The dios vs. Rothko contest is over! October 21, 2005 9:41 AM   Subscribe

Holy crap, the BATTLE IS OVAH!!!
posted by mathowie (staff) to MetaFilter-Related at 9:41 AM (57 comments total)

That was a really quick leap from $305 to $500.
posted by rxrfrx at 9:42 AM on October 21, 2005


That must've been some surge. It was dead even when I checked twenty minutes ago.
posted by COBRA! at 9:42 AM on October 21, 2005


Convincing. The world says shut up Rothko five times as much as three shut up Dios.
posted by Peter H at 9:43 AM on October 21, 2005


It looks like there have been three big spenders, tossing in over $100 each, and one of them just tipped the scales all the way towards Rothko. I guess I'll leave it up for the remainder of the week, but Alex, your silence starts..... now.

Thanks again to both dios and rothko for playing along. They've been great and I think it did a good job of showing their humanity and senses of humor through the whole thing. Thanks to everyone that played along, I'll be sending off at least $800 to Creative Commons next week when the fundraiser is over.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 9:44 AM on October 21, 2005


I don't know if it is convincing. I agree with COBRA! that it must've been some surge. dios was up by 5-10 dollars, around 310-300, about an hour ago.
posted by SeizeTheDay at 9:45 AM on October 21, 2005


I wonder if either dios or rothko contriubuted to the other's campaign.
posted by amarynth at 9:45 AM on October 21, 2005


Well, there you have it. Are the big spenders going to reveal themselves, or will they remain anonymous?
posted by SeizeTheDay at 9:45 AM on October 21, 2005


They did not. At least not through their real names or paypal accounts.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 9:46 AM on October 21, 2005


Huh? Yeah. Who is our mystery donor?

Checks wallet, sighs in relief. Checks kidney area, finds scar - whoa!
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 9:46 AM on October 21, 2005


Hell, I'd shut up for just dinner and a movie.
posted by mischief at 9:51 AM on October 21, 2005


MetaKos! Liberal Echo Chamber! Pacifist Circle Jerk!
posted by matteo at 10:02 AM on October 21, 2005


You're next, matteo.
posted by monju_bosatsu at 10:04 AM on October 21, 2005


Matteo: Ouch, ouch, that straw man hurts!
posted by klangklangston at 10:05 AM on October 21, 2005


Checks kidney area, finds scar - whoa!

Look, times are hard, OK?
posted by jonmc at 10:05 AM on October 21, 2005


Seriously, good on both of you guys. Does this mean that we can't keep donating to get Dios a week off too?
posted by klangklangston at 10:05 AM on October 21, 2005


I think dios said that he'd take a week off if he hit $500 as well.
posted by jonmc at 10:06 AM on October 21, 2005


mischief writes "Hell, I'd shut up for just dinner and a movie."

Hell, you had me at hello.
posted by OmieWise at 10:08 AM on October 21, 2005


seriously, I am sorry that the liberal mob here silenced a much-needed conservative voice like dios'. it was always clear that we would have kept Alex and banned dios, come on, it was an unfair contest.
posted by matteo at 10:08 AM on October 21, 2005


Rothko and dios-

Good job you guys for taking part in this and letting your senses of humor win the day.
posted by OmieWise at 10:09 AM on October 21, 2005


matteo: Jesus christ, just SHUT UP already!
posted by trey at 10:11 AM on October 21, 2005


Yes, the only reason Rothko was squelched was because of his politics. It's the only possible explanation in George Bush's America™, kicking down a door near you.
posted by darukaru at 10:11 AM on October 21, 2005


What matt hasn't revealed is that both gentlemen will spend their week of silence in a luxury villa in Aspen, furnished with gourmet food, a stocked bar, a jacuzzi, and hookers for dios and rent boys for rothko.

MWAHAHAHA!
posted by jonmc at 10:13 AM on October 21, 2005


dios did indeed decla[sentence aborted due to alliteration --ed]

That is to say, he did in fact agree to take a week off if we can get him up to 0.5 large as well, as an unofficial amendment to the original agreement.
posted by cortex at 10:15 AM on October 21, 2005


Also, mullac might be the moneybags, if his comment is not just random playfulness.
posted by cortex at 10:16 AM on October 21, 2005


But then, it might just be random playfulness that I'm reading too much into.
posted by cortex at 10:17 AM on October 21, 2005


They did not. At least not through their real names or paypal accounts.
posted by mathowie at 9:46 AM PST on October 21


I certainly didn't pay anything towards AlexReynolds, since it would have defeated the good humor with which I thought this whole event . If I paid money to him, it would have been a jerk thing for me to do. And if I had wanted to be a jerk, I would have paid $500 right up front and laughed at everyone.

But I didn't. I do know that at least one very sizable donation ($100+) was put into my till, and I don't know who did that. I'm sure it wasn't Alex. And judging for the attitude of a particular person in this thread, it may very well have been a donation in lira.

I hope the money is put to good use at CC, and I hope that the people here don't try to grind their shrill axes and make something of this more than the light-hearted charity event it was.
posted by dios at 10:17 AM on October 21, 2005


And as far as I'm concerned, my estimation of both men has risen with this little stunt. It shows they have senses of humor, humility and that they can take criticism. Kudos to both of them. Tonight me and Divine_Wino shall hoist libations skyward in your names.
posted by jonmc at 10:18 AM on October 21, 2005


So if all it takes to shut a user up for a week is $500, can't we institute a charity page for everyone?

The next time someone posts a shitty newsfilter, instead of bitching about it in-thread, you can just throw 25 bucks into their "shut the hell up" fund.

It's for charity, people!
posted by graventy at 10:28 AM on October 21, 2005


Agreed: good sports, both.
posted by Mid at 10:29 AM on October 21, 2005


(Agreeing with Jon, I mean)
posted by Mid at 10:30 AM on October 21, 2005


graventy: "So if all it takes to shut a user up for a week is $500, can't we institute a charity page for everyone?

...or we could make it profit: $10 for "hit points." Those who are dealt 50 points in damage must log off permanently. The winner of every argument is the last man standing.

In three days, matt would be on a cruise in tahiti, and we'd never have to worry about mefi going down again, because we could buy a GIANT ROBOT to run it for us. That's how much money this could make.
posted by koeselitz at 10:33 AM on October 21, 2005


There should be a running contest involving every member. If at any point $500 is raised for a particular member, they are banned for a week and their total is reset to $0. Because if you can't win any argument with words, cash money is as good as substitute as any.
posted by mullacc at 10:34 AM on October 21, 2005


How about 25 bucks to delete a crappy newsfilter thread?

Not sure if I'm kidding or not.
posted by selfnoise at 10:34 AM on October 21, 2005


I hope that the people here don't try to grind their shrill axes ...

where's Pot and Kettle?

(and try learning graciousness, and how to speak without insulting others.)

Good riddance to this meanspirited and divisive contest.
posted by amberglow at 10:34 AM on October 21, 2005


don't try to grind their shrill axes and make something of this more than the light-hearted charity event it was.

yeah, thank God you're not shrill. see, I'm not the only one who thinks that this is not really that lighthearted, it's passive-aggressive and slightly creepy, a nerd's way to threaten people -- watch what you say, or you'll end up banned like Alex. in mafia code, it's called an avvertimento.
and whine all you want, dios, but the first time we all played MetaSurvivor, the liberal was voted off the island, and the fascist right-winger was not. this is a liberals' nest only in some Bush-loving fevered minds.
posted by matteo at 10:34 AM on October 21, 2005


And, if this system were put in place, I would pay to shut myself up for not using the preview button.
posted by mullacc at 10:36 AM on October 21, 2005


And judging for the attitude of a particular person in this thread, it may very well have been a donation in lira.

That's highly unlikely, seen as the lira went to rest in currency graveyard in 2000, you know, with the shift to the euro.

*laughs and points at dios*
posted by funambulist at 10:37 AM on October 21, 2005


This doesn't prove more people wanted rothko silenced than dios. It could show that 3 people REALLY wanted rothko silenced.

It was just for fun, and I guess the money is the important thing, but if you had a 5 buck limit or so on each giver, not even sure if that's doable, you'd get a better result.

(just hoping people don't use the "can we have another contest please" line when dios or rothko comment from now on)
posted by justgary at 10:37 AM on October 21, 2005


and before any of you guys starts again the tired routine of "we banned Alex coz he's annoying, not because of his politics", I just like to point out that at least Alex (who's of course often vitriolic) is sincere. dios -- just check his "Miers is the only subpar Bush nominee evar" sad comments -- is clearly in bad faith most of the time, just trying to stir the shit. your Miers comments are really beneath your IQ, dios. you just like to annoy your perceived political enemies -- you cannot possibly be as dumb as some of your rightwinger brethren here.
posted by matteo at 10:38 AM on October 21, 2005


amberglow: "where's Pot and Kettle?"

Looks like Pot & Kettle took themselves out for a $20.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 10:39 AM on October 21, 2005


and dios, your "lira" comment just demonstrates once again all the bait you like to throw around this place -- you cannot be that dumb. you just like to stir the shit.
posted by matteo at 10:40 AM on October 21, 2005


Hey, uh, matteo, I think it's okay to lighten up just a yoctoskosh. It's not like Rothko and dios fought this kicking and screaming; they were cool about it and it was funny.
posted by Optimus Chyme at 10:41 AM on October 21, 2005


Somebody needs to call the waaahhhhhmbulance for matteo and amberglow. Or at least something to strap down those jerking knees.

Good on you guys, rothko and dios.
posted by pardonyou? at 10:42 AM on October 21, 2005


Good job you guys for taking part in this and letting your senses of humor win the day.

It bears repeating. A pretty graceful participation by both contestants.


In a perfect world, matteo would be the next to disappear for an enternity a week. Anyone wish to ante up? Amber? I know you enjoy "graciousness, and how to speak without insulting others", so long as those folks are your political allies & friends :>
posted by dhoyt at 10:43 AM on October 21, 2005


Why am I getting the feeling that several people in this thread missed the point of this little exercise? amberglow, dhoyt, matteo, pardonyou?, I'm looking in your general direction here...
posted by jonmc at 10:46 AM on October 21, 2005


i live in a society where i still find it difficult to fit in. sometimes i make jokes about being a "gringo" because it make people laugh and accept me.

but later i regret it. in the middle of the night i lay awake wondering why they don't accept me just as i am.

i think this was in really bad taste.
posted by andrew cooke at 10:47 AM on October 21, 2005


Fine: the next contest is between pardonyou? and dios.
It'll be fun, right?
posted by amberglow at 10:47 AM on October 21, 2005


Guys, this charity fundraiser is TEARING US APART!!!
posted by gigawhat? at 10:47 AM on October 21, 2005


mullacc writes "There should be a running contest involving every member. If at any point $500 is raised for a particular member, they are banned for a week and their total is reset to $0. Because if you can't win any argument with words, cash money is as good as substitute as any."

Cash is indeed fungible. I actually think this is a great idea. It would encourage people who get apoplectic to put their money where their mouth is.
posted by OmieWise at 10:47 AM on October 21, 2005


I'm just thrilled that we raised almost a thousand dollars for CC.
posted by selfnoise at 10:48 AM on October 21, 2005


This pit 2 members against each other--something that's wrong--always. Way to foster a community--not. We'll be having cage matches next?
posted by amberglow at 10:49 AM on October 21, 2005


Just wanted say that 'dhoyt' is a prick. Not a bad kind, just the supercilious kind.

I was really tempted to put the exact amounts to top up both dios and Rothko to $500 dollars, at the same time... but the money would have to be for a beer fund. For a meetup between Rothko and dios, and only Speckled Hen should be served.
posted by gsb at 10:50 AM on October 21, 2005


Can we all try to focus on what's important here, please? How long until Kottke & Boing Boing update their stories?
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 10:51 AM on October 21, 2005


I'm just thrilled that we raised almost a thousand dollars for CC.

But at what cost to our immortal souls dignity? Rothko might have saved the world with one of the posts he would have made in the next week, and now it will never happen!
posted by darukaru at 10:52 AM on October 21, 2005


matteo and amberglow, your imagined sense of animosity isn't going to taint this event. Both guys are good sports about it, everyone (but you two) are commenting favorably on it. You guys have some sense of outrage over something that was a goof. I'm going to close this thread because it's getting tiresome for everyone to explain why you guys seem out of line.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 10:52 AM on October 21, 2005


We'll be having cage matches next?

We can hope.
posted by justgary at 10:52 AM on October 21, 2005


This whole thing is icky.

Many comments in this thread are flat-out gross. It is interesting (but not surprising) to see which members thought this was funny, and which are rather put-off.

If someone volunteers, $100 for CC, I'll leave the site forever. Any takers?
posted by sonofsamiam at 10:52 AM on October 21, 2005


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