Welcome jessamyn, our new user#1a January 26, 2005 4:57 PM Subscribe
That's because there are no memos here, only whispered asides.
posted by rushmc at 5:01 PM on January 26, 2005 [1 favorite]
posted by rushmc at 5:01 PM on January 26, 2005 [1 favorite]
sounds like a good idea, especially as it seems she has a library background. Perhaps the real future for librarians is in moderating massive online repositories!
posted by chaz at 5:07 PM on January 26, 2005
posted by chaz at 5:07 PM on January 26, 2005
jessamyn is a fantastic choice. Also, she comes from the land of lesbian bunnies.
posted by Saucy Intruder at 5:09 PM on January 26, 2005
posted by Saucy Intruder at 5:09 PM on January 26, 2005
You didn't get the memo?
We got the memo. I'm thinking someone doesn't like you very much.
posted by cedar at 5:11 PM on January 26, 2005
We got the memo. I'm thinking someone doesn't like you very much.
posted by cedar at 5:11 PM on January 26, 2005
jessamyn is a fantastic choice. Also, she comes from the land of lesbian bunnies.
posted by Saucy Intruder at 5:09 PM PST on January 26
Not quite relevant, but thanks for playing.
posted by orange clock at 5:13 PM on January 26, 2005
posted by Saucy Intruder at 5:09 PM PST on January 26
Not quite relevant, but thanks for playing.
posted by orange clock at 5:13 PM on January 26, 2005
I don't know about jessamyn, I don't want someone to create any more "baseless hysteria" around here. Frankly, I'm surprised it took this long for Matt to get some help around here.
posted by Arch Stanton at 5:15 PM on January 26, 2005
posted by Arch Stanton at 5:15 PM on January 26, 2005
Really? Let's hear it for lesbunnies!
Having said that, I do agree - jessamyn is a fantastic choice - and a choice that was mathowie's right to make. Kudos, jessamyn, for donning the flakjacket of Mefi [pastel or otherwise] and the asbestos t-shirt of Meta.
I'm sure that you'll take a few hits, and a batting average would almost ensure you'll make a few boo-boos. Hope it don't take too much outta ya. (",)
posted by dash_slot- at 5:17 PM on January 26, 2005
Having said that, I do agree - jessamyn is a fantastic choice - and a choice that was mathowie's right to make. Kudos, jessamyn, for donning the flakjacket of Mefi [pastel or otherwise] and the asbestos t-shirt of Meta.
I'm sure that you'll take a few hits, and a batting average would almost ensure you'll make a few boo-boos. Hope it don't take too much outta ya. (",)
posted by dash_slot- at 5:17 PM on January 26, 2005
orange clock - you didn't get the memo either
posted by Saucy Intruder at 5:27 PM on January 26, 2005
posted by Saucy Intruder at 5:27 PM on January 26, 2005
Thanks for linking to the comment after mine dash_slot- *sniff sniff* Thanks.
posted by riffola at 5:30 PM on January 26, 2005
posted by riffola at 5:30 PM on January 26, 2005
she comes from the land of lesbian bunnies.
You mean Vermont, right? I'm just helping with edit/delete stuff, mainly in AskMe, but IM or email me if something needs attending to and mathowie is unreachable. Remember, if any of you want to help work on a wiki page on some guidelines, you've been invited to.
posted by jessamyn at 5:30 PM on January 26, 2005
You mean Vermont, right? I'm just helping with edit/delete stuff, mainly in AskMe, but IM or email me if something needs attending to and mathowie is unreachable. Remember, if any of you want to help work on a wiki page on some guidelines, you've been invited to.
posted by jessamyn at 5:30 PM on January 26, 2005
Thank you in advance, jessamyn. May you read the words "Thank you" many times in the future.
posted by Wulfgar! at 5:39 PM on January 26, 2005
posted by Wulfgar! at 5:39 PM on January 26, 2005
*gets out of chair, stands at attention, awaits "as you were" command from Jessamyn*
Congratulations, ma'am!
posted by mlis at 5:40 PM on January 26, 2005
Congratulations, ma'am!
posted by mlis at 5:40 PM on January 26, 2005
Just remember: before you press that "delete" button, always ask yourself "WWMD?"
posted by mr_crash_davis at 5:42 PM on January 26, 2005
posted by mr_crash_davis at 5:42 PM on January 26, 2005
Can I have a pony?
posted by loquacious at 5:44 PM on January 26, 2005
posted by loquacious at 5:44 PM on January 26, 2005
Crash: I heard you the first time, I'm the one that sent you the ass shoutout, remember?
Loquacious: no.
MLIS: as you were, geez.
I figure if this works out well, no one should really notice anything different except that #1 can relax a bit more and maybe not obsessively check the site all the time when he's on vacation.
posted by jessamyn at 5:54 PM on January 26, 2005
Loquacious: no.
MLIS: as you were, geez.
I figure if this works out well, no one should really notice anything different except that #1 can relax a bit more and maybe not obsessively check the site all the time when he's on vacation.
posted by jessamyn at 5:54 PM on January 26, 2005
riff:
Oops! I saw you too, but my aim ain't so good.
posted by dash_slot- at 5:56 PM on January 26, 2005
Oops! I saw you too, but my aim ain't so good.
posted by dash_slot- at 5:56 PM on January 26, 2005
"...no one should really notice anything different except that #1 can relax a bit more and maybe not obsessively check the site all the time when he's on vacation."
A noble set of goals. I wish you good luck, and wouldn't trade places with you for all the spice melange on Arrakis.
posted by cosmonik at 6:02 PM on January 26, 2005
A noble set of goals. I wish you good luck, and wouldn't trade places with you for all the spice melange on Arrakis.
posted by cosmonik at 6:02 PM on January 26, 2005
Damn you, jessamyn!!! You deleted my [comment, post, etc.]!!!
(Just practicing.)
posted by goatdog at 6:38 PM on January 26, 2005
(Just practicing.)
posted by goatdog at 6:38 PM on January 26, 2005
jessamyn, did you delete comments from this thread, and if so, why?
posted by stonerose at 6:45 PM on January 26, 2005
posted by stonerose at 6:45 PM on January 26, 2005
jessamyn, did you delete comments from this thread, and if so, why?
only one that I can remember, possibly two, just early on off-topic non-question-answering "this is HAWT" sorts of posts. why? is there one you were thinking of, or that you posted?
posted by jessamyn at 7:06 PM on January 26, 2005
only one that I can remember, possibly two, just early on off-topic non-question-answering "this is HAWT" sorts of posts. why? is there one you were thinking of, or that you posted?
posted by jessamyn at 7:06 PM on January 26, 2005
I was thinking of what I recall as a rather sober, empathetic comment from a user (not me) whose name I won't mention, but who had been in threesomes, etc., and was counselling caution.
posted by stonerose at 7:10 PM on January 26, 2005
posted by stonerose at 7:10 PM on January 26, 2005
jessamyn, thank you and congratulations. Just don't let your new responsibilities keep you from posting your terrific answers!
posted by Coffeemate at 7:14 PM on January 26, 2005
posted by Coffeemate at 7:14 PM on January 26, 2005
No, I didn't, at least I don't think so. Are you sure you're not confusing it with the "me and my wife want to hire an escort?" thread? They have some similar responses.
posted by jessamyn at 7:17 PM on January 26, 2005
posted by jessamyn at 7:17 PM on January 26, 2005
My mistake - thanks for clearing that up... it had been bothering me long before I knew you were modding!
posted by stonerose at 7:26 PM on January 26, 2005
posted by stonerose at 7:26 PM on January 26, 2005
Hmm. This rather explains what feels like a different tone around the place recently. I've seen comments disappear in front of my reloading eyes and wondered about it.
Matt's lightness of touch -- particularly his way of not saying anything even in shitstorm threads -- has been a genuine wonder to behold and has made MeFi what it is, I think.
I don't really know jessamyn, but a quick look at her comment history makes me wonder if a quonsar would have ever become established under a J-regime. On the other hand, lots of people I do know and respect are saying she's top, so I guess it must be teething trigger happiness or summat.
posted by bonaldi at 7:30 PM on January 26, 2005
Matt's lightness of touch -- particularly his way of not saying anything even in shitstorm threads -- has been a genuine wonder to behold and has made MeFi what it is, I think.
I don't really know jessamyn, but a quick look at her comment history makes me wonder if a quonsar would have ever become established under a J-regime. On the other hand, lots of people I do know and respect are saying she's top, so I guess it must be teething trigger happiness or summat.
posted by bonaldi at 7:30 PM on January 26, 2005
Yes, it's all jessamyn's fault. It's quite clear from her comment history. Especially the stuff about libraries. They're evil, you know.
posted by smackfu at 7:54 PM on January 26, 2005
posted by smackfu at 7:54 PM on January 26, 2005
Please go lightly on the deletions. There have been entirely too many already in my opinion, and it creeps me out to see something vanish, especially when it's already prompted reactions from other people and those reactions are left intact.
posted by CunningLinguist at 8:13 PM on January 26, 2005
posted by CunningLinguist at 8:13 PM on January 26, 2005
Still somehow, 'we' is becoming 'them and us', and in the reddening cyberlight 'us' scamper around in the replicating shadows of 600-ton thumbs.
Not that there's anything wrong with that.
posted by Opus Dark at 8:27 PM on January 26, 2005
Not that there's anything wrong with that.
posted by Opus Dark at 8:27 PM on January 26, 2005
"...if this works out well, no one should really notice anything different..."
That's exactly what I've been trying to say, with the point being that I noticed.
And some anonymous guy's ass doesn't really count, but I do appreciate the effort, at least. :)
posted by mr_crash_davis at 8:46 PM on January 26, 2005
That's exactly what I've been trying to say, with the point being that I noticed.
And some anonymous guy's ass doesn't really count, but I do appreciate the effort, at least. :)
posted by mr_crash_davis at 8:46 PM on January 26, 2005
Good decision, matt. Finally!!! :)
Congrats, Jessamyn. He made a fantastic choice. I think you've proven yourself ably and over and over again since the birth of AskMe.
posted by ashbury at 9:14 PM on January 26, 2005
Congrats, Jessamyn. He made a fantastic choice. I think you've proven yourself ably and over and over again since the birth of AskMe.
posted by ashbury at 9:14 PM on January 26, 2005
Jessamyn - I think you need to lay off the deletions a bit. I know your first instinct is to prune anything that isn't actually an answer in AxMe, but a lot of the comments add a certain flavor to the place.
And I'm all about the flavor.
posted by bshort at 9:45 PM on January 26, 2005
And I'm all about the flavor.
posted by bshort at 9:45 PM on January 26, 2005
Didn't see this coming.
posted by Dean Keaton at 9:52 PM on January 26, 2005
posted by Dean Keaton at 9:52 PM on January 26, 2005
Jessamyn - I think you need to lay off the deletions a bit. I know your first instinct is to prune anything that isn't actually an answer in AxMe, but a lot of the comments add a certain flavor to the place.
No, we already have plenty of bantering and snarking in the blue, the gray, IRC, and 9622.net for "flavor", and I'm happy to see AskMe being modded for relevance and usefulness. I'm sure jessamyn will reserve her deletion powers in the blue for particularly egregious items.
That and she had already bought me off with a Gmail invite way back when, so I'm a cheap shill.
posted by DaShiv at 10:09 PM on January 26, 2005
No, we already have plenty of bantering and snarking in the blue, the gray, IRC, and 9622.net for "flavor", and I'm happy to see AskMe being modded for relevance and usefulness. I'm sure jessamyn will reserve her deletion powers in the blue for particularly egregious items.
That and she had already bought me off with a Gmail invite way back when, so I'm a cheap shill.
posted by DaShiv at 10:09 PM on January 26, 2005
I, for one, welcome our new, superlibrarian overlord.
Seriously. Jessamyn is one of the few people who appreciates the delicate intersection of chatroom and reference desk that is Ask.Metafilter.
posted by stet at 10:40 PM on January 26, 2005
Seriously. Jessamyn is one of the few people who appreciates the delicate intersection of chatroom and reference desk that is Ask.Metafilter.
posted by stet at 10:40 PM on January 26, 2005
Excuse me if I don't participate in the jessamyn group hug, but I don't know if this is necessarily a good thing. In particular, I find the silent deletion of 'unhelpful' posts sneaky, passive aggressive, and controlling. Really, Metafilter's been reminding me of a UBB lately, and I don't want to see it become the kind of place where everyone has to be nice, and tip-toe around each other so we don't hurt the mod's feelings.
What I really don't want to see -- and I'm afraid it might happen -- is the 'AskMe-isation' of Metafilter, where all discourse has to be directed towards some utilitarian end, and free-form conversation isn't tolerated. I like the surreal connections people make; I value digressions and absurd, OT weirdness. That's what I come here for. I honestly don't like the idea of someone silently pruning posts to make them conform to their conceptions of what's on-topic and 'helpful'.
In fact, the whole rhetoric of 'helpfulness' creeps me out, because it implies direction and control. And it makes me question jessamyn's motives in taking on modding duties. AskMe is already a kind of de facto AskJessamyn, and, I can't help feeling, a bit of a shop window for a certain member's mad cybrarian skillz. The (I'm sure coincidental) introduction of indexing tags has given the place an added library feel, lately; what concerns me is that the rigid, question-and-answer logic of the research query (which I associate with AskMe, and which jessamyn is obviously looking to enhance there with her modding activities) might leach into the rest of the site.
smackfu: Yes, it's all jessamyn's fault. It's quite clear from her comment history. Especially the stuff about libraries. They're evil, you know.
Libraries (and librarians) aren't evil, obviously. But librarians control the flow of information a lot more than you might think. Collection management policy; weeding; journal and magazine subscriptions; purchases -- these are all decisions that affect what people get to see and read. Library collections aren't neutral objects, and nor are the agencies and processes that collect and maintain them. And those of us who have worked in libraries know that staffing-wise, they can be very controlled- and monitored-feeling working environments, as well. (None of this is necessarily a dig at jessamyn, but just something to think about.)
bonaldi: Quiet, please.
Single most perceptive comment on the thread so far.
posted by Sonny Jim at 11:19 PM on January 26, 2005 [1 favorite]
What I really don't want to see -- and I'm afraid it might happen -- is the 'AskMe-isation' of Metafilter, where all discourse has to be directed towards some utilitarian end, and free-form conversation isn't tolerated. I like the surreal connections people make; I value digressions and absurd, OT weirdness. That's what I come here for. I honestly don't like the idea of someone silently pruning posts to make them conform to their conceptions of what's on-topic and 'helpful'.
In fact, the whole rhetoric of 'helpfulness' creeps me out, because it implies direction and control. And it makes me question jessamyn's motives in taking on modding duties. AskMe is already a kind of de facto AskJessamyn, and, I can't help feeling, a bit of a shop window for a certain member's mad cybrarian skillz. The (I'm sure coincidental) introduction of indexing tags has given the place an added library feel, lately; what concerns me is that the rigid, question-and-answer logic of the research query (which I associate with AskMe, and which jessamyn is obviously looking to enhance there with her modding activities) might leach into the rest of the site.
smackfu: Yes, it's all jessamyn's fault. It's quite clear from her comment history. Especially the stuff about libraries. They're evil, you know.
Libraries (and librarians) aren't evil, obviously. But librarians control the flow of information a lot more than you might think. Collection management policy; weeding; journal and magazine subscriptions; purchases -- these are all decisions that affect what people get to see and read. Library collections aren't neutral objects, and nor are the agencies and processes that collect and maintain them. And those of us who have worked in libraries know that staffing-wise, they can be very controlled- and monitored-feeling working environments, as well. (None of this is necessarily a dig at jessamyn, but just something to think about.)
bonaldi: Quiet, please.
Single most perceptive comment on the thread so far.
posted by Sonny Jim at 11:19 PM on January 26, 2005 [1 favorite]
I'm happy to see AskMe being modded for relevance and usefulness.
I am too. I hope that it doesn't become so humorless an answer factory that fewer people show up to browse, read, and offer help, though. AskMe needs air, too. Not booze and hookers. Just air.
posted by scarabic at 11:29 PM on January 26, 2005
I am too. I hope that it doesn't become so humorless an answer factory that fewer people show up to browse, read, and offer help, though. AskMe needs air, too. Not booze and hookers. Just air.
posted by scarabic at 11:29 PM on January 26, 2005
The solution, of course, is to embed your snark in a post that also provides a good answer. :) And sometimes questions don't really need additional commentary to be lively. Disposed of any tricky corpses recently?
AskMe has been coming up in MeTa way too much lately though, IMO. It's crowding all the important "you called me a doo-doo head" and "who wants a meetup in Timbuktu?" posts and stuff. I'm willing to give jessamyn an honest stab before assuming that moderation will automatically make AskMe utterly uninteresting.
posted by DaShiv at 12:09 AM on January 27, 2005
AskMe has been coming up in MeTa way too much lately though, IMO. It's crowding all the important "you called me a doo-doo head" and "who wants a meetup in Timbuktu?" posts and stuff. I'm willing to give jessamyn an honest stab before assuming that moderation will automatically make AskMe utterly uninteresting.
posted by DaShiv at 12:09 AM on January 27, 2005
When I suggested a light hand with deletions, I did NOT mean AskMe! That place doesn't need a pruning fork but a machete.
posted by CunningLinguist at 5:15 AM on January 27, 2005
posted by CunningLinguist at 5:15 AM on January 27, 2005
"who wants a meetup in Timbuktu?"
I'm There! DaShiv, first round's on you.
posted by Fuzzy Monster at 5:17 AM on January 27, 2005
I'm There! DaShiv, first round's on you.
posted by Fuzzy Monster at 5:17 AM on January 27, 2005
sweet. obvious/excellent choice, in my irrelevant opinion.
posted by andrew cooke at 5:21 AM on January 27, 2005
posted by andrew cooke at 5:21 AM on January 27, 2005
It's good to have another mod around here.
I was recently and unceremoniously banned by Matt's itchy trigger finger. I traded emails with Jessamyn, and she was able to explain the situation to me, and she followed up with Matt until he reversed the ban.
Thanks, Jessamyn!
posted by grateful at 6:04 AM on January 27, 2005
I was recently and unceremoniously banned by Matt's itchy trigger finger. I traded emails with Jessamyn, and she was able to explain the situation to me, and she followed up with Matt until he reversed the ban.
Thanks, Jessamyn!
posted by grateful at 6:04 AM on January 27, 2005
Step 1: Get a librarian in position of power.
Step 2: ??????
Step 3: Profit!
posted by robocop is bleeding at 6:22 AM on January 27, 2005
Step 2: ??????
Step 3: Profit!
posted by robocop is bleeding at 6:22 AM on January 27, 2005
What bonaldi, CunningLinguist, and Sonny Jim said. I love jessamyn as much as anyone, but this "we welcome our new overlord" response makes me very queasy. Can we get some of that famed MeFi skepticism around here?
posted by languagehat at 7:12 AM on January 27, 2005
posted by languagehat at 7:12 AM on January 27, 2005
In fact, the whole rhetoric of 'helpfulness' creeps me out, because it implies direction and control. And it makes me question jessamyn's motives in taking on modding duties. AskMe is already a kind of de facto AskJessamyn, and, I can't help feeling, a bit of a shop window for a certain member's mad cybrarian skillz.
So your main complaint is that Jessamyn is too helpful on a site that was designed specifically to help people? The logic in that seems a bit thin.
posted by jacquilynne at 7:12 AM on January 27, 2005
So your main complaint is that Jessamyn is too helpful on a site that was designed specifically to help people? The logic in that seems a bit thin.
posted by jacquilynne at 7:12 AM on January 27, 2005
sure, languagehat - here's some: you're just jealous.
posted by andrew cooke at 7:16 AM on January 27, 2005
posted by andrew cooke at 7:16 AM on January 27, 2005
Speaking only for myself...........
"So your main complaint is that Jessamyn is too helpful on a site that was designed specifically to help people? The logic in that seems a bit thin."
No. The concern is that deviating from Matt's moderation style will be detrimental to the site. The vast majority of sites like MetaFilter have failed. In my opinion this is do to a combination of over enthusiastic moderation and partisan editorial steering. I, and I assume several others, believe that MetaFilter succeeds because Matt has kept the site on a constant path even though we rarely get the impression he's making an effort to do so. The light touch.
I would lobby you that the moderation problem which has soured many other forums is the tenancy to make people defensive,angry and vindictive by drawing editorial lines and establishing hard rules. The lack of hard rules is a hallmark here. If jessamyn is going to be a more active and vocal moderator, and especially if she intends to moderate using a set of rules, I worry that is a bad thing. But it's a worry, not call to revolt.
None of us are asking her to back off and stop moderating. We just see the site behaving differently and feel the need to voice some concern. I suspect all of us, certainly myself included, don't think we could do a better job. Matt has a unique style that I've constantly failed to match on my own sites. I'm just hoping jessamyn will be more like Matt, and less like me. Part of my worry is that she seems to be moderating much like I would if I were in her place, rather than like Matt has in the past.
Change is not always good.
Having said all that, jessamyn always gets my full respect. Her site was an inspiration for my own long before I ever heard the word "blog". To my knowledge she has always used her powers for good, and I think having her help with moderation here is a fabulous move. I can think of several people Matt might have promoted to mod that would have made me genuinely angry, but jessamyn is just the opposite.
posted by y6y6y6 at 7:43 AM on January 27, 2005
"So your main complaint is that Jessamyn is too helpful on a site that was designed specifically to help people? The logic in that seems a bit thin."
No. The concern is that deviating from Matt's moderation style will be detrimental to the site. The vast majority of sites like MetaFilter have failed. In my opinion this is do to a combination of over enthusiastic moderation and partisan editorial steering. I, and I assume several others, believe that MetaFilter succeeds because Matt has kept the site on a constant path even though we rarely get the impression he's making an effort to do so. The light touch.
I would lobby you that the moderation problem which has soured many other forums is the tenancy to make people defensive,angry and vindictive by drawing editorial lines and establishing hard rules. The lack of hard rules is a hallmark here. If jessamyn is going to be a more active and vocal moderator, and especially if she intends to moderate using a set of rules, I worry that is a bad thing. But it's a worry, not call to revolt.
None of us are asking her to back off and stop moderating. We just see the site behaving differently and feel the need to voice some concern. I suspect all of us, certainly myself included, don't think we could do a better job. Matt has a unique style that I've constantly failed to match on my own sites. I'm just hoping jessamyn will be more like Matt, and less like me. Part of my worry is that she seems to be moderating much like I would if I were in her place, rather than like Matt has in the past.
Change is not always good.
Having said all that, jessamyn always gets my full respect. Her site was an inspiration for my own long before I ever heard the word "blog". To my knowledge she has always used her powers for good, and I think having her help with moderation here is a fabulous move. I can think of several people Matt might have promoted to mod that would have made me genuinely angry, but jessamyn is just the opposite.
posted by y6y6y6 at 7:43 AM on January 27, 2005
Jessamyn is one of the few people who appreciates the delicate intersection of chatroom and reference desk that is Ask.Metafilter.
So... umm.. you mean, jessamyn is one of the few people that lives up to your personal standard of what AskMe should be. I have a pretty similar take on AskMe, but I think it's important to realize that not everyone agrees on what it should be. While Matt and Jessamyn will set the standard of what is allowed, there's not an objective 'perfect' way to execute it. AskMe (and MetaFilter in general) will not be able to meet everyone's needs/desires for it all the time. Your perfect MeFi /= everyone else's perfect MeFi.
posted by raedyn at 7:45 AM on January 27, 2005
So... umm.. you mean, jessamyn is one of the few people that lives up to your personal standard of what AskMe should be. I have a pretty similar take on AskMe, but I think it's important to realize that not everyone agrees on what it should be. While Matt and Jessamyn will set the standard of what is allowed, there's not an objective 'perfect' way to execute it. AskMe (and MetaFilter in general) will not be able to meet everyone's needs/desires for it all the time. Your perfect MeFi /= everyone else's perfect MeFi.
posted by raedyn at 7:45 AM on January 27, 2005
I wasn't addressing your concerns, specifically, y6. I think it's possible for there to be valid concerns with the change in moderation. I just think Sonny Jim's are ridiculous.
posted by jacquilynne at 7:48 AM on January 27, 2005
posted by jacquilynne at 7:48 AM on January 27, 2005
"I just think Sonny Jim's are ridiculous."
Good for you. I happen to think Sonny Jim's comments were dead on. Perhaps MetaFilter has gotten too large to maintain the raw edge it had the first couple years. That would be sad IMHO.
Perhaps she has an impossible job. Matt's editorial reasoning frequently deconstructs to, "That would be wonderful on your blog, but I don't want it on my website." Which is something we can all understand and accept as a given. jessamyn's editorial reasoning seems be more like, "That's not what AskMe is for." Which is fine. As long as we all agree on what AskMe is for. Which we don't. Not even close.
Perhaps it would be better if we had jessamyn give us an exposition on what AskMe is for, and what her intentions are.
For myself I would hope her intentions are something along the lines of a) keeping threads within 3-4 subreferences of the topic at hand, and b) keeping fart jokes below the level of distraction. That's pretty damn loose. Which is good. Contrast it with a) keep threads on topic, and b) don't post one-liners. Which is way too rigid. And is bad.
But I'm just a random cranky jackass, so I don't expect my comments to be taken all that seriously.
posted by y6y6y6 at 8:09 AM on January 27, 2005
Good for you. I happen to think Sonny Jim's comments were dead on. Perhaps MetaFilter has gotten too large to maintain the raw edge it had the first couple years. That would be sad IMHO.
Perhaps she has an impossible job. Matt's editorial reasoning frequently deconstructs to, "That would be wonderful on your blog, but I don't want it on my website." Which is something we can all understand and accept as a given. jessamyn's editorial reasoning seems be more like, "That's not what AskMe is for." Which is fine. As long as we all agree on what AskMe is for. Which we don't. Not even close.
Perhaps it would be better if we had jessamyn give us an exposition on what AskMe is for, and what her intentions are.
For myself I would hope her intentions are something along the lines of a) keeping threads within 3-4 subreferences of the topic at hand, and b) keeping fart jokes below the level of distraction. That's pretty damn loose. Which is good. Contrast it with a) keep threads on topic, and b) don't post one-liners. Which is way too rigid. And is bad.
But I'm just a random cranky jackass, so I don't expect my comments to be taken all that seriously.
posted by y6y6y6 at 8:09 AM on January 27, 2005
[Applauds Jessamyn]. Congrats, and good selection, Matt. BTW all the doomsayers, it doesn't have to be the impending Great Comment Guillotine - as grateful points out several comments above. Maybe the snark creep into the green has prompted some much needed refining. That's how I see it.
posted by yoga at 8:22 AM on January 27, 2005
posted by yoga at 8:22 AM on January 27, 2005
I have to say there's no Mefite I trust more with moderation capabilities than Jessamyn. As for AskMe moderation, if any part of Mefi needs a tight grip, it's AskMe (I'm not saying AskMe is out of hand, just that it needs to be tightly focused moreso than Mefi proper or MeTalk), so mynnie, please squeeze tightly.
posted by daveadams at 8:32 AM on January 27, 2005
posted by daveadams at 8:32 AM on January 27, 2005
Welcome jessamyn, our new user#1a
Though I am an admirer of Jessamyn's, wouldn't she be, at most, user #1b? Even metaphorically speaking, I mean.
... Unless... unless she staged a coup? Oh Jessamyn, you sly dog. What did you do with Matt? Is he dead? Can I be one of your toadies in exchange for power?
posted by Hildago at 9:23 AM on January 27, 2005
Though I am an admirer of Jessamyn's, wouldn't she be, at most, user #1b? Even metaphorically speaking, I mean.
... Unless... unless she staged a coup? Oh Jessamyn, you sly dog. What did you do with Matt? Is he dead? Can I be one of your toadies in exchange for power?
posted by Hildago at 9:23 AM on January 27, 2005
andrew cooke, I know that was a joke, but to repeat: I have no desire to be a "moderator" and would not accept the position if offered. The only site I feel comfortable running is my own, and if it had anywhere near the clout of MeFi I'd start feeling uncomfortable about deleting things.
I happen to think Sonny Jim's comments were dead on.
Me too. Can you perhaps disagree with us without feeling the need to call us ridiculous, jacquilynne?
On preview: What vidiot said.
posted by languagehat at 9:37 AM on January 27, 2005
I happen to think Sonny Jim's comments were dead on.
Me too. Can you perhaps disagree with us without feeling the need to call us ridiculous, jacquilynne?
On preview: What vidiot said.
posted by languagehat at 9:37 AM on January 27, 2005
For our next moderator, I nominate quonsar.
*internet explodes*
posted by Fuzzy Monster at 9:42 AM on January 27, 2005
*internet explodes*
posted by Fuzzy Monster at 9:42 AM on January 27, 2005
Oh God, would THAT ever be a wild ride.
And now I want to actually go on that ride, just for a day.
posted by orange swan at 9:52 AM on January 27, 2005
And now I want to actually go on that ride, just for a day.
posted by orange swan at 9:52 AM on January 27, 2005
Apparently not, languagehat. I think the logic that Jessamyn helps people too much in AskMefi and is thus unfit to moderate it is odd, and yes, ridiculous. He's creeped out by her being helpful. Creeped out. By someone wanting to help other people. Why is that creepy?
I don't read any of that same logic in y6's comments, and thus don't think they're ridiculous. I don't happen to share his concerns, though but that's largely because I share what I perceive as Jessamyn's vision for AskMefi. I can certainly understand why someone who doesn't share that vision would raise this as a legitimate concern.
posted by jacquilynne at 10:15 AM on January 27, 2005
I don't read any of that same logic in y6's comments, and thus don't think they're ridiculous. I don't happen to share his concerns, though but that's largely because I share what I perceive as Jessamyn's vision for AskMefi. I can certainly understand why someone who doesn't share that vision would raise this as a legitimate concern.
posted by jacquilynne at 10:15 AM on January 27, 2005
1) jessamyn = good.
2) Keeping AskMe clean = good.
3) Uptick in deletions (MetaFilter and Metafilter) = very bad.
I understand the urge to purge offensive comments, but isn't the sunshine of member-on-member abuse a more effective antiseptic? What's unique about Metafilter if it isn't a free-flowing forum? Let the good posts roll, let the bad ones get slammed, let the risky ones ripen or wither on the vine--that's the fun.
posted by _sirmissalot_ at 10:20 AM on January 27, 2005
2) Keeping AskMe clean = good.
3) Uptick in deletions (MetaFilter and Metafilter) = very bad.
I understand the urge to purge offensive comments, but isn't the sunshine of member-on-member abuse a more effective antiseptic? What's unique about Metafilter if it isn't a free-flowing forum? Let the good posts roll, let the bad ones get slammed, let the risky ones ripen or wither on the vine--that's the fun.
posted by _sirmissalot_ at 10:20 AM on January 27, 2005
quonsar would be great--most of us would be, actually.
My beefs are: that Matt should have announced this publicly and not in a comment in another thread (this is not the first time regarding changes to the site, and it's not cool that we have to trip over these things to find out), and that the standards are too whimsical to begin with--banning people because you're cranky, and then unbanning them? banning grateful for a creative (if not good) post?
Is it now going to be doubly whimsical? Are we now dependent on 2 differing moodswings? Is jess only an AskMe moderator, or for the whole site?
posted by amberglow at 10:21 AM on January 27, 2005
My beefs are: that Matt should have announced this publicly and not in a comment in another thread (this is not the first time regarding changes to the site, and it's not cool that we have to trip over these things to find out), and that the standards are too whimsical to begin with--banning people because you're cranky, and then unbanning them? banning grateful for a creative (if not good) post?
Is it now going to be doubly whimsical? Are we now dependent on 2 differing moodswings? Is jess only an AskMe moderator, or for the whole site?
posted by amberglow at 10:21 AM on January 27, 2005
also, will they have wondertwin powers to activate? ; >
form of a librarian, shape of a webgeek!
posted by amberglow at 10:24 AM on January 27, 2005
form of a librarian, shape of a webgeek!
posted by amberglow at 10:24 AM on January 27, 2005
Thanks for agreeing to help with the moderation jessamyn. Don't let the bastards grind you down.
posted by squealy at 11:00 AM on January 27, 2005
posted by squealy at 11:00 AM on January 27, 2005
In theory, jessamyn is a good choice, and may turn out to BE a good choice... but that doesn't change that, in my opinion, Metafilter has been tarnished and weakened by the recent upswing in deletions. Could just be a coincidence, could just be growing pains, but it's certainly not something minor or unnoticeable, and it is of concern to me, and, apparently, others.
posted by John Kenneth Fisher at 11:28 AM on January 27, 2005
posted by John Kenneth Fisher at 11:28 AM on January 27, 2005
I can't think of a better candidate to help out Matt. Hurrah for Jessamyn!
As for the uptick in deletions, it's about bloody time. Maybe this will once again become a place for civil discourse.
posted by frykitty at 11:36 AM on January 27, 2005
As for the uptick in deletions, it's about bloody time. Maybe this will once again become a place for civil discourse.
posted by frykitty at 11:36 AM on January 27, 2005
amberglow: My beefs are: that Matt should have announced this publicly and not in a comment in another thread
amberglow didn't you read the last memo sent to the MF Cabal?
I like the way matt (doesn't) announce things. It encourages people to pay attention (at least to matt's posting history) and I think it promotes a feeling of community. Just like small towns don't really need a local newspaper 'cause anyone who is paying attention knows about anthing that is happening.
posted by Mitheral at 11:51 AM on January 27, 2005
amberglow didn't you read the last memo sent to the MF Cabal?
I like the way matt (doesn't) announce things. It encourages people to pay attention (at least to matt's posting history) and I think it promotes a feeling of community. Just like small towns don't really need a local newspaper 'cause anyone who is paying attention knows about anthing that is happening.
posted by Mitheral at 11:51 AM on January 27, 2005
As much as I love Jessamyn (and I can't think of anyone better to do this job), I too worry that too many deletions will interrupt the flow of conversation here.
When a comment or post is really bad, then hooray for deleting it.
If it is just kind of lame or off-topic in a non-distracting or non-thread-derailing kind of way, then a light touch is best.
And sometimes a thread polices itself, and is all the stronger for it. I for one love nothing better than to see a rude, off-topic comment being thoroughly skewered and then ignored as the thread rights itself. Makes me feel like we have a real community.
posted by mai at 12:34 PM on January 27, 2005
When a comment or post is really bad, then hooray for deleting it.
If it is just kind of lame or off-topic in a non-distracting or non-thread-derailing kind of way, then a light touch is best.
And sometimes a thread polices itself, and is all the stronger for it. I for one love nothing better than to see a rude, off-topic comment being thoroughly skewered and then ignored as the thread rights itself. Makes me feel like we have a real community.
posted by mai at 12:34 PM on January 27, 2005
I should add that I have no specific gripe with the way things have been of late, I'm just expressing my hope for the future.
posted by mai at 12:36 PM on January 27, 2005
posted by mai at 12:36 PM on January 27, 2005
jacquilynne: I think the logic that Jessamyn helps people too much in AskMefi and is thus unfit to moderate it is odd, and yes, ridiculous. He's creeped out by her being helpful. Creeped out. By someone wanting to help other people. Why is that creepy?
Sure, if that were the logic of my post, I'd agree that it was odd, and maybe even ridiculous. What I meant, though, was that I find the use of the 'helpful'/'unhelpful' binary as a rhetorical technique (as in, 'that's not a helpful comment') to be creepy.
What I'm really getting at is this. Might jessamyn's extraordinary productivity in AskMe (955 answers so far) and, now, mod status be in any way related to her professional interests as a 'progressive librarian' with a significant web presence? Is there any likelihood of those interests influencing the future direction of AskMe (and the site as a whole), to her benefit?
I'm not saying any of this is going to happen, and I have nothing against jessamyn personally. But I do think that there's a potential conflict of interest here, and it's not something that's adequately addressed by the group hugs and smilies approach that's a little too prevalent in this thread.
posted by Sonny Jim at 2:14 PM on January 27, 2005
Sure, if that were the logic of my post, I'd agree that it was odd, and maybe even ridiculous. What I meant, though, was that I find the use of the 'helpful'/'unhelpful' binary as a rhetorical technique (as in, 'that's not a helpful comment') to be creepy.
What I'm really getting at is this. Might jessamyn's extraordinary productivity in AskMe (955 answers so far) and, now, mod status be in any way related to her professional interests as a 'progressive librarian' with a significant web presence? Is there any likelihood of those interests influencing the future direction of AskMe (and the site as a whole), to her benefit?
I'm not saying any of this is going to happen, and I have nothing against jessamyn personally. But I do think that there's a potential conflict of interest here, and it's not something that's adequately addressed by the group hugs and smilies approach that's a little too prevalent in this thread.
posted by Sonny Jim at 2:14 PM on January 27, 2005
amberglow didn't you read the last memo sent to the MF Cabal?
They threw me out of the cabal--i refused to take part in the ritual newbie sacrifices--and then there was that little embezzling episode too. ; >
posted by amberglow at 2:15 PM on January 27, 2005
They threw me out of the cabal--i refused to take part in the ritual newbie sacrifices--and then there was that little embezzling episode too. ; >
posted by amberglow at 2:15 PM on January 27, 2005
I think Jessamyn will be great, and I'm glad someone else is helping, especially in AskMe.
I don't think some of you realize that unhelpful/snarky/way-off-topic/attacking answers to questions there actually, by their presence, stifle discourse. Someone in a previous thread about limiting comments felt that once a thread became simply an argument between a couple people, he or she no longer wanted to post a comment for fear that it would be lost in the fray or ignite some other controversy. If I go into an AskMe thread expecting to answer the question asked, but it looks like everyone who's already participated has changed the question, or changed the terms of the debate, I'm a hell of a lot less likely to want to post my own comments there for fear of being skewered.
It's not really just "stifle vs. don't stifle." Inappropriate comments do have an effect, and often shut people out of the conversation. I'd rather get rid of those comments than lose potentially more helpful ones.
posted by occhiblu at 3:04 PM on January 27, 2005
I don't think some of you realize that unhelpful/snarky/way-off-topic/attacking answers to questions there actually, by their presence, stifle discourse. Someone in a previous thread about limiting comments felt that once a thread became simply an argument between a couple people, he or she no longer wanted to post a comment for fear that it would be lost in the fray or ignite some other controversy. If I go into an AskMe thread expecting to answer the question asked, but it looks like everyone who's already participated has changed the question, or changed the terms of the debate, I'm a hell of a lot less likely to want to post my own comments there for fear of being skewered.
It's not really just "stifle vs. don't stifle." Inappropriate comments do have an effect, and often shut people out of the conversation. I'd rather get rid of those comments than lose potentially more helpful ones.
posted by occhiblu at 3:04 PM on January 27, 2005
so, is she getting paid? there's money coming in now, no?
posted by amberglow at 3:06 PM on January 27, 2005
posted by amberglow at 3:06 PM on January 27, 2005
In theory, jessamyn is a good choice, and may turn out to BE a good choice... but that doesn't change that, in my opinion, Metafilter has been tarnished and weakened by the recent upswing in deletions.
I think that all the shitty posts and comments that need to be deleted are what tarnishes and weakens Metafilter, way more than their deletion does. Neither Matt nor Jessamyn has a deletion quota that they have to maintain, remember. I'm just guessing here, but I think both of them would be more than happy to never delete anything, if nothing ever needed to be deleted.
posted by Hildago at 3:07 PM on January 27, 2005
I think that all the shitty posts and comments that need to be deleted are what tarnishes and weakens Metafilter, way more than their deletion does. Neither Matt nor Jessamyn has a deletion quota that they have to maintain, remember. I'm just guessing here, but I think both of them would be more than happy to never delete anything, if nothing ever needed to be deleted.
posted by Hildago at 3:07 PM on January 27, 2005
"so, is she getting paid?"
Dude, this is 2005, not 1997. NOBODY gets paid for working on web sites anymore.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 3:10 PM on January 27, 2005
Dude, this is 2005, not 1997. NOBODY gets paid for working on web sites anymore.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 3:10 PM on January 27, 2005
Might jessamyn's extraordinary productivity in AskMe (955 answers so far) and, now, mod status be in any way related to her professional interests as a 'progressive librarian' with a significant web presence? Is there any likelihood of those interests influencing the future direction of AskMe (and the site as a whole), to her benefit?
What ARE you talking about?
posted by CunningLinguist at 3:57 PM on January 27, 2005
What ARE you talking about?
posted by CunningLinguist at 3:57 PM on January 27, 2005
Dude, this is 2005, not 1997. NOBODY gets paid for working on web sites anymore.
Matt's getting 5 bucks a head--a piece of that should go to her.
posted by amberglow at 3:59 PM on January 27, 2005
Matt's getting 5 bucks a head--a piece of that should go to her.
posted by amberglow at 3:59 PM on January 27, 2005
Matt has said (and I believe him) that the money doesn't actually go into his pocket - it partially offsets the cost of maintaining the site.
posted by grateful at 5:36 PM on January 27, 2005
posted by grateful at 5:36 PM on January 27, 2005
What ARE you talking about?
Yeah, alright. Looking at it again, that second comment went way further than it needed to go. I'll scale back the rhetoric to 'over-moderation is bad, OK?', and leave it there.
Moderation is clearly something I'm having trouble with today.
posted by Sonny Jim at 6:09 PM on January 27, 2005
Yeah, alright. Looking at it again, that second comment went way further than it needed to go. I'll scale back the rhetoric to 'over-moderation is bad, OK?', and leave it there.
Moderation is clearly something I'm having trouble with today.
posted by Sonny Jim at 6:09 PM on January 27, 2005
everything is our business, dfleming--haven't you been paying attention? : >
posted by amberglow at 6:49 PM on January 27, 2005
posted by amberglow at 6:49 PM on January 27, 2005
jessadmin, surely?
posted by nthdegx at 2:38 AM on January 28, 2005 [1 favorite]
posted by nthdegx at 2:38 AM on January 28, 2005 [1 favorite]
Thank you and the best of luck, Jessamyn. This is a genuine case of that much-abused phrase: if anyone can do it - and do it well - it's you. We were lucky to have you (meaning my fingers aren't enough to count the times you've helped me, held my interest, enlightened and amused me. And that's just one grateful user.
Now we're doubly lucky. I hope you don't give up for a long, long time and, for my part, will be as careful and thoughtful as I can possibly be.
Felicidades! :)
P.S. And congratulations on a superb choice, Matt!
posted by MiguelCardoso at 4:54 AM on January 28, 2005
Now we're doubly lucky. I hope you don't give up for a long, long time and, for my part, will be as careful and thoughtful as I can possibly be.
Felicidades! :)
P.S. And congratulations on a superb choice, Matt!
posted by MiguelCardoso at 4:54 AM on January 28, 2005
I wish to apologize to Sonny Jim. I misunderstood the meaning of his post. I can see from his clarification that he wasn't creeped out by Jessamyn being helpful, but rather by the emphasis on everything in AskMe needing to be helpful all the time. I still don't agree with him, but at least I understand what I'm not agreeing with.
posted by jacquilynne at 7:43 AM on January 28, 2005
posted by jacquilynne at 7:43 AM on January 28, 2005
This is fantastic news. AxeMe should be a useful place and relatively snark free, and I hope Jessamyn rules with a velvet hammer.
The solution, of course, is to embed your snark in a post that also provides a good answer.
There's something to this, I think. If you must snark, at least answer the question on the way.
As for the uptick in deletions, it's about bloody time. Maybe this will once again become a place for civil discourse.
hear hear. *raps knuckles on desk*
posted by norm at 8:46 AM on January 28, 2005
The solution, of course, is to embed your snark in a post that also provides a good answer.
There's something to this, I think. If you must snark, at least answer the question on the way.
As for the uptick in deletions, it's about bloody time. Maybe this will once again become a place for civil discourse.
hear hear. *raps knuckles on desk*
posted by norm at 8:46 AM on January 28, 2005
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posted by dash_slot- at 4:58 PM on January 26, 2005