What is posting, really? July 3, 2014 7:09 AM Subscribe
How does it feel when you make a post on the Blue? When you hit that button to make your post go live do you feel a rush? A rush of what?
With many users in the process of crafting their first posts, perhaps the experienced among us would care to share some tips, mind tricks, first-time stories, tales of pitfalls and lessons learned, etc.
How terrifying/thrilling/frustrating/gratifying/mundane is posting for you, and why do you still do it? Or don't you anymore?
With many users in the process of crafting their first posts, perhaps the experienced among us would care to share some tips, mind tricks, first-time stories, tales of pitfalls and lessons learned, etc.
How terrifying/thrilling/frustrating/gratifying/mundane is posting for you, and why do you still do it? Or don't you anymore?
For me, at this point, it's pretty much the emotional equivalent of seeing a neat link and firing it off to a few friends by email. Maybe everyone will get super-pumped and really dig into it. Maybe everyone will say "damn this is great!" and just get into it all on their own and never communicate. Maybe it'll just be screaming into a void because, well, niche interests are niche.
I think the only big piece of advice I can give -- assuming I have some sort of authority with which to back up said advice -- is that same thing everyone says: it's your post right up until you bring it into the world. Then it's A MetaFilter Post courtesy of whomever. The post isn't a party you threw for invited guests; it's a room in a party that has something cool in it and you called some people over to take a look and talk about it. It's not your show, don't try to make it your show, and don't take criticism of the post itself or the content of the post as criticism of you, the person who thought the thing was cool and made the post.
Oh and if your post on Important Issues gets deleted and you decide to make a MeTa about it, for the love of god leave out the "WELL THEY LET ALL THESE THIRTY SECOND YOUTUBE CLIPS OF ADORABLE RACCOONS PILFERING PICNIC FOOD STAND, WHY NOT THIS?" Because, come on, look at the fuzzy little mask. It's like god made him a little bandit!
posted by griphus at 7:24 AM on July 3, 2014 [26 favorites]
I think the only big piece of advice I can give -- assuming I have some sort of authority with which to back up said advice -- is that same thing everyone says: it's your post right up until you bring it into the world. Then it's A MetaFilter Post courtesy of whomever. The post isn't a party you threw for invited guests; it's a room in a party that has something cool in it and you called some people over to take a look and talk about it. It's not your show, don't try to make it your show, and don't take criticism of the post itself or the content of the post as criticism of you, the person who thought the thing was cool and made the post.
Oh and if your post on Important Issues gets deleted and you decide to make a MeTa about it, for the love of god leave out the "WELL THEY LET ALL THESE THIRTY SECOND YOUTUBE CLIPS OF ADORABLE RACCOONS PILFERING PICNIC FOOD STAND, WHY NOT THIS?" Because, come on, look at the fuzzy little mask. It's like god made him a little bandit!
posted by griphus at 7:24 AM on July 3, 2014 [26 favorites]
It is sort of terrifying at first but it's a lot like highschool: you are SURE everyone is looking at you and poised to point and laugh and record your name on some sort of eternal Losers list, but in fact nobody is paying that level of attention or cares that much.
I say this as someone who's first posts were total dogs. Then I stopped self-consciously posting my very vague and misguided interpretation of "what MeFi might like" and started posting things I personally would want to read on MeFi. Since I hadn't burst into flames of shame when my first posts sunk like rocks, I also got over caring how well they did or didn't do, and got over trying to figure out what metric might measure that anyway.
posted by DarlingBri at 7:25 AM on July 3, 2014 [3 favorites]
I say this as someone who's first posts were total dogs. Then I stopped self-consciously posting my very vague and misguided interpretation of "what MeFi might like" and started posting things I personally would want to read on MeFi. Since I hadn't burst into flames of shame when my first posts sunk like rocks, I also got over caring how well they did or didn't do, and got over trying to figure out what metric might measure that anyway.
posted by DarlingBri at 7:25 AM on July 3, 2014 [3 favorites]
It's like sending something cool out to friends to share and comment on. I'd have posted 3 times more than I have if you all weren't so on the ball and posted before I could get around to it. The trick is to post it and then walk away for a few hours so the conversation has a chance to grow. The post is not a bonsai that needs your constant intervention.
posted by arcticseal at 7:28 AM on July 3, 2014 [4 favorites]
posted by arcticseal at 7:28 AM on July 3, 2014 [4 favorites]
Everyone, it's feels like a great job.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 7:30 AM on July 3, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 7:30 AM on July 3, 2014 [3 favorites]
It's like releasing a tiny bird into the air with a golden thread tied to its foot bearing a silk banner with blazing letters spelling out HEY LOOK AT THIS SHIT
posted by The Whelk at 7:32 AM on July 3, 2014 [36 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 7:32 AM on July 3, 2014 [36 favorites]
Fear and panic followed by instant regret and a vow to never do that again.
posted by octothorpe at 7:34 AM on July 3, 2014 [40 favorites]
posted by octothorpe at 7:34 AM on July 3, 2014 [40 favorites]
Jerry Garcia said about recording Grateful Dead shows that they play each show for the audience. The show is theirs to keep. "Once we play it, it is theirs." What they do with it is their decision (short of profiting on it). I imagine posting is the same thing. Find a great link/story/situation, post a link with a brief explanation and what happens after that is up to the audience.
posted by 724A at 7:35 AM on July 3, 2014 [5 favorites]
posted by 724A at 7:35 AM on July 3, 2014 [5 favorites]
I'm always certain that I'm going to wind up scrambling to fix typos or some dumb thing.
posted by BibiRose at 7:42 AM on July 3, 2014
posted by BibiRose at 7:42 AM on July 3, 2014
My posts are both for me and for others. They tend to be about 1) neat accidental finds, or 2) subjects that I'm interested in, and want to know more about. So I think about them as invitations to discover something new and interesting, and as opportunities for me to glean an education from those who have more knowledge about a topic than I have. My fingers are always crossed for some amazing synchronicity -- I hope that someone shows up and says "Hey, I worked on this project, and let me tell you about it..." or "I have a funny story about that..."
My posts aren't mine; they're ours.
Oh God, typo fear. Yup.
posted by MonkeyToes at 7:46 AM on July 3, 2014 [5 favorites]
My posts aren't mine; they're ours.
Oh God, typo fear. Yup.
posted by MonkeyToes at 7:46 AM on July 3, 2014 [5 favorites]
I used to worry if people would "get it," since I like weird things, so I'd have apprehension.
You will seldom see a comment from me in my own threads in the first hour. That's because generally I post and walk away. It's either that or thread sit and guarantee it all goes south. This took me a bit to learn.
I've only had one thread go badly (that I remember) when I followed this advice (it's not my advice, someone else suggested it, but I don't remember who).
posted by cjorgensen at 7:57 AM on July 3, 2014 [3 favorites]
You will seldom see a comment from me in my own threads in the first hour. That's because generally I post and walk away. It's either that or thread sit and guarantee it all goes south. This took me a bit to learn.
I've only had one thread go badly (that I remember) when I followed this advice (it's not my advice, someone else suggested it, but I don't remember who).
posted by cjorgensen at 7:57 AM on July 3, 2014 [3 favorites]
I uh ...may have gotten myself to the gym by saying " I'll make this post, then go work out for an hour, and my reward will be I get to read all the comments!"
I also once made a FFP from a canoe.
And one time on horseback.
posted by The Whelk at 8:01 AM on July 3, 2014 [8 favorites]
I also once made a FFP from a canoe.
And one time on horseback.
posted by The Whelk at 8:01 AM on July 3, 2014 [8 favorites]
The instant after I hit the button, I notice the six or seven obvious mistakes I've just committed to eternity. The passive voice. The sprained idiom. The omitted link. The misspelling of "Philippe."
That, or a much better post title occurs to me.
posted by Iridic at 8:09 AM on July 3, 2014 [12 favorites]
That, or a much better post title occurs to me.
posted by Iridic at 8:09 AM on July 3, 2014 [12 favorites]
I don't post very often, but I think mine are all rooted in some happy memory. I've posted twice in connection to a film series my wife and I attended on our first date like 25 years ago. One post reminds me of two friends telling me a bunch of stuff they'd gleaned from their mom's therapy practice. Two remind me of video games my friends have played far more than I have, but I was delighted by their enthusiasm. One was based on a book my parents owned that I remember leafing through as a kid. One reminds me of a conversation with an acquaintance who had a fun take on a particular film. One reminds me of pleasant teaching experiences. One is secretly about how I opened up a Persian epic poem in the library as a teenager and always meant to read it and then finally did. Etc., etc.
Obviously there are no blog-like personal reflections in the posts themselves (the subtext only comes through in one case I can recall), but when I find something on the web that resonates warmly then I know I'll be able to look back on the post and remember why I bothered. Single-link animal videos are as much the backbone of web entertainment for me as for anyone else, though, so I think they're fine too. I just figure that if a feeling has stuck with me for ten years or more then something that evokes it will probably be interesting to someone and I'll enjoy the process anyway. Maybe the only tip I can offer is that limiting Google results from the last week/month/year is awesome for finding related links that haven't been posted.
posted by Monsieur Caution at 8:16 AM on July 3, 2014 [4 favorites]
Obviously there are no blog-like personal reflections in the posts themselves (the subtext only comes through in one case I can recall), but when I find something on the web that resonates warmly then I know I'll be able to look back on the post and remember why I bothered. Single-link animal videos are as much the backbone of web entertainment for me as for anyone else, though, so I think they're fine too. I just figure that if a feeling has stuck with me for ten years or more then something that evokes it will probably be interesting to someone and I'll enjoy the process anyway. Maybe the only tip I can offer is that limiting Google results from the last week/month/year is awesome for finding related links that haven't been posted.
posted by Monsieur Caution at 8:16 AM on July 3, 2014 [4 favorites]
do you feel a rush? A rush of what?
urine, usually
posted by backseatpilot at 8:17 AM on July 3, 2014 [3 favorites]
urine, usually
posted by backseatpilot at 8:17 AM on July 3, 2014 [3 favorites]
something on the web that resonates warmly
That's a lovely phrase and sentiment, Monsieur Caution.
posted by MonkeyToes at 8:18 AM on July 3, 2014
That's a lovely phrase and sentiment, Monsieur Caution.
posted by MonkeyToes at 8:18 AM on July 3, 2014
How does it FEEL
to post a thread
that came out of your head
like something to be read...
posted by jonmc at 8:48 AM on July 3, 2014 [4 favorites]
to post a thread
that came out of your head
like something to be read...
posted by jonmc at 8:48 AM on July 3, 2014 [4 favorites]
I also once made a FFP from a canoe.
That's an awful lot of whittling.
posted by arcticseal at 9:05 AM on July 3, 2014 [31 favorites]
That's an awful lot of whittling.
posted by arcticseal at 9:05 AM on July 3, 2014 [31 favorites]
When I make a post, I'm always nervous and pre-emptively embarrassed that I am wasting people's attention with something that is either not good enough or too specialized to put in front of the general MetaFilter audience.
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 9:06 AM on July 3, 2014
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 9:06 AM on July 3, 2014
How does it feel
to post the way you do
When you've laid those links before me
And told us on the blue
I thought I was mistaken
I thought it was a double
Tell me how do I feel
Tell me now how do I feel
Those who post before me
Lived through their obsessions
From the post until deletion
They will self link no more
And I still find it so hard
to flag it and move on
But I'm quite sure that you'll tell me
When I post on MetaTalk
I see a link on BoingBoing
I can and shall reblog
But if it wasn't for my framing
that post would have stuck around
and I thought I was mistaken
and I thought it was a double
Tell me how do I feel
Tell me now how do I feel
posted by boo_radley at 9:26 AM on July 3, 2014 [8 favorites]
to post the way you do
When you've laid those links before me
And told us on the blue
I thought I was mistaken
I thought it was a double
Tell me how do I feel
Tell me now how do I feel
Those who post before me
Lived through their obsessions
From the post until deletion
They will self link no more
And I still find it so hard
to flag it and move on
But I'm quite sure that you'll tell me
When I post on MetaTalk
I see a link on BoingBoing
I can and shall reblog
But if it wasn't for my framing
that post would have stuck around
and I thought I was mistaken
and I thought it was a double
Tell me how do I feel
Tell me now how do I feel
posted by boo_radley at 9:26 AM on July 3, 2014 [8 favorites]
So glad I didn't have a mouthful of coffee when I read articseal's comment above.
It depends a bit on what I am posting, but at first I was nervous, and then later started to be less so. If it is one of the World Cup posts, it is different again, as they are in a sorta category of their own.
Sometimes you see something and you just know it is right for mefi, other times you see something cool and hope it hasn't been posted already!
Someone sent me this advice after I had made a couple of FPPs and I consider it excellent guidance, and it is fantastic and I am sure they won't mind me reprinting it here:
"My tips: keep it to the facts, extract yourself from the initial post. Set it apart from yourself or MetaFilter as a group (no "I" or "we" statements or comments). Also, in this post you set up a number of statements with questions, which seems less professional and more casual.
In short, tailor posts like journalism pieces that are a compilation of facts and ideas, not personal viewpoints.
Once you make the post, it is out of your control, and is no longer yours. Let it be free, and don't worry over it. Clarify as needed, comment as you see fit, and leave it at that."
posted by marienbad at 9:29 AM on July 3, 2014 [2 favorites]
It depends a bit on what I am posting, but at first I was nervous, and then later started to be less so. If it is one of the World Cup posts, it is different again, as they are in a sorta category of their own.
Sometimes you see something and you just know it is right for mefi, other times you see something cool and hope it hasn't been posted already!
Someone sent me this advice after I had made a couple of FPPs and I consider it excellent guidance, and it is fantastic and I am sure they won't mind me reprinting it here:
"My tips: keep it to the facts, extract yourself from the initial post. Set it apart from yourself or MetaFilter as a group (no "I" or "we" statements or comments). Also, in this post you set up a number of statements with questions, which seems less professional and more casual.
In short, tailor posts like journalism pieces that are a compilation of facts and ideas, not personal viewpoints.
Once you make the post, it is out of your control, and is no longer yours. Let it be free, and don't worry over it. Clarify as needed, comment as you see fit, and leave it at that."
posted by marienbad at 9:29 AM on July 3, 2014 [2 favorites]
Also, kudos for the title of this meta - it truly is meta!
posted by marienbad at 9:30 AM on July 3, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by marienbad at 9:30 AM on July 3, 2014 [1 favorite]
It feels like your in a group of people bringing something up that may interest some of them and may or may not lead to some conversation. No nervousness or anything like that. Prepare yourself for misinterpreted motives is about the only thing I'd say. Some people (but not many) are quick to at times to assign deviousness to your motive for making the post, especially if it's about their favourite band, cause, company, movie/television show/book. But really, who gives a shit about that anyway.
posted by juiceCake at 9:32 AM on July 3, 2014
posted by juiceCake at 9:32 AM on July 3, 2014
It's nothing compared to the instant sense of dread and fear when hitting the post button for a new thread in the gray.
posted by slogger at 9:36 AM on July 3, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by slogger at 9:36 AM on July 3, 2014 [3 favorites]
I don't get any rush from posting, but that time my FPP was called out on the podcast made me do a little happy dance.
posted by COD at 9:39 AM on July 3, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by COD at 9:39 AM on July 3, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by klangklangston at 9:39 AM on July 3, 2014 [3 favorites]
Oh god, Boo, what have you wrought...
*ahem*
Do You Realize - that you have the most beautiful post
Do You Realize - it's floating in your head -
Do You Realize - that silence makes you cry
Do You Realize - that every post you read someday will die
And instead of hiding all of your good posts - let us know
You realize that life goes fast
It's hard to make the good things last
You realize the queue doesn't go down
It's just an illusion caused by the bits spinning round
Do You Realize - Oh - Oh - Oh
Do You Realize - that every post you read
Someday will die -
Do You Realize
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:41 AM on July 3, 2014 [5 favorites]
*ahem*
Do You Realize - that you have the most beautiful post
Do You Realize - it's floating in your head -
Do You Realize - that silence makes you cry
Do You Realize - that every post you read someday will die
And instead of hiding all of your good posts - let us know
You realize that life goes fast
It's hard to make the good things last
You realize the queue doesn't go down
It's just an illusion caused by the bits spinning round
Do You Realize - Oh - Oh - Oh
Do You Realize - that every post you read
Someday will die -
Do You Realize
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:41 AM on July 3, 2014 [5 favorites]
My feeling is like one feels when hollow thoughts reverb through one's echoing attic, like "did you check if all the links work," or "what if they all think it's stupid," or "what if they prove to me in the third answer that it's meh and I hadn't seen it?"
Only when I post about n-scale trains do I feel safe. Because n scale trains.
posted by Namlit at 9:46 AM on July 3, 2014 [1 favorite]
Only when I post about n-scale trains do I feel safe. Because n scale trains.
posted by Namlit at 9:46 AM on July 3, 2014 [1 favorite]
something on the web that resonates warmly
I really hope backseatpilot was joking about the urine.
posted by maryr at 10:21 AM on July 3, 2014 [2 favorites]
I really hope backseatpilot was joking about the urine.
posted by maryr at 10:21 AM on July 3, 2014 [2 favorites]
SEEING THE FACE OF GOD
What does God - need - with a blog?
posted by the man of twists and turns at 10:21 AM on July 3, 2014 [2 favorites]
What does God - need - with a blog?
posted by the man of twists and turns at 10:21 AM on July 3, 2014 [2 favorites]
Do you...you!
Post like I do?
How'd ya post?!
Do you...you!
Post like I...
[Keyboard noodling]
PB ON THE KEYBOARD, PB!
Do you post like we do?
Do you post like we do?
Oh, that's true.
Do you post like we do?
Get back!
Do you post...do you post like we do?
[Guitar solo]
[Rapturous cheers during talkbox setup]
posted by Iridic at 10:24 AM on July 3, 2014 [1 favorite]
Post like I do?
How'd ya post?!
Do you...you!
Post like I...
[Keyboard noodling]
PB ON THE KEYBOARD, PB!
Do you post like we do?
Do you post like we do?
Oh, that's true.
Do you post like we do?
Get back!
Do you post...do you post like we do?
[Guitar solo]
[Rapturous cheers during talkbox setup]
Oh baby do you post?
Oh baby do you post, post like we do?
Do you post...do you post...like we do?
I want to flag you.
Do you post like we do?
That is true, that is true ON THE BLUE
ON THE BLUE, A GOOD TIME.
WE'RE HERE TO HAVE A GOOD TIME.
Good TIME, good TIME, good TIME, good TIME, good TIME, OW!posted by Iridic at 10:24 AM on July 3, 2014 [1 favorite]
What if God was one of us?
On this blog like one of us?
Making comments on the bus
Trying make a pun his own.
Just sittin', posting all alone.
'Cept when his phone is stuck in roam.
posted by maryr at 10:27 AM on July 3, 2014 [8 favorites]
On this blog like one of us?
Making comments on the bus
Trying make a pun his own.
Just sittin', posting all alone.
'Cept when his phone is stuck in roam.
posted by maryr at 10:27 AM on July 3, 2014 [8 favorites]
Oh my darlin
post three times on the blue if your first post is pulled
But don't hit the gray if the mods say no
oh my sweetness
[click click click] means you've fixed the post the right way
twice on the gray means it ain't gonna show
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 10:34 AM on July 3, 2014 [2 favorites]
post three times on the blue if your first post is pulled
But don't hit the gray if the mods say no
oh my sweetness
[click click click] means you've fixed the post the right way
twice on the gray means it ain't gonna show
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 10:34 AM on July 3, 2014 [2 favorites]
oh god now I'm trying to think of a way to filk "Fisherman's Blues" for this HELP ME
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 10:38 AM on July 3, 2014
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 10:38 AM on July 3, 2014
and you go and you post on your own
and you comment on your own
and your post is deleted
and you sign off
and you want to die
i am a Mefite and i need to be loved
just like everybody else does
posted by boo_radley at 10:46 AM on July 3, 2014 [7 favorites]
I worry that I missed a typo, and I am on tenterhooks to see the comments, which never fail to surprise me. MeFis have an original and unique take on almost everything, and that's what keeps me hanging out here.
Also what got me fascinated and keeps me fascinated with my Bear. I never can predict what he will say.
posted by bearwife at 10:51 AM on July 3, 2014 [2 favorites]
Also what got me fascinated and keeps me fascinated with my Bear. I never can predict what he will say.
posted by bearwife at 10:51 AM on July 3, 2014 [2 favorites]
I give in -
I know I will be loosened
From the bonds that hold me fast
The chains that had me tongue-tied
Will fall away at last
And on that fine and fateful day
My computer in my hands
I'll know just what to say
I'll have made a FPP again
With light in my head
A post on the blue
WOO-HOO-HOO....
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 11:33 AM on July 3, 2014
I know I will be loosened
From the bonds that hold me fast
The chains that had me tongue-tied
Will fall away at last
And on that fine and fateful day
My computer in my hands
I'll know just what to say
I'll have made a FPP again
With light in my head
A post on the blue
WOO-HOO-HOO....
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 11:33 AM on July 3, 2014
"I had a post deleted earlier this week for being "too thin", which was a really bad deletion;"
No, we're deleting your FPPs because you're too thin, not the content. Fatten up, Greg! Don't your parents feed you?
posted by klangklangston at 11:34 AM on July 3, 2014 [3 favorites]
No, we're deleting your FPPs because you're too thin, not the content. Fatten up, Greg! Don't your parents feed you?
posted by klangklangston at 11:34 AM on July 3, 2014 [3 favorites]
I feel nothing.
posted by octobersurprise at 11:38 AM on July 3, 2014
posted by octobersurprise at 11:38 AM on July 3, 2014
"My feeling is like one feels when hollow thoughts reverb through one's echoing attic, like "did you check if all the links work," or "what if they all think it's stupid," or "what if they prove to me in the third answer that it's meh and I hadn't seen it?"
Only when I post about n-scale trains do I feel safe. Because n scale trains."
Honestly, by the time I post something, it's usually something that I've enjoyed and run through a bunch of different other ancillary links around (which I may or may not include), and I'd like to share it. But the comments (while they can be nice, and god knows I like mixing it up as much as anybody) aren't really all that important if they're not adding something that I missed. I mean, it's nice to get an attaboy, but what I'm really hoping is that someone will bring a new insight or experience to the link, and I'm often pretty much done with the content that I post so I don't really care if MeFi as a whole is into it. I generally know that at least a few folks here will like it, so I post and generally go focus on something else for a while.
It's related to my general browsing pattern of 35-60 tabs open at any given time, where making the FPP lets me close a bunch of tabs and store it in a place that I know I can find again.
posted by klangklangston at 11:39 AM on July 3, 2014 [4 favorites]
Only when I post about n-scale trains do I feel safe. Because n scale trains."
Honestly, by the time I post something, it's usually something that I've enjoyed and run through a bunch of different other ancillary links around (which I may or may not include), and I'd like to share it. But the comments (while they can be nice, and god knows I like mixing it up as much as anybody) aren't really all that important if they're not adding something that I missed. I mean, it's nice to get an attaboy, but what I'm really hoping is that someone will bring a new insight or experience to the link, and I'm often pretty much done with the content that I post so I don't really care if MeFi as a whole is into it. I generally know that at least a few folks here will like it, so I post and generally go focus on something else for a while.
It's related to my general browsing pattern of 35-60 tabs open at any given time, where making the FPP lets me close a bunch of tabs and store it in a place that I know I can find again.
posted by klangklangston at 11:39 AM on July 3, 2014 [4 favorites]
When I used to post something, I felt like I'd go through a lot effort to give birth to a baby, and there might be a bunch of people who show up to tell you that your baby is ugly, or they've seen one exactly like it just a short while ago.
More often these days, I just let it go to the whims of fate and let it play in the backyard on its own for awhile, and hope that it doesn't run into the street and get hit by a bus. I'll check on it every once in awhile and see if it has the capacity yet for good conversation, although sometimes it's still well-intentioned gibberish.
If you are lucky, though, you might get a response from representatives at Gerber who says that your baby isn't too bad and they might want to use it in a new campaign that has the potential to do some social good, because it's cute in just the right way. Rare, but sometimes you strike gold.
Every once in awhile I think about trying to have a December baby, because rumor has it that there have been free ipads.
posted by SpacemanStix at 12:31 PM on July 3, 2014 [1 favorite]
More often these days, I just let it go to the whims of fate and let it play in the backyard on its own for awhile, and hope that it doesn't run into the street and get hit by a bus. I'll check on it every once in awhile and see if it has the capacity yet for good conversation, although sometimes it's still well-intentioned gibberish.
If you are lucky, though, you might get a response from representatives at Gerber who says that your baby isn't too bad and they might want to use it in a new campaign that has the potential to do some social good, because it's cute in just the right way. Rare, but sometimes you strike gold.
Every once in awhile I think about trying to have a December baby, because rumor has it that there have been free ipads.
posted by SpacemanStix at 12:31 PM on July 3, 2014 [1 favorite]
...perhaps the experienced among us would care to share some tips, mind tricks, first-time stories, tales of pitfalls and lessons learned, etc.
For me, it is not an emotional thing per se. It is not about how it feels to do an FPP. It is about trying to figure out logistics.
My first FPP was deleted (and rightly so) and then I didn't bother for a long time until I better understood MeFi.
My second post played it safe by posting something I liked (and knew a tiny bit about) from Projects. I was just thrilled it did not get deleted. That was my only goal. That it got faved a bit and some comments was icing on the cake.
My third FPP was something I accidentally tripped across (very, very accidentally) and it happened to do really well when I posted it to Hacker News. So I thought it might be well received here and it was. That was a single link with a quote from the article. Again, I kind of half expected I was doing it wrong and it would get deleted. It went over well and I learned a lot from the experience.
My fourth was my GIS post, done in response to a couple of people asking me to do a GIS post. That was really helpful for me. I know I have good stuff to share but I often struggle with figuring out what other people want from me. So that was really helpful for me and I did a search and came up with three links I felt I could relate to each other in some kind of meaningful way. It went well and I learned something and that is why my next post was more link heavy and, I think, fleshed out.
My fifth (and most recent) post started as something my son mentioned to me. He had read a book about dark matter and he talked to me about Vera Rubin and some of the personal aspects of her career experience. He really liked her and I had never heard of her even though she is quite an accomplished scientist. I searched MeFi and found she had barely been mentioned here, so I began collecting links. I also asked my son what book he read that mentioned her, found the book on Google Books and took a quote from it. Then I put some work into trying to figure out how to present the information and how to title it. I think I went through at least three or four titles and at least two initial introductory links before I found a combination I liked. The first two links and three tentative titles ended up in the body.
posted by Michele in California at 12:43 PM on July 3, 2014 [1 favorite]
For me, it is not an emotional thing per se. It is not about how it feels to do an FPP. It is about trying to figure out logistics.
My first FPP was deleted (and rightly so) and then I didn't bother for a long time until I better understood MeFi.
My second post played it safe by posting something I liked (and knew a tiny bit about) from Projects. I was just thrilled it did not get deleted. That was my only goal. That it got faved a bit and some comments was icing on the cake.
My third FPP was something I accidentally tripped across (very, very accidentally) and it happened to do really well when I posted it to Hacker News. So I thought it might be well received here and it was. That was a single link with a quote from the article. Again, I kind of half expected I was doing it wrong and it would get deleted. It went over well and I learned a lot from the experience.
My fourth was my GIS post, done in response to a couple of people asking me to do a GIS post. That was really helpful for me. I know I have good stuff to share but I often struggle with figuring out what other people want from me. So that was really helpful for me and I did a search and came up with three links I felt I could relate to each other in some kind of meaningful way. It went well and I learned something and that is why my next post was more link heavy and, I think, fleshed out.
My fifth (and most recent) post started as something my son mentioned to me. He had read a book about dark matter and he talked to me about Vera Rubin and some of the personal aspects of her career experience. He really liked her and I had never heard of her even though she is quite an accomplished scientist. I searched MeFi and found she had barely been mentioned here, so I began collecting links. I also asked my son what book he read that mentioned her, found the book on Google Books and took a quote from it. Then I put some work into trying to figure out how to present the information and how to title it. I think I went through at least three or four titles and at least two initial introductory links before I found a combination I liked. The first two links and three tentative titles ended up in the body.
posted by Michele in California at 12:43 PM on July 3, 2014 [1 favorite]
Don't take it personally. And there are always some comments made by people who very obviously didn't click the link and read/watch whatever.
posted by Ideefixe at 2:27 PM on July 3, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by Ideefixe at 2:27 PM on July 3, 2014 [2 favorites]
I write pretty lazy posts compared to the multilink extravaganzas and often people add other relevant links in the comments and I think that's cool.
posted by sweetkid at 2:36 PM on July 3, 2014 [6 favorites]
posted by sweetkid at 2:36 PM on July 3, 2014 [6 favorites]
Now I really want a painting of The Whelk on horseback, releasing a tiny bird + golden thread + silk banner into the air.
Maybe the horse is in a canoe.
posted by mbrubeck at 2:46 PM on July 3, 2014 [2 favorites]
Maybe the horse is in a canoe.
posted by mbrubeck at 2:46 PM on July 3, 2014 [2 favorites]
The first FPP I posted, I was so nervous I literally had to go breathe into a paper bag. But it went really well, so I was pleased! The second was a group project with some amazing folks, so I wasn't nearly as nervous about that one.
But hell, 70% of the time I'm too shy to hit 'post comment,' so there's that. Oddly enough, the internet is the only place I have this level of social anxiety. Go figure.
posted by dogheart at 3:47 PM on July 3, 2014 [2 favorites]
But hell, 70% of the time I'm too shy to hit 'post comment,' so there's that. Oddly enough, the internet is the only place I have this level of social anxiety. Go figure.
posted by dogheart at 3:47 PM on July 3, 2014 [2 favorites]
You know the cliche in a movie where a character works really hard on a party and makes everything perfect, and then no one shows up? That's how a lot of my posts go. It was actually kind of nice in the beginning. I got to practice making a post in the semi-privacy of my own boring interests.
posted by gladly at 4:12 PM on July 3, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by gladly at 4:12 PM on July 3, 2014 [1 favorite]
I haven't made many posts but I get a rush of excitement followed immediately by a surge of panic that everyone will think it's dull and stupid and I'm the Queen of Loserville. Ten seconds later I get a sick feeling when I realise exactly what I should have called it, how I should have framed it, and what pull quote I should have used and I vow next time will be different. But they've gone over fine.
My first one to the grey, as soon as I hit post I regretted it with the heat of a thousand suns because it feels like you're saying to the community "I'm fair game - give me your best shot", but it also went alright.
TL;DR Aaaaaarrrgh!!!... Oh.
posted by billiebee at 5:38 PM on July 3, 2014
My first one to the grey, as soon as I hit post I regretted it with the heat of a thousand suns because it feels like you're saying to the community "I'm fair game - give me your best shot", but it also went alright.
TL;DR Aaaaaarrrgh!!!... Oh.
posted by billiebee at 5:38 PM on July 3, 2014
I have a strange little ritual that I go through right before I hit the post button where I imagine what it would look like if someone were to take my FPP in the worst possible faith, or if I happened to commit an innocently ignorant mistake and missed something offensive in the links. It usually goes something like:
"Your FPP is covertly and overtly sexist, racist, classist, prejudice, and problematic. The authors, publication, and website, that you linked to are colonialist hacks who use buzzfeed-esque methods to create clickbait about topics that native voices have been discussing for years, but seem new to you people because you just recently decided to put down your champagne and caviar and pretend to care. Your post is worse than 1000 Hitlers (or 1 KiloHitler for those outside of America-is-the-centre-of-the-universe land). Also, you personally suck."
It's kind of like an inoculation against being so blindsided by someone's justified rage that I offer up a pithy "how dare you criticize my well meaning contribution to the site," and can instead say "sorry," "thank you for telling me," and listen.
posted by Shouraku at 5:43 PM on July 3, 2014 [9 favorites]
"Your FPP is covertly and overtly sexist, racist, classist, prejudice, and problematic. The authors, publication, and website, that you linked to are colonialist hacks who use buzzfeed-esque methods to create clickbait about topics that native voices have been discussing for years, but seem new to you people because you just recently decided to put down your champagne and caviar and pretend to care. Your post is worse than 1000 Hitlers (or 1 KiloHitler for those outside of America-is-the-centre-of-the-universe land). Also, you personally suck."
It's kind of like an inoculation against being so blindsided by someone's justified rage that I offer up a pithy "how dare you criticize my well meaning contribution to the site," and can instead say "sorry," "thank you for telling me," and listen.
posted by Shouraku at 5:43 PM on July 3, 2014 [9 favorites]
It feels nothing more to me than "oh here's something interesting that I bet a lot of MeFi people haven't already seen."
I utterly reject the idea that every post here has to be some finely handcrafted artesian post with 10+ meticulously researched links which after being posted people will breathlessly congratulate you on achieving something that resembles the grundnorm of FPP's.
It's that kind of attitude that makes some people afraid to post, and as has been demonstrated in the other MeTa about encouraging more women to post, thereby has a negative impact on the community.
It's great that there are those 'multiple link' posts that people can bookmark and later pour over on their own time, but the reality is most people read the first link in a post or the creator's own summary of it, and then start commenting. When you think that people are here just as much for the discussion as they are for the source link, it makes it easier to quickly bang out a post that sparks some interesting ideas.
posted by modernnomad at 5:54 PM on July 3, 2014 [8 favorites]
I utterly reject the idea that every post here has to be some finely handcrafted artesian post with 10+ meticulously researched links which after being posted people will breathlessly congratulate you on achieving something that resembles the grundnorm of FPP's.
It's that kind of attitude that makes some people afraid to post, and as has been demonstrated in the other MeTa about encouraging more women to post, thereby has a negative impact on the community.
It's great that there are those 'multiple link' posts that people can bookmark and later pour over on their own time, but the reality is most people read the first link in a post or the creator's own summary of it, and then start commenting. When you think that people are here just as much for the discussion as they are for the source link, it makes it easier to quickly bang out a post that sparks some interesting ideas.
posted by modernnomad at 5:54 PM on July 3, 2014 [8 favorites]
What is posting?
Baby don't link me
Don't link me
No more.
posted by The Whelk at 6:33 PM on July 3, 2014 [2 favorites]
Baby don't link me
Don't link me
No more.
posted by The Whelk at 6:33 PM on July 3, 2014 [2 favorites]
Farewell! God knows when we shall meet again.
I have a faint cold fear thrills through my veins,
That almost freezes up the heat of life.
I'll call them back again to comfort me:
Nurse! What should she do here?
My dismal scene I needs must act alone.
Come, post.
What if this mixture do not work at all?
Shall I be metatalk'd then tomorrow morning?
No, no, this shall forbid it. Lie thou there.
What if it be a poison, which the friar
Subtly hath minister'd to have me dead,
Lest in this metatalk he should be dishonour'd,
posted by double block and bleed at 7:06 PM on July 3, 2014
I have a faint cold fear thrills through my veins,
That almost freezes up the heat of life.
I'll call them back again to comfort me:
Nurse! What should she do here?
My dismal scene I needs must act alone.
Come, post.
What if this mixture do not work at all?
Shall I be metatalk'd then tomorrow morning?
No, no, this shall forbid it. Lie thou there.
What if it be a poison, which the friar
Subtly hath minister'd to have me dead,
Lest in this metatalk he should be dishonour'd,
posted by double block and bleed at 7:06 PM on July 3, 2014
1. Find something dope on the web
2. Add quality, impartial framing
3. POST THAT SHIT UP
posted by porn in the woods at 7:30 PM on July 3, 2014 [1 favorite]
2. Add quality, impartial framing
3. POST THAT SHIT UP
posted by porn in the woods at 7:30 PM on July 3, 2014 [1 favorite]
If it's something I've put a lot of work into, like the Doom post, I have to get off MeFi for a bit or else I'm gonna be all "Oh my god, it's been two minutes, why isn't anybody saying anything?"
Otherwise I just find something neat, post it, and hope it gets people talking and makes their day better.
posted by Pope Guilty at 7:33 PM on July 3, 2014
Otherwise I just find something neat, post it, and hope it gets people talking and makes their day better.
posted by Pope Guilty at 7:33 PM on July 3, 2014
This quote from Breaking Away pretty much sums it up.
posted by Confess, Fletch at 7:38 PM on July 3, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by Confess, Fletch at 7:38 PM on July 3, 2014 [1 favorite]
The only thing I get is a feeling of concern that maybe the mods will delete it. I was considering posting this today, and decided not to because I was pretty sure it wouldn't survive.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 8:36 PM on July 3, 2014
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 8:36 PM on July 3, 2014
MetaFilter helped me realize (or built up) my minor obsessions. I have a hard time just posting a single link, because there's always more, just lurking beyond the next link, the next page of search results, behind a comment on another web forum or write-up on the same topic I've read about for the past hour or three.
And now I treat the post-making process as a way to get better at telling a story for a specific audience, balancing the text and links above the break with those below, trying to make non-mysterious links, and so forth. I've become more removed from the posts, as I keep reminding myself they're not mine once I post them, they're part of the community. I rather like griphus' description upthread of posts not being "your party" once you hit post, but simply a sign you put up pointing the way to a room in a bigger party.
posted by filthy light thief at 10:03 PM on July 3, 2014 [2 favorites]
And now I treat the post-making process as a way to get better at telling a story for a specific audience, balancing the text and links above the break with those below, trying to make non-mysterious links, and so forth. I've become more removed from the posts, as I keep reminding myself they're not mine once I post them, they're part of the community. I rather like griphus' description upthread of posts not being "your party" once you hit post, but simply a sign you put up pointing the way to a room in a bigger party.
posted by filthy light thief at 10:03 PM on July 3, 2014 [2 favorites]
How does it feel when you make a post on the Blue?
Like sex, the first time was awkward but at the same time kind of fun and exciting.
Unlike sex, it only cost me $5.
posted by mazola at 10:23 PM on July 3, 2014 [3 favorites]
Like sex, the first time was awkward but at the same time kind of fun and exciting.
Unlike sex, it only cost me $5.
posted by mazola at 10:23 PM on July 3, 2014 [3 favorites]
I am certain it must be terrifying as I cling to my FPP Purity Ring.
Someday I shall likely make a post and discover it is really no big deal.
So yeah, what mazola said.
posted by IndigoRain at 12:13 AM on July 4, 2014
Someday I shall likely make a post and discover it is really no big deal.
So yeah, what mazola said.
posted by IndigoRain at 12:13 AM on July 4, 2014
It used to be pretty terrifying.
Then I wrote a bot to post for me.
Now I don't even know when I post, or what I post about, so no fear.
That's allowed, right? [rereads FAQ]
posted by el io at 2:26 AM on July 4, 2014
Then I wrote a bot to post for me.
Now I don't even know when I post, or what I post about, so no fear.
That's allowed, right? [rereads FAQ]
posted by el io at 2:26 AM on July 4, 2014
I wonder hopefully if people are going to like the links as much as I do, I never comment that much on the blue anyway so I'm happy to post and walk away.
posted by ellieBOA at 3:15 AM on July 4, 2014
posted by ellieBOA at 3:15 AM on July 4, 2014
The blue glows bright on my screen tonight
Not a stunt post to be seen
A kingdom of taste and reason,
And I feel like I'm the queen.
The trolls are howling like this swirling storm inside
Couldn't keep it in, heaven knows I tried
"Don't post your thoughts for all to see
Be the good girl you always have to be
Stay cool, look rational, pretend
No comment"
Let it go, let it go
Can't hold it back anymore
Let it go, let it go
Post away, and watch them soar
I don't care
What they're going to say
Let the trolls rage on,
Comments never bothered me anyway
It's funny how that Meta
Makes everything seem small
And the fears that once controlled me
Can't get to me at all!
It's time to see what I can do
To test my limits and break through
Just guidelines, so few rules for me, I'm free
Let it go, let it go
I am one with the blue, green and grey
Let it go, let it go
Disagree, and I won't cry
Here I'll post
What I like most
Let the links roll on
Comments never bothered me anyway
posted by Too-Ticky at 3:57 AM on July 4, 2014 [4 favorites]
Not a stunt post to be seen
A kingdom of taste and reason,
And I feel like I'm the queen.
The trolls are howling like this swirling storm inside
Couldn't keep it in, heaven knows I tried
"Don't post your thoughts for all to see
Be the good girl you always have to be
Stay cool, look rational, pretend
No comment"
Let it go, let it go
Can't hold it back anymore
Let it go, let it go
Post away, and watch them soar
I don't care
What they're going to say
Let the trolls rage on,
Comments never bothered me anyway
It's funny how that Meta
Makes everything seem small
And the fears that once controlled me
Can't get to me at all!
It's time to see what I can do
To test my limits and break through
Just guidelines, so few rules for me, I'm free
Let it go, let it go
I am one with the blue, green and grey
Let it go, let it go
Disagree, and I won't cry
Here I'll post
What I like most
Let the links roll on
Comments never bothered me anyway
posted by Too-Ticky at 3:57 AM on July 4, 2014 [4 favorites]
My few posts have all been single link articles or you tube vids that I found semi- to very interesting. I can't ever seeing myself posting anything that requires me to research or format a post - I admire those posts but I rarely read more than two links and I skim the multi-paragraph ones. I don't think I've spent more than 5 minutes thinking about a post and that is obvious.
But it also means I don't get super invested in them, so there is little to no stress.
posted by gaspode at 7:35 AM on July 4, 2014
But it also means I don't get super invested in them, so there is little to no stress.
posted by gaspode at 7:35 AM on July 4, 2014
In order:
1. I wanted people to know about one of the most jaw-droppingly incredible movies ever made.
2. I found the gravestones to be conceptually moving and I figured maybe other people would too.
3. I wanted to make a Leonard Cohen joke and I knew just the video to do it with.
4. I hate Upworthy.
5. I hate Sylvia Browne.
posted by FAMOUS MONSTER at 7:52 AM on July 4, 2014
1. I wanted people to know about one of the most jaw-droppingly incredible movies ever made.
2. I found the gravestones to be conceptually moving and I figured maybe other people would too.
3. I wanted to make a Leonard Cohen joke and I knew just the video to do it with.
4. I hate Upworthy.
5. I hate Sylvia Browne.
posted by FAMOUS MONSTER at 7:52 AM on July 4, 2014
How does it feel like to post out on the blue
And how does it feel like to have them look at you
How does it feel like to have it all out there
How does it feel like to have your link examined,
is there attribution?
It's a little weird.
How does it feel like to read the comments next
And how does it feel like to count up all your favourites
Jeez I'm shit or awesome
Applauded or jeered
And how does it feel like to do it one more time
And how does it feel like to somehow not quite mind
And how does it feel like to let the comments come
And how does it feel like, read it all tomorrow
Read it to your brother
Who cares if they sneered?
And how does it feel like to simply give no shit
And how does it feel like to share a link that you think
will make people happy?
Imagine they cheered.
I still think 'how does it feel like' is bad grammar but the song is good enough to make me forgive them.
posted by h00py at 8:08 AM on July 4, 2014
And how does it feel like to have them look at you
How does it feel like to have it all out there
How does it feel like to have your link examined,
is there attribution?
It's a little weird.
How does it feel like to read the comments next
And how does it feel like to count up all your favourites
Jeez I'm shit or awesome
Applauded or jeered
And how does it feel like to do it one more time
And how does it feel like to somehow not quite mind
And how does it feel like to let the comments come
And how does it feel like, read it all tomorrow
Read it to your brother
Who cares if they sneered?
And how does it feel like to simply give no shit
And how does it feel like to share a link that you think
will make people happy?
Imagine they cheered.
I still think 'how does it feel like' is bad grammar but the song is good enough to make me forgive them.
posted by h00py at 8:08 AM on July 4, 2014
To post, or not to post: that is the question,
Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep;
No more; and by a sleep to say we end
The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks
That Metafilter is heir to
posted by obscure simpsons reference at 8:24 AM on July 4, 2014
Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep;
No more; and by a sleep to say we end
The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks
That Metafilter is heir to
posted by obscure simpsons reference at 8:24 AM on July 4, 2014
An equal mix of excitement and abject terror… which probably explains why I haven't gotten around to posting an FPP more than once. But it's also really fun, and I encourage everyone to try it at least once. (The fact that once you post it's no longer "yours" is totally a feature, not a bug.)
posted by cellar door at 9:18 AM on July 4, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by cellar door at 9:18 AM on July 4, 2014 [2 favorites]
How does it feel when you make a post on the Blue?
Ever so goosey goosey goosey goosey.
posted by George_Spiggott at 3:49 PM on July 4, 2014
Ever so goosey goosey goosey goosey.
posted by George_Spiggott at 3:49 PM on July 4, 2014
I don't feel anything what with all the Ambien and vodka involved.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 4:11 PM on July 4, 2014
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 4:11 PM on July 4, 2014
How does it feel
to post the way you do
When you've laid those links before me
And told us on the blue
PostingontheBlue Monday?
posted by PeterMcDermott at 4:49 PM on July 4, 2014
to post the way you do
When you've laid those links before me
And told us on the blue
PostingontheBlue Monday?
posted by PeterMcDermott at 4:49 PM on July 4, 2014
Anxiety, pride and regret. I holler to my partner, "Oh shit! I just made an FPP on Metafilter. Why do I DO this . . . " and he hollers back in a soothing and somewhat-bored voice "It'll be okay," (because it always is) and then I avoid the blue for hours.
Why subject myself to anxiety and regret? Because I consume a lot of MeFi content and feel a comcomitant responsibility to provide some.
posted by goofyfoot at 5:03 PM on July 4, 2014 [1 favorite]
Why subject myself to anxiety and regret? Because I consume a lot of MeFi content and feel a comcomitant responsibility to provide some.
posted by goofyfoot at 5:03 PM on July 4, 2014 [1 favorite]
'Cause all my posts
Are Metafilter posts
Love your typos and corrections
Point them all in my direction
Give them all to me
I'll favorite all of you
I've got doge and some lolcats
How could Reddit ever top that?
'Cause I give you all of me...
posted by misha at 7:43 PM on July 4, 2014 [2 favorites]
Are Metafilter posts
Love your typos and corrections
Point them all in my direction
Give them all to me
I'll favorite all of you
I've got doge and some lolcats
How could Reddit ever top that?
'Cause I give you all of me...
posted by misha at 7:43 PM on July 4, 2014 [2 favorites]
Potomac Avenue, that one was flagged a lot, really fast, so I was basically responding to flags there. I don't know why that particular short/light YouTube link was flagged when others often aren't, but since I don't know everything about every meme-y, viral sort of thing, I usually tend go with the flow on light joke stuff – especially if the flow is emphatic... maybe there's a glut of Leeloo reacting to [stuff] out there? Maybe this one has been shared a lot?
posted by taz (staff) at 10:03 PM on July 4, 2014
posted by taz (staff) at 10:03 PM on July 4, 2014
Okay, I have now posted my third FPP (Yes! I didn't come here to sit on my arse and not speak unless spoken to) and in this shallow well of experience I have formed the following habits.
HTH
posted by valetta at 2:24 AM on July 5, 2014 [3 favorites]
- I get the URL and paste it into a plain text document. Above it I write a first draft of the post, then place the link where appropriate. Then turn off WordWrap and copy
- Paste into New Post, then thrash the Preview button till I've fine-tuned every last detail. Hopefully. And added a few more links if needed. And maybe a joke, depends.
HTH
posted by valetta at 2:24 AM on July 5, 2014 [3 favorites]
I went searching for the posts of ALL THESE THIRTY SECOND YOUTUBE CLIPS OF ADORABLE RACCOONS PILFERING PICNIC FOOD STANDS.
Griphus, what are you WAITING FOR! Don't tease me like that!
posted by michswiss at 3:51 AM on July 5, 2014
Griphus, what are you WAITING FOR! Don't tease me like that!
posted by michswiss at 3:51 AM on July 5, 2014
I've only made a few blue posts, but it's the same as emailing a link to a certain group of friends or posting on another forum. You just think, "oh, they would like this," and do it, and if needed you provide the kind of context you'd provide in any situation. The only extra thing here is adding tags and maybe doing something different with the title since it doesn't actually need to be descriptive.
posted by michaelh at 10:57 AM on July 5, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by michaelh at 10:57 AM on July 5, 2014 [1 favorite]
I made my first post on the blue last night. At first I was really excited that I'd found something I thought was funny and good that had not already been posted. Then I was worried someone would swoop in and post it while I was typing it up (why, I don't know). Then I had a moment of worry that the post was dumb. But then, trying to tap out even that tiny post on my phone, in the dark, when every time I switched tabs to copy the URL or title, the web site would erase all data previously entered was so frustrating, my focus was only on getting the damn thing posted. Then I promptly went to sleep and forgot about it til this afternoon.
posted by looli at 11:34 PM on July 5, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by looli at 11:34 PM on July 5, 2014 [1 favorite]
"To post, or not to post: that is the question,
Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep;
No more; and by a sleep to say we end
The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks
That Metafilter is heir to"
posted by obscure simpsons reference
EponyIronic?
posted by marienbad at 3:50 AM on July 6, 2014
Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep;
No more; and by a sleep to say we end
The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks
That Metafilter is heir to"
posted by obscure simpsons reference
EponyIronic?
posted by marienbad at 3:50 AM on July 6, 2014
"then thrash the Preview button till I've fine-tuned every last detail"
Oh god yes!
posted by marienbad at 3:53 AM on July 6, 2014 [2 favorites]
Oh god yes!
posted by marienbad at 3:53 AM on July 6, 2014 [2 favorites]
Um, nervous that it would get a lot of posts or cause a shitstorm. Then (as always) I avoid the site for 24 hours after posting. Then I cautiously look on and find out that it either was deleted for having already been posted about years ago even though I did a search, or it was hardly read. I feel dumb about the former, not sure how I feel about the latter.
posted by jenfullmoon at 3:34 PM on July 6, 2014
posted by jenfullmoon at 3:34 PM on July 6, 2014
I had not reviewed the details much but assumed that there would be a longish queue for a post to wait in, perhaps with an initial review for language or such. I distinctly remember my surprise when click and oh, it's right on the front page. Woo.
posted by sammyo at 5:06 PM on July 6, 2014
posted by sammyo at 5:06 PM on July 6, 2014
You know, it's been so long I'm not sure if I remember.
Perhaps I ought to do it again.
I'll get back to you on this.
posted by BlueHorse at 11:36 PM on July 7, 2014
Perhaps I ought to do it again.
I'll get back to you on this.
posted by BlueHorse at 11:36 PM on July 7, 2014
More.
What is posting?
Baby don't hurt me
Don't hurt me
No more....
What is posting anyway?
Does anybody post any more anyway....
Does anybody really know what posting is?
Does anybody really care?
If so I can't imagine why
We've all made posts that made mods cry
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 3:45 AM on July 8, 2014
What is posting?
Baby don't hurt me
Don't hurt me
No more....
What is posting anyway?
Does anybody post any more anyway....
Does anybody really know what posting is?
Does anybody really care?
If so I can't imagine why
We've all made posts that made mods cry
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 3:45 AM on July 8, 2014
It's like guilt after a really satisfying wank.
posted by urbanwhaleshark at 7:08 AM on July 8, 2014
posted by urbanwhaleshark at 7:08 AM on July 8, 2014
I have only posted once, and I will say that there wasn't a whole lot of emotion *after* the post went up.
Instead, I had a lot of anxiety about getting the post up, because it seems to me that for the stuff I'm interested in, someone else will post it first. So, I was concerned that it would get deleted as a repeat, or would just flop as something no one was interested in.
posted by subversiveasset at 1:12 PM on July 8, 2014
Instead, I had a lot of anxiety about getting the post up, because it seems to me that for the stuff I'm interested in, someone else will post it first. So, I was concerned that it would get deleted as a repeat, or would just flop as something no one was interested in.
posted by subversiveasset at 1:12 PM on July 8, 2014
You are not logged in, either login or create an account to post comments
I've also learned that a) sometimes not everyone thinks something's cool, so don't take it personally if you don't get a lot of comments, and b) the ensuing conversation is out of your hands. (I made a post once about a cool-sounding film project, but because it was sponsored by London's Tate Gallery the ensuing conversation was mostly a lot of "taters" jokes.)
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:18 AM on July 3, 2014 [2 favorites]