010 [1 favorite]
I read AskMe for entertainment, for sure. Although I have answered a few questions, that's not primarily why I'm reading. Mostly I feel much less like an odd duck after reading about other people's problems. The zombie poop zombie poop question was quite funny, tho.
posted by santaslittlehelper at 2:26 PM on November 27, 2010
posted by santaslittlehelper at 2:26 PM on November 27, 2010
oh yes carsonb that's a much better reading... sometimes i think my unconscious selects the second- or third-most probable meaning for things just to mess with my ego.
posted by tehloki at 2:29 PM on November 27, 2010
posted by tehloki at 2:29 PM on November 27, 2010
I laugh at all your embarrassing medical conditions and sexual problems.
posted by furiousxgeorge at 2:29 PM on November 27, 2010
posted by furiousxgeorge at 2:29 PM on November 27, 2010
Due to the 100 favourites per day limit, I think it's only fair that tehloki be given the power to "mark as best answer" in any AskMe thread.
posted by gman at 2:30 PM on November 27, 2010 [3 favorites]
posted by gman at 2:30 PM on November 27, 2010 [3 favorites]
I spend very little time on the green, so most of the threads I see are threads that for one reason or another end up on the gray. Those often make me feel guilty about the entertainment value.
(But I do skim through the RSS feeds and often find interesting things, including very smart comments/answers.)
Is this wrong? Possibly, but as long as I shut up and realize that I'm at least as silly myself, I don't think it does much harm.
posted by Dumsnill at 2:30 PM on November 27, 2010
(But I do skim through the RSS feeds and often find interesting things, including very smart comments/answers.)
Is this wrong? Possibly, but as long as I shut up and realize that I'm at least as silly myself, I don't think it does much harm.
posted by Dumsnill at 2:30 PM on November 27, 2010
If no one browsed AskMe for the entertainment, a lot fewer questions would get answered.
I don't mean in the sense that you're seeking out the trainwreck questions, necessarily. But if people didn't find it entertaining to read the questions, and pop into threads that sound interesting, and generally hang about AskMe, then they wouldn't be there to come across the questions for which they have actual, solid answers.
posted by jacquilynne at 2:31 PM on November 27, 2010 [10 favorites]
I don't mean in the sense that you're seeking out the trainwreck questions, necessarily. But if people didn't find it entertaining to read the questions, and pop into threads that sound interesting, and generally hang about AskMe, then they wouldn't be there to come across the questions for which they have actual, solid answers.
posted by jacquilynne at 2:31 PM on November 27, 2010 [10 favorites]
Also, true confession: I browse MetaTalk for entertainment, not out of some wacky desire to help make sure metafilter.com is a perfect utopian internets community and every last one of its members are exercising perfected reading comprehension abilities.
posted by carsonb at 2:40 PM on November 27, 2010 [33 favorites]
posted by carsonb at 2:40 PM on November 27, 2010 [33 favorites]
Confession: I once read Mefi with a BAC of .14. I am so so sorry.
posted by special-k at 2:42 PM on November 27, 2010 [3 favorites]
posted by special-k at 2:42 PM on November 27, 2010 [3 favorites]
I do both and feel absolutely zero shame about it. So no, you're not an awful person for browsing AskMe for entertainment.
That thing with the unicorns and the air horn and the alcohol infused chocolate sauce? That was sick, mostly because of the dwarf tossing.
posted by nomadicink at 2:42 PM on November 27, 2010 [1 favorite]
That thing with the unicorns and the air horn and the alcohol infused chocolate sauce? That was sick, mostly because of the dwarf tossing.
posted by nomadicink at 2:42 PM on November 27, 2010 [1 favorite]
Of course I read it for the entertainment. I certainly don't think "I'm going to HELP people today! Off to AskMefi!" I read it for interest and if there's something that I can help with, I do.
posted by gaspode at 2:45 PM on November 27, 2010 [21 favorites]
posted by gaspode at 2:45 PM on November 27, 2010 [21 favorites]
Both, definitely. I mainly hope that one day I'll get to one of the "Can you identify this song/movie/line from a poem/quote" AskMes before someone else does. It's been almost six years and it hasn't happened yet. One day. One fine day.
Apart from that I take pride in the fact that not once have I ever replied "Sheeit! Sucks to be you!" and received a well-deserved time-out for it, even though I see at least one little tart of an AskMe that tempts me to do that every single day.
posted by Decani at 2:48 PM on November 27, 2010 [2 favorites]
Apart from that I take pride in the fact that not once have I ever replied "Sheeit! Sucks to be you!" and received a well-deserved time-out for it, even though I see at least one little tart of an AskMe that tempts me to do that every single day.
posted by Decani at 2:48 PM on November 27, 2010 [2 favorites]
There's a negative tone to the word entertainment in this thread.
I'm "entertained" by reading a good history or how-to book. I'm entertained by reading interesting questions, I learn a lot from reading the answers.
When I come across something I think I might be able to contribute to, I do so.
The OP didn't mention lulz in his question here...Jess brought that up...
posted by HuronBob at 2:48 PM on November 27, 2010 [5 favorites]
I'm "entertained" by reading a good history or how-to book. I'm entertained by reading interesting questions, I learn a lot from reading the answers.
When I come across something I think I might be able to contribute to, I do so.
The OP didn't mention lulz in his question here...Jess brought that up...
posted by HuronBob at 2:48 PM on November 27, 2010 [5 favorites]
What gaspode said. Also, I might find out about cool stuff I didn't know I wanted to know about until someone else asked the question.
posted by Sidhedevil at 2:49 PM on November 27, 2010 [3 favorites]
posted by Sidhedevil at 2:49 PM on November 27, 2010 [3 favorites]
AskMe is the longest and most bewilderingly complex novel ever written, all in dialogue and monologue, in which almost every single character is both fascinating and appealing, and the voices all ring absolutely true.
How could this possibly fail to be extremely, overwhelmingly entertaining?
posted by jamjam at 2:52 PM on November 27, 2010 [11 favorites]
How could this possibly fail to be extremely, overwhelmingly entertaining?
posted by jamjam at 2:52 PM on November 27, 2010 [11 favorites]
"I'm going to HELP people today! Off to AskMefi!"
But on those days you do wear a cape, right? right?
posted by special-k at 2:54 PM on November 27, 2010 [1 favorite]
But on those days you do wear a cape, right? right?
posted by special-k at 2:54 PM on November 27, 2010 [1 favorite]
I read it mostly for entertainment and potential information, never as a potential answerer. Mostly because I know very little about anything. Also, if I had to guess I'd say that people that set out just to answer questions usually give the worst answers. Male answer syndrome and all that.
posted by dead cousin ted at 2:55 PM on November 27, 2010
posted by dead cousin ted at 2:55 PM on November 27, 2010
I've never actually browsed AskMe for laugh value. That's what I come to Metatalk for.
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 3:01 PM on November 27, 2010 [9 favorites]
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 3:01 PM on November 27, 2010 [9 favorites]
I click on AskMe headlines that suggest topics I find interesting, mostly as a potential answerer, sometimes because I would like to see what people answer, and sometimes because my finger kind of slips, youknow. I click around on the rest of the site for entertainment.
posted by Namlit at 3:07 PM on November 27, 2010
posted by Namlit at 3:07 PM on November 27, 2010
If we didn't enjoy reading Askme no questions would get answered.
It's educational AND entertaining AND we get to each pretend to be Miss Manners or Dear Abby or Dear Prudence or Mythbuster or whoever the heck our favorite advice person is.
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 3:18 PM on November 27, 2010 [2 favorites]
It's educational AND entertaining AND we get to each pretend to be Miss Manners or Dear Abby or Dear Prudence or Mythbuster or whoever the heck our favorite advice person is.
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 3:18 PM on November 27, 2010 [2 favorites]
But on those days you do wear a cape, right? right?
I don't understand, special-k. You don't wear a cape everyday?
posted by gaspode at 3:23 PM on November 27, 2010 [3 favorites]
I don't understand, special-k. You don't wear a cape everyday?
posted by gaspode at 3:23 PM on November 27, 2010 [3 favorites]
The sheer variety of questions and situations is very entertaining as most people watching tends to be. But I do like to help when I think I might have the ability. My favorite thing about AskMeFi, I must admit, is how much I've learned from reading it.
posted by bearwife at 3:28 PM on November 27, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by bearwife at 3:28 PM on November 27, 2010 [2 favorites]
A formal business cape should be an integral part of any discerning gentleman's attire.
posted by tehloki at 3:28 PM on November 27, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by tehloki at 3:28 PM on November 27, 2010 [1 favorite]
Yeah but what if you were visiting someone's house and you wanted to go for a walk and you ended up in some bushes and your $1800 bespoke dress cape got ruined, what's the best way to ask the host to reimburse you for it?
posted by rtha at 3:42 PM on November 27, 2010 [19 favorites]
posted by rtha at 3:42 PM on November 27, 2010 [19 favorites]
My favorite thing about reading AskMe is when people preface a tech question with "I consider myself very good at networking/computers" and then go on to display that they have zero knowledge whatsoever in these fields.
posted by Threeway Handshake at 3:46 PM on November 27, 2010
posted by Threeway Handshake at 3:46 PM on November 27, 2010
If folks could not bring other users-as-bad-examples into this discussion who aren't participating in it, that would be terrific.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 3:46 PM on November 27, 2010
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 3:46 PM on November 27, 2010
I frequently browse AskMe for entertainment value, but then not everything on AskMe is someone's plight. Sometimes there's just fun or interesting questions.
posted by asciident at 3:58 PM on November 27, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by asciident at 3:58 PM on November 27, 2010 [2 favorites]
The most laughs I have gotten out of an ask mefi question was when some poor guy put the entire question into the "Short description" field, resulting in a wall of text. The first three comments were by the same guy, each post a single word, as if to emphasize the pause between them. ("What." "The." "Fuck") and the next one from the author, asking what was so wrong. I took a screenshot of it, but unfortunately it was lost with a recent hard-drive failure.
As far as activly looking for lulz, I can't say that I do.
posted by hellojed at 4:10 PM on November 27, 2010
As far as activly looking for lulz, I can't say that I do.
posted by hellojed at 4:10 PM on November 27, 2010
Overall, I get the most entertainment bang for my $5. from metatalk. When you guys get wound up here, where the rules can be stretched, or where we are talking about the rules, wow, funny stuff, poignant stuff, all sortsa stuff. Metatalk is the best.
posted by Hobgoblin at 4:36 PM on November 27, 2010
posted by Hobgoblin at 4:36 PM on November 27, 2010
How many of you guys browse askmefi primarily as a source of entertainment
I browse askmefi because it quiets the voices.
posted by StickyCarpet at 4:40 PM on November 27, 2010 [3 favorites]
I browse askmefi because it quiets the voices.
posted by StickyCarpet at 4:40 PM on November 27, 2010 [3 favorites]
As far as activly looking for lulz, I can't say that I do.
The real question is will it show up and its not a matter if time.
is posting in a 'name my pine tree' type of question lulz?
posted by clavdivs at 4:43 PM on November 27, 2010
The real question is will it show up and its not a matter if time.
is posting in a 'name my pine tree' type of question lulz?
posted by clavdivs at 4:43 PM on November 27, 2010
is posting in a 'name my pine tree' type of question lulz?
This, of all things, prompted me to go look and see if the failed "Big Big Question" project was still lurking around in its loneliness, and it appears the domain just expired last week. What a shame that never took off as an outlet for people's chatfilter needs.
posted by Gator at 4:57 PM on November 27, 2010
This, of all things, prompted me to go look and see if the failed "Big Big Question" project was still lurking around in its loneliness, and it appears the domain just expired last week. What a shame that never took off as an outlet for people's chatfilter needs.
posted by Gator at 4:57 PM on November 27, 2010
Serious question: I have a pine tree I need a good name for. Halp?
posted by killdevil at 5:00 PM on November 27, 2010
posted by killdevil at 5:00 PM on November 27, 2010
I was going to go with "Coney" but I realized people might think my tree was a rabbit.
posted by killdevil at 5:00 PM on November 27, 2010
posted by killdevil at 5:00 PM on November 27, 2010
I don't know that I read it for "entertainment," but it is the reason I was willing to pay in order to contribute to the site, after years and years and years of browsing the blue and never feeling the need to say anything that badly. This is borne out in my 14-to-1 AskMe to MetaFilter comment ratio.
Though looking back at my first post, I feel compelled now to say that I didn't spend $5 because I believe in TracFone that much.
posted by SMPA at 5:02 PM on November 27, 2010 [1 favorite]
Though looking back at my first post, I feel compelled now to say that I didn't spend $5 because I believe in TracFone that much.
posted by SMPA at 5:02 PM on November 27, 2010 [1 favorite]
Yeah, I'm not sure it's just for the entertainment value and to answer the question, it's also to learn a bunch and hear different people opinions on things that sort-of-kind-of-maybe apply to my own life
posted by addelburgh at 5:11 PM on November 27, 2010
posted by addelburgh at 5:11 PM on November 27, 2010
I usually try to answer one or two questions every time I post a new question on AskMe, but I don't really go there unless I need to ask a question. And, I'd say, 50% of my answers get deleted, even though I'm really trying to be helpful.
posted by crunchland at 5:18 PM on November 27, 2010
posted by crunchland at 5:18 PM on November 27, 2010
And, I'd say, 50% of my answers get deleted, even though I'm really trying to be helpful.
You've had ten out of 467 comments deleted, for the record.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 5:20 PM on November 27, 2010 [3 favorites]
You've had ten out of 467 comments deleted, for the record.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 5:20 PM on November 27, 2010 [3 favorites]
You've had ten out of 467 comments deleted, for the record.
That's Numberwang!
posted by special-k at 5:30 PM on November 27, 2010 [13 favorites]
That's Numberwang!
posted by special-k at 5:30 PM on November 27, 2010 [13 favorites]
I read Askme for interesting questions and information - I read metalk for the lulz - and because it's interesting and informative (sometimes)
posted by patheral at 5:50 PM on November 27, 2010
posted by patheral at 5:50 PM on November 27, 2010
I think we can all admit that the "human relations" category on AskMe is our dirty little secret pleasure.
posted by Jacqueline at 5:56 PM on November 27, 2010 [14 favorites]
posted by Jacqueline at 5:56 PM on November 27, 2010 [14 favorites]
what web sites do you read for 'other than entertainment' purposes?
posted by quonsar II: smock fishpants and the temple of foon at 6:03 PM on November 27, 2010 [3 favorites]
posted by quonsar II: smock fishpants and the temple of foon at 6:03 PM on November 27, 2010 [3 favorites]
I to kind of feel guilty cause I get so much from AskMe and I don't really answers.
I assuage my fears by reminding myself that I have am profoundly ignorant and have no answer to anything.
(My Ask sends me a beanbag to the head if someone says OH WAIT I NEED A VINTAGE SUIT ON GREENWICH AVE AT 2:35 ON A TUESDAY )
posted by The Whelk at 6:29 PM on November 27, 2010
I assuage my fears by reminding myself that I have am profoundly ignorant and have no answer to anything.
(My Ask sends me a beanbag to the head if someone says OH WAIT I NEED A VINTAGE SUIT ON GREENWICH AVE AT 2:35 ON A TUESDAY )
posted by The Whelk at 6:29 PM on November 27, 2010
I kind of feel guilty about it (not sure why, maybe getting entertainment from other people's plight is kind of exploitative, in an abstract way), and the knowledge that I was not alone would reassure me that I am not awful for doing this.
My inner quonsar approves of this message.
posted by stirfry at 6:39 PM on November 27, 2010
My inner quonsar approves of this message.
posted by stirfry at 6:39 PM on November 27, 2010
If you have an inner quonsar you might want to call a doctor. We're not qualified to help you with that.
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 6:49 PM on November 27, 2010 [8 favorites]
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 6:49 PM on November 27, 2010 [8 favorites]
'other than entertainment'
'other than entertainment'
'other than entertainment'
if some one asks "help me name my tree" do not reply 'tree'
posted by clavdivs at 6:51 PM on November 27, 2010 [1 favorite]
'other than entertainment'
'other than entertainment'
if some one asks "help me name my tree" do not reply 'tree'
posted by clavdivs at 6:51 PM on November 27, 2010 [1 favorite]
You've had ten out of 467 comments deleted, for the record. --- Well, 355 of those 467 were posted back in 2006 and before, and 112 were posted in the last 6 months, with a handful of those being replies to my own posts. So, yeah, while it's not 50%, 10% have been deleted. And a 10% deletion rate is disincentive enough to make me not want to bother posting an answer, most days.
posted by crunchland at 7:00 PM on November 27, 2010
posted by crunchland at 7:00 PM on November 27, 2010
My quonsar sense is tingling. Someone needs help on AskMe.
posted by santaslittlehelper at 7:02 PM on November 27, 2010
posted by santaslittlehelper at 7:02 PM on November 27, 2010
my inner ficus approves this mess.
posted by quonsar II: smock fishpants and the temple of foon at 7:03 PM on November 27, 2010
posted by quonsar II: smock fishpants and the temple of foon at 7:03 PM on November 27, 2010
I've pretty much come to the conclusion that AskMe is only useful for very specific types of questions (usually involving popular culture or travel suggestions) and that there are many types of questions AskMe is not so good for, such as the endless parade of medical/legal questions or advice on personal matters.
Basically, when I read the answers people give to other types of questions, it's usually for the entertainment value since you really have to most of the advice given on AskMe with a huge grain of salt.
I wouldn't say it's for lulz per se, but I read more to see what answers people are giving as opposed to expecting to get any actually useful information. YMMV.
posted by elder18 at 7:09 PM on November 27, 2010
Basically, when I read the answers people give to other types of questions, it's usually for the entertainment value since you really have to most of the advice given on AskMe with a huge grain of salt.
I wouldn't say it's for lulz per se, but I read more to see what answers people are giving as opposed to expecting to get any actually useful information. YMMV.
posted by elder18 at 7:09 PM on November 27, 2010
I read it for the humor, but the ones I find most amusing I try not to answer, because in the most amusing ones my answer would most often be WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU INSANE?!?!
posted by winna at 7:12 PM on November 27, 2010 [4 favorites]
posted by winna at 7:12 PM on November 27, 2010 [4 favorites]
So, yeah, while it's not 50%, 10% have been deleted. And a 10% deletion rate is disincentive enough to make me not want to bother posting an answer, most days.
You have a ~ 2% deletion rate, not 10%.
posted by mlis at 7:18 PM on November 27, 2010 [2 favorites]
You have a ~ 2% deletion rate, not 10%.
posted by mlis at 7:18 PM on November 27, 2010 [2 favorites]
I read it for entertainment, because I am entertained by reading things on the internet.
posted by oneirodynia at 7:19 PM on November 27, 2010
posted by oneirodynia at 7:19 PM on November 27, 2010
I read it for entertainment. I also sometimes answer questions.
Trolling would be something to feel guilty about (it would also be moderated out of existence, most likely). But just reading for entertainment? You're not doing anything to anyone, there's no impact on anyone, you're not causing any consequence whatsoever -- in my mind, that means there's nothing to feel guilty about.
posted by J. Wilson at 7:43 PM on November 27, 2010
Trolling would be something to feel guilty about (it would also be moderated out of existence, most likely). But just reading for entertainment? You're not doing anything to anyone, there's no impact on anyone, you're not causing any consequence whatsoever -- in my mind, that means there's nothing to feel guilty about.
posted by J. Wilson at 7:43 PM on November 27, 2010
I only read it for the articles.
posted by dzaz at 7:55 PM on November 27, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by dzaz at 7:55 PM on November 27, 2010 [2 favorites]
I admit that sometimes I read it for the "phew, I'm glad I'm not that guy" feeling.
posted by octothorpe at 8:02 PM on November 27, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by octothorpe at 8:02 PM on November 27, 2010 [2 favorites]
Also, on the rare occasion I think OH I CAN ANSWER THAT, I find it's already been mentioned. Twice. Cause the AskMe people are totally ossom.
posted by The Whelk at 8:07 PM on November 27, 2010
posted by The Whelk at 8:07 PM on November 27, 2010
[goes off to AskMe to find all these lulz people are talking about]
... and 'ossom', I'm going to use that.
posted by stp123 at 8:15 PM on November 27, 2010
... and 'ossom', I'm going to use that.
posted by stp123 at 8:15 PM on November 27, 2010
Also, on the rare occasion I think OH I CAN ANSWER THAT, I find it's already been mentioned. Twice. Cause the AskMe people are totally ossom.
Seconded. This happens to me too like all the time!
BECAUSE I KNOW EVERYTHING BUT AM sadly NOT OMNIPRESENT.
posted by carsonb at 8:16 PM on November 27, 2010 [2 favorites]
Seconded. This happens to me too like all the time!
BECAUSE I KNOW EVERYTHING BUT AM sadly NOT OMNIPRESENT.
posted by carsonb at 8:16 PM on November 27, 2010 [2 favorites]
I mine AskMe for story ideas, like this one where the guy and girl are separated for a couple years and then he asks her to marry him and she does but then she can't remember the name of this book from her childhood so she snoops his browser history and finds gay taters and wonders if they're ok to eat.
posted by The otter lady at 8:26 PM on November 27, 2010 [10 favorites]
posted by The otter lady at 8:26 PM on November 27, 2010 [10 favorites]
ASK ME: The Movie was criticized for padding the long musical sequence in which all the characters wonder if they should eat an item which was somehow suspicious.
posted by The Whelk at 8:38 PM on November 27, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 8:38 PM on November 27, 2010 [2 favorites]
How many of you guys browse askmefi primarily as a source of entertainment, rather than as a potential answerer?
You know what? I actually have some numbers to answer this question thanks to Flickr. Last week I asked a question about cat hair and laundry, and as is requisite for any cat-related AskMe I posted a link to a picture of one of my cats sitting on, wait for it, laundry. I uploaded it directly before posting the question, and my photostream is somewhat less than popular, so it wound up a pretty good picture of how many people click through on a question without answering.
For the two days my question was on the front page, November 15 & 16 2010, the linked photo received 488 and 246 views, respectively, for a total of 734 views.
And there were 7 answers to my question in that same period, plus one response from me.
posted by carsonb at 8:49 PM on November 27, 2010 [5 favorites]
You know what? I actually have some numbers to answer this question thanks to Flickr. Last week I asked a question about cat hair and laundry, and as is requisite for any cat-related AskMe I posted a link to a picture of one of my cats sitting on, wait for it, laundry. I uploaded it directly before posting the question, and my photostream is somewhat less than popular, so it wound up a pretty good picture of how many people click through on a question without answering.
For the two days my question was on the front page, November 15 & 16 2010, the linked photo received 488 and 246 views, respectively, for a total of 734 views.
And there were 7 answers to my question in that same period, plus one response from me.
posted by carsonb at 8:49 PM on November 27, 2010 [5 favorites]
'Rain is when the earth is television.
It has the property of making colours darker.
Model T is a room with the lock inside -
a key is turned to free the world
for movement, so quick there is a film
to watch for anything missed'
-Raine
posted by clavdivs at 8:57 PM on November 27, 2010
It has the property of making colours darker.
Model T is a room with the lock inside -
a key is turned to free the world
for movement, so quick there is a film
to watch for anything missed'
-Raine
posted by clavdivs at 8:57 PM on November 27, 2010
Well I dreamed there was an island
That rose up from the sea.
And everybody on the island
Was somebody from TV.
And there was a beautiful view
But nobody could see.
Cause everybody on the island
Was saying: Look at me! Look at me!
Look at me! Look at me!
posted by The Whelk at 9:04 PM on November 27, 2010
That rose up from the sea.
And everybody on the island
Was somebody from TV.
And there was a beautiful view
But nobody could see.
Cause everybody on the island
Was saying: Look at me! Look at me!
Look at me! Look at me!
posted by The Whelk at 9:04 PM on November 27, 2010
Oh! I remember carsonb's cat sitting on the laundry. I looked at that but had no answer because in my house we just wear hairy clothes.
And of course I read ask.me for the entertainment. Why would I spend time doing something that I don't find entertaining? My favourite is when I see a question where I think "wow, I didn't even know that that was a problem that some people had" and feel my world expanding. If you're not reading a lot more than you're answering then it's quite likely that you're answering stuff you don't really know the answer to. And if you're not entertained when you're reading then you should do something more fun. And my time a while back as a lurker showed me that if you're only entertained and not answering questions, it turns out that someone else will come along with the correct answer, probably worded better than you would anyway.
posted by shelleycat at 9:14 PM on November 27, 2010 [4 favorites]
And of course I read ask.me for the entertainment. Why would I spend time doing something that I don't find entertaining? My favourite is when I see a question where I think "wow, I didn't even know that that was a problem that some people had" and feel my world expanding. If you're not reading a lot more than you're answering then it's quite likely that you're answering stuff you don't really know the answer to. And if you're not entertained when you're reading then you should do something more fun. And my time a while back as a lurker showed me that if you're only entertained and not answering questions, it turns out that someone else will come along with the correct answer, probably worded better than you would anyway.
posted by shelleycat at 9:14 PM on November 27, 2010 [4 favorites]
probably worded better than you would anyway.
(that could, of course, just be me)
posted by shelleycat at 9:18 PM on November 27, 2010
(that could, of course, just be me)
posted by shelleycat at 9:18 PM on November 27, 2010
I certainly do get the occasional bit of joy from the occasional tinderbox of a question, or what have you; there is a vicarious (and vicious) pleasure to be found there, something not noble at all, a dog best fed rarely.
That said, though I occasionally indulge that less-than-admirable rubbernecking urge - and so do you, Dear Reader, whoever you are, don't front - anyway, as a matter of course I believe that the threads which carry that vibe are the threads which will manage quite well indeed without the benefit of my participation. So far, so good.
posted by FAMOUS MONSTER at 9:21 PM on November 27, 2010 [2 favorites]
That said, though I occasionally indulge that less-than-admirable rubbernecking urge - and so do you, Dear Reader, whoever you are, don't front - anyway, as a matter of course I believe that the threads which carry that vibe are the threads which will manage quite well indeed without the benefit of my participation. So far, so good.
posted by FAMOUS MONSTER at 9:21 PM on November 27, 2010 [2 favorites]
I wasn't actually trying to set a record for most uses of the word "occasional." (pause for laughter) I'm not sure what happened there. Sorry, everyone! We'll fix it in post.
Okay back to it then. Places, and five, four, three, two -
posted by FAMOUS MONSTER at 9:33 PM on November 27, 2010 [1 favorite]
Okay back to it then. Places, and five, four, three, two -
posted by FAMOUS MONSTER at 9:33 PM on November 27, 2010 [1 favorite]
Nice cat, carsonb. Can't help with the laundry problem, but I'll look at your cat.
For entertainment purposes only.
posted by gingerbeer at 9:33 PM on November 27, 2010 [1 favorite]
For entertainment purposes only.
posted by gingerbeer at 9:33 PM on November 27, 2010 [1 favorite]
I read Ask for entertainment, in that it's interesting and tells me a lot about what's going on with smart, articulate people on the web. I also answer when I can. In fact, when there's a question I can help with, I get a little jolt of "hooray!" energy that's kind of hard to match anywhere else.
Entertaining and occasionally makes me feel useful. I don't think that's so bad.
posted by xingcat at 9:54 PM on November 27, 2010
Entertaining and occasionally makes me feel useful. I don't think that's so bad.
posted by xingcat at 9:54 PM on November 27, 2010
>: "I read it for the humor, but the ones I find most amusing I try not to answer, because in the most amusing ones my answer would most often be WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU INSANE?!?"
This is a reaction I must throttle in myself with some frequency. It's similar to how hard I must sometimes wrestle the Imp of the LMGTFY, which is like the Imp of the Perverse, but a lot less fun and more passive-aggressive.
posted by Drastic at 10:15 PM on November 27, 2010
This is a reaction I must throttle in myself with some frequency. It's similar to how hard I must sometimes wrestle the Imp of the LMGTFY, which is like the Imp of the Perverse, but a lot less fun and more passive-aggressive.
posted by Drastic at 10:15 PM on November 27, 2010
And a 10% deletion rate is disincentive enough to make me not want to bother posting an answer, most days.
If you'd like us to send you a list of comments that have been deleted, with dates, we'll be happy to oblige. Of the ten comments you've ever had deleted from AskMe, five were from this year. One was from 2006 and four were from 2004. You're welcome to not participate for any reason you choose, mathematical or otherwise, but this is more like 4% if you're just considering 2010 and forward.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 10:26 PM on November 27, 2010 [3 favorites]
If you'd like us to send you a list of comments that have been deleted, with dates, we'll be happy to oblige. Of the ten comments you've ever had deleted from AskMe, five were from this year. One was from 2006 and four were from 2004. You're welcome to not participate for any reason you choose, mathematical or otherwise, but this is more like 4% if you're just considering 2010 and forward.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 10:26 PM on November 27, 2010 [3 favorites]
Both, but primarily as entertainment. Others have said it already, but I read it to learn the answers to questions I never would have thought to ask. That, to me, is entertainment. Of course, I spent a good chuck of yesterday reading a text-book for fun. I usually skip the relationship questions.
I do occasionally approach askme as potential answerer, but only when I have a specific question. In those cases I google, then I write up my question, and sometimes I post it (although occasionally I decide it's not a good question to ask and don't post).
posted by chndrcks at 10:48 PM on November 27, 2010
I do occasionally approach askme as potential answerer, but only when I have a specific question. In those cases I google, then I write up my question, and sometimes I post it (although occasionally I decide it's not a good question to ask and don't post).
posted by chndrcks at 10:48 PM on November 27, 2010
Half the time I read it to see if I can help because I enjoy helping
Half the time I read it to get really angry inside when many of the answers display major lackage of reading comprehension, tonal deafnality, and disregardeurs for the premises of the question.
And the other half the time I read it because I desperately help with my math homework.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 11:01 PM on November 27, 2010
Half the time I read it to get really angry inside when many of the answers display major lackage of reading comprehension, tonal deafnality, and disregardeurs for the premises of the question.
And the other half the time I read it because I desperately help with my math homework.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 11:01 PM on November 27, 2010
is posting in a 'name my pine tree' type of question lulz?
posted by clavdivs at 4:43 PM on November 27 [+] [!]
Serious question: I have a pine tree I need a good name for. Halp?
posted by killdevil at 5:00 PM on November 27 [+] [!]
I was going to go with "Coney" but I realized people might think my tree was a rabbit.
posted by killdevil at 5:00 PM on November 27 [+] [!]
This. I'm usually there to answer the questions. But..
There's always a lot that provoke a first response that's something like : Name a pine tree? Why Pinvs, or course! I never write those answers down, but it's fun, and it keeps me coming back.
Something else that keeps me coming back are the genuinely interesting questions that I can't answer straight away. There was one last night about Japanese wooden jade vises. With ones like that I head off to google/wikipedia/flickr/etc and spend ages looking for answers, while incidentally learning a ton of stuff about things that I could never imagine even asking about on my own. It's a truly brilliant source of "seeds" of ideas.
And for me, that often means Askme is as good a source of novel best on web things than the blue.
posted by Ahab at 11:07 PM on November 27, 2010
posted by clavdivs at 4:43 PM on November 27 [+] [!]
Serious question: I have a pine tree I need a good name for. Halp?
posted by killdevil at 5:00 PM on November 27 [+] [!]
I was going to go with "Coney" but I realized people might think my tree was a rabbit.
posted by killdevil at 5:00 PM on November 27 [+] [!]
This. I'm usually there to answer the questions. But..
There's always a lot that provoke a first response that's something like : Name a pine tree? Why Pinvs, or course! I never write those answers down, but it's fun, and it keeps me coming back.
Something else that keeps me coming back are the genuinely interesting questions that I can't answer straight away. There was one last night about Japanese wooden jade vises. With ones like that I head off to google/wikipedia/flickr/etc and spend ages looking for answers, while incidentally learning a ton of stuff about things that I could never imagine even asking about on my own. It's a truly brilliant source of "seeds" of ideas.
And for me, that often means Askme is as good a source of novel best on web things than the blue.
posted by Ahab at 11:07 PM on November 27, 2010
Can you say schadenfreude? Can I spell schadenfreude?
posted by Cranberry at 11:47 PM on November 27, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Cranberry at 11:47 PM on November 27, 2010 [1 favorite]
I read both as a potential answerer and as a source of entertainment (though not in the lulzy way or as a source of schadenfreude).
If I don't know have an answer to a question, then I am often well entertained to learn what others think the answer may be. I like problem solving so much, that I sometimes derive a little too much vicarious pleasure from observing other people's problems being solved.
If I do know the answer to a question, then I can either help out or I can read an answer from someone who said the same thing that I would have said. Either way, I am entertained and I may have helped someone.
Maybe I am using too broad of sense of the word "entertained", but I'm not sure there is an easy dividing line here between entertainment and the pleasure of learning, seeing problems solved, etc.
On this basis, of course, drama-filter questions don't do much for me as I can't really tell if a problem was solved.
posted by ssg at 12:52 AM on November 28, 2010
If I don't know have an answer to a question, then I am often well entertained to learn what others think the answer may be. I like problem solving so much, that I sometimes derive a little too much vicarious pleasure from observing other people's problems being solved.
If I do know the answer to a question, then I can either help out or I can read an answer from someone who said the same thing that I would have said. Either way, I am entertained and I may have helped someone.
Maybe I am using too broad of sense of the word "entertained", but I'm not sure there is an easy dividing line here between entertainment and the pleasure of learning, seeing problems solved, etc.
On this basis, of course, drama-filter questions don't do much for me as I can't really tell if a problem was solved.
posted by ssg at 12:52 AM on November 28, 2010
I read it mostly for the Renaissance Dilettante sort of education it provides. I suppose that is entertaining in a way but entertainment isn't really the goal. Answering a question, especially when I know the answer is definitive is a great feeling but nothing compared to a question that significantly broadens my horizons.
tehloki writes "A formal business cape should be an integral part of any discerning gentleman's attire."
Man I really wish capes and or cloaks would come into fashion for a few years. I have burning desire to wear a nice flowing cloak for a while but don't like being laughed/stared at.
Jacqueline writes "I think we can all admit that the 'human relations' category on AskMe is our dirty little secret pleasure."
I pretty well wish it would be bombed from orbit. It sucks me in every once and a while but it is very rarely educational and sometimes makes me hate my fellow members.
Ahab writes "Something else that keeps me coming back are the genuinely interesting questions that I can't answer straight away. There was one last night about Japanese wooden jade vises."
Exactly. I sure hope that gets a good answer.
posted by Mitheral at 1:36 AM on November 28, 2010 [2 favorites]
tehloki writes "A formal business cape should be an integral part of any discerning gentleman's attire."
Man I really wish capes and or cloaks would come into fashion for a few years. I have burning desire to wear a nice flowing cloak for a while but don't like being laughed/stared at.
Jacqueline writes "I think we can all admit that the 'human relations' category on AskMe is our dirty little secret pleasure."
I pretty well wish it would be bombed from orbit. It sucks me in every once and a while but it is very rarely educational and sometimes makes me hate my fellow members.
Ahab writes "Something else that keeps me coming back are the genuinely interesting questions that I can't answer straight away. There was one last night about Japanese wooden jade vises."
Exactly. I sure hope that gets a good answer.
posted by Mitheral at 1:36 AM on November 28, 2010 [2 favorites]
I read it for the secret instructions the cabal embed here using acrostics.
posted by Abiezer at 1:54 AM on November 28, 2010
posted by Abiezer at 1:54 AM on November 28, 2010
Our prime minister embedded an acrostic in the formal speech that accompanies the budget for the coming year and that is read by the queen in the knights hall (troonrede). He didn't tell anyone.
Unfortunately the message was not something interesting like "Wilders is een knurft" but the same acrostic that is contained in our national anthem.
posted by joost de vries at 3:00 AM on November 28, 2010 [2 favorites]
Unfortunately the message was not something interesting like "Wilders is een knurft" but the same acrostic that is contained in our national anthem.
posted by joost de vries at 3:00 AM on November 28, 2010 [2 favorites]
Acrostics aren't the only way they send their secret instructions.
posted by various at 3:03 AM on November 28, 2010
posted by various at 3:03 AM on November 28, 2010
I never know what I'm going to find when I open AskMe.
- sometimes I actually know the answer to a question and so can help.
- many times I've felt sad for the situations people are in but there's nothing I can do to help
- I've often though "oh for God's sake, get a life"
- I've learned something useful (particularly regarding cooking, cats or computers)
- I've almost wet myself laughing. "There's a cockroach in my microwave LED" is my all-time favourite question.
- When I've asked a question, I've (usually) been given helpful information and a solution.
I've learned to delete 99% of the answers I write. Despite my own head telling me so, I do not Know Everything About Everything.
So, mostly entertainment (except for the really sad threads) but occasionally a pearl of wisdom will fall from my keyboard into the thread which the asker needs to know.
posted by essexjan at 3:25 AM on November 28, 2010 [4 favorites]
- sometimes I actually know the answer to a question and so can help.
- many times I've felt sad for the situations people are in but there's nothing I can do to help
- I've often though "oh for God's sake, get a life"
- I've learned something useful (particularly regarding cooking, cats or computers)
- I've almost wet myself laughing. "There's a cockroach in my microwave LED" is my all-time favourite question.
- When I've asked a question, I've (usually) been given helpful information and a solution.
I've learned to delete 99% of the answers I write. Despite my own head telling me so, I do not Know Everything About Everything.
So, mostly entertainment (except for the really sad threads) but occasionally a pearl of wisdom will fall from my keyboard into the thread which the asker needs to know.
posted by essexjan at 3:25 AM on November 28, 2010 [4 favorites]
I have a pine tree I need a good name for
Edith Prickley
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 3:32 AM on November 28, 2010 [2 favorites]
Edith Prickley
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 3:32 AM on November 28, 2010 [2 favorites]
I have a pine tree I need a good name for
Harry Conifer, Jr.
posted by TedW at 5:40 AM on November 28, 2010 [7 favorites]
Harry Conifer, Jr.
posted by TedW at 5:40 AM on November 28, 2010 [7 favorites]
There are categories of questions that I tend to read as a potential answerer, and there are many other categories of questions that I read only for entertainment or for learning. These aren't contradictory impulses, I think.
posted by Forktine at 6:36 AM on November 28, 2010
posted by Forktine at 6:36 AM on November 28, 2010
Thora Birch
posted by Potomac Avenue at 7:12 AM on November 28, 2010
posted by Potomac Avenue at 7:12 AM on November 28, 2010
wait that makes no sense, a birch isn't a pine tree
how about Cypress Bill?
posted by Potomac Avenue at 7:13 AM on November 28, 2010 [2 favorites]
how about Cypress Bill?
posted by Potomac Avenue at 7:13 AM on November 28, 2010 [2 favorites]
I have a pine tree I need a good name for
Pierce U. Yearly
posted by Namlit at 7:23 AM on November 28, 2010 [2 favorites]
Pierce U. Yearly
posted by Namlit at 7:23 AM on November 28, 2010 [2 favorites]
I have a pine tree I need a good name for
Courtney.
posted by mintcake! at 8:43 AM on November 28, 2010
Courtney.
posted by mintcake! at 8:43 AM on November 28, 2010
Just call him Mister Pine, but build a purple house around him.
posted by Gator at 8:50 AM on November 28, 2010
posted by Gator at 8:50 AM on November 28, 2010
Spruce Lee. Or, depending on your cinematic tastes, Spruce Campbell.
posted by maryr at 9:54 AM on November 28, 2010 [5 favorites]
posted by maryr at 9:54 AM on November 28, 2010 [5 favorites]
Douglas Fir.
Of course, that isn't funny if it actually is a Douglas fir.
posted by Sidhedevil at 2:03 PM on November 28, 2010
Of course, that isn't funny if it actually is a Douglas fir.
posted by Sidhedevil at 2:03 PM on November 28, 2010
No, no, Douglas Firbanks.
posted by cortex (staff) at 2:30 PM on November 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by cortex (staff) at 2:30 PM on November 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
If it's a male tree up a mountain, Al Pine; if it's female and has been blown over in a storm, Sue Pine.
posted by Abiezer at 3:03 PM on November 28, 2010 [3 favorites]
posted by Abiezer at 3:03 PM on November 28, 2010 [3 favorites]
I've only ever posted for information.
Oh, sorry, Sir Kwiya.
posted by Elmore at 3:47 PM on November 28, 2010
Oh, sorry, Sir Kwiya.
posted by Elmore at 3:47 PM on November 28, 2010
Doug-Fir Novelty Co:
Stepplejack and Plumbing Supplies.
"How High Is that Thing Sir"
P.O. Box @$
Flint Mi.
48503
-Bevel Ross-Rockingham, Canvasser-LLC*
*revoked in Paraguay
posted by clavdivs at 5:35 PM on November 28, 2010
Stepplejack and Plumbing Supplies.
"How High Is that Thing Sir"
P.O. Box @$
Flint Mi.
48503
-Bevel Ross-Rockingham, Canvasser-LLC*
*revoked in Paraguay
posted by clavdivs at 5:35 PM on November 28, 2010
Jesse Elms
posted by not_on_display at 6:45 PM on November 28, 2010
posted by not_on_display at 6:45 PM on November 28, 2010
I have a pine tree I need a good name for
Sol.
posted by jonmc at 6:56 PM on November 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
Sol.
posted by jonmc at 6:56 PM on November 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
Prometheus.....
posted by Uniformitarianism Now! at 7:34 PM on November 28, 2010
posted by Uniformitarianism Now! at 7:34 PM on November 28, 2010
not_on_display: "Jesse Elms"
(Sorry... I forgot that Pine is not Elm...)
posted by not_on_display at 8:31 PM on November 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
(Sorry... I forgot that Pine is not Elm...)
posted by not_on_display at 8:31 PM on November 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
jessamyn: "And, I'd say, 50% of my answers get deleted, even though I'm really trying to be helpful.
You've had ten out of 467 comments deleted, for the record"
Woah... do me! Do me!
posted by Grither at 9:11 AM on November 29, 2010
You've had ten out of 467 comments deleted, for the record"
Woah... do me! Do me!
posted by Grither at 9:11 AM on November 29, 2010
Woah... do me! Do me!
29 out of 782? I'm assuming that is what you meant by "do me." If I am wrong I do not wish to know it.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 9:12 AM on November 29, 2010 [3 favorites]
29 out of 782? I'm assuming that is what you meant by "do me." If I am wrong I do not wish to know it.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 9:12 AM on November 29, 2010 [3 favorites]
Ah.... erm.... yeeeaah. That is exactly what I meant.
no seriously, it was exactly what I meant, thanks!
posted by Grither at 9:16 AM on November 29, 2010
no seriously, it was exactly what I meant, thanks!
posted by Grither at 9:16 AM on November 29, 2010
I don't so much "read AskMe for entertainment" as "occasionally find myself being entertained incidentally by AskMe while I'm fishing for useful pointers that I can bookmark in my archives."
No, I read Jobs for entertainment. It's a sad kind of funny, like clowns.
posted by AugieAugustus at 1:34 PM on November 29, 2010
No, I read Jobs for entertainment. It's a sad kind of funny, like clowns.
posted by AugieAugustus at 1:34 PM on November 29, 2010
To the extent that I'm a non-authority on most things, I guess I'm reading AskMe for entertainment / to learn stuff.
posted by l33tpolicywonk at 8:13 AM on November 30, 2010
posted by l33tpolicywonk at 8:13 AM on November 30, 2010
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posted by carsonb at 2:16 PM on November 27, 2010 [4 favorites]