Can we not post rumors?

October 30, 2003 6:08 PM

Are there guidelines about posting (or preferably not posting) threads that present as truth that which, if investigated, turns out to be mere conjecture?
posted by oaf to Etiquette/Policy at 6:08 PM (34 comments total)

I was hoping that your link lead to any number of Bush-bashing threads we see here everyday. You know, the ones where someone asserts that the Bush Administration is using their authority to take over the world, followed by a bunch of "boy, those Bush people are evil" comments. Alas, I was mistaken.

oaf, this happens all the time. Obviously it's frowned upon, because facts are always nice, but there is no official rule against it.
posted by BlueTrain at 6:36 PM on October 30, 2003

I was hoping that your link lead to any number of Bush-bashing threads we see here everyday. You know, the ones where someone asserts that the Bush Administration is using their authority to take over the world, followed by a bunch of "boy, those Bush people are evil" comments. Alas, I was mistaken.

You'll have to disprove those, first.
posted by Space Coyote at 6:37 PM on October 30, 2003

You'll have to disprove those, first.

I don't feel like the burden of proof belongs to me. If posters feel like they don't have to present a convincing, credible argument, why must I waste my time debating the topic?

Posters are irresponsible because they can be. Any time a MeFite has the audacity to question a poster's history or agenda, immediately the tired phrase "Shoot the message, not the messenger" is trotted out. If it's relevant and well-thought out, a critique of the poster is very necessary to the conversation. That includes putting the burden of proof on the original poster.
posted by BlueTrain at 6:50 PM on October 30, 2003

What is truth?

Jimbob grabs a beer and chips, settles down comfortably, watches with interest.
posted by Jimbob at 6:58 PM on October 30, 2003

Bluetrain: And who's being expected to take who's accusations as given? These supposed posts you so lament at least link to something. They've got that on your little complaint.
posted by Space Coyote at 7:05 PM on October 30, 2003

I think as far as guidelines go, people need to pay special attention to the thing in "link to something on the web". Linking to a news article that presents some information isn't really linking to a thing, and it's in the realm of information, news, etc where most of these truth/conjecture issues arise. For example, you don't have the same problems with a historical photo archive, a shockwave game, an audio piece, etc, all of which are things. So, in a way, this is covered by the current guidelines, though they are blown to hell a million ways all the time.
posted by scarabic at 7:19 PM on October 30, 2003

Just to be clear: the point of MetaFilter is to find the best and most interesting of the web to share with others

Doesn't say anything about "true."
posted by rushmc at 7:42 PM on October 30, 2003

Or "morally uplifting".

For years, to no avail, alas, I've campaigned to have Matt include "morally uplifting" in that guideline - as well as "sexy", "relevant to Portugal" and "alcohol-related".

But has he listened?
posted by MiguelCardoso at 8:30 PM on October 30, 2003

Fuck, no.
posted by MiguelCardoso at 8:32 PM on October 30, 2003

oaf, i'm not sure what the guidelines say on the matter, if anything, but i assure you: in practice the consequences will be pretty much like most of the other anthill stakings we've conducted. bring your own molasses.
posted by quonsar at 8:58 PM on October 30, 2003

Lotta cussin' out of you lately, Miguel.

No judgment, just an observation.
posted by gleuschk at 9:01 PM on October 30, 2003

It is simple, easy to read, and represents what I've been feeling for quite some time now.

If posters feel like they don't have to present a convincing, credible argument, why must I waste my time debating the topic?

Indeedy doody.
posted by y2karl at 11:14 PM on October 30, 2003

It occurs to me that PottymouthCardoso is posting significantly more pottymouth remarks in his normally morally-uplifting comments. Does anyone else secretly find it sexy, or do you agree with those who say language like that is best kept where it belongs - in Portugal? . To what extent is this attributable to alcohol?
posted by taz at 11:22 PM on October 30, 2003

Are there guidelines about posting (or preferably not posting) threads that present as truth that which, if investigated, turns out to be mere conjecture?

I'm sick and tired of the pro-Apple cabal undercutting everything that opposes "the revolution." Let me tell you something, you sycophantic, misanthropic, machine-loving, decidedly non-avuncular, hokum-buying-into, goosestepping vultures:
Apple has atrophied your brain, thrown you into a dreamless coma, and they're feasting on your insides, playing jumprope with your intenstines.

How dare you, in your faux-worldly flurry of verbal barbs, denigrate the square-box forumla that has served us so well for those sleek-lined, rainbow-coloured jezebels.

When I finish this bottle of Jagermeister, I'm going to come back and give you good-for-nothings anothe run for your money, if you have any left after buying another of those over-priced, soul-devouring music machines.
posted by The God Complex at 11:41 PM on October 30, 2003

I was hoping that your link lead to any number of Bush-bashing threads we see here everyday. You know, the ones where someone asserts that the Bush Administration is using their authority to take over the world, followed by a bunch of "boy, those Bush people are evil" comments. Alas, I was mistaken.

For halloween tomorrow, I'm going to dress up in a three-piece suit, make out like a wallstreet bloodsucker, and tell people I'm the fall of the Holy Roman Empire, take two.
posted by The God Complex at 12:38 AM on October 31, 2003

Or a GI with a necklace made out of ears and a sign that reads "Imperialism killed the Viet Cong star--Member of the 101st circa Vietnam."
posted by The God Complex at 2:03 AM on October 31, 2003

Does anyone think Miguel's writing style has changed, since he joined Metafilter?
posted by johnny novak at 2:55 AM on October 31, 2003

Or a GI with a necklace made out of ears and a sign that reads "Imperialism killed the Viet Cong star--Member of the 101st circa Vietnam."

I fail to find any humor in that.
posted by konolia at 3:48 AM on October 31, 2003

But Bush is still evil, right?
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 4:34 AM on October 31, 2003

But Bush is still evil, right?
But of course : >

I'm betting there'll be lots of Bush in the flight suit, and roy and the tiger, tonight at the parade here (if i get out of work early enough to see it)
posted by amberglow at 4:42 AM on October 31, 2003

I fail to find any humor in that.

It's the necklace of ears. Dont'cha get it?
posted by yerfatma at 4:59 AM on October 31, 2003

Maybe her ears are on the necklace

On preview: Boy, those Bush people are evil.
posted by trondant at 8:52 AM on October 31, 2003

::: quickly scans thread:::

So wait, you're saying that Bush wears a necklace made from the ears of Guantanamo detainees? Wow!
posted by rushmc at 10:00 AM on October 31, 2003

I was hoping that your link lead to any number of Bush-bashing threads we see here everyday. You know, the ones where someone asserts that the Bush Administration is using their authority to take over the world, followed by a bunch of "boy, those Bush people are evil" comments. Alas, I was mistaken... since those assertions turn out to be true, rather than flase.
posted by soyjoy at 10:23 AM on October 31, 2003

mmm ... flase ...

;)
posted by widdershins at 11:41 AM on October 31, 2003

I fail to find any humor in that.


Hey, they weren't my soldiers, and I'm not the one that's unwilling to investigate.

Also, it might be funnier if you sing the first part to the tune of video killed the radio star.

Trust me, it's better than my "Iraqi kids bleed, too, even if they don't watch Friends" costume.
posted by The God Complex at 12:52 PM on October 31, 2003

Yesterday it was conjecture. Today it's just a lie.
posted by oaf at 1:06 PM on October 31, 2003

Also, it might be funnier if you sing the first part to the tune of video killed the radio star.

I stepped out of popular culture literally just before MTV started. I wouldn't know the song if I tripped over it.

Just a little testy, I am. Another Special Forces guy died today and they haven't said who it was yet. He was undoubtedly stationed here, so it isn't idle curiosity on my part.
posted by konolia at 3:34 PM on October 31, 2003

Admittedly, people don't find me as funny as I find myself, so don't worry about it too much ;)

Also, in case you weren't aware of what I was talking about, it was a recent report detailing hideous acts such as those (the necklace of ears) in Vietnam that aren't going to be investigated because, well, I don't know. It's just too old, I guess.
posted by The God Complex at 3:59 PM on October 31, 2003

War doesn't exactly bring out the best in people, this is true.

And they wonder why so many Vietnam vets suffer from post-traumatic stress and/or live under bridges.
posted by konolia at 4:31 PM on October 31, 2003

boy, those apple people are evil
posted by nthdegx at 6:06 PM on October 31, 2003

Does anyone think Miguel's writing style has changed, since he joined Metafilter?
posted by johnny novak at 2:55 AM PST on October 31


Yeah, now it's a lot more like that of Carlos Quevedo.
posted by mokujin at 2:24 AM on November 1, 2003

Any time a MeFite has the audacity to question a poster's history or agenda, immediately the tired phrase "Shoot the message, not the messenger" is trotted out.

Let's not be too hasty here. We don't want to go putting the horse before the cart.
posted by trondant at 9:28 AM on November 1, 2003

"And they wonder why so many Vietnam vets suffer from post-traumatic stress and/or live under bridges."

it's probably all those people asking them "anyone care to lend an ear?"
it gets on your nerves after a while
posted by matteo at 3:19 PM on November 2, 2003