MeFi and MeTa: booze-fueled commentary?

March 21, 2004 9:38 PM

More than any other community weblog, MetaFilter and MetaTalk are associated with drunkenness and even alcoholism. This is an honest question: do most members here drink more than others/they ought to/than what's good for them? Is it OK to post while drunk, unless you really foul up? Is it considered funny or something? Why are there (comparatively) few other drugs extolled here? In sum, is MeFi quickly becoming MeFried?
posted by MiguelCardoso to MetaFilter-Related at 9:38 PM (94 comments total)

Admit it: you're drunk right now, aren't you Miguel?

Next up: MetaAA | Are you a friend of Bill G?
posted by mathowie (staff) at 9:42 PM on March 21, 2004

Why are there (comparatively) few other drugs extolled here?

I'm really stoned and I just took some Vicodin, if that helps with your survey.
posted by Cyrano at 9:44 PM on March 21, 2004

This thread makes me want to polish off the mudslide in the fridge. Who's with me?
posted by angry modem at 9:46 PM on March 21, 2004

More than any other community weblog, MetaFilter and MetaTalk are associated with drunkenness and even alcoholism.

Where do you get this stuff? No, really, where do you get this stuff?

do most members here drink more than others/they ought to/than what's good for them?

How can one even begin to answer that?

Is it OK to post while drunk, unless you really foul up?

Sure.

Is it considered funny or something?

That depends on whether the person is funny, I bet.

Why are there (comparatively) few other drugs extolled here?

Because they're not legal and, thus, not used as often?

In sum, is MeFi quickly becoming MeFried?

That's the real reason you posted this, isn't it? You thought of that little play on words, giggled, and decided to think of some semi-serious way to pose it.

Normally, I like your strange interests in MetaFilter, Miguel, but this thread is a lost cause (which is part for the course in MT nowadays, so you have company).

For any beer fans who have never tried Stella Artois, do yourself a favour and check it out. It's been brewed for about 650 years and it's very good. Sleeman's is a particularly good Canadian brand, as well. Cheers.
posted by The God Complex at 9:50 PM on March 21, 2004

"Par," rather.
posted by The God Complex at 9:51 PM on March 21, 2004

I have an empty case of Stella Artois in my closet right now, if that answers your question.
posted by interrobang at 9:55 PM on March 21, 2004

Admit it: you're drunk right now, aren't you Miguel?

Next up: MetaAA | Are you a friend of Bill G?


No, I'm not drunk, Matt! how dare you! ;

You should know by now I only get drunk on Friday nights, when all my work is done.

*Contacts American lawyer, forthwith. Figures he can take The Man for at least 50 thou.

I sort of hoped that the interesting question of "posting under the influence" could be discussed, since many recent misunderstandings (let's call them that) seem to be alcohol-related. The number of fellow members' comments about this have also escalated.

For the record, I have nothing against posting when you'd had a few - after all, MetaFilter is also supposed to be fun - but it would be nice, as happens on other community weblogs, if those who temporarily find themselves paralytic would confess to it, so others could take it into account.

In any case, my well-tuned antennae lead me to believe that our community is definitely indulging with greater abandon than before, judging by the syntax, grammar and spelling - at least!
posted by MiguelCardoso at 10:01 PM on March 21, 2004

Yesh.
posted by Opus Dark at 10:09 PM on March 21, 2004

What's a mudslide?
posted by weston at 10:13 PM on March 21, 2004

More than any other community weblog, MetaFilter and MetaTalk are associated with drunkenness and even alcoholism.

Slow down--what are you basing that on, exactly?
posted by dhoyt at 10:14 PM on March 21, 2004

I cut down.
posted by Keyser Soze at 10:16 PM on March 21, 2004

Slow down--what are you basing that on, exactly?

dhoyt: You're quite right to question the association. It's true I think booze is a mark of civilization and promote it as enthusiastically as I do good, natural food and other delights. For me, it's a pleasure, like literature, friendship and laughing - a supplementary joy, actually, which adds enjoyment to life as it is.

However, there are different European/American alcohol cultures at work here and, imho, there's been a definite increase in semi-drunken posts here. Even accusations have been bandied about (I won't name names, as that would ruin the original purpose) and vigorously answered.

It's just an impression - I have no data, as you can imagine. But impressions are worth talking about too, no?
posted by MiguelCardoso at 10:32 PM on March 21, 2004

Methinks Miguel is seeking grist for the writing mill. And if he'd done his homework more thoroughly, he'd remember that some of us have posted in various alcohol-themed threads that we don't drink the stuff.
posted by Lynsey at 10:36 PM on March 21, 2004

Slow down--what are you basing that on, exactly?
posted by homunculus at 10:39 PM on March 21, 2004

I think its surely becoming like a bar brawl in one of them cowboy movies and it could do with a few lassies about the place cause they've all left here and gone to 3wa to talk about their feelings and other feminine activities , such as stalking scotsmen.
posted by sgt.serenity at 10:46 PM on March 21, 2004

However, there are different European/American alcohol cultures at work here and, imho, there's been a definite increase in semi-drunken posts here.

Still confused. I've been around here a pretty long time would consider overtly drunken, sloppy posts a rare exception. And what do the differences in European/American drinking habits have to do with anything?

I guess I'm not clear where you get the statement, "More than any other weblog..." Are you basing this on your own experiences at, say, Plastic.com or ThreeWayAction? I've certainly seen the odd drunken post on those sites, too, but nothing indicating an upward trend of blotto readership.
posted by dhoyt at 10:49 PM on March 21, 2004

do most members here drink more than others/they ought to/than what's good for them?

...or perhaps ever more than they're going to tell some perfect fucking stranger in Portugal?
posted by scarabic at 10:59 PM on March 21, 2004

huh? wuzzuh?
posted by quonsar at 11:04 PM on March 21, 2004

weston: a mudslide is equal parts vodka, Bailey's, and Kahlua, either frozen or not. It's fun to drink and completely mind-obliterating. And 470 calories. Mmm, drunk and fat.
posted by nicwolff at 11:13 PM on March 21, 2004

According to Miguel, Metafilter seems to be primarily composed of alcoholic white communists.
posted by The God Complex at 11:23 PM on March 21, 2004

In other words, we now have an explanation for Quonsar. Miguel has sussed him out.
posted by The God Complex at 11:27 PM on March 21, 2004

Also, I hope everyone enjoys their vernal equinox. I almost started a metatalk thread to express that very sentiment, but in my sober state decided against it.

I have an empty case of Stella Artois in my closet right now, if that answers your question.

Top notch!
posted by The God Complex at 11:34 PM on March 21, 2004

as long as things dont get out of control - i don't mind if people have a sip or two.
posted by specialk420 at 11:36 PM on March 21, 2004

wow. mefi does not in any way strike me as a hot bed of drunkenness... how bizarre miguel, that you see it that way. i usually only drink at christmas-time, when i make homemade baileys, otherwise there's never any booze in my house at all. i think i posted here once under the influence of one glass of wine (which is all it takes to make me extra stupid for 5 min and then fall asleep) but outside of maybe... i can only think of 2 members that i think are drunks, i don't think anyone around here is out of control. there's nothing wrong with posting drunk anyway, it's the net equivalent of being in a pub and chatting with the folks there. i also don't think it's an out of the ordinary offense to post drunk and be an ass while doing it, since people post sober and still come off like asses.
posted by t r a c y at 11:44 PM on March 21, 2004

i'm a drunk.
posted by fishfucker at 12:00 AM on March 22, 2004

you'd pretty much have to be.
posted by quonsar at 12:41 AM on March 22, 2004

If I were a cynic, I might suspect that you were being a sort of coy Mephistopheles today, Miguel - just stirring things a bit by trotting out the charge, and then sitting back and gleefully rubbing your hands together as you wait for the accusations and insults to begin flying...
posted by taz at 1:06 AM on March 22, 2004

[off topic]

Stella Artois is often referred to as "wife beater" in the UK. I've always thought it tastes like a kick in the head.

Googling Stella+Artois+wife+beater brought me to this very amusing blog entry. Marketing people eh? you've got to love 'em! Or is it shoot them?
posted by davehat at 1:33 AM on March 22, 2004

That amusing blog entry was actually written by a Metafilter member, as so often happens, given the Massive Talent Pool that is our little community (and its virtual expatriates).

I leave it as an exercise for the interested to figure out which one was the culprit.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 1:52 AM on March 22, 2004

'Twas written by goniel[sic], the chick from Long Island - right?
posted by Opus Dark at 2:28 AM on March 22, 2004

An amusing blog entry it may have been, but incorrect I am afraid. As I remember buckfast was the tipple of choice amongst the homeless.
posted by johnnyboy at 3:06 AM on March 22, 2004

hmmm. i think it's the usual us/uk "alcohol attitude" (consuming alcohol isn't part of family culture, and is even considered bad or dangerous, so it's seen as a cool "adult" thing). it does get a bit tedious.
posted by andrew cooke at 3:56 AM on March 22, 2004

I don't drink. And believe me when I say you are all grateful.
posted by konolia at 4:07 AM on March 22, 2004

johnnyboy:

I certainly have no memory of it being a cheap beer, but it is strong and frequently discounted by the main food chains in the UK. It isn't Special Brew or Super-T. They taste like they've been regurgitated.

It is interesting how Stella's tagline "reassuringly expensive" seems to have changed from the original message though, as detailed here (.pdf, see page 6).
posted by davehat at 4:14 AM on March 22, 2004

*wakes up; wife drags him by the ear to the distant computer, forcing his drippy, forgetful nose close to the monitor, so he can see the mess he made on MetaTalk just because, exhausted after a hard day at the children's hospital, she forgot to hide the key to the spirits cupboard; whacks him over his throbbing head with a wet newspaper; to the glee of the watching dog, who so welcomes that this treatment be meted out to others beside himself*

Just kiddin'! ;)
posted by MiguelCardoso at 4:24 AM on March 22, 2004

...Metafilter seems to be primarily composed of alcoholic white communists.

So you're all with me, then?
posted by Mayor Curley at 5:14 AM on March 22, 2004

Thanks for the link davehat, when I had the misfortune to work in a supermarket whilst at college I remember how fond the local glitterati were of drinks such as 20/20, thunderbirds, strongbow and diamond white as well as the aforementioned buckfast; stella artois seemed positively bourgeois.
posted by johnnyboy at 5:46 AM on March 22, 2004

Second vote for Special Brew, aka Speccy, as the 'tipple of choice for the homeless.' Remember the Brew Crew?
posted by carter at 6:04 AM on March 22, 2004

To be fair, most of the alcohol-related posts have been posted by you, Miguel...are you sure you're not part of the problem rather than the solution? ;)
posted by rushmc at 6:53 AM on March 22, 2004

amdrew cooke is onto something, to a subset of young Americans/Europeans being a habitual drunk is considered a sign of "cool" and "worldliness," and "authenticity."

What a bill of goods. I'd laugh even harder if I hadn't bought it myself. But I'll agree that the drinky-drunk shtick is tiresome.
posted by jonmc at 6:58 AM on March 22, 2004

Hmm, typing's harder than talking, so, um, what was the problem?

Next up: MetaMC | Are you a friend of Bill Ali G?
posted by y2karl at 7:24 AM on March 22, 2004

Slow day, Miguel? Have you tried actual masturbation? It's a great cure for boredom, and you don't make the rest of us participants.
posted by FunkyHelix at 7:44 AM on March 22, 2004

and you don't make the rest of us participants.
who knows, maybe Miguel has a webcam

*shudder*


being a habitual drunk is considered a sign of "cool" and "worldliness," and "authenticity."
Keith Richards fetish, young musicians on smack, blah blah blah
posted by matteo at 8:02 AM on March 22, 2004

"40 Things Every Drunkard Should Do Before He Dies"
posted by thomcatspike at 8:18 AM on March 22, 2004

This always seemed to me more like a Hillbilly Heroin crowd...
posted by boost ventilator at 8:35 AM on March 22, 2004

Hmmm, let's see...matt mispells Bill W's name in the second post of the thread, and no one acknowledges the error.

Maybe you've all exceeded your limit.
posted by Smart Dalek at 9:01 AM on March 22, 2004

Hmmm, let's see...matt mispells Bill W's name in the second post of the thread, and no one acknowledges the error.

That's a joke, see. Bill G = Gates, not W.
posted by norm at 9:25 AM on March 22, 2004

I fackin luv yoo, Miguel
posted by nthdegx at 9:40 AM on March 22, 2004

Migs, Migs, Migs. And here I was so proud of you for restraining yourself for so long. I should have known it couldn't last.

To those of you asking for substantiation for the "More than any other community weblog...": Don't be silly! He doesn't mean anything by that, it's just his writer's brain coming up with a lead that will make this seem (for half a moment, at least) something other than "Oh listen guess what I want to talk about DRINKING again like I have 5,000 times before what do you all think about DRINKING huh? Post while drunk favorite beer/wine/cocktail/aftershave how often AA whaddaya think huh huh huh??"

Um, Miguel, if by some chance there's any truth to the idea that there's an unusual concentration of alcohol-related material on MeFi, it's largely your fault. Now go write on the blackboard 100 times:
WHEN THE IMPULSE TO POST COMES UPON ME, I WILL STAND UP AND LOOK OUT THE WINDOW UNTIL IT GOES AWAY.
Unless, of course, you're making an actual MeFi post. You know, to the Best of the Web.
posted by languagehat at 9:47 AM on March 22, 2004

Wasn't this post inspired by a post, just before it, that was deleted after several of the comments suggested that the poster was drunk? Just to add some context here.
posted by onlyconnect at 10:05 AM on March 22, 2004

Miguel makes me want to drink.
posted by eyeballkid at 10:18 AM on March 22, 2004

When I read Miguel's posts, I hear them in my head in Carrie Bradshaw's voice on Sex and the City. Try it:
"[I]s MeFi quickly becoming MeFried?"
Eerie, huh?
posted by bonheur at 10:19 AM on March 22, 2004

Languagehat, why can't you drift a little from the truth, like the rest of us? Was all that Laphroaig propaganda a sop? Do you really want to remind me of my mother, that is, without the loving kindness - a terrifying combination.

It's true that the words "More than any other community weblog" are absolute attention-grabbing bullshit, which comes naturally to writers used to having to earn a living. After a certain point, these exaggerations and hooks are no longer noticed . they're pitches more than posts.

I've played along with the jokiness in this thread but, as someone particularly sensitive to alcohol-related posts and comments on MeFi (I felt the same after 9.11), I do honestly feel that more people are posting on the fly, while under the influence of (too) much booze and more fellow members are cottoning on to that fact, as several posters are unable to remain (let's say) in character after a few drinks. Onlyconnect was forward and sincere enough to suggest the immediate cause - as I do appreciate Keyser Soze's contributions very much.

In short, it was an honest post, Guv!
posted by MiguelCardoso at 10:31 AM on March 22, 2004

Don't people ever get tired of beating on Miguel? It's so old already. I notice that the later at night it is (on my east coast time), the more likely it is that some people are drinking.

*toasts Miguel with a pepsi* (at work)
posted by amberglow at 11:03 AM on March 22, 2004

.
posted by mischief at 11:32 AM on March 22, 2004

More than any other community weblog

Maybe not more than this one.
posted by octobersurprise at 12:20 PM on March 22, 2004

Stella Artois is often referred to as "wife beater" in the UK. I've always thought it tastes like a kick in the head.

Googling Stella+Artois+wife+beater brought me to this very amusing blog entry. Marketing people eh? you've got to love 'em! Or is it shoot them?

...

I certainly have no memory of it being a cheap beer, but it is strong and frequently discounted by the main food chains in the UK. It isn't Special Brew or Super-T. They taste like they've been regurgitated.

Let me get this straight, in the UK, Stella Artois is considered strong? Are you serious? Haha. That's hilarious. It's like 4.8% or something and half the reason I like it is because it's really smooth and doesn't taste very strong at all (very middle of the road). I don't think it tastes have as strong (or bitter) as Heinicken. Then again, I live in Canada, where we're renowned--at least in our own heads--as enjoying a particularly strong brew (see: Rickard's Red or Sleeman's Dark for some fairly mainstream, quality beers with both stronger alcohol content and taste). You'd think if they'd been brewing Stella for some 650 years they must be doing something right over there.

Crazy ukers.
posted by The God Complex at 12:27 PM on March 22, 2004

Grr, "half".
posted by The God Complex at 12:29 PM on March 22, 2004

Drunk? No. But I just had a Nutrigrain bar, and I feel GREAT!
posted by stonerose at 12:42 PM on March 22, 2004

Regarding the nutgrain bar: I knew a guy once who could somehow get the effect of getting drunk, more or less, by eating anything with wheat/wheat flour in it.
posted by weston at 12:48 PM on March 22, 2004

weston, isn't that what they ascribed the Salem witches to? Something about flour that made them act weird?
posted by amberglow at 12:52 PM on March 22, 2004

Mothers Against Alcoholic MeFites?

Speaking for myself, I've found that the level of idiocy can be split down the middle between comments written sober and those written after a beer or seventeen. It makes no difference. Besides I gave quonsar the last of my jellybeans.

And given how popular any alcoholic thread is, it should be self-evident that the lot of you need to be hauled away for the night!
posted by ed at 1:04 PM on March 22, 2004

Stop using MeTa for marketing purposes, Weston.
posted by stonerose at 1:05 PM on March 22, 2004

ascribed the Salem witches to? Something about flour that made them act weird?
iirc, their rye spoiled at the mill. Or as the Egyptians were known to consume, moldy rye bread: like acid(don't know the chemical formual).
posted by thomcatspike at 1:16 PM on March 22, 2004

Ergot in the rye, I believe.
posted by jennyb at 1:17 PM on March 22, 2004

thanks thomcat, and jenny--someday i'll try that ; >
posted by amberglow at 1:23 PM on March 22, 2004

acid(don't know the chemical formual).
lysergic acid
posted by thomcatspike at 1:24 PM on March 22, 2004

It's called Ergot, it's a fungus that attacks rye.
posted by tommasz at 1:25 PM on March 22, 2004

Ergot in the rye, I believe.
That is correct, ergot: lysergic acid. The Egyptian's tale mentioned above, may be wrong from what I've read here.
posted by thomcatspike at 1:31 PM on March 22, 2004

WHEN THE IMPULSE TO POST COMES UPON ME, I WILL STAND UP AND LOOK OUT THE WINDOW UNTIL IT GOES AWAY.

The Adult Onset ADD Online Prayer.
posted by y2karl at 1:50 PM on March 22, 2004

Don't people ever get tired of beating on Miguel?

Absolutely not! That would be like getting tired of cocktails (for example, old fashioneds) or more cocktails or American whiskey or other whiskey or other spirits or rum drinks ("Self-link: my Caipirinha recipe - not that I'm not having one right now. Of course I am.") or beer or three-martini lunches in some luxurious gin joint... oops, I have to leave to catch my train, or I could go on all night. Anyway, you get the picture.

Look, I have no desire to see Migs go away. He's a fine fellow and has a great batting average on his MeFi posts. But you really don't want to see what the place would be like if nobody ever beat on him. He's like those plants that have beautiful flowers but that if you don't keep trimming them will overrun the entire Northeast. Trust me on this.
posted by languagehat at 1:56 PM on March 22, 2004

well, maybe i won't try ergot after all, after having read thomcat's link...eww

languagehat: very sadistic attitude, I think. Maybe Miguel posts about all that liquor as a substitute for drinking it? Sort of a living vicariously thing?
posted by amberglow at 2:05 PM on March 22, 2004

As you all possibly expected I drink mostly water. Which judging by the weekends events should mean I'm higher than any of you.
posted by feelinglistless at 2:40 PM on March 22, 2004

Damn it. Now I feel like I should take up drinking. I've never actually been drunk, I drink occassionally, but never to access, I guess I don't fit in here after all. *sigh*
posted by Grod at 2:46 PM on March 22, 2004

*Invents "Miguel" drinking game*

Every time anyone trashes/insults/mocks Miguel, do a shot. (that should help, Grod) ; >
posted by amberglow at 3:37 PM on March 22, 2004

WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

No one I know associates MeFi with alcoholism, nor thinks that any more than a few of its members show definite alcoholic (and alcoholic posting) tendencies.
posted by Shane at 3:38 PM on March 22, 2004

Access what, Grod?

And another thing ...

*hic*
posted by carter at 3:39 PM on March 22, 2004

What's the word?
posted by NortonDC at 4:21 PM on March 22, 2004

I can't remember ever seeing wino's have Stella as their tipple of choice, why would they when there's carling special brew and tennants super to be consumed? I was fascinated to note that tennants extra is apparently popular amongst the hip and happening of Milan, where it can be had in a number of bars for a somewhat unreasonable 4-5 euros per half litre.
posted by biffa at 4:24 PM on March 22, 2004

FWIW: I do not consume alcohol in any form.
posted by davidmsc at 4:24 PM on March 22, 2004

The word is shoes.
posted by fvw at 4:24 PM on March 22, 2004

Thunderbird.
How's it sold?
Good and cold.
What's the jive?
Bird's alive!
What's the price?
Thirty twice.
posted by NortonDC at 4:32 PM on March 22, 2004

Drunk on Metafilter?

/rubs chin and heads towards liquor cabinet
posted by graventy at 5:18 PM on March 22, 2004

If you think people on Metafilter are bad, you should head on over to everything2. I've been a member there for nearly five years now and I'm convinced that the place is run on nothing but peyote and everclear.
posted by mmcg at 5:21 PM on March 22, 2004

run on nothing but peyote and everclear.

Y'know, if Chris Claremont hadn't been such an Indian Hater and Thunderbird had survived the battle of Krakatoa while Wolverine had died and Thunderbird was the one that got all popular and stuff, I bet he'd have had a car just like that in the spinoff.
posted by yerfatma at 7:18 PM on March 22, 2004

Y'know, if Chris Claremont hadn't been such an Indian Hater and Thunderbird had survived the battle of Krakatoa...

You need to put a '/geek' after that. Me too, 'cuz I understood every word you said.

/geek
...and what the hell happened to Claremont's multi-race/multi-nationality emphasis when the film hit the screen? I mean, Russkie Colossus is practically out of the picture, and all the main characters are U.S. except Storm and Wolverine (whose African and Canadian [respectively] nationalities are never mentioned, not to mention Halle looks practically white and sounds totally American. Sure, there's German nightcrawler in #2, but they tattooed his face!)
/geekfilter /vintage X-filter
posted by Shane at 8:48 PM on March 22, 2004

DrunkFilter
posted by mischief at 9:23 PM on March 22, 2004

Stella Artois is somewhere over 5% and I suspect nearer 6%: when you have seven pints of it it *is* strong.
posted by nthdegx at 1:53 AM on March 23, 2004

Pint o' lager virtually erases sexiness.
posted by arto at 3:18 AM on March 23, 2004

Stella Artois is somewhere over 5% and I suspect nearer 6%: when you have seven pints of it it *is* strong.

It's 5.2%, which is slightly above average but nothing extraordinary.
posted by The God Complex at 11:57 AM on March 23, 2004

[clears nthdegx and tgc's glasses away as soon as they finish. makes note to have a quiet word with their parents.]
posted by andrew cooke at 1:21 PM on March 23, 2004

"I knew a guy once who could somehow get the effect of getting drunk, more or less, by eating anything with wheat/wheat flour in it." (weston) - Some people get this effect from a really bad Candida Albicans overgrowth in their intestinal tracts: the yeast eat the wheat sugars and shit out......alcohol !

Truly.
posted by troutfishing at 11:09 PM on March 23, 2004

It's shocking how many hits i get for "Stella+Artois+wife+beater " every day.
posted by goneill at 8:27 AM on March 24, 2004

You guys be trippin'
posted by Slagman at 10:34 AM on March 24, 2004