Cat on a Scanner August 23, 2012 8:46 AM Subscribe
Not a call out of anyone specifically, and certainly "be the change you want to see" but the front page today is comprised entirely of one-liners, mostly SYTL. Maybe it's decompression from the August Best Post Contest, but typically MetaFilter is known for it's "essay-like" posts and it feels like reddit today.
Granted, this is like marveling at a rover landing on Mars and then saying "but look at that one wheel."
Granted, this is like marveling at a rover landing on Mars and then saying "but look at that one wheel."
I, for one, am stupidly grateful for this.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 8:50 AM on August 23, 2012 [49 favorites]
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 8:50 AM on August 23, 2012 [49 favorites]
Metafilter has always had a mix of 'one-liners' and 'essay-like' posts. The very first post is a one-liner.
posted by muddgirl at 8:51 AM on August 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by muddgirl at 8:51 AM on August 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
Yay to all single link posts to good material. If it don't need padding don't pad it.
posted by Artw at 8:53 AM on August 23, 2012 [25 favorites]
posted by Artw at 8:53 AM on August 23, 2012 [25 favorites]
Personally, I tend to read more of the succinct pointers than the compilations, where I get overwhelmed. But that's my own bag.
posted by muddgirl at 8:53 AM on August 23, 2012 [9 favorites]
posted by muddgirl at 8:53 AM on August 23, 2012 [9 favorites]
FWIW, I prefer the shorter posts with only one or two links. I generally skip over the longer ones, because it often feels like I'm reading someone's home-work.
Not complaining. Just my preference.
posted by veedubya at 8:55 AM on August 23, 2012 [11 favorites]
Not complaining. Just my preference.
posted by veedubya at 8:55 AM on August 23, 2012 [11 favorites]
It's still relatively early for North America-based Mefites. It'll probably normalize over the next 6 or so hours.
posted by kagredon at 8:56 AM on August 23, 2012
posted by kagredon at 8:56 AM on August 23, 2012
I remember reading in a MeTa recently that shorter posts actually more reflect the spirit of metafilter, at least in terms of early site history. I can't remember where it is, though, or who said it. It might have been Matt or someone on the mod team.
posted by SpacemanStix at 8:58 AM on August 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by SpacemanStix at 8:58 AM on August 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
I knew those lazy yanks never dragged their arses out of bed before noon!
posted by veedubya at 8:59 AM on August 23, 2012
posted by veedubya at 8:59 AM on August 23, 2012
I actually have a considerably chunkier (at least for me) post sitting hot in Notepad waiting for the clock to hit 12:39.
posted by griphus at 9:00 AM on August 23, 2012
posted by griphus at 9:00 AM on August 23, 2012
(After that it's nothing but <60 second SLYTs of silly animals.)
posted by griphus at 9:01 AM on August 23, 2012
posted by griphus at 9:01 AM on August 23, 2012
Orange you glad they didn't say sexism?
I'll take seven goddamn SLYTs per day of kittens riding bicycles over one more of those contentious, user-baiting posts.
posted by heyho at 9:02 AM on August 23, 2012 [4 favorites]
I'll take seven goddamn SLYTs per day of kittens riding bicycles over one more of those contentious, user-baiting posts.
posted by heyho at 9:02 AM on August 23, 2012 [4 favorites]
four panels: "the front page today is comprised entirely of one-liners, mostly SYTL."
Ha! Did I break a trend?
posted by zarq at 9:05 AM on August 23, 2012 [3 favorites]
Ha! Did I break a trend?
posted by zarq at 9:05 AM on August 23, 2012 [3 favorites]
No.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 9:08 AM on August 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 9:08 AM on August 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
...it feels like reddit today.
Which is fine. A day or half day of lighter type stuff is great, few people want to read essay length posts day after day.
Relax, turn up the music and sprinkle some bacon bits on a maple frosted doughnut. It's all good.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 9:14 AM on August 23, 2012 [4 favorites]
Which is fine. A day or half day of lighter type stuff is great, few people want to read essay length posts day after day.
Relax, turn up the music and sprinkle some bacon bits on a maple frosted doughnut. It's all good.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 9:14 AM on August 23, 2012 [4 favorites]
Ha! Did I break a trend?
Only in that you didn't actually link to your post while cross-promoting it.
posted by heyho at 9:22 AM on August 23, 2012 [2 favorites]
Only in that you didn't actually link to your post while cross-promoting it.
posted by heyho at 9:22 AM on August 23, 2012 [2 favorites]
One...two...three...four...five...six...dammit, Zarq!
posted by iamkimiam at 9:27 AM on August 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by iamkimiam at 9:27 AM on August 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
I, for one, am stupidly grateful for this.
you say that now, but wait until the SLYTL advocating the declawing of gay jewish cats belonging to athiest 1%ers who use apple products.
posted by entropicamericana at 9:32 AM on August 23, 2012 [2 favorites]
you say that now, but wait until the SLYTL advocating the declawing of gay jewish cats belonging to athiest 1%ers who use apple products.
posted by entropicamericana at 9:32 AM on August 23, 2012 [2 favorites]
entropicamericana: the SLYTL advocating the declawing of gay jewish cats belonging to athiest 1%ers who use apple products.
Declawing? No, I'm pretty sure I've seen the one you're talking about, and you mean the less controversial topic of circumcising gay Jewish cats. Stop trying to inflame the masses.
posted by gman at 9:35 AM on August 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
Declawing? No, I'm pretty sure I've seen the one you're talking about, and you mean the less controversial topic of circumcising gay Jewish cats. Stop trying to inflame the masses.
posted by gman at 9:35 AM on August 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
zarq, I shouldn't think so, because the tomcat has spines on his penis (yow!). They rake the female cat's vagina to aid in implantation and---I'm sorry, I can't finish this, I have to go hug my poor female cat right now.
posted by misha at 9:44 AM on August 23, 2012 [4 favorites]
posted by misha at 9:44 AM on August 23, 2012 [4 favorites]
Fuck, my first Google result was the CAT II Q Stretcher for restoring the human penis back to its former glory. Just as an FYI, college student discounts are now available and there are lower shipping calculations.
posted by gman at 9:44 AM on August 23, 2012
posted by gman at 9:44 AM on August 23, 2012
four panels: "typically MetaFilter is known for it's "essay-like" posts and it feels like reddit today"
Get out and show your hustle, son.
posted by boo_radley at 9:46 AM on August 23, 2012
Get out and show your hustle, son.
posted by boo_radley at 9:46 AM on August 23, 2012
misha: "zarq, I shouldn't think so, because the tomcat has spines on his penis (yow!). They rake the female cat's vagina to aid in implantation and---I'm sorry, I can't finish this, I have to go hug my poor female cat right now."
o.O OMG.
Yow. I'm sorry I asked. :(
posted by zarq at 9:47 AM on August 23, 2012
o.O OMG.
Yow. I'm sorry I asked. :(
posted by zarq at 9:47 AM on August 23, 2012
four panels: “... and it feels like reddit today.”
NOT SURE IF POSTER IS UNFAMILIAR WITH REDDIT
XXWXXXXMMBXXXXXXX...XX..XXXXVXXXWX
XXMMVRVXWMXMMMBXXR...RM..YWRXRXXXX
XXBMMVXB..................BXXXXRXX
XXXR.......................XXXMBVX
XXR........XXR.............VVVVVVX
XBW.........Y........=BV.VVVVVVVVM
XXXWt.....+.;;...........VVVVVVVVX
XXX+............../__\./__\VVVVVVX
VVV..........;B...\--/.\--/#VVVVVV
VVVV.....XtY.;.............XVVVVVV
VVVVVVM.VR.X...............D+VVVVV
VVVVVVVVV+;;...............VVVVVVV
VVVVVVVVVVVM...............;;VVVVV
VVVVVVVVVVVY.................BVVVV
VVVVVVVVVYYX...........;RVVVVVVVVV
VVVVVVVVXMVM.........;VVVVVVVVVVVV
VVVVVVVMXVVV;......;;VVWVVVVVVVVVV
OR JUST TRYING TO TROLL US INTO MAKING WORDIER POSTS
posted by koeselitz at 9:47 AM on August 23, 2012 [15 favorites]
NOT SURE IF POSTER IS UNFAMILIAR WITH REDDIT
XXWXXXXMMBXXXXXXX...XX..XXXXVXXXWX
XXMMVRVXWMXMMMBXXR...RM..YWRXRXXXX
XXBMMVXB..................BXXXXRXX
XXXR.......................XXXMBVX
XXR........XXR.............VVVVVVX
XBW.........Y........=BV.VVVVVVVVM
XXXWt.....+.;;...........VVVVVVVVX
XXX+............../__\./__\VVVVVVX
VVV..........;B...\--/.\--/#VVVVVV
VVVV.....XtY.;.............XVVVVVV
VVVVVVM.VR.X...............D+VVVVV
VVVVVVVVV+;;...............VVVVVVV
VVVVVVVVVVVM...............;;VVVVV
VVVVVVVVVVVY.................BVVVV
VVVVVVVVVYYX...........;RVVVVVVVVV
VVVVVVVVXMVM.........;VVVVVVVVVVVV
VVVVVVVMXVVV;......;;VVWVVVVVVVVVV
OR JUST TRYING TO TROLL US INTO MAKING WORDIER POSTS
posted by koeselitz at 9:47 AM on August 23, 2012 [15 favorites]
There is nothing wrong with short posts. Longer isn't better, it's just longer.
posted by Sticherbeast at 9:49 AM on August 23, 2012 [6 favorites]
posted by Sticherbeast at 9:49 AM on August 23, 2012 [6 favorites]
koeselitz, that would be one hell of a kroz map.
posted by boo_radley at 9:50 AM on August 23, 2012
posted by boo_radley at 9:50 AM on August 23, 2012
I like days like this. It's like reading the MetaFilter version of USA Today, which makes me feel like I'm on vacation.
posted by Atom Eyes at 9:54 AM on August 23, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by Atom Eyes at 9:54 AM on August 23, 2012 [2 favorites]
gman: " ...my first Google result was..."
Heh. Yeah, there was no way I was googling "cat foreskin" at work. The call from IT would be... disturbing.
posted by zarq at 9:57 AM on August 23, 2012
Heh. Yeah, there was no way I was googling "cat foreskin" at work. The call from IT would be... disturbing.
posted by zarq at 9:57 AM on August 23, 2012
griphus: I actually have a considerably chunkier (at least for me) post sitting hot in Notepad waiting for the clock to hit 12:39.
7 MINUTES LATE, SLACKER
posted by kagredon at 9:58 AM on August 23, 2012
7 MINUTES LATE, SLACKER
posted by kagredon at 9:58 AM on August 23, 2012
Hooray, the front page is now full of big, thick paragraphs.
posted by griphus at 9:58 AM on August 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by griphus at 9:58 AM on August 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
I'm personally not a fan of the essay posts so much, so I'm OK with this is what I'm saying.
posted by sweetkid at 10:00 AM on August 23, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by sweetkid at 10:00 AM on August 23, 2012 [2 favorites]
7 MINUTES LATE, SLACKER
For some reason hitting "preview" mangled a good portion of the links and I had to fix them by hand a few times. Also my alarm clock didn't go off and there was traffic and my cat is sick and I was up late last night because of important reasons and
posted by griphus at 10:01 AM on August 23, 2012 [4 favorites]
For some reason hitting "preview" mangled a good portion of the links and I had to fix them by hand a few times. Also my alarm clock didn't go off and there was traffic and my cat is sick and I was up late last night because of important reasons and
posted by griphus at 10:01 AM on August 23, 2012 [4 favorites]
It's like the weather! It changes from day to day, maybe it's different in the morning than in the afternoon.
posted by cortex (staff) at 10:01 AM on August 23, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by cortex (staff) at 10:01 AM on August 23, 2012 [2 favorites]
Look at the blue *right now* and you'll see plenty of link-heavy posts, in particular the one about food trucks.
posted by scratch at 10:03 AM on August 23, 2012
posted by scratch at 10:03 AM on August 23, 2012
I was up late last night because of important reasons and
THE DOG ATE MY POST
posted by elizardbits at 10:05 AM on August 23, 2012 [4 favorites]
THE DOG ATE MY POST
posted by elizardbits at 10:05 AM on August 23, 2012 [4 favorites]
Burhanistan: "Great, now it's a wordzone. Hope you're happy, concision oppressors."
Doubleplusungood?
posted by zarq at 10:06 AM on August 23, 2012
Doubleplusungood?
posted by zarq at 10:06 AM on August 23, 2012
Probable dumb question: Do cats have foreskins?
Nine, I believe.
posted by yoink at 10:10 AM on August 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
Nine, I believe.
posted by yoink at 10:10 AM on August 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
I always skip the 'essay-like' posts, as they demand way too much of my time. Bring on the single-link posts!
posted by Afroblanco at 10:24 AM on August 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by Afroblanco at 10:24 AM on August 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
now it's a wordzone
Some of those have stuff above-the-fold that belong below-the-fold.
posted by Egg Shen at 10:29 AM on August 23, 2012
Some of those have stuff above-the-fold that belong below-the-fold.
posted by Egg Shen at 10:29 AM on August 23, 2012
I only post single link posts, and i've always assumed that I was the gold standard for post formatting.
posted by chunking express at 10:29 AM on August 23, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by chunking express at 10:29 AM on August 23, 2012 [2 favorites]
Relax, turn up the music and sprinkle some bacon bits on a maple frosted doughnut. It's all good.
And then, conga line.
posted by The Whelk at 10:35 AM on August 23, 2012
And then, conga line.
posted by The Whelk at 10:35 AM on August 23, 2012
I only post single link posts, and i've always assumed that I was the gold standard for post formatting.
I don't mind multi-link posts, but my pet peeve is posts chock full of links with absolutely no indication what the links will take you to. I mean, sure, you know that each link will have something or other to do with the subject of the FPP, but all you see is a sentence with a bunch of randomly hyperlinked words in it and you just have to click about the place to see which ones are really the meat of the post and which ones are just supporting bumph. I particularly see red when it turns out that there's really just one substantive link and the rest is a bunch of Wikipedia "background" which we are all perfectly capable of Googling for ourselves, thank you very much, if we happen to find the substantive link interesting.
posted by yoink at 10:36 AM on August 23, 2012 [5 favorites]
I don't mind multi-link posts, but my pet peeve is posts chock full of links with absolutely no indication what the links will take you to. I mean, sure, you know that each link will have something or other to do with the subject of the FPP, but all you see is a sentence with a bunch of randomly hyperlinked words in it and you just have to click about the place to see which ones are really the meat of the post and which ones are just supporting bumph. I particularly see red when it turns out that there's really just one substantive link and the rest is a bunch of Wikipedia "background" which we are all perfectly capable of Googling for ourselves, thank you very much, if we happen to find the substantive link interesting.
posted by yoink at 10:36 AM on August 23, 2012 [5 favorites]
the tomcat has spines on his penis (yow!). They rake the female cat's vagina to aid in implantation
...and that's why the pussy doesn't put out for just any old Tom's dick, Mr. Potter.
sorry
posted by juv3nal at 10:43 AM on August 23, 2012
...and that's why the pussy doesn't put out for just any old Tom's dick, Mr. Potter.
sorry
posted by juv3nal at 10:43 AM on August 23, 2012
single link posts are fine if the link is interesting....Ignore the users that complain about one link.
posted by Gator at 11:06 AM on August 23, 2012
posted by Gator at 11:06 AM on August 23, 2012
Sometimes there will be posts you like, sometimes there will be posts you don't like.
Time marches on.
posted by helicomatic at 11:10 AM on August 23, 2012
Time marches on.
posted by helicomatic at 11:10 AM on August 23, 2012
> FWIW, I prefer the shorter posts with only one or two links. I generally skip over the longer ones, because it often feels like I'm reading someone's home-work.
Me too. I really hate the recent idea that long = good.
posted by languagehat at 11:12 AM on August 23, 2012 [4 favorites]
Me too. I really hate the recent idea that long = good.
posted by languagehat at 11:12 AM on August 23, 2012 [4 favorites]
Speaking of today's front page, how is an opinion piece about the potential "effects on Medicare" of the Ryan plan vs. Obamacare not blatant election-filter? I know the headline has the phrase "Definitive Guide," but it's really a definitive guide to the opinions of The New Republic's Jonathan Cohn, who can always be counted on to make the case for Obama and against Romney. Would it have been OK to post an equivalent editorial from, say, the National Review on why the Romney/Ryan approach will be better for senior citizens than the Obama/Biden approach? I thought that kind of thing was generally deleted, especially so close to the election.
posted by John Cohen at 11:14 AM on August 23, 2012
posted by John Cohen at 11:14 AM on August 23, 2012
I'll add my voice to the chorus saying that I find posts with more than 4-8 links exhausting, and I usually skip it. Want to introduce me to a band? Give me 2-3 songs that are (in your opinion) their best; don't give me 20 links, because, chances are, I'll click on the first, and, if I don't love it, skip the rest. Same for most topics -- I am not reading 40 pages of pdfs to comment on a post. I have a life to live, and there are other, more alluring posts to comment on.
But that's just me, Long Posters; I do not look down on you for the posts you and your Long Post Acolytes spend so much time on. Actually, they are kind of awe-inspiring, but, you have to understand, there is a video of a kitten sort of pretending to be a DJ but really wishing it would just be left alone to nap!
I gotta click.
posted by GenjiandProust at 11:21 AM on August 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
But that's just me, Long Posters; I do not look down on you for the posts you and your Long Post Acolytes spend so much time on. Actually, they are kind of awe-inspiring, but, you have to understand, there is a video of a kitten sort of pretending to be a DJ but really wishing it would just be left alone to nap!
I gotta click.
posted by GenjiandProust at 11:21 AM on August 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
GenjiandProust: "Give me 2-3 songs that are (in your opinion) their best; don't give me 20 links, because, chances are, I'll click on the first, and, if I don't love it, skip the rest."
Doesn't everyone do that? Most of us who make these longer posts construct them so there are one to a handful of links above the fold. This way, if a person doesn't like what they see or hear initially, they can simply move on to the next post. The meat of these post with more links and information, comes below the fold and is intended for people who are interested in learning more.
posted by zarq at 11:26 AM on August 23, 2012
Doesn't everyone do that? Most of us who make these longer posts construct them so there are one to a handful of links above the fold. This way, if a person doesn't like what they see or hear initially, they can simply move on to the next post. The meat of these post with more links and information, comes below the fold and is intended for people who are interested in learning more.
posted by zarq at 11:26 AM on August 23, 2012
its*
posted by four panels at 11:35 AM on August 23, 2012
posted by four panels at 11:35 AM on August 23, 2012
Doesn't everyone do that? Most of us who make these longer posts construct them so there are one to a handful of links above the fold.
I'm really talking about whole-post construction. If the band is awesome, I am capable of using the internet to find more songs. 2-3 links lets you show the band in their best light. More just makes me kind of tired and unwilling to look at anything.
If there are more than a few links but the topic is interesting, I'll usually read the comments (or the first bunch of comments) to see if it looks like there is any theme that really captures my attention before I read the links. That sometimes gives me a sense of which link I should concentrate on or whether I might want to back slowly out of the thread.
Above the fold and below the fold are more a tool for keeping the front page tidy and putting more posts on it than license to post a weight tome. To me, that's personal blog (or maybe wiki stuff).
Anyway, I'm not trying to be too declarative here. I don't have to read every post, and MetaFilter is a big tent -- I think there should be room for posts of all lengths; I just happen to read and interact with the shorter ones, just like there are certain topics that I am unlikely to ever read.
By the way, that kitten video was pretty dull. No parties were rocked, that is for sure.
posted by GenjiandProust at 11:36 AM on August 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
I'm really talking about whole-post construction. If the band is awesome, I am capable of using the internet to find more songs. 2-3 links lets you show the band in their best light. More just makes me kind of tired and unwilling to look at anything.
If there are more than a few links but the topic is interesting, I'll usually read the comments (or the first bunch of comments) to see if it looks like there is any theme that really captures my attention before I read the links. That sometimes gives me a sense of which link I should concentrate on or whether I might want to back slowly out of the thread.
Above the fold and below the fold are more a tool for keeping the front page tidy and putting more posts on it than license to post a weight tome. To me, that's personal blog (or maybe wiki stuff).
Anyway, I'm not trying to be too declarative here. I don't have to read every post, and MetaFilter is a big tent -- I think there should be room for posts of all lengths; I just happen to read and interact with the shorter ones, just like there are certain topics that I am unlikely to ever read.
By the way, that kitten video was pretty dull. No parties were rocked, that is for sure.
posted by GenjiandProust at 11:36 AM on August 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
Ooh, it would be very interesting to look at average posting style or content during a number of countries' prime times
Based on recent experience, the front page is a quiet place from approx. 0000 EST to 0700 EST. Links pick up from 0900 to 1100 EST, level off for a bit (I think the effect of lunch hitting EST, CST, MST and PST in order) and ramp up again from about 1600 to 2000 EST, before dropping off through midnight.
Changing time zones has been a real eye-opener for me.
posted by the man of twists and turns at 11:42 AM on August 23, 2012
Based on recent experience, the front page is a quiet place from approx. 0000 EST to 0700 EST. Links pick up from 0900 to 1100 EST, level off for a bit (I think the effect of lunch hitting EST, CST, MST and PST in order) and ramp up again from about 1600 to 2000 EST, before dropping off through midnight.
Changing time zones has been a real eye-opener for me.
posted by the man of twists and turns at 11:42 AM on August 23, 2012
GenjiandProust: "If the band is awesome, I am capable of using the internet to find more songs. 2-3 links lets you show the band in their best light. More just makes me kind of tired and unwilling to look at anything.
Ah, I understand. Thanks for explaining.
Above the fold and below the fold are more a tool for keeping the front page tidy and putting more posts on it than license to post a weight tome. To me, that's personal blog (or maybe wiki stuff)."
See it's interesting to me because I use the above the fold area as a sort of hook. That's where I put a general description, and any content that might interest a casual reader. The more in-depth stuff goes inside.
posted by zarq at 11:44 AM on August 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
Ah, I understand. Thanks for explaining.
Above the fold and below the fold are more a tool for keeping the front page tidy and putting more posts on it than license to post a weight tome. To me, that's personal blog (or maybe wiki stuff)."
See it's interesting to me because I use the above the fold area as a sort of hook. That's where I put a general description, and any content that might interest a casual reader. The more in-depth stuff goes inside.
posted by zarq at 11:44 AM on August 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
FWIW, not everyone structures their long posts this way. I've seen a few where the only link above-the-fold was to a Wikipedia article.
posted by muddgirl at 11:48 AM on August 23, 2012
posted by muddgirl at 11:48 AM on August 23, 2012
Is there no pleasing you people?
posted by chillmost at 12:03 PM on August 23, 2012 [4 favorites]
posted by chillmost at 12:03 PM on August 23, 2012 [4 favorites]
I thought that kind of thing was generally deleted, especially so close to the election.
Not really, no. We're much more selective about what we'll delete as pure LOLREPUBLICANZ stuff [see the earlier single link CNN post] but this didn't hit our "this sucks" meter. People post links to editorials all the time and there's nothing wrong with that. Frothy GRARbait stuff is less okay than "Here is a look at this issue" stuff even if it's slanted in one direction.
If you do not enjoy reading stuff that is slanted in the direction of Obama, you may not enjoy a lot of posts that are made here over the next few months and you can make a decision how you would like to deal with that. This is a site that came out solidly for Obama in 2008 and while we're unlikely to post a logo in the sidebar this time around, that's the reality of the majority (though certainly not the totality) of the MetaFilter userbase and it's unlikely to change. This partly defines how people choose articles that they think are interesting and that they might want to share with the userbase.
Would it have been OK to post an equivalent editorial from, say, the National Review on why the Romney/Ryan approach will be better for senior citizens than the Obama/Biden approach?
You've been here long enough to know that we don't play this "Why is this okay but not the opposite of this?" game. National Review articles tend to go shittily here and if you're unhappy that people seem to like talking about ways that Romney/Ryan are not really doing the things that the users of this website seem to think they should, you are welcome to make a considered post that looks at the other side.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 12:05 PM on August 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
Not really, no. We're much more selective about what we'll delete as pure LOLREPUBLICANZ stuff [see the earlier single link CNN post] but this didn't hit our "this sucks" meter. People post links to editorials all the time and there's nothing wrong with that. Frothy GRARbait stuff is less okay than "Here is a look at this issue" stuff even if it's slanted in one direction.
If you do not enjoy reading stuff that is slanted in the direction of Obama, you may not enjoy a lot of posts that are made here over the next few months and you can make a decision how you would like to deal with that. This is a site that came out solidly for Obama in 2008 and while we're unlikely to post a logo in the sidebar this time around, that's the reality of the majority (though certainly not the totality) of the MetaFilter userbase and it's unlikely to change. This partly defines how people choose articles that they think are interesting and that they might want to share with the userbase.
Would it have been OK to post an equivalent editorial from, say, the National Review on why the Romney/Ryan approach will be better for senior citizens than the Obama/Biden approach?
You've been here long enough to know that we don't play this "Why is this okay but not the opposite of this?" game. National Review articles tend to go shittily here and if you're unhappy that people seem to like talking about ways that Romney/Ryan are not really doing the things that the users of this website seem to think they should, you are welcome to make a considered post that looks at the other side.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 12:05 PM on August 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
Is there no pleasing you people?
What do you mean "you people"??!@???eleven
posted by rtha at 12:08 PM on August 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
What do you mean "you people"??!@???eleven
posted by rtha at 12:08 PM on August 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
muddgirl: "FWIW, not everyone structures their long posts this way. I've seen a few where the only link above-the-fold was to a Wikipedia article."
Very true!
posted by zarq at 12:23 PM on August 23, 2012
Very true!
posted by zarq at 12:23 PM on August 23, 2012
What do you mean "you people"??!@???eleven
I am offended by that cryptic "eleven" at the end there.
posted by GenjiandProust at 12:24 PM on August 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
I am offended by that cryptic "eleven" at the end there.
posted by GenjiandProust at 12:24 PM on August 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
See it's interesting to me because I use the above the fold area as a sort of hook. That's where I put a general description, and any content that might interest a casual reader. The more in-depth stuff goes inside.
Well, there is that, too. I mean, it's a style thing to, and there are definitely different ways to construct posts (a contest where everyone starts with the same set of links and decides what to include and how to frame it might be fun). It's just, for me, too much below the fold is kind of like opening a relationship post on AskMe and finding 6 screens worth of detail and no actual question. I expect some people really enjoy that kind of post and want to engage with it, so I don't judge.
posted by GenjiandProust at 12:27 PM on August 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
Well, there is that, too. I mean, it's a style thing to, and there are definitely different ways to construct posts (a contest where everyone starts with the same set of links and decides what to include and how to frame it might be fun). It's just, for me, too much below the fold is kind of like opening a relationship post on AskMe and finding 6 screens worth of detail and no actual question. I expect some people really enjoy that kind of post and want to engage with it, so I don't judge.
posted by GenjiandProust at 12:27 PM on August 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
Those superlong gyobby linkdump posts really grate my cheese. Give me wee any day of the week.
In a mug, please.
posted by Ice Cream Socialist at 12:28 PM on August 23, 2012
In a mug, please.
posted by Ice Cream Socialist at 12:28 PM on August 23, 2012
I am offended by that cryptic "eleven" at the end there.
I've always been mildly troubled by the move from "see I am sarcastically pretending to fail twice to hold down the shift key while banging on the 1 key" to "I am writing out the word 'eleven' literally" because it feels like too much of a lampshading of the whole thing and too specific. Why eleven? Why not one, or one hundred and eleven, or one thousand one hundred and eleven? Why not !teen? THESE ARE IMPORTANT QUESTIONS!!!11
posted by cortex (staff) at 12:31 PM on August 23, 2012 [2 favorites]
I've always been mildly troubled by the move from "see I am sarcastically pretending to fail twice to hold down the shift key while banging on the 1 key" to "I am writing out the word 'eleven' literally" because it feels like too much of a lampshading of the whole thing and too specific. Why eleven? Why not one, or one hundred and eleven, or one thousand one hundred and eleven? Why not !teen? THESE ARE IMPORTANT QUESTIONS!!!11
posted by cortex (staff) at 12:31 PM on August 23, 2012 [2 favorites]
This is how this comment appeared in my recent activity:
I am offended by that cryptic "eleven" at the end there.
posted by GenjiandProust 11 minutes ago [+]
It's the Cabal, I tell you! It must be th
posted by rtha at 12:37 PM on August 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
I am offended by that cryptic "eleven" at the end there.
posted by GenjiandProust 11 minutes ago [+]
It's the Cabal, I tell you! It must be th
posted by rtha at 12:37 PM on August 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
GenjiandProust: "(a contest where everyone starts with the same set of links and decides what to include and how to frame it might be fun). "
Oh man, that would be awesome.
We see it in action every once in a great while when there are doubles, or multiple obit posts. There's a lot of variety in what different people think is important about any given topic.
I've had a few weird moments when putting a post together where I've hit preview and seen that not only was I working on a double, but the person who beat me to posting had a totally different and fascinating take on the content. Something that never would have occurred to me. I love it when that happens -- gives a neat little shift in my worldview about a subject.
It's just, for me, too much below the fold is kind of like opening a relationship post on AskMe and finding 6 screens worth of detail and no actual question.
*nod*
I can see why that would be annoying.
I expect some people really enjoy that kind of post and want to engage with it, so I don't judge.
I'm a big fan of the bigger posts. I try not to make them too often. But it's always a lot of fun getting really deeply into a topic, whether you're the one doing the digging or just reading someone else's post. Totally get that they're not everyone's cup of tea, though.
posted by zarq at 12:43 PM on August 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
Oh man, that would be awesome.
We see it in action every once in a great while when there are doubles, or multiple obit posts. There's a lot of variety in what different people think is important about any given topic.
I've had a few weird moments when putting a post together where I've hit preview and seen that not only was I working on a double, but the person who beat me to posting had a totally different and fascinating take on the content. Something that never would have occurred to me. I love it when that happens -- gives a neat little shift in my worldview about a subject.
It's just, for me, too much below the fold is kind of like opening a relationship post on AskMe and finding 6 screens worth of detail and no actual question.
*nod*
I can see why that would be annoying.
I expect some people really enjoy that kind of post and want to engage with it, so I don't judge.
I'm a big fan of the bigger posts. I try not to make them too often. But it's always a lot of fun getting really deeply into a topic, whether you're the one doing the digging or just reading someone else's post. Totally get that they're not everyone's cup of tea, though.
posted by zarq at 12:43 PM on August 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
If this was like Reddit every post would be a cat, pics of a Pilonidal cyst, or pics of a botfly. Why are redditors infested with botflies and Pilonidal cysts for gods sake, does it have something to do with all the cats?
posted by Ad hominem at 1:17 PM on August 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by Ad hominem at 1:17 PM on August 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
Also pictures of cars overturned, food that looks like other things, atheist image macros, something you found in a toilet, and a sign that mug reference a popular video game.
posted by The Whelk at 1:21 PM on August 23, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 1:21 PM on August 23, 2012 [2 favorites]
Put me down as not a fan of the encyclopedically long posts.
posted by gingerbeer at 1:22 PM on August 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by gingerbeer at 1:22 PM on August 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
I am a fan of The Whelk in a conga line, though.
posted by gingerbeer at 1:23 PM on August 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by gingerbeer at 1:23 PM on August 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
TIL about botflies [fixed] [fixed] [fixed]
Found this gem on FB [fixed]
Found this little guy asleep on my porch [fixed] <- someone fixed it by changing the pic from a kitten to a pic of a botfly.
posted by Ad hominem at 1:27 PM on August 23, 2012
Found this gem on FB [fixed]
Found this little guy asleep on my porch [fixed] <- someone fixed it by changing the pic from a kitten to a pic of a botfly.
posted by Ad hominem at 1:27 PM on August 23, 2012
You know the words just avoid falling into the pool
posted by The Whelk at 1:29 PM on August 23, 2012
posted by The Whelk at 1:29 PM on August 23, 2012
the front page today is comprised entirely of one-liners, mostly SYTL.
I have done my best to rectify the disturbance in the Force. Is it better now?
posted by DarlingBri at 1:30 PM on August 23, 2012
I have done my best to rectify the disturbance in the Force. Is it better now?
posted by DarlingBri at 1:30 PM on August 23, 2012
Another strong vote against the idea that essay-like posts or mega-linkdump posts are better or more characteristic of this place.
posted by LobsterMitten at 2:05 PM on August 23, 2012
posted by LobsterMitten at 2:05 PM on August 23, 2012
all posts should only be about things that interest me personally
posted by elizardbits at 2:46 PM on August 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by elizardbits at 2:46 PM on August 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
All Teen Wofl All The Time!
posted by gingerbeer at 3:00 PM on August 23, 2012
posted by gingerbeer at 3:00 PM on August 23, 2012
The Whelk: "There was supposed to be a conga line damnit."
*dons a lampshade, follows The Whelk lead*
posted by deborah at 3:04 PM on August 23, 2012
*dons a lampshade, follows The Whelk lead*
posted by deborah at 3:04 PM on August 23, 2012
Is it just me or is the front page kindof especially great today?
posted by likeatoaster at 3:09 PM on August 23, 2012
posted by likeatoaster at 3:09 PM on August 23, 2012
Dear everyone, I hope you like camels, and camel-related history.
Love,
- filthy light thief.
posted by filthy light thief at 4:10 PM on August 23, 2012 [4 favorites]
Love,
- filthy light thief.
posted by filthy light thief at 4:10 PM on August 23, 2012 [4 favorites]
all posts should only be about things that interest me personally
Well then I think you'll like the FPP I'm working on, elizardbits! Here are some of the links I've got so far:
* a video of a ten-minute long expletive-laden Anthony Bourdain rant about sour vs dry poffins
* an LA Times article about feuding between rival gourmet poffin food trucks
* a ridiculously simple Food Network recipe for microwaved poffins, with hilarious comments
* an NPR report on conditions at the factories in which most domestic poffin brands are produced
* "Are Poffins Making our Pokémon Fat?" a nine-part Slate.com roundtable discussion
* a Tumblr of puppies that resemble poffins
* a Tumblr of poffins that resemble puppies
* a blog post about how to make Paleo Diet poffins
* the secret history of the decade-long Wikipedia edit war about whether hybrid poffin flavors should have their own articles or be merged into existing poffin articles
* Buzzfeed's 14 Photos of Celebrities Eating Poffins
* a Flickr of scans of old poffin ads from the 70's
And please don't tell me we've all moved past the poffins thing, I've spent hours of research on this.
posted by prize bull octorok at 4:14 PM on August 23, 2012 [3 favorites]
Well then I think you'll like the FPP I'm working on, elizardbits! Here are some of the links I've got so far:
* a video of a ten-minute long expletive-laden Anthony Bourdain rant about sour vs dry poffins
* an LA Times article about feuding between rival gourmet poffin food trucks
* a ridiculously simple Food Network recipe for microwaved poffins, with hilarious comments
* an NPR report on conditions at the factories in which most domestic poffin brands are produced
* "Are Poffins Making our Pokémon Fat?" a nine-part Slate.com roundtable discussion
* a Tumblr of puppies that resemble poffins
* a Tumblr of poffins that resemble puppies
* a blog post about how to make Paleo Diet poffins
* the secret history of the decade-long Wikipedia edit war about whether hybrid poffin flavors should have their own articles or be merged into existing poffin articles
* Buzzfeed's 14 Photos of Celebrities Eating Poffins
* a Flickr of scans of old poffin ads from the 70's
And please don't tell me we've all moved past the poffins thing, I've spent hours of research on this.
posted by prize bull octorok at 4:14 PM on August 23, 2012 [3 favorites]
No wait, making poffins.
I don't know where I'm going with this.
posted by The Whelk at 4:24 PM on August 23, 2012
I don't know where I'm going with this.
posted by The Whelk at 4:24 PM on August 23, 2012
the secret history of the decade-long Wikipedia edit war about whether hybrid poffin flavors should have their own articles or be merged into existing poffin articles
oh my god
this is like a dream come true
posted by elizardbits at 4:40 PM on August 23, 2012 [2 favorites]
oh my god
this is like a dream come true
posted by elizardbits at 4:40 PM on August 23, 2012 [2 favorites]
but typically MetaFilter is known for it's "essay-like" posts and it feels like reddit today.
a) No, that is not what Metafilter is typically known for. Pay attention.
b) Your insolent, lazy reddit snark is ignorant; fuck off.
posted by Decani at 5:12 PM on August 23, 2012
a) No, that is not what Metafilter is typically known for. Pay attention.
b) Your insolent, lazy reddit snark is ignorant; fuck off.
posted by Decani at 5:12 PM on August 23, 2012
It must be tiring to find an insult in every comparison.
posted by muddgirl at 5:17 PM on August 23, 2012
posted by muddgirl at 5:17 PM on August 23, 2012
This is the sad result of feeding a Pokémon Anthony Bourdain poffins.
posted by GenjiandProust at 6:31 PM on August 23, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by GenjiandProust at 6:31 PM on August 23, 2012 [2 favorites]
Longer isn't better, it's just longer.
This is true...it's the girth that matters.
posted by AElfwine Evenstar at 7:07 PM on August 23, 2012
This is true...it's the girth that matters.
posted by AElfwine Evenstar at 7:07 PM on August 23, 2012
Sorry jessamyn I meant the girth of the post...er fpp...although I have been told that I'm hung like a tuna can...ok I'll stop now.
posted by AElfwine Evenstar at 7:15 PM on August 23, 2012
posted by AElfwine Evenstar at 7:15 PM on August 23, 2012
Still gross.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 7:17 PM on August 23, 2012 [11 favorites]
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 7:17 PM on August 23, 2012 [11 favorites]
Bentley does not approve of this thread.
posted by homunculus at 9:04 PM on August 23, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by homunculus at 9:04 PM on August 23, 2012 [2 favorites]
b) Your insolent, lazy reddit snark is ignorant; fuck off.
I have to admit, this doesn't really incline me towards more charitable feelings about reddit.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 12:36 AM on August 24, 2012
I have to admit, this doesn't really incline me towards more charitable feelings about reddit.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 12:36 AM on August 24, 2012
I particularly see red when it turns out that there's really just one substantive link and the rest is a bunch of Wikipedia "background" which we are all perfectly capable of Googling for ourselves, thank you very much, if we happen to find the substantive link interesting.
If someone makes a post like this, I'd love if there were a convention that the most crucial link be underlined or bolded or something.
posted by rollick at 1:36 AM on August 24, 2012
If someone makes a post like this, I'd love if there were a convention that the most crucial link be underlined or bolded or something.
posted by rollick at 1:36 AM on August 24, 2012
I like both kinds, as long as they're interesting. Variety is the spice of life, and all that.
posted by harriet vane at 4:44 AM on August 24, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by harriet vane at 4:44 AM on August 24, 2012 [2 favorites]
I am not in fact interested in camels or camel-history and so won't be clicking on any of f.l.t.'s multitudinous links on the subject but I love the idea that anyone who is interested will find on MetaFilter their one-stop shopping experience and so I applaud the effort, favorite the post, and even accept their greater entitlement to the coveted iPad prize.
posted by Egg Shen at 9:02 AM on August 24, 2012
posted by Egg Shen at 9:02 AM on August 24, 2012
Oh my gosh! Tell me we haven't become Reddit! There's nothing of value over there, for sure.
posted by Fister Roboto at 9:32 AM on August 24, 2012
posted by Fister Roboto at 9:32 AM on August 24, 2012
I'm the OP of yesterday's aforementioned link-heavy food truck post.
I thought that post out for a good long time. The tension between food trucks and brick-and-mortar restaurants fascinates me from foodie, business, legal, and social standpoints, and being accessible to many people (especially those who live or work in cities), I thought it had the subject had the potential for a great discussion. (I was right!!)
I am generally not a fan of link-heavy posts. I knew that I wanted to talk about Boston's feud between the Phantom Gourmet restaurant-reviewing brothers and the Staff Meal food truck, but I definitely wanted the thread to be accessible to MeFi readers beyond Boston as well. That's why I led off with the Wall Street Journal article, which contrasted how different cities across the United States are approaching the tension regarding food trucks. The last sentence above the fold added a bit about the Phantom Gourmet vs. Staff Meal feud. Below the fold, I then went in-depth and link-heavy in providing background on the feud.
My intention was that a reader would be able constructively to add to the discussion without being required to read beyond that first WSJ article. For the most part I think that's what happened. To be honest, I wasn't sure that anybody would read the majority of the links I provided on the feud's background. But I wanted to give background for those who might find the feud as interesting as I do, and I also wanted to cite sources.
Ultimately only a very small portion of the discussion ended up mentioning Phantom Gourmet or Staff Meal at all. But it was a great discussion and I'm really glad that I took the time to plan out and post that thread. I loved hearing about people's food truck experiences in other cities! I hope people enjoyed discussion like I did and felt okay with the number and construction of links in my post.
posted by The Girl Who Ate Boston at 2:10 PM on August 24, 2012
I thought that post out for a good long time. The tension between food trucks and brick-and-mortar restaurants fascinates me from foodie, business, legal, and social standpoints, and being accessible to many people (especially those who live or work in cities), I thought it had the subject had the potential for a great discussion. (I was right!!)
I am generally not a fan of link-heavy posts. I knew that I wanted to talk about Boston's feud between the Phantom Gourmet restaurant-reviewing brothers and the Staff Meal food truck, but I definitely wanted the thread to be accessible to MeFi readers beyond Boston as well. That's why I led off with the Wall Street Journal article, which contrasted how different cities across the United States are approaching the tension regarding food trucks. The last sentence above the fold added a bit about the Phantom Gourmet vs. Staff Meal feud. Below the fold, I then went in-depth and link-heavy in providing background on the feud.
My intention was that a reader would be able constructively to add to the discussion without being required to read beyond that first WSJ article. For the most part I think that's what happened. To be honest, I wasn't sure that anybody would read the majority of the links I provided on the feud's background. But I wanted to give background for those who might find the feud as interesting as I do, and I also wanted to cite sources.
Ultimately only a very small portion of the discussion ended up mentioning Phantom Gourmet or Staff Meal at all. But it was a great discussion and I'm really glad that I took the time to plan out and post that thread. I loved hearing about people's food truck experiences in other cities! I hope people enjoyed discussion like I did and felt okay with the number and construction of links in my post.
posted by The Girl Who Ate Boston at 2:10 PM on August 24, 2012
The Girl Who Ate Boston: My intention was that a reader would be able constructively to add to the discussion without being required to read beyond that first WSJ article.
You provided a concise history of the local feud, which made it interesting and accessible without having to delve into the articles, especially as no one article appeared to tell the complete story as you did in the post.
I think that's where long posts are great: they tie together pieces in a (relatively) succinct manner. Sure, a fragment of the story could be an interesting two-to-four link post, but I think it would leave the reader hanging. If you cut to the end, I'd wonder "how did this start?" If posted the first volley, it would seem like a dated report on a local tussle of no real regard.
posted by filthy light thief at 3:32 PM on August 24, 2012
You provided a concise history of the local feud, which made it interesting and accessible without having to delve into the articles, especially as no one article appeared to tell the complete story as you did in the post.
I think that's where long posts are great: they tie together pieces in a (relatively) succinct manner. Sure, a fragment of the story could be an interesting two-to-four link post, but I think it would leave the reader hanging. If you cut to the end, I'd wonder "how did this start?" If posted the first volley, it would seem like a dated report on a local tussle of no real regard.
posted by filthy light thief at 3:32 PM on August 24, 2012
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posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 8:49 AM on August 23, 2012