July 12, 2002

4:21 PM

snarkiness aside, we've got 1, 2, 3, 4 'what kind of music do you like' threads popping up in the past three days. sure these threads get lots of comments, but they're not what this site is about. and when they propogate like this, it scares me. does one such post beget others? and can we, as a community, do anything about it? do we want to do anything about it... or do we love these threads too much to let go?
posted by mlang to etiquette/policy at 4:21 PM (26 comments total)

Yes, lose them, and the "what kind of [X] are you?" threads, too.

If people are like me, they couldn't care less what kind of [X] you are.
posted by crunchland at 4:23 PM on July 12, 2002

I think the Mission OF Burma thread was pretty informative and slighty more unique than 'NEW BLINK _175 ALBUM IS OUT AND IT ROCKS!!!!!'. but thats just me.
posted by darkpony at 4:31 PM on July 12, 2002

Okay, if this is the "what should we lose" thread, let's lose any post designed to either bait or defend Christianity, Islam, or Judaism, any post containing anything about Israel or Palestine, any posts that question the results of the last US election, and any links to CNN. That should clear some space.
posted by timeistight at 4:38 PM on July 12, 2002

Okay, if this is the "what should we lose" thread . . .

The Apple/Mac posts. Especially the ones about rumoured hardware. They degenerate into the same argument over and over. And there's way too many of them. (And I'm a Mac user, so there.)
posted by mcwetboy at 4:43 PM on July 12, 2002

I really dislike the cartoon 'Cathy'. I find it repetitive and unfunny. So, what I do is, when I'm reading the comics, I skip 'Cathy'.
posted by GriffX at 4:50 PM on July 12, 2002

Right. Let's lose any posts about "Cathy". And "Family Circle". I hate that comic.
posted by timeistight at 4:55 PM on July 12, 2002

what kind of animal are you?

i'm a horse.
i'm a horse too! *high five*
i'm no horse, i'm a fox!
i'm neither horse nor fox, i'm an otter :-(
hee hee, otter. i'm a tiger.
ad nauseam

appropriate sound effect?
posted by mlang at 5:02 PM on July 12, 2002

Bugger, just posted a John. B Spencer kick ass thing. Apologies.

posted by Fat Buddha at 5:30 PM on July 12, 2002

I think all of those threads are slightly different and, in their own way, important. The one exception, perhaps, is number one, which justs links to some new and relatively mainstream stuff. Two was about obscure but really good music that inexplicably stays obscure, three was aiming at a discussion of the addictive qualities of music, and four was about a little known yet seminal early punk band getting back together for a tour.

The truth is, I like all the music threads. They give me something new to listen to. When I hear music recommended by other MeFites, it ties me to the community here and makes me feel like I'm doing something more than just wasting my time on some wanker's website. It certain small ways, it makes my life better.

So, if you don't like the music threads, don't read them. It was apparent from the FPP that they were about music. It's not like you clicked on the link and were surprised it was about music, is it?
posted by monju_bosatsu at 6:46 PM on July 12, 2002

I like the music threads because most of them end up pointing me to sites where I can try out new music. I especially like it when people describe bands in terms of more well-known bands, so I know where I want to go first. Of course, this has nothing to do with whether threads like this SHOULD or SHOULD NOT be on MeFi, but I like 'em. Of course, it may also have something to do with me living way out in the sticks, with no good radio stations to listen to, and a dial-up connection that's slow on a GOOD day, so P2P systems aren't even a consideration. It took me a half hour to download a song sample by Carbon Leaf today after the suggestion, but it was SO worth it. I suppose I'll support these threads (in their unique form, not just a 'hey, I like [band name], you?' approach), until someone comes up with MusicFilter - and if someone has already and no one told me yet...... [empty threat hangs in the air] ;-)
posted by thunder at 7:46 PM on July 12, 2002

i think we should remove all posts that at least one person is irritated by.

then we can all stare at a blank screen.
posted by jcterminal at 7:56 PM on July 12, 2002

Hey guys, Kvetch is dead, remember?

I also like the music threads, so I read them. I don't like I/P threads, so I don't read them. Simple, yes?

Thunder, thanks for the tip on Carbon Leaf. I'm heading over to AMG to see what they say. Oh oh, now it looks like this is a problem thread too!
posted by ashbury at 8:00 PM on July 12, 2002

ashbury - LOL. You're welcome, and... AMG? (It appears I'm a little slow with my reverse acronymization today.) And just to try and make this post not derail this thread too much.... heh.... because dnash described Carbon Leaf as Phish crossed with the Chieftans, a little switch went off in my head that they might be like another band I like, Great Big Sea - yup! An excellent way to post to a music thread, if you're going to do it.
posted by thunder at 8:47 PM on July 12, 2002

If people are like me, they couldn't care less what kind of [X] you are.

No one is like crunchland.
posted by Dagobert at 8:51 PM on July 12, 2002

Thunder, the AMG (All Music Guide) listing for Carbon Leaf's new album Echo Echo. AMG is a must have for every music lover.

If this thread does nothing else but give a guy the best music resource on the web, I consider it successful.
posted by ashbury at 8:58 PM on July 12, 2002

i think we should remove all posts that at least one person is irritated by.

then we can all stare at a blank screen.

I think if one is not going to comment constructively, one should either make a joke that is actually funny, or seriously reconsider hitting that post button.

The whole idea of Metatalk is for people to bring up topics that the community can discuss, often things that someone dislikes or is offended or annoyed by, in order to to discover if there is a consensus about those things, and in this to try and make the site better a better place for everyone involved. Snarking about people actually using Metatalk for the purpose for which it was intended accomplish nothing but self-aggrandizement and the wasting of everyone else's time.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 9:02 PM on July 12, 2002

Stavros, you're so serious tonight! I'm surprised at you. And sorry, but I appreciate music links too, it's interesting to see what people are listening to. I always get good ideas. I'm in thunder and ashbury's camp on this one.
posted by Lynsey at 9:19 PM on July 12, 2002

ashbury - ahhh, I see! And mucho thankso for the link and the illumination! :-)
posted by thunder at 9:49 PM on July 12, 2002

The community HAS spoken on these threads! In the threads themselves! As you say, they get a lot of comments. So, if you think you are going to get the community to agree on eliminating them, you are taking the wrong approach. You are going to have to form a small, nonrepresentative committee and convince Matt to be ever vigilant and censor out these threads the moment they appear.

... and stavros, MeTalk (what an apt nickname) proved itself to be (more often than not) a joke long ago.


posted by mischief at 5:01 AM on July 13, 2002

That's constructive, mischief. Funny, but some of us still try to make MetaTalk work as intended, rather than sneering at it.
posted by rushmc at 5:20 AM on July 13, 2002

and can we, as a community, do anything about it? do we want to do anything about it... or do we love these threads too much to let go? .....next on Donahue.

posted by clavdivs at 6:40 AM on July 13, 2002

The community HAS spoken on these threads! In the threads themselves! As you say, they get a lot of comments.

Anyone can get a lot of comments by throwing out a question on popular music or similar topics, but it ignores repeated attempts by Matt and others to keep this from becoming a discussion board. This favorite-band-of-the-day stuff is getting out of hand.
posted by rcade at 7:05 AM on July 13, 2002

"I think if one is not going to comment constructively, one should either make a joke that is actually funny, or seriously reconsider hitting that post button."

omg! i failed stavros' "guidelines for funny" and "guidelines for constructive commentary"! both! at once!

i am a horrible monster and i pray for death.


posted by jcterminal at 7:49 AM on July 13, 2002

I do wish that the I/P threads would stop, and that certain posters would tone down the rhetoric in them.

I don't, however, think that the Music threads are like the I/P threads, but maybe I'm wrong and there is a parallel to be drawn. I think that, particularly the threads linked to above, created discourse among the members. Everyone seemed to enjoy the specific threads, and everyone who commented contributed earnestly to the discussion.

For someone who, like thunder, is looking for ways to hear new music, and learn about the community of people who are making music, these threads can be invaluable.
I hear a lot about new and good bands on Metafilter, and I would like music threads to be appreciated alongside art threads and rammer threads. I think the real bond that we have here on Metafilter is a commitment to culture. That may be the only thing that we have in common, and that may be why we like or dislike new members. We like to talk about our society, and I think that all of us are inspired by what other people, members here or not, are creating or writing or composing.

I think that the level of discourse should always be heightened, but I do not fear music filter like I do news filter.
posted by goneill at 9:06 AM on July 13, 2002

Typing things is dumb.

posted by dong_resin at 9:18 AM on July 13, 2002

goneil: hear, hear.
posted by timeistight at 1:57 PM on July 13, 2002