Sock-puppet alert April 27, 2006 7:25 PM   Subscribe

Sock-puppet alert. joshuak asks a question and then logs in as alter-ego fearandloathing to ask another question. However, he forgot to change his identity back when he went back into the first thread to bitch that no one was telling him how to get a $40/hour job across the street from his house.
posted by Mayor Curley to Etiquette/Policy at 7:25 PM (168 comments total) 2 users marked this as a favorite

I don't know what the policy is on sock puppets. I don't care what it is. I just think that people should know about them to help keep future arguments fair.
posted by Mayor Curley at 7:28 PM on April 27, 2006


I hear the roof on his tent is high enough to fit a squatting elephant.
posted by furtive at 7:30 PM on April 27, 2006


Cut the kid some slack. He needs a high-paying job to keep buying MeFi accounts.
posted by ND¢ at 7:32 PM on April 27, 2006


I think he just turned 17. He's the same poster at the center of this tempest in a teacup. Looks like he just ponied up another five bucks to ask another question this week. There's no way he'll save enough money to buy a faster car if he keeps spending it all on the internet. Oh well, I say we cut him a break for now, and hope he learns a lesson.
posted by Roger Dodger at 7:34 PM on April 27, 2006


Holy shit, when I was a kid, we could only afford one sock puppet, and we had to share it with our siblings.

Wotta maroon.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 7:37 PM on April 27, 2006


But aren't we just encouraging this type of behavior by cutting this kid slack?

I've got a pitchfork, anyone have any torches?
posted by PurplePorpoise at 7:37 PM on April 27, 2006


So what?
posted by shnoz-gobblin at 7:43 PM on April 27, 2006


got it.
posted by crunchland at 7:44 PM on April 27, 2006


Cheating is cheating. As long as you use your extra account for good, no problem. But using it to break the rules is going too far.
posted by y6y6y6 at 7:45 PM on April 27, 2006


Let's save him - for now. We could be looking at the next ac or Keyser Soze, after all.
posted by trondant at 7:46 PM on April 27, 2006


As long as you use your extra account for good, no problem.

I'm trying to imagine how this might be done, and not coming up with much.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 7:47 PM on April 27, 2006


busted.
posted by matkline at 7:48 PM on April 27, 2006


Ah, but is 'pot' 'kettle's sockpuppet, or are they just really close friends?
posted by shnoz-gobblin at 7:49 PM on April 27, 2006


I don't know what to do about this kid, but I would suggest an entry in the FAQ on what sock puppets are and why they are generally frowned upon.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 7:51 PM on April 27, 2006


rolypolyman / hodyoaten did the same thing here.
posted by tellurian at 7:52 PM on April 27, 2006



posted by furtive at 7:54 PM on April 27, 2006


Don't you know nobody likes a snitch?
posted by keswick at 7:55 PM on April 27, 2006


He was pretty clumsy about it -- posting a question under one name, and following up with comments under another. Doesn't seem like he plans to use it for evil, but... I think an item in the FAQ is a good idea, because it sounds to me like he doesn't think it's a problem.

I wonder, though, if he'd have been so obvious if he hadn't been the culprit of an enormous pile-on only a few days earlier: "hey, joshuak, that's the kid with the gold car..."
posted by penchant at 7:57 PM on April 27, 2006



posted by StrasbourgSecaucus at 7:57 PM on April 27, 2006


Don't you know nobody likes a snitch?

Hey, I wasn't trying to call him out. I just thought it warranted a MeTa.
posted by cribcage at 7:59 PM on April 27, 2006


keep 'em coming, kids.
posted by crunchland at 8:00 PM on April 27, 2006


cribcage for teh win.
posted by keswick at 8:03 PM on April 27, 2006


How many times have people been told "If you want to ask another question, fork over another $5 for another account?", I wonder.
posted by boo_radley at 8:12 PM on April 27, 2006


Good point, boo_radley.
posted by interrobang at 8:13 PM on April 27, 2006


Sockpuppets aren't evil. Just like fire, water, and morophine, it's how you use them.
I don't think this is a warranted callout, maybe you could have worded it more generally for a good discussion, rather than point out that you have too much time on your hands/are awful nosy in other peoples profiles.
posted by Balisong at 8:17 PM on April 27, 2006


Whatever, shnoz-goblin.
posted by interrobang at 8:19 PM on April 27, 2006


kidding!
posted by interrobang at 8:19 PM on April 27, 2006


It's hardly 'being nosy in other people's profiles' to read a thread and think 'wtf? That's not the guy who asked the question, is it? Didn't that guy ask the other question I just read? What a moron! I'm going to let everyone else laugh at him...wait, he's that idiot from last week as well! Awesome*'.


* I don't think this is actually the thought process Mayor Curley had, because he didn't mention the previous metatalk thread.
posted by jacalata at 8:20 PM on April 27, 2006


I was going to say the same thing as boo_radley...
...or am I just saying that so no one realizes that I forgot to log out of that account and into this one before posting...
posted by muddgirl at 8:21 PM on April 27, 2006


Although I'm sure you can find something to contradict me, it's probably a good bet that anyone who has voiced a negative opinion about sockpuppet abuse probably hasn't suggested people fork over another $5. As far as I'm concerned, there's no good use for multple accounts other than deception. And I have never suggested people buy multiple IDs.
posted by crunchland at 8:26 PM on April 27, 2006


(BTW: Thanks for this post, it reminded me to switch off characters. I forget to do that sometimes.)
posted by Balisong at 8:28 PM on April 27, 2006


rather than point out that you have too much time on your hands/are awful nosy in other peoples profiles.

I was reading Ask Metafilter. That's all the detective work it took. As in "That person's responding like they asked the question, but they didn't. Hey! Isn't that the name from two questions ago?"

Am I a loser for reading AskMe? Yeah probably. But you're not in a position to tell me that.
posted by Mayor Curley at 8:29 PM on April 27, 2006


As far as I'm concerned, there's no good use for multple accounts other than deception.

No. Being able to post more than once a week to Ask.MeFi is a good use. The only argument against as I recall was that it means an increase in volume of questions asked, and shorter lifespan on the first page. I've been tempted a few times to do the same.
posted by furtive at 8:29 PM on April 27, 2006


The only argument against as I recall was that it means an increase in volume of questions asked, and shorter lifespan on the first page.

And this is a really excellent argument against it.
posted by interrobang at 8:33 PM on April 27, 2006


You say it's a good use. I say it's skirting a restriction that was implemented for a reason. The fact that Matt permits it is the problem. The best the rest of us can do is keep track of the people who do it.
posted by crunchland at 8:35 PM on April 27, 2006


Being able to post more than once a week to Ask.MeFi is a good use.

How is that different from using a sock puppet to post a self-link FPP?
posted by cribcage at 8:41 PM on April 27, 2006


I say it's skirting a restriction that was implemented for a reason.

When the owner of the site starts to earn a living here instead of MeFi being a pet-project, people who purchase additional accounts to ask more questions is inevitable and IMO should be acknowledged as tacitly legal. With a pricetag comes expectations and guaranteed services.

Close membership or make membership free again if you'd like to regain additional control of people's posting behaviors here.
posted by SeizeTheDay at 8:42 PM on April 27, 2006


How is that different from using a sock puppet to post a self-link FPP?

Self-linking of any kind is explicitly forbidden. When people pay five bucks, they are made aware that this behavior will result in a ban. On the other hand, AskMeFi and those who pay five dollars to use the service are customers here. Old-timers like stavros and crunchland can think about the good old days (so can I since I've been around) as just that: old days. The new model here is setup to favor additional membership through money. Self-policing has less value once money becomes an issue.
posted by SeizeTheDay at 8:45 PM on April 27, 2006


I'm really nofundy.
posted by Kwantsar at 8:46 PM on April 27, 2006


I'm really Dios.
posted by Balisong at 8:52 PM on April 27, 2006


Obviously, the point is debatable, but it has nothing to do with the bad old days. The $5 sign up fee was implemented more as a deterrent mechanism -- a way to stem the overwealming tide of the new users, and to prevent people from signing up for unlimited accounts. The fact that it benefits Matt monetarily and helps pay for the upkeep is only a secondary side-effect.
posted by crunchland at 8:58 PM on April 27, 2006


I'm spartacus.

I made a half-assed search through the archives, and the idea of "buy a sock puppet if you want to ask another question" comes up not infrequently, although there's occasional mention of penalties or pariahhood. I'm not defending it, mind you. It's just not surprising that someone did it, is all.
posted by boo_radley at 8:58 PM on April 27, 2006


dumbass couldn't even keep his accounts straight.
posted by puke & cry at 9:07 PM on April 27, 2006


No. Being able to post more than once a week to Ask.MeFi is a good use.

Well, no, it is not.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 9:10 PM on April 27, 2006


I will say, though, that using a sock to get around the 1-post-per-week restriction is dishonest.

I thought that was the whole reason for sock puppets.
posted by Astro Zombie at 9:10 PM on April 27, 2006


That's also what I thought.
posted by Astro Zombie 2 at 9:11 PM on April 27, 2006


Look, have you ever tried to get a decent job with a giant artificial erection screaming out in front? It was a question that understandably couldn't wait another week.
posted by dgaicun at 9:11 PM on April 27, 2006


The $5 sign up fee was implemented more as a deterrent mechanism

That's probably true, though charging anything sets up for a contractual obligation, one that Matt is forced to deliver on, unless...

I will say, though, that using a sock to get around the 1-post-per-week restriction is dishonest.

And here's the kicker. Explicitly outlaw this type of behavior and while this may not stop it, it will curb the abuses and give a valid reason for immediate/arbitrary bans on sock puppets and their users.

Small aside, I really hate my internet writings because I'm always throwing complex ideas into one or two sentence sound bites and I always sound much more stupid that I really am.

I think that charging money here forces the MeFi FAQ and an official set of rules that should be followed. Otherwise, all we have is arbitrary moderation, mixed/hurt feelings, and even less accountability (since now people can claim ownership with their five dollar ticket).
posted by SeizeTheDay at 9:12 PM on April 27, 2006


That's also what I thought.

Of course that's what you thought, idiot. We share a hive mind.
posted by Astro Zombie 2 at 9:12 PM on April 27, 2006


Don't argue with me.
posted by Astro Zombie at 9:13 PM on April 27, 2006


$5 well spent Astro.
posted by Balisong at 9:18 PM on April 27, 2006


I'm really Lesley Anne Warren.
posted by namespan at 9:23 PM on April 27, 2006


Actually, thinking about it, JeffK joshuak should get a spanking for being a dumbass first and foremost. The sockpuppetry is a secondary issue.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 9:24 PM on April 27, 2006


Sockpuppets used to piss me off, back before I joined. "The Good Ole' Days"
Back just before the "login" disaster...(remember that?)
Back when you had to know somebody, or BE somebody to have a metafilter account, there was discussion about opening the gates, and someone was taunting those without accounts by switching login names.
And all I could do was read, and weep.

I swore that someday I would be able to do the same one day.
posted by shnoz-gobblin at 9:26 PM on April 27, 2006


And I did!
posted by shnoz-gobblin at 9:27 PM on April 27, 2006


over, and over!
posted by Balisong at 9:28 PM on April 27, 2006


Self-linking of any kind is explicitly forbidden. When people pay five bucks, they are made aware that this behavior will result in a ban. On the other hand, AskMeFi and those who pay five dollars to use the service are customers here. [At which point you begin talking about the "old days."]

I honestly don't have any idea what you're trying to argue. Are you saying that AskMe is a service in a way that MetaFilter (proper) isn't, and so its rules should be more flexible?

It's a simple question: How is using a sock puppet to break the "one question per week" rule different from using a sock puppet to break the "don't self-link" rule?
posted by cribcage at 9:55 PM on April 27, 2006


haven't you ever seen a post that says "so and so asked me to post this"?
At least I paid to have my extra question.
And who are you to judge me? I'm just trying to find a solution to something that's been bothering me for years and find out how to make money. both equally urgent issues.
posted by fearandloathing at 10:42 PM on April 27, 2006


It doesn't matter one whit whether using a sock puppet to do one or the other is somehow of differing "quality."

The AskMe limit exists because if people are allowed to ask on a whim, the flood of questions would overwhelm its ability to function at an acceptable level.

If people are allowed to stockpile AskMe accounts, we end up with the exact same problem, and a requirement that there be even longer delays between consecutive postings.

The asshat broke the spirit of the law. There should be a consequence, so as to encourage everyone to behave in a socially constructive manner instead of giving in to their inner asshole.

We should have a shit-brown MetaAsshole (MeAss) site, where there are no limits whatsoever. Maybe giving the public a place to reveal their inner asshole freely and joyously will help them rein it in on MeFi and AskMe...
posted by five fresh fish at 10:46 PM on April 27, 2006


We already have that. It's called "metatalk."
posted by crunchland at 10:47 PM on April 27, 2006


for sale: one comma key, overused. will trade for a copy of the current strunk&whyte.
posted by five fresh fish at 10:49 PM on April 27, 2006


And who are you to judge me?

We are your metaparents, and we'll tell you when it's time for bed, you whippersnapper. Now eat your goddamn vegetables!
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 10:52 PM on April 27, 2006


joshk/fearandlothing -- It's probably not exactly kind of me to ask this, but if the pants question has been bothering you for years, and you've had your main metafilter account for at least 8 weeks while only asking 5 questions, what made it suddenly so urgent to get the answer today?

As for your assertion that we have no right to judge you. Well, we did pay our $5 bucks, isn't that all that matters, or are you suggesting that there is perhaps some other standard for good community behavior than simply paying a nominal fee?
posted by Good Brain at 11:01 PM on April 27, 2006


I'm just trying to find a solution to something that's been bothering me for years and find out how to make money. both equally urgent issues.

Important ≠ Urgent.

And who are you to judge me?

Welcome to the Internet, kid.
posted by cribcage at 11:09 PM on April 27, 2006


josh, try to remember one of the site's most basic informal guidelines: What would MeFi look like if everyone did what I just did?

On that score, dumping a second, non-urgent question into AskMe *two fucking minutes* after your previous one falls flat on its face as a community-friendly thing to do. You've already asked four questions in April. Do you now think you deserve eight? Can you really not see what an unusable pile of garbage AskMe would become if every member here asked a question every week? And then paid $5 to feel entitled to ask another one every week.

Please. You're not a moron, right? It's indefensible. Don't do it again.
posted by mediareport at 11:14 PM on April 27, 2006


And who are you to judge me?

This kind of statement always annoys me. Metafilter is a community, and a community that like any other depends on certain agreed thresholds of behaviour - and it's for members of the community to sign up to and enforce those standards. Of course sockpuppets are one of those grey areas where the standards aren't clear (I happen to dislike their use, YMMV), so you may well disagree with the judgement that other members of the community make about them - but the fact that MeTa exists as a forum to debate those grey areas means that others in the community should and do have the right to make that judgement.
posted by greycap at 11:27 PM on April 27, 2006


Who are you to question our judgement?

If I walk outside without wearing pants, I'm sure as hell not going to get pissy if some stranger says: "Hey asshole! Where's your pants?"

Now if you'll excuse me, it's late, the streets are deserted, and it's dark outside.
Zzzzip!

posted by Alvy Ampersand at 11:29 PM on April 27, 2006


Since I have gone months and months between posting questions on AskMefi, I can't really understand why it's urgently necessary to ask more than one question a week, to the point of creating another account in order to do it, let alone, to do it two minutes after the other.

But honestly, the multiple accounts for askme isn't what's most bothersome about sockpuppetry. We've been deceived by the likes of dhoyt before. I just know there's at least a couple of you jackholes who'd do it (and are doing it) again without a single moral flutter. It's for that reason that I started keeping the scorecard, which even I admit is an exercise in futility.
posted by crunchland at 11:30 PM on April 27, 2006


I'd be overjoyed to see all sockpuppet accounts eliminated. They do not provide a net positive contribution to the development of community.
posted by five fresh fish at 11:36 PM on April 27, 2006


I appreciate the scorecard, crunchland; I was glad to learn about it tonight. And while I'd be happy to see sockpuppets go, too, I think we should at least agree that anyone who ever uses them to argue with or respond to him/herself should be banned. Whatever folks think of multiple accounts, surely no one would dispute that *that* kind of behavior is dishonest.

[I know Josh hasn't done that; he's just spreading confusion by responding in the same thread from both of his accounts. Yeesh, that boy needs help.]
posted by mediareport at 11:41 PM on April 27, 2006


Look, have you ever tried to get a decent job with a giant artificial erection screaming out in front?

Nope. Mine was real.
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 12:15 AM on April 28, 2006


Because we've all (I think) paid our $5, we all get a base 'credibility', like 00.00 on a scale. It isn't positive karma, but it isn't negative, either. When someone blows their credibility (by, for example, responding in a thread with a sock puppet you're using to simultaneously ask another AskMe question)—when they've blown whatever their $5 bought them—then they've blown their $5.

Yes? No?

posted by Yeomans at 12:45 AM on April 28, 2006


No.
posted by timeistight at 12:55 AM on April 28, 2006


1 sockpuppet = 5 dollars donation
10 sockpuppets = 50 dollars donation
100 sockpuppets = 500 dollars donation
etc.

if any of you guys received said five dollars for every sockpuppet, you won't be so much against them anymore. and rightly so. MeFi ceased long ago to be some guy's website with closed membership -- it's a huge site with a very large user base. and AskMefi gets half the traffic. somebody has got to pay the bills -- actual new users and old users' sockpuppets pay the bills, simple as that.

case closed.
posted by matteo at 12:56 AM on April 28, 2006


also, I'm sure Matt would and will ban really disruptive sockpuppets, as he has done in the past
posted by matteo at 12:58 AM on April 28, 2006


matteo, if you would just donate $10 to mathowie every time you personally attack his character with your 'oh he's doing it for the money' rub, MetaFilter would be happily running on donations-only for at least another 5 years.
posted by onalark at 1:59 AM on April 28, 2006


"Small aside, I really hate my internet writings because I'm always throwing complex ideas into one or two sentence sound bites and I always sound much more stupid that I really am."

Do what I do, use as many sentences as you like, and people will know you're smart—if they read you, except they won't, because you're so boring.
posted by Ethereal Bligh at 2:51 AM on April 28, 2006


Heh. Actually, you've gotten way more concise -- most of the time -- since Early Days, EB. This is good.

Sometimes it does takes lots of words to express something clearly, but ol' Strunk and White had the best advice ever: eliminate unnecessary words. I fail miserably for the most part, but I try to keep it in mind.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 3:31 AM on April 28, 2006


If you replace every instance of 'sockpuppet' with 'erection' this thread gets really funny.
posted by godawful at 5:22 AM on April 28, 2006


Hee. Yes it does.
posted by Astro Zombie at 5:56 AM on April 28, 2006


I don't get it.
posted by Astro Zombie 2 at 5:57 AM on April 28, 2006


I'm not going to keep explaining this to you over and over again. Listen, when a man and a woman really love each other, something very special happens to the man's body ... (whispering).
posted by Astro Zombie at 5:58 AM on April 28, 2006


Oh. Gross!
posted by Astro Zombie 2 at 5:59 AM on April 28, 2006


I'm trying to imagine how this might be done, and not coming up with much.

Pot. Kettle. I can't believe your once fun-lovin' soul has got so withered and barnacle-encrusted you can't appreciate the wacky antics of Pot and Kettle. And now we have Astro Zombie and Astro Zombie 2. Good times! Seriously, sockpuppets are like anything else, it's all in how you use them. Well, like anything except for Ebola virus. I really can't think of a good use for Ebola virus. But you know what I mean.

And yeah, EB, you've gotten much better about the logorrhea: these days, when I see a long string of paragraphs above your username, I have a fair degree of confidence there's actually a good reason for the length.
posted by languagehat at 6:12 AM on April 28, 2006


And who are you to judge me? I'm just trying to find a solution to something that's been bothering me for years and find out how to make money. both equally urgent issues.

Dude gives us a bad name. Ban him.

languagehat (and anybody who cares to weigh in), is phallitosis worth $5 you think? I can think of several occasions where it might have proved useful, but it also seems a little, I dunno, gimmicky.
posted by Behold, I Have An Anus! at 6:36 AM on April 28, 2006

“I’m not for it if it’s got anything to do with witchcraft,” resident Mildred Bumgardner said.

Resident Cody Sams said, “They should change the name or something.”
posted by If I Had An Anus at 6:41 AM on April 28, 2006


The asshat broke the spirit of the law.

Best line of iambic pentameter I've seen in quite a while.

there's actually a good reason for the length

Will you people stop talking about erections, already?
posted by staggernation at 6:48 AM on April 28, 2006


If you make creating sockpuppets bannable, I'll create fake sockpuppets of the people I want banned.
posted by smackfu at 6:58 AM on April 28, 2006


I'm just amazed fearandloathing hadn't already been taken as a username.
posted by Astro Zombie at 7:02 AM on April 28, 2006


anastasia = anastasiav
Not a very imaginative sock puppet.
posted by Floydd at 7:02 AM on April 28, 2006


Great idea, smackfu!

So Hat Maui isn't Mathowie's non-administrative puppet?

There's lots of good ideas for puppetry.

Mainstreamediareport
Can'tsleep_LJ
Languagetoupee
Dio.s
ParisParsimus
Y7Y7Y7
cribbage
Starvosthewonderquail
Carpe Diem
Mayor McCurley
Quonsar (he hates capital Q's)
posted by Balisong at 7:20 AM on April 28, 2006


I can't really understand why it's urgently necessary to ask more than one question a week

It's Male Question Syndrome, actually very commo -

Hey! Some kid's eating my goddamn lawn!
posted by Kirth Gerson at 7:37 AM on April 28, 2006


Count me as disappointed. I thought this would turn up a whole lot of sockpuppets. Crunchland's list is paltry compared to the amount of possible members here. As mathowie has stated previously (I can't find it because the search function is so useless), the majority of users sign up for AskMefi and would never visit here or MetaFilter proper, so it's not surprising more weren't exposed. Then again, the accounts were taken out in order to post extra questions so they are reasonably benevolent in terms of causing mayhem. On the other hand it may not cut down significantly on the number of questions posted, which was I believe, the aim of the one question a week limit.
posted by tellurian at 7:53 AM on April 28, 2006


I am my own sock puppet, why would I want to pay $5 to prove it?
posted by blue_beetle at 7:58 AM on April 28, 2006


Hey, crunchland: if you're doing a sockpuppet scorecard, you might as well include the classic dhoyt/jenleigh/highsignal/hallofrobots case - although no longer active* his/its/their outing seems to have become quite the piece of site lore.

*There's also this (and this) suggestion that dhoyt lives on as JekPorkins.
posted by hangashore at 8:30 AM on April 28, 2006


SeizeTheDay: With a pricetag comes expectations and guaranteed services."

Isn't that the sort of attitude that causes this type of incident?

fearandloathing: "And who are you to judge me?

I'd say we're a jury of your peers.... I hope no one feels degraded by that, though.

I'm just trying to find a solution to something that's been bothering me for years and find out how to make money. both equally urgent issues."

Urgent? Really? Neither of those issues can wait a week?
posted by JMOZ at 8:34 AM on April 28, 2006


The only way I could have a jury of my peers is if it was made up of Astro Zombies.
posted by Astro Zombie at 8:36 AM on April 28, 2006


Ooh, can I be on it?
posted by Astro Zombie 2 at 8:37 AM on April 28, 2006


No.
posted by Astro Zombie at 8:38 AM on April 28, 2006




If only we had the brain-wave camera from S.H.I.E.L.D.

Also, Joshuak, stop being such a dipshit. Who are we to judge you? We're the folks affected by your AskMe gaming and the people who provide answers.
posted by klangklangston at 9:06 AM on April 28, 2006


Also— Fake cock tenting is not urgent, and if you weren't stupid and lazy you probably could have answered your first question yourself.
posted by klangklangston at 9:08 AM on April 28, 2006


Ooo, name calling.
posted by smackfu at 9:15 AM on April 28, 2006


AskMetafilter: if you weren't stupid and lazy you probably could have answered your first question yourself.
posted by nuala at 9:17 AM on April 28, 2006


So, Astro Zombie, what's the best way to manage that? A browser for each puppet? A macro that logs you out and relogs you in as the other guy?
posted by graventy at 9:35 AM on April 28, 2006


You'll have to ask Astro Zombie 2. I don't know what the hell that guy does.
posted by Astro Zombie at 9:39 AM on April 28, 2006


Huh? What? I thought we shared a hive mind.
posted by Astro Zombie 2 at 9:40 AM on April 28, 2006


I don't really pay attention to what you're thinking.
posted by Astro Zombie at 9:41 AM on April 28, 2006


It takes more than two to make a hive.
posted by sonofsamiam at 9:41 AM on April 28, 2006


Oh, we're building a third. It takes a while to turn a decomposijg human corpse into a solar-powered zombie astronaut. And Astro Zombie 2 already broke his solar panel, and has to run around with a flashlight pressed to the top of his head.
posted by Astro Zombie at 9:44 AM on April 28, 2006


If you make creating sockpuppets bannable, I'll create fake sockpuppets of the people I want banned.

I am jealous at how fucking evil and brilliant an idea this is.

Kudos to you. I promise forever to stay on your good side, and everyone else's.
posted by poppo at 9:47 AM on April 28, 2006


GRRR-UGHN. I LIVE!
posted by Astro Zombie 3 at 9:50 AM on April 28, 2006 [1 favorite]


Oh, shit. Fucked that one up. He's even stupider than Astro Zombie 2. See what happens when you make me rush things!
posted by Astro Zombie at 9:51 AM on April 28, 2006


Betcha can't make a fourth.

(pssst! I'm betting that zombies have no pattern recognition, relying solely on their famed zombie muscles)
posted by sonofsamiam at 9:57 AM on April 28, 2006


zarah believes I have an older, lower-numbered account that I abandoned. I hereby offer a $5 MeFi donation if anyone can identify my other account and prove that I'm a sock-puppet of some long-forgotten username.
posted by junkbox at 10:03 AM on April 28, 2006


You can't fool me. keep in mind, Astro Zombies aren't the mindless automatons that regular zombies are. We were designed for space travel.
posted by Astro Zombie at 10:05 AM on April 28, 2006


Joshuak is gonna need a 3rd sock puppet account now since all of his BURNING ASKME QUESTIONS are going to get "but who am I to help?" sort of answers from here on out.
posted by boo_radley at 10:06 AM on April 28, 2006


I bet I can build one.
posted by Astro Zombie 2 at 10:06 AM on April 28, 2006


Fine, but you're using your own $5.
posted by Astro Zombie at 10:08 AM on April 28, 2006


I think you might have started something...
posted by red_beetle at 10:25 AM on April 28, 2006


I predict this will end badly...
posted by green_beetle at 10:27 AM on April 28, 2006


but I suppose only time will tell.
posted by blue_beetle at 10:28 AM on April 28, 2006


"You got your beetles in my zombies!"

"You got your zombies in my beetles!!"

Two great tastes.. together at last.
posted by sonofsamiam at 10:32 AM on April 28, 2006


And who are you to judge me? I'm just trying to find a solution to something that's been bothering me for years and find out how to make money. both equally urgent issues.
posted by fearandloathing at 10:42 PM PST on April 27


Everything is urgent when you're 16 and your parents won't buy you a sports car. Then one day you wake up and realize what a whiny, unlikable asshole you were. Good luck getting your future questions answered.
posted by Optimus Chyme at 10:39 AM on April 28, 2006


I ♥ Astro Zombie

I ♣ Astro Zombies 2 & 3

I &spades my cat
posted by hangashore at 10:43 AM on April 28, 2006


♠, dammit! ♠ ♠ ♠! GRRR-UGHN.
posted by hangashore at 10:46 AM on April 28, 2006


GRRR ARGHH UGN ROWRR.
posted by Astro Zombie 3 at 10:50 AM on April 28, 2006 [1 favorite]


matteo, if you would just donate $10 to mathowie every time you personally attack his character with your 'oh he's doing it for the money' rub, MetaFilter would be happily running on donations-only for at least another 5 years.

Writing that mathowie is trying to make a living off metaFilter "attacking his charater"? He should just live off the trust dund?

Besides, the $5 sign-up is a red herring. Sock-puppets have always been tolerated here unless they commit some egregious offence like mocking the Haughey's parenting delusions.
posted by timeistight at 10:51 AM on April 28, 2006


I'll say this for him. For someone who lacks basic communication skills, I'm impressed that Astro Zombie 3 already has a blog and a MySpace account.
posted by Astro Zombie at 10:52 AM on April 28, 2006


lacks basic communication skills
has a blog and a MySpace account

I'm sorry, what's unusual here?


HEY-OH!
posted by sonofsamiam at 11:01 AM on April 28, 2006


What's so funny?
posted by Astro Zombie 2 at 11:05 AM on April 28, 2006


I'll explain it to you later.
posted by Astro Zombie at 11:05 AM on April 28, 2006


pot and kettle did this way before you, fool, and he was at least funny.
posted by crunchland at 11:50 AM on April 28, 2006


Agreed that there is a lack of funniness here.
posted by Mid at 11:59 AM on April 28, 2006


Except the pants tent.
posted by Mid at 12:00 PM on April 28, 2006


I find it funny. But then I'm easily amused.
posted by languagehat at 12:25 PM on April 28, 2006


I'm just amused by the fact that joshuak/fearandloathing found the pants issue urgent enough to pay $5 for an extra account.
posted by easternblot at 12:34 PM on April 28, 2006


Astro Zombie is usually funny. Crunchland is usually insightful. In this thread we've seen some evidence in support of the former supposition, but none in support of the latter.
posted by gigawhat? at 12:54 PM on April 28, 2006


I want a sock puppet because I want to name him Bloggy McBloggerson, because I think that is a funny name. I will cast my vote for enjoying Astro Zombie's routine, but then I just really like space travelling zombies.
posted by ND¢ at 1:09 PM on April 28, 2006


I think Astro Zombie and Astro Zombie 2 are both funny. Astro Zombie 3 on the other hand, is just stupid.
posted by gokart4xmas at 1:13 PM on April 28, 2006


He really is, but I blame sonofsamiam.
posted by Astro Zombie at 1:14 PM on April 28, 2006


I already banned Astro Zombies 4 - 12.
posted by Hat Maui at 1:15 PM on April 28, 2006


i mean to say, mathowie banned Astro Zombies 4-12.

i know because he told me.
posted by Hat Maui at 1:16 PM on April 28, 2006


You won't be able to keep up with them. Zombies are scientifically proven to be unbeatable.
posted by graventy at 1:16 PM on April 28, 2006


The only thing that can stop mke is my dwindling funds.

Which, come to think of it, has dwindled quite alot

There won't be any new Astro Zombies until next payday

posted by Astro Zombie at 1:20 PM on April 28, 2006


Business has been good, Astro Zombie?
posted by horsewithnoname at 1:21 PM on April 28, 2006


Damn...I should've previewed.
posted by horsewithnoname at 1:22 PM on April 28, 2006


It would just kill me to find out that quonsar was actually matthowie's sockpuppet, and he only banned himself occasionally to keep up the pretense. I mean, really - my head would probably asplode if it were revealed to be true.
posted by caution live frogs at 1:34 PM on April 28, 2006


Ha Ha ND¢, I beat you to it. Chump!
p0sted by Bloggy McBloggerson at 4:27 PM EST on April 28 [I]


Damn you Bloggy McBloggerson, you magnificent bastard! DAMN YOU!!!!!
posted by ND¢ at 1:37 PM on April 28, 2006


I suspect that Mayor Curley is really joshuak.
posted by horsewithnoname at 1:37 PM on April 28, 2006


If I was going to invent an alter-ego, it wouldn't be a whiny teenaged boy. It would be an über-hot bisexual teenaged girl. With telekinesis.
posted by Mayor Curley at 2:34 PM on April 28, 2006


In that case, I'd like to send you five dollars.
posted by horsewithnoname at 3:03 PM on April 28, 2006


Has anyone considered that the sockpuppet might have contributed to joshuak's pants tent?
posted by kosem at 3:23 PM on April 28, 2006


Except the pants tent.

fish. they gotta live somewhere.
posted by quonsar at 3:24 PM on April 28, 2006


I yearn for the halcyon days of pot and kettle.
posted by Ethereal Bligh at 4:06 PM on April 28, 2006


I hate all of you

Oh sorry, what were we talking about again?
posted by I Love Tacos at 5:41 PM on April 28, 2006



posted by hangashore at 5:58 PM on April 28, 2006


,
posted by I Love Tacos at 7:12 PM on April 28, 2006


Its an epidemic.
posted by ND¢ at 7:15 PM on April 28, 2006



posted by hangashore at 7:32 PM on April 28, 2006


Isn't using the magazine covers cheating?
posted by Mid at 9:09 PM on April 28, 2006


I wonder if, from here on out, mathowie incites a "sockpuppet thread" here on meta to make a little extra cash for the weekend.
posted by frecklefaerie at 10:48 PM on April 28, 2006


facinating.
posted by Paris Hilton at 12:42 AM on April 29, 2006


I yearn for the halcyon days of halcyon.
posted by crunchland at 8:03 AM on April 29, 2006


Tragically?
posted by Gator at 8:26 AM on April 29, 2006


I’m not for it if it’s got anything to do with astronautes autonomes.
roasted by Mildred Bumgardner at 4:20 PM EST on April 29 [|]


Not nearly as facinating as those shoes, Paris. Milan?
posted by Jamie Farr at 8:29 PM on April 29, 2006


(For what it's worth, I added the dhoyt clan to the scorecard, but not the allegations of current, unbanned users also being tools for the same tool, since they're not confirmed.) But please, all you people with sockpuppets who are proud and not trying to be deceptive about it ... send me your lists, and I'll be glad to add them.
posted by crunchland at 10:40 PM on April 29, 2006


Well, we did pay our $5 bucks

N00b.
posted by beth at 5:48 AM on May 10, 2006


He's at it again.
posted by Zozo at 12:29 AM on May 11, 2006


« Older Volleyball in Toronto   |   April 2006 Los Angeles Meetup Newer »

You are not logged in, either login or create an account to post comments