How to be a MeFite

July 1, 2001 3:55 AM

Do not not participate in writing- positively- to a first-time personal interest thread, unless it is not not positive universal thinking, and especially not, if it is not not controversial. And especially not, if it is italicized. (And other handy rules for graceful living)
posted by Perigee to Etiquette/Policy at 3:55 AM (7 comments total)

I've been thinking that it would be useful to catalogue the faux pas which the confused and less socially graceful posters of MeFi could access, to keep from committing accidental injury to the sensibilities of the assembly. Add a few of your own observations, to help the less enlightened.

1) The link is the keystone of a discussion, unless the link is not widely accepted as a link that belongs in Mefi, in which you should not have posted it in the first place. On some occassions, links to Metafilter itself will validate the post, with the exception of the times when it doesn't, so you shouldn't have.

2) Do not not participate in writing- positively- to a first-time personal interest thread, unless it is not not positive universal thinking, and especially not, if it is not not controversial. And especially not, if it is italicized.

3) Do not argue, unless you should, in which case you should, but only if you don't resort to actually being argumentative. Especially in italics. All opinions are inherently right, and if you must argue, argue with yourself, but only once or twice; don't defend your position too often.

4) Don't post a link that you don't want criticized, unless you really must, in which case no one should invalidate your opinion by disagreeing. In such cases, please post a "(Please Stroke Me)" in your header, so readers have a clearer idea of your needs and respond appropriately. Just not in italics.

5) The world is an ugly place: MeFi need not be. Please do not point out injustice, unkindness, prejudice, or reprehensible behavior unless you are sure that all readers hold your same views on the subject. In posting to a post pointing out injustice, unkindness, prejudice or reprehensible behavior, please only post reinforcing viewpoints, in order to validate the opinions of the poster and keep a climate of harmony in the public eye. Whatever you do, don't not participate, especially not loudly.

What ones have I missed?
posted by Perigee at 4:12 AM on July 1, 2001

My prediction:

6) Irony and sarcasm will not be tolerated, appreciated and/or comprehended by most elements of the blog-nicely crowd.
posted by cardboard at 6:58 AM on July 1, 2001

I love the opinions on Metafilter, but sometimes the links would be better without them. Too often, posters suffer from "sound of my own voice" syndrome.

Silliness and randomness can be fun. But on posts where there could be intellectual arguments backed by examples, there's a lot of snarkiness disguised as arguments. I'm not saying that's wrong, but where's the beef? What are you contributing except for masturbation?

That is Metafilter though. Just like the world around us, it could be a perfect world, but it is an ugly place. But maybe you should ask yourself if you're making it better or making it uglier. Sarcasm is defined as "a form of wit that is marked by the use of sarcastic language and is intended to make its victim the butt of contempt or ridicule." Is that an argument?

I'm not saying blog nicely. I'm just saying post intelligently. Try to use wit instead of sarcasm. You'll look better for it as well. Feel free to respond sarcastically to this because my feelings won't be hurt.
posted by timothompson at 9:31 AM on July 1, 2001

All opinions are inherently right

All opinions are not equal. Sorry, just how it is.

Also, you have a lot of double negatives, so parts of your posts are confusing. I think you could’ve summed it like so:

This is MetaFilter. Don’t be rude.
posted by capt.crackpipe at 10:33 AM on July 1, 2001

Or, avoid not being not rude.
posted by waxpancake at 11:20 AM on July 1, 2001

Metafilter: What are you contributing except for masturbation?
posted by hazyjane at 4:15 AM on July 2, 2001

I love the opinions on Metafilter, but sometimes the links would be better without them.

Y'know, you don't have to read them.

Too often, posters suffer from "sound of my own voice" syndrome.

Echo!...Echo!...Echo!.....

Try to use wit instead of sarcasm.

Oh, like that would work...

"Metafilter: it could be a perfect world, but it is an ugly place"

We're all grown-ups here. You don't have to "blog nicely", just respect each other until such a point where that person no longer deserves respect. Then ignore them. (Forgive the grammar, no coffee yet.)
posted by jpoulos at 7:01 AM on July 2, 2001