Etiquette and policy pages November 15, 2001 10:37 PM Subscribe
Do you think that a page with links to the best etiquette and "what is the policy on...?" threads from MetaTalk would help new members get a feel for the tone that MetaFilter has had in the past?
Oh-oh. I just got all sarcastic here. Or attempted it, anyway.
::ducks::
(By the way, what the Flying Well Hung Baby Jesus AssTickle Brigade does 'unsuitable humour' mean?)
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 5:14 AM on November 16, 2001
::ducks::
(By the way, what the Flying Well Hung Baby Jesus AssTickle Brigade does 'unsuitable humour' mean?)
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 5:14 AM on November 16, 2001
Off-topic to stav -- You know, sweaters, sport coats, blazers, tweed, anything from the early seventies.
I'm gonna agree with the sarcasm thing, although I am not free of sin and so should be casting no... Well, whatever. Sarcasm typically doesn't help, but saying it isn't going to change anything. Because this is the internet -- and the internet is ruled over by a cruel master -- I call him Sarcasmo!
posted by j.edwards at 5:49 AM on November 16, 2001
I'm gonna agree with the sarcasm thing, although I am not free of sin and so should be casting no... Well, whatever. Sarcasm typically doesn't help, but saying it isn't going to change anything. Because this is the internet -- and the internet is ruled over by a cruel master -- I call him Sarcasmo!
posted by j.edwards at 5:49 AM on November 16, 2001
All Hail Sarcasmo! All Hail Sarcasmo!
How does it go? "Sarcasm is the refuge of..."
?
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 6:01 AM on November 16, 2001
How does it go? "Sarcasm is the refuge of..."
?
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 6:01 AM on November 16, 2001
heh. You tight-asses just need to download an irony plug-in.
;)
But, as for the actual topic of this thread: I think mathowie's right that the best way for anyone to learn the etiquette is to read the site itself, and start commenting there. Adding more guidelines might just make the guidelines as a whole that much more daunting to wade through, and less effective.
I do think it would be useful for older members to reach some sort of consensus about etiquette and make it more explicit, however. E.g., I think we should agree not to put wise-ass jokes in the beginning of a thread and derail it....
posted by mattpfeff at 7:48 AM on November 16, 2001
;)
But, as for the actual topic of this thread: I think mathowie's right that the best way for anyone to learn the etiquette is to read the site itself, and start commenting there. Adding more guidelines might just make the guidelines as a whole that much more daunting to wade through, and less effective.
I do think it would be useful for older members to reach some sort of consensus about etiquette and make it more explicit, however. E.g., I think we should agree not to put wise-ass jokes in the beginning of a thread and derail it....
posted by mattpfeff at 7:48 AM on November 16, 2001
heh. You tight-asses just need to download an irony plug-in....;)...I think we should agree not to put wise-ass jokes in the beginning of a thread and derail it....
Good example, mattpfeff.
posted by Carol Anne at 8:35 AM on November 16, 2001
Good example, mattpfeff.
posted by Carol Anne at 8:35 AM on November 16, 2001
I love pictures of kittens and puppies and baby angels, myself.
posted by y2karl at 9:58 AM on November 16, 2001
posted by y2karl at 9:58 AM on November 16, 2001
Actually, yes, great example, pfeffer (I will never call you that again). Sorry, looks like my fault. But really, I don't think it's going to work to try and get people to abide by rules specifically. I think one of MeFi's greatest strengths is the ability to police dynamically, relying on the minimal guidelines (broken sometimes as they are) to nudge people along.
This view comes from the fact that there are so many nuances that seperate a good from a bad post/comment, that specific rules would cut some of that out, and I don't want it.
The best option, in my opinion, would be to make a few (like ZachsMind's thread) sort of "required reading," but I don't know if anyone would do it. But we can try.
posted by j.edwards at 10:54 AM on November 16, 2001
This view comes from the fact that there are so many nuances that seperate a good from a bad post/comment, that specific rules would cut some of that out, and I don't want it.
The best option, in my opinion, would be to make a few (like ZachsMind's thread) sort of "required reading," but I don't know if anyone would do it. But we can try.
posted by j.edwards at 10:54 AM on November 16, 2001
My current mantra acronym is WWCAD? as in What Would Carole Anne Do?--obeyed more in the breach than the observance, to be sure--Polite and the best links per capita.
And don't forget the Leonids, people.
posted by y2karl at 1:04 PM on November 16, 2001
And don't forget the Leonids, people.
posted by y2karl at 1:04 PM on November 16, 2001
well, there's always SML (sarcasm markup language), e.g. <sarcasm>Yo, I'm kidding here!</sarcasm>
Useful for pointed-haired bosses.
posted by purplecow at 1:09 PM on November 16, 2001
Useful for pointed-haired bosses.
posted by purplecow at 1:09 PM on November 16, 2001
SML definitely has its uses, purplecow. I like it because not only is it sarcastic, but it's condescending too, implying as it does that the intended reader wouldn't recognise sarcasm if it came up and slapped a custard pie in their face.
posted by dlewis at 4:23 PM on November 16, 2001
posted by dlewis at 4:23 PM on November 16, 2001
Sarcasm, unsuitable humor, condescension and accusations are rarely persuasive. Oh no! Feet of clay! Oh, wait--it was a comment. Brutal, Carol Anne, brutal.
posted by y2karl at 8:22 PM on November 16, 2001
posted by y2karl at 8:22 PM on November 16, 2001
My current mantra acronym is WWCAD? as in What Would Carol Anne Do?
Oh no! Feet of clay! Oh, wait--it was a comment. Brutal, Carol Anne, brutal.
[horrified] The responsibility! The responsibility!
posted by Carol Anne at 5:25 AM on November 17, 2001
Oh no! Feet of clay! Oh, wait--it was a comment. Brutal, Carol Anne, brutal.
[horrified] The responsibility! The responsibility!
posted by Carol Anne at 5:25 AM on November 17, 2001
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"Tone--the attitude of the writer toward the subject matter and the reader--is a particular problem for writers, especially when you have strong views about your subject matter or your subject is controversial. Important reminders about tone: Sarcasm, unsuitable humor, condescension and accusations are rarely persuasive. If you go on the offensive, your reader will go on the defensive (this may be true even when your reader agrees with your position and just doesn't like people being snotty)."
posted by Carol Anne at 4:52 AM on November 16, 2001