"What is this post other than newsfilter?"

March 12, 2004 11:02 AM

"What is this post other than newsfilter?" {more inside}
posted by anastasiav to Etiquette/Policy at 11:02 AM (44 comments total)

Where is the "more", anastasiav, you sexy thing?
posted by mr_crash_davis at 11:03 AM on March 12, 2004

I swore I'd never be this person, but something in my snapped today reading a3matrix's trollish posts in the camp x-ray thread about how much newsfilter posts suck, so I started looking at his posting history ....

.... here's what I found:

June 19, 2001 - source: ap wire via iwon.com
September 10, 2001 - todayinhistory.com, interesting post
January 17, 2002 - source: The Sun Newspaper
April 25, 2002 - source: Fox News
May 2, 2002 - klov.com, another interesting post
February 4, 2003 - source: ap wire via iwon.com (aboutCNN)
March 12, 2003 - one year ago, today - post about Iraq sourced from the NZ Herald
June 10, 2003 - source: ap wire via iwon.com

so, here's my question for a3matrix ... if 75% of your own posts are "newsfilter" posts, and if you've even been known to post news links about Iraq, what, exactly, is the problem with this particular post? It seems to me that either a) you're acting in a hypocritical way or b) you're not so concerned with news post as you are annoyed by posts about news that you disagree with or are not interested in....

I, personally, go out of my way not to post news, but I don't mind if others do post some interesting news stuff ... especially when it gives me the chance to hear other well-thought-out viewpoints. But your contribution does not seem well thought out. It seems, in fact, like you're really just to be as obnoxious as possible. Please tell me, how is this post any different from this one?
posted by anastasiav at 11:04 AM on March 12, 2004

Sorry, couldn't resist. The timing was just too perfect.

To actually address your post, there is no difference, other than in the posts you cited the news meshes with the poster's agenda.

We all want affirmation, apparently.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 11:07 AM on March 12, 2004

Sorry to keep you waiting, Crash, I had to close an errant tag....
posted by anastasiav at 11:07 AM on March 12, 2004

good god. x-ray post is certainly the best FPP so far today... the picture of earth is nice, and the free promotion of flickr is questionable at best, a3matrix should go sit in the corner - and turn godd*mn FOX off if he's getting too much "news" ... this bitching about talking about what's going on in the world on metafilter is getting OLD.
posted by specialk420 at 11:19 AM on March 12, 2004

As unpleasant as it was to read, the Camp X-Ray post was indeed the best MeFi post today.
posted by Prospero at 11:21 AM on March 12, 2004

yeah, you had crash waiting for... what, 2 minutes?

I don't really care about a3matrix's case especially, but on general principle, I am kind of tired of the people whose major contribution to the site is "you guys suck". I mean, if you think the site's interesting, read it and write comment with links.
the "YouGuysSuckFilter" nannies should contribute more actual content, otherwise it's hard to take their whining very seriously
posted by matteo at 11:21 AM on March 12, 2004

people always will fall back on 'rules' when they don't like something. a733meatrix was just using that as an excuse because he doesn't like to hear about things like that dude and his suffering in cuba.
posted by chaz at 11:31 AM on March 12, 2004

The "YouGuysSuckFilter" nannies

yeah, baby... wait. wait. Could I become a member Nanniefilter?
posted by ewkpates at 11:42 AM on March 12, 2004

This reminds me of MidasMulligans's contribution to the Iraq soldier post yesterday. Apparently, when they can't directly contradict the content, they'll just oppose the very idea of posting it in the first place. Such intellectual rigor.
posted by Armitage Shanks at 11:58 AM on March 12, 2004

The validity of the claims or the argument against news posts is a separate issue from his/her posting history. Using someone's posting history to point out hypocrisy might score you points, but it's an ad hominem fallacy if you're using it to discredit the argument given.

But he was trolling and, therefore, making his argument in the wrong place, so we'll lynch him for that.

ps - I liked the thread.
posted by The God Complex at 12:02 PM on March 12, 2004

The very concept of a "filter" - whether 'meta', 'YouGuysSuck', or otherwise - abrogates the Aristotelian underpinnings of the self-perpetuating tension between the so-called "real world" and the "online" discourse.

This, I think, is the real issue here.
posted by freebird at 12:07 PM on March 12, 2004

Ooo baby, I love your way.
posted by weston at 12:13 PM on March 12, 2004

Apparently, when they can't directly contradict the content, they'll just oppose the very idea of posting it in the first place.

Yeah, they are awful, aren't they? How much longer are we going to put up with them?

I'm so glad I'm one of us instead of one of them.
posted by timeistight at 12:34 PM on March 12, 2004

Naked Nannyfilter?
posted by squirrel at 12:34 PM on March 12, 2004

Well, only if it's The Nanny, as far as I am concerned.
posted by y2karl at 12:42 PM on March 12, 2004

Not when a mild perusal of the posting history reveals a multitude of single comments with the theme of "this is newsfilter," "stupid libs are whining about stupid shit," and "what does it matter, all politicians suck anyway." a3matrix's majority posting history seems to be about telling everyone how bad their FPPs are.

If he makes an argument all of this is irrelevant to his argument. If you want to argue that this behaviour calls for a ban or some reprimand, then it's relevant. That's all I'm saying.
posted by The God Complex at 12:43 PM on March 12, 2004

behaviour

An assault on American spelling conventions is a stab at the heart of freedom. Smear this man with menstrual blood!
posted by squirrel at 12:48 PM on March 12, 2004

.
posted by rocketman at 12:56 PM on March 12, 2004

I do think his behavior calls from some reprimand, either from the community ("self policing") or even from User Number One himself.

I'm tired of the meta-meta-meta-dog-runs-in-circles-chasing-his-tail complain complain complain approach to this website so many members have. Instead, post good stuff, make good comments, participate, set an example for how you'd like the site to be, and stop complaining about the kind of behavior that you yourself engage in (she says as she engages in it), or, well, shut the heck up.

on preview: my god, I have gone off my rock...

ahem. Look. Talking about how bad things have become will never fix the problem. Only action will fix the problem. So I guess the point of my "ad hominem fallacy" is to complain that complaining endlessly about "NewsFilter" or "Iraqfilter" or "MacFilter" or "ComplaintFilter" or whatever personal gripe you have about other posters behavior isn't going to make it better ... only action will make it better (or different). Take action or go away. But please, for the love of quonsar, stop these endless mind-numbing arguments about how sub-standard MeFi has become.

Embarassed at her own behavior, anastasiav goes off to google up a good front page post....
posted by anastasiav at 1:00 PM on March 12, 2004

This pancake-loving NewsFilter overlord, does it vibrate like Hitler?
posted by terrapin at 1:00 PM on March 12, 2004

Hey, I'm with ya, anastasiav. All I'm saying is if you want to discuss a user's history, do that, but not as a way of discrediting the argument in your thread, which should be treated as a separate issue.

That said, if you had started this thread about his history and asked for community input/policing, with a note mentioning that his comment in biffa's thread was the catalyst for your check, that would be (logically speaking) completely valid. Even if it was your own thread that would make no difference, as any bias or underlying reasons for your argument are irrelevant to the argument at hand.

If this thread is to be treated as a look into a3matrix's trollish commenting history, then the second to last paragraph you wrote (the one beginning so, here's my question for a3matrix) should be regarded as irrelevant for that argument, as should, incidentally, his argument in biffa's thread (which should have its own separate argument, or at least should be treated as such in this thread).
posted by The God Complex at 1:09 PM on March 12, 2004

Sorry, that shouldn't say "your" thread in the first line there.
posted by The God Complex at 1:09 PM on March 12, 2004

This pancake-loving NewsFilter overlord, does it vibrate like Hitler?

Like Hitler's moustache, terrapin.
posted by The Michael The at 1:16 PM on March 12, 2004

"the "YouGuysSuckFilter" nannies should contribute more actual content, otherwise it's hard to take their whining very seriously" (matteo)

Amen, brother. Constructive contributions take far more energy, time, and dedication than mere criticism. I'm sure Matt's awareness of this is behind his light touch : the site runs on donated energy. It's a 2-way street, and only a fool discourages the enthusiastic participation of those who are not idiots and sociopaths.

Not that he doesn't, I'm sure, roll his eyes at many a post.
posted by troutfishing at 1:26 PM on March 12, 2004

Is a3matrix available for comment? I always find these kind of MetaTalk threads dubious - attack a particular comment on a particular thread - big pile-on ensues, everybody gets to vent their spleen, and the poster in question isn't even aware of the thread.

I think it's common courtesy to notify the person you're bitchin' about before-hand before you bitch. Then he can join in and bite back. Just sayin' - rules of debate and all that.

Maybe the person pointing the finger should do the journalist's duty and get a comment from the poster in question (hey, e-mail yo!) to explain the post itself, before the pile-on begins....otherwise, it's dead easy to pull apart almost ANY post on MeFi and bitch about it here on MetaTalk....and hey, if you're gonna do an FPP, research is often a good tool to ensure quality of FPP. As it is, all you need is one person to agree with you and you're guaranteed a 100 post thread of ad hominem attacks without even a right of reply (as it hasn't been notified). I just think it's a pointless exercise if the person "erring" in the blue doesn't even know he's erring, yet you all moan about it (what gets solved? - is it simply cathartic for you?).

(and sod you PC types if you pick up on me using the male personal pronoun)
posted by SpaceCadet at 1:39 PM on March 12, 2004

.
posted by mischief at 1:46 PM on March 12, 2004

I'm so glad I'm one of us instead of one of them.

Oh, get a grip. "They" is a pronoun referring to the two people in the previous sentence. It's simple English.
posted by Armitage Shanks at 1:47 PM on March 12, 2004

Maybe the person pointing the finger should do the journalist's duty and get a comment from the poster in question

I'd love to, but the poster in question doesn't post an email address or website on his/her profile page (not a snark, I didn't either for a long time), and I posted a polite invitation in the conversation in question. Don't see what else I can do....
posted by anastasiav at 1:52 PM on March 12, 2004

Have you considered apologizing for being female to the un-PC knuckledraggers?
posted by y2karl at 1:59 PM on March 12, 2004

I think metafilter is cool. I visit everyday. if you think metafilter sucks, then you are not my friend!
posted by mcsweetie at 2:05 PM on March 12, 2004

I'd love to, but the poster in question doesn't post an email address or website on his/her profile page (not a snark, I didn't either for a long time), and I posted a polite invitation in the conversation in question. Don't see what else I can do....

Then fair enough and I'm sorry I didn't do my research regarding your research. You're the victim of my own spleen venting at others who've not done this in the past. Maybe we need a meta-meta-talk (I hope not), but MetaTalk has become more of a bitching zone, like a smoker's room, and that can't be good. This is the internet for god's sake, not a company or a school with pecking orders and popular kids, and dorks getting the (verbal) shit kicked out of them. This is an exaggeration concerning this particular thread, but it definitely happens here. I've been told to "take a deep breath" and get away from MetaFilter for a while, but perhaps so should all of you who treat MeFi as some kind of substitute to an institution missing in your life.
posted by SpaceCadet at 2:07 PM on March 12, 2004

Have you considered apologizing for being female to the un-PC knuckledraggers?

I'm male and I'm also definitely an un-PC knuckledragger.

Or, I didn't get your joke.
posted by SpaceCadet at 2:10 PM on March 12, 2004

Instead, post good stuff, make good comments, participate, set an example for how you'd like the site to be, and stop complaining...

Such a sweet display of naivity.

Those who can, do.

Those who can't, bitch whine and moan about NewsFilter and throw fecal matter in MetaTalk front-page posts.

Here's my wish for a platinum-coated, glowing MetaPony: a bayesian-style filter that is trained to identify those nitwits who whinge on endlessly about how bad MetaFilter is, and bans them from posting for a week.
posted by five fresh fish at 2:30 PM on March 12, 2004

So, am I a bad person? My very occasional FPPs tend to come from news sources, (as with the Camp X-ray FPP) though generally they are features rather than out and out news. I aim to bring something to the attention of the MeFi community that might not otherwise be noted.

I'm not an un-PC knuckle dragger if that helps.
posted by biffa at 2:47 PM on March 12, 2004

Oh, get a grip. "They" is a pronoun referring to the two people in the previous sentence. It's simple English.

So "they" was just a3matrix and MidasMulligan? Okay, I didn't pick that up from your sentence which only directly refers to MidasMulligan.

I withdraw the snark.
posted by timeistight at 2:55 PM on March 12, 2004

I'm not an un-PC knuckle dragger if that helps.

biffa, prey tell me. What is wrong with being an un-PC knuckledragger?

(I wear leather gloves, it keeps me knuckles unchafed while I can still make my point directly without having to appease all the minorities who might be reading)
posted by SpaceCadet at 3:07 PM on March 12, 2004

Okay, I didn't pick that up from your sentence which only directly refers to MidasMulligan.

You're right. I withdraw the "get a grip" snark.
posted by Armitage Shanks at 3:21 PM on March 12, 2004

This is the internet for god's sake, not a company or a school with pecking orders and popular kids, and dorks getting the (verbal) shit kicked out of them.

HA! You have not heard of the a-list. I guess it hasn't come up on blogdex or daypop lately. Maybe you just have trouble figuring out whether you are hot or not. Perhaps you should consult the Technorati.
posted by john at 3:22 PM on March 12, 2004

un-PC knuckledragger

An Orangutan with a Macintosh?
posted by inpHilltr8r at 3:26 PM on March 12, 2004

Anastasiav: A3M and you are both right -- it was a newsfilter post, and he was a hypocrit for bitching about it.

a3matrix: U R sk00led by Anastasiav
posted by Hildago at 8:12 PM on March 12, 2004

There is only one metatalk thread.
posted by Slagman at 10:24 PM on March 12, 2004

AAAAAA!!

Look! We could have just answered the damn question! Here's how the conversation could have gone:

"What is this post other than newsfilter?"

"It's a narrative from the point of view of someone who has been inside our highest profile prison camp."

"But it's coming from a UK new outlet."

"Yes, but it's unusually interesting. If it had been on Amnesty International or an obscure corner of the UN's website, would you have complained then?"

"Well..."

"See, it's filtered news, but it's the some of the best possible news out there."

"But..."

"So that's what it is besides newsfilter, and that's why it's good."

But we've apparently decided to cripple discussion instead of being rational...
posted by namespan at 11:56 PM on March 12, 2004

biffa, prey tell me. What is wrong with being an un-PC knuckledragger?

Because PC is a blanket term deriving from US conservative politics which applies to any liberal social policies it doesn't like, and largely fails to take into account the many positive aspects of tolerance for minorities, amongst other things, but this is probably an argument we can both have with our eyes closed so let's just assume instead of going over it. (Also because I'm writing this in Amsterdam airport and am just on the way to Delhi so will not likely be on metafilter to argue my part for the rest of the week)
posted by biffa at 1:32 AM on March 13, 2004