MetaTalk posts tagged with discussion

Why no airplane terrorist post?

granted — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 14:41:58 -0800

I'm curious about why nobody posted anything to the front page about the foiled terrorism attempt on the 25th. I know that this site has a complicated relationship with newsfilter-type posts, but traditionally, huge national/world events override any distaste for that sort of thing. After the story broke I visited Metafilter expecting to find a 200-comment discussion, but there was nothing. I thought perhaps someone had made a single-link newsfilter post that had been deleted, but nope. I checked the archives to see if previous, similarly noteworthy terrorism attempts were posted, and they were; in fact the shoebomber was so OMG! that the poster didn't even bother to include a link because it wasn't "on any of the websites yet." True, in those days we were younger and dumber and more lacking in impulse control, but it's odd that an almost identical event doesn't even merit a mention today. Why didn't I post it, you ask. Well, I thought somebody else would. Also, I only had enough time to put together a single-link newsfilter thing and people around here get all mean about that, so I thought I'd wait for someone else to either do a better job or take one for the team. And then later, when I did have time, it had been long enough since the event that I started to worry that maybe there was some reason for its absence that I didn't know about. Which is why I'm posting this, instead of that. In short, I was afraid. Anyway, basically, I was disappointed not to see it because this site has better discussions than anywhere else on the web and I've been spoiled. So, any thoughts as to why it wasn't posted?

Commenters make post

phyrewerx — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:29:01 -0800

I like to call out the commenters in this post on credit card billing for being awesome. The folks here expanded on a story that was otherwise a quirky human interest incident. Their fascinating discussion on the possible reasons why this happened were much more informative than the news articles. These comments reflect the bright and inquisitive community that's here, and how it can teach a person who knows nothing about credit card processing or databases a thing or two. Thanks metafilter!

Let's talk about writing term papers for money.

GilloD — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 09:14:59 -0800

I AskedMefi about writing term papers for money. I stirred up a hornet's nest if the number of removed comments vs. time is any indication. Let's talk about it here. Forget about being polite and squaring with the facts, let's talk about writing term papers for money since it seems like more than one of us has words about it. In my mind people are free to exercise their moral and ethical authority as they see fit. If they decide they'd rather pay someone to write a paper than write it themselves, that's their business. I'm more than happy to do the labor. I realize that by withholding my labor I could make a proud stand against the dull many who would dilute the pure potion of academia. But there are ten guys standing behind me who'd be more than happy to pick up the slack. I realize "BUT JIM IS DOING IT" is not an especially valid defense, however it is a true one. I get by pretty well, but I'd like to have a few extra dimes to take a pottery class or buy an instument I don't know how to play. Taking money from immoral undergrads seems like a fine way to fund that ambition. So, open floor. Thoughts?

MetaFilter: It is what it is

spock — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 07:39:47 -0800

MetaFilter: It is what it is? I'm curious as to what the membership (and particularly the MODS) thinks of the sentiment of this comment. Yes, I come to MeFi for links to things I may not have been aware of in the past. (Even the most dedicated web addict can't have seen everything. "New products are arriving daily!") But the main thing I come to MeFi for is to see and sometimes participate in a level of discourse that you don't find everywhere. I hate the "Farkification" of MeFi as much as anybody and ONLY turning every thread into a LOL opportunity gets a little old. But if I learned anything recently, it is that even a comment thread that starts out appearing to be insipid can be redeemed by the signal overcoming the noise (even getting a comment side-barred). I guess what I'm saying is that each of us can be part of the problem or part of the solution.

A question and answer area for people to talk about writing/recording music

micayetoca — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 07:15:18 -0800

Request for another way to interact in Metafilter Music. Some time ago there was talk about opening a new feature in Metafilter Music. Back then it was described along the lines of a question and answer area for people to talk about recording music. Some days ago there was this FPP about a songwriting blog in the NYT that I think could serve as a model, and today there was this AskMe question, whose poster could have found great answers with a feature like this. Music Mefites have stated many times that they would like to have the ability to ask other musicians from the site how they approach the writing/recording process, and I really think this would add a whole other level to a site that is already really, really cool. And, in case someone wonders why don't I get my own blog about this: we've seen in the past that offshoot projects about Metafilter Music that are taken outside the site end up dying after a short while. This is the place where we gather, and I think having it here would guarantee its survival, and over time the accumulation of posts will turn it into a valuable resource. I don't know if a blog like that in the FPP link would be too hard to implement, but it would be a marvelous addition to the site, what do you say?

Best MeFi conversations?

prefpara — Fri, 30 May 2008 10:34:04 -0800

I know... it's about the links, not the discussions... nevertheless, I come here 60-70% for the conversations, and the links are only the icing on my personal metacake. I am trying to explain to one of my friends why it is that I like this place so much. I looked at the previous best of mefi threads and skimmed my own "files." I culled and forwarded about a dozen fantastic posts and askmes, and he liked them a lot. However, I feel like I came up with fewer examples of the great discussions that happen on MeFi than I could have. Can anyone remind me of (or introduce me to) threads that showcase the great conversations that sometimes happen on MeFi? Previous threads I found that have a related but different purpose: 1, 2 , 3 (On preview, metacake reads a lot like meatcake, and I can't decide whether or not that sounds delicious.) Thanks!

We are a Paragon

mmahaffie — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 19:01:38 -0800

Does the five bucks make a difference in the quality of our discussions? There's a Freakanomics post on the NY Times today that points to a web page set up to compare comment-streams on MetaFilter and YouTube. The result? We're more polite. Now, prove them right and wrong.

Raising the level?

dios — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 11:30:33 -0800

Can we work harder at having mature and respectful discussions? Do we need to do so? There are intelligent members of this site. There are intelligent discussions to be had (and usually come from quality posts). But it seems that intelligent and respectful discussion is pretty much non-existent on anything other than benign topics anymore. Anything that comes close to controversy or disagreement seems to trigger visceral and personal responses, wholly ignoring the request at the bottom of the page to address ideas and not members. Or, topics derail into redundant disputes. The intelligent and respectful treatment of the issues seem to disappear. I'm not going to sit here and speak of a Golden Age of Metafilter or request that this place become some wholly stuffy and snobby website (or suggest that I have been completely pure or that anyone should be 100% signal). But I do seem to recall a time where actual intelligent discussion occurred and was not a rare thing. Maybe I'm misremembering that. Sure, there was always snark, but the signal to noise ratio was such that I can recall the ability to have an intelligent discussion. I don't get that impression anymore. While I am certain there are exceptions to the rule, it seems far more common to me that discussions occur only at the most superficial and repetitive levels of noise. Noise begets noise, and the signal becomes even more faint. Often, the actual substance of the links seem irrelevant to the default arguments that occur within (default in both substance and tone and members contributing). I wonder if the visible favorites is the cause? Far too often people seem to try to be the most snarky, the most shrill, the most dramatic, the most hyperbolic, or the most abrasive as possible. I wonder if that is because people are hunting for favorites. I don't know. But I do know it is occurs too often and is not good for the site as it leads to derails, noise, and redundant bickering. It easier to go for the noise, and it is easy to go fall back into the same discussion. No one--including me--is going to be 100% signal, but this is about whether there is an issue and whether it can be addressed. I'm willing to accept that my perception is inaccurate, and that's why I ask the question. But if others agree that the level of discussion here could be improved, what can we do about it? I don't think the flagging system does much to address this issue. I know that the little comment right below the comment box does nothing. So what can be done, if anything, about it?

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

dirtynumbangelboy — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 12:38:18 -0800

This is how to do ObitFilter. I know it's still early, but kudos to eveyrone participating. Reasoned debate, respectful dissension with reasons why, distinct lack of snark. Good job.

Absurd Questions, Hopefully Unabsurd Answers

Ms. Saint — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 21:20:03 -0800

Instead of continuously derailing the question about questions, we may as well move discussions of said-questions here.

Too much tragedy for one thread

It's Raining Florence Henderson — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 11:26:15 -0800

I respectfully suggest that we move the gun control discussion here. If for no other reason than to limit the in-thread argument on whether or not we should be commenting on gun control in-thread.

Good ask metafilter thread that doesn't answer the question? Yes, they exist.

zpousman — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 04:58:02 -0800

This (Medical Marijuana ask.mefi thread) is a good example of an ask metafilter thread where people don't answer the specific question of the poster, but still remain civil and helpful. Yay. So there's an existence proof that people can be helpful while not answering the question asked (and not fall all over themselves to be jerks).

I only whine because I care.

tkolar — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 10:47:23 -0800

I only whine because I care.

Deleted AskMe trying to identify a painting via email

divabat — Sat, 06 Jan 2007 17:39:45 -0800

Earlier on AskMefi there was a question from "siahny" asking to identify a painting via email. I've got the picture (which is a Word document). The thread seems to be deleted, but should I post it up anyway? She really does want the painting identified...

The two-week waiting period

knave — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 21:59:05 -0800

In which I posit that the two-week waiting period has had no impact on the volume of questions.

From talking behind your back to...

Pastabagel — Fri, 18 Aug 2006 11:13:05 -0800

How about creating including in each user profile a discussion thread, so that we can have a friendly conversation with and about the user whose profile we are viewing?

"take all copyright/theft discussions that are not on topic to METATALK, thanks"

DevilsAdvocate — Wed, 19 Jul 2006 14:37:59 -0800

"take all copyright/theft discussions that are not on topic to METATALK, thanks" Done.

Discussion area in MeFi Music?

Alexandros — Tue, 11 Jul 2006 21:57:15 -0800

How about a discussion area in MeFi Music for members to set up collaborations? There's a lot of talent among the members, and I think it would be pretty cool to have the opportunity to collaborate with people across the world.

I'm kind of disappointed to see everyone so cynical lately.

mathowie — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 21:20:56 -0800

Mmmm. A one-link post to a mediocre commercial.

I dont think there is anything worth discussing about this commercial. [more inside]

AskMe rerailing request

k8t — Tue, 23 May 2006 17:54:16 -0800

Stinky Kitty vs. Baby? This post seems to be about to turn into a debate regarding kittens' ability to survive versus infants'. Very interesting.

Seriously, that's not what I mean

mullacc — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 22:14:49 -0800

Two people have assumed, incorrectly, that I don't think DUI offenders are criminals. I would like to vent without further derailing the thread. (more inside)

We obviously can't have respectful discussions about respectful discussions

boo_radley — Tue, 18 Apr 2006 15:01:11 -0800

We obviously can't have respectful discussions about respectful discussions. Every time the topic comes up, the same insulting "discussion" occurs. Seeing as how no new information is ever presented in these topics, shouldn't they all be considered double posts and deleted? When they are nothing more than another opportunity to display your disgust with someone who disagrees with you, what value do they add to the site?

Boingboing discusses AskMe!

allen.spaulding — Sun, 29 Jan 2006 05:00:00 -0800

You ain't got nothing Doctorow.

Why was the Canadian election thread deleted?

sindark — Sat, 21 Jan 2006 11:26:07 -0800

Why was the Canadian election thread deleted?

Content or quality?

Slap Incognito — Tue, 13 Dec 2005 13:08:39 -0800

I'm confused. What is more important to mefites, actually responding to the content of FPPs, or rating their quality? I see a general (hence, no links in this question) preponderance to the former. It seems that many responses to posts are actually rating the quality of it and/or the poster, rather than the content of the FPP. I've read a lot of the sites about Metafilter and maybe I'm missing a concept or something.

I am truly not trying to be a smartass, I'm genuinely interested in understanding this. Thanks.