Suspicious minds September 26, 2007 1:37 PM   Subscribe

Maybe I'm being paranoid...

But this dude has one post and an almost zero user history. And it just happens to be an anti-Hillary post? This kind of inverted stealth agit-prop is popping up all over the web. So. How do we know?

Seriously. Gandledorf. Who you work for? (puts on tin foil hat)
posted by tkchrist to Etiquette/Policy at 1:37 PM (169 comments total)

What if Gandledorf is Barack Obama?


You got a funny fuckin' name Obama.
posted by Divine_Wino at 1:40 PM on September 26, 2007 [3 favorites]


It's a sort of weird post and he's thread-modding it a bit. I had it in my "to watch" pile but mathowie and I were both like "eh" so far.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 1:41 PM on September 26, 2007


Here's your assy-self link of the day, btw. I like 'em better when they don't even really bother to fake the self link.
posted by Divine_Wino at 1:44 PM on September 26, 2007


MetaFilter: like "eh" so far.
posted by knave at 1:46 PM on September 26, 2007


Yeah I'm more upset about the tea guy.
posted by cowbellemoo at 1:46 PM on September 26, 2007


I say it becuase (and dammit I forgot to book mark these) I have been seeing this new stealth politico-meme cropping up with increasing frequency and it just happens to echo all those "Rove" style Talking Points (though in an inverted way) about sowing dissent and confusing consensus in chat sites. Any way. I am very, very, suspicious. Eh. What else is new.
posted by tkchrist at 1:47 PM on September 26, 2007


I say it becuase (and dammit I forgot to book mark these) I have been seeing this new stealth politico-meme cropping up with increasing frequency and it just happens to echo all those "Rove" style Talking Points (though in an inverted way) about sowing dissent and confusing consensus in chat sites. Any way. I am very, very, suspicious. Eh. What else is new.

Heaven forbid anyone undermine the nice "consensus" we have going.
posted by nasreddin at 1:54 PM on September 26, 2007 [5 favorites]


He does seem like a one-issue user, but I've seen this idea of Bush grooming Hillary propagating around on other sites the last few days. Maybe it's not nefarious? :I
posted by BeerFilter at 1:59 PM on September 26, 2007


Really, don't sweat it. It's well established that MetaFilter is just me and 50,000 bots anyway.
posted by felix betachat at 1:59 PM on September 26, 2007


I like 'em better when they don't even really bother to fake the self link.

This one was pretty good. She even posted it as a (now-deleted) Project before posting it to the front page.
posted by brain_drain at 2:00 PM on September 26, 2007


I blame the ultra-left.
posted by mr_roboto at 2:00 PM on September 26, 2007 [2 favorites]


Hurm. I didn't even notice that it was his post. Yeah, he's talking a lot, and most of it what he's saying seems to be transmitted from the universe where everyone talks from inside a huge baffle chamber of crap. It is...suspect?
posted by kittens for breakfast at 2:04 PM on September 26, 2007


"Heaven forbid anyone undermine the nice "consensus" we have going."

You're just saying that because we all agreed that you were a witch.

Luckily for you, consensus models tend to break down when it comes to move past "deciding witchery" into "tracking down and burning."

Witch.
posted by klangklangston at 2:06 PM on September 26, 2007 [3 favorites]


I weigh less than a duck. QED.
posted by nasreddin at 2:07 PM on September 26, 2007


On the internet, all things weigh the same as a duck.

Witch.
posted by klangklangston at 2:12 PM on September 26, 2007 [2 favorites]


If RoveCo are sending meme-droppers here, does that mean we win at the internet?
posted by cmyk at 2:12 PM on September 26, 2007


MORE LIEK BALROG OBAMA AMIRITE GUYZ
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 2:14 PM on September 26, 2007 [1 favorite]


He's a deep mole if he's a mole; he joined in February.

No, wait; he only made two comments prior to today, when they all came in a flurry along with his one post. I call astroturfer.
posted by yhbc at 2:14 PM on September 26, 2007


Sometimes people have strong, contentious opinions of their own. Nothing really indicating that there's something afoot here, as far as I can tell, though I do like some good paranoia and so am totally down in that sense.
posted by cortex (staff) at 2:16 PM on September 26, 2007


Can we blame the blog he links to in his post and his first two comments? The two comments, I add, which were the only ones he made for six months, until today, when he threw up a couple more comments in the ten minutes before he made the aforementioned post?
posted by Upton O'Good at 2:16 PM on September 26, 2007


I'm fine with it as long as mods keep an eye on the thread.
posted by agregoli at 2:18 PM on September 26, 2007


So. What do you burn apart from witches?

MORE (GOD DAMNED) WITCHES.

See. Consensus reached.
posted by tkchrist at 2:21 PM on September 26, 2007 [1 favorite]


He titled the thread 'Pretty Antioxidants'?

Rock solid balls.
posted by Totally Zanzibarin' Ya at 2:21 PM on September 26, 2007


Umm... with regards to -

Here's your assy-self link of the day, btw. I like 'em better when they don't even really bother to fake the self link.

posted by Totally Zanzibarin' Ya at 2:24 PM on September 26, 2007


I blame Ron Paul.
posted by brownpau at 2:24 PM on September 26, 2007


I'm fine with it as long as mods keep an eye on the thread.

Not good enough.

Don't we have undercover counter operatives we could send out there? Like Smedlyman?

No wait. He sticks out like a sore thumb. What with the fake mustache, gleaming incisors, and all the guns poking out of his clothes.

No. We need somebody they would never suspect. Somebody who speaks their language. Who as lived as one of them.

Hmmmmm...

Even I am not allowed to know the identity of The One.
posted by tkchrist at 2:25 PM on September 26, 2007


The best part about the ballsy tea post is that we've already heard about it. Very large huevos indeed.
posted by SassHat at 2:25 PM on September 26, 2007


I was just sitting here wondering how many comments a OP can make in a thread before the line into thread-modding is crossed.

Maybe it's just me, but FPPs that end in question marks or contain the first person singular pronoun are always a little sketchy. The 15+ comments he's made to the thread so far just seals it.
posted by ambrosia at 2:26 PM on September 26, 2007


tinfoil...it took me a while to post too and I posted about the rise of catholicism in the Anglican church.
posted by parmanparman at 2:29 PM on September 26, 2007


I changed my mind. He's deliberately baiting, as far as I can see.
posted by agregoli at 2:29 PM on September 26, 2007


So it appears that gandledorf is a member of a right wing conservative cell that has been dormant since February waiting for a chance to spew. Is it a coincidence that just a couple of days ago Ahmadinejad spoke at Columbia? And where does O'Reilly fit into all this? Stay vigilant MeFites, our very existence depends on it.
posted by Sailormom at 2:33 PM on September 26, 2007


Not to detract from the main witch in question, but I thought someone had predicted one of the other self-links, and I was right - Alvy Ampersand FTW.
posted by yhbc at 2:35 PM on September 26, 2007 [1 favorite]


Ooooh. Now that it witchery. Well done Mr. Sand.
posted by ND¢ at 2:41 PM on September 26, 2007


Who you work for?

I am not a number — I am a free man!
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 2:48 PM on September 26, 2007


felix betachat: Really, don't sweat it. It's well established that MetaFilter is just me and 50,000 bots anyway.

Wait, I thought I was the one who wasn't a bot!
posted by Kattullus at 2:49 PM on September 26, 2007


Solipsism or sophistry, so very hard to discern...
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 2:52 PM on September 26, 2007


I predicted a self-link too a while back. ya know, if we're mentioning that kinda thing.
posted by puke & cry at 2:55 PM on September 26, 2007


So, in Gandelsdorf's opinion: John Edwards is an "ambulance chaser", Hillary Clinton "loves abortion". The "ultra-left" only cares about abortion and "the homosexual agenda" and "gay rights", not globalization or environmentalism -- those are "mainstream".

So, he/she could be a deep cover astroturfer, could be your average insightless mainstream pundit. Either Gandelsdorf buys into the mindless narrative, or is advancing it. Either way, it's not my "cup of tea", to turn a phrase.
posted by edverb at 2:55 PM on September 26, 2007 [1 favorite]


felix betachat: "Really, don't sweat it. It's well established that MetaFilter is just me and 50,000 bots anyway."

Hey, I'm not a bot. Really.
posted by octothorpe at 2:56 PM on September 26, 2007


felix betachat: "Really, don't sweat it. It's well established that MetaFilter is just me and 50,000 bots anyway."

What did you do with felix alphachat? I liked him. Bugs and all.
posted by The Bellman at 3:12 PM on September 26, 2007


I'm not a bot

I'm not a bot also not advancing it anyway. Not good enough consensus models tend an almost zero user history. It's well established I had it in my "to watch" pile. On the internet, I'm more upset about the tea guy.

Sorry.
posted by dersins at 3:12 PM on September 26, 2007 [1 favorite]


felix betachat, how does me and 50,000 bots anyway make you feel?
posted by Anything at 3:13 PM on September 26, 2007 [2 favorites]


Believe it or not, lots of people lurk on metafilter, and mainly read it. I found something I was very passionate about, and believe it or not, posted. You shouldn't be surprised that I comment a lot on something I'm passionate about.
posted by gandledorf at 3:15 PM on September 26, 2007


So this is important because you are afraid the poisonous opinions will infiltrate your brain and turn you into a zombie Rethuglican?
posted by Krrrlson at 3:21 PM on September 26, 2007


I'm surprised you don't notice people telling you they also don't support Hillary, thus making your repeated diatribes a lot like shouting into a well.

Is that also because you're passionate?
posted by batmonkey at 3:22 PM on September 26, 2007 [1 favorite]


BTW, for what its worth, if commenting is somehow discouraged here, I'm sorry if I commented "too much". I kind of thought this operated like most places (Fark, Slashdot, etc), where commenting was both welcomed and appreciated. Maybe y'all work by a different set of rules. I usually don't read too deep on Metafilter.
posted by gandledorf at 3:22 PM on September 26, 2007


“You got a funny fuckin' name Obama”
You know who else has a pretty mouth?

Dunno, gandledorf sez he voted for Kerry. I didn’t vote, and wouldn’t have voted, for Kerry. Can’t say I liked this “throw my vote away on an independant” nonsense, but some of his arguments have merit. I suspect some fact checking is in order, but otherwise why play the man instead of addressing the argument?
Never attribute to malice....all that.
*twirls fake mustache*
(I do visit LGF and NR, et.al btw. Poor reasoning is ubiquitous and, contrary to common perception, not endemic to a given party or political philosophy. Boobs abound. ....heh heh, “boobs”)

You know who else says they're not 'bots? 'Bots.
(Man, this is like 'Screamers")
posted by Smedleyman at 3:23 PM on September 26, 2007


I'm surprised you don't notice people telling you they also don't support Hillary, thus making your repeated diatribes a lot like shouting into a well.

I was talking to the rest of the vocal people there who claimed Hillary was somehow awesome.

I'm a staunch Obama supporter myself and see Hillary as threat to the Democratic party. Its one of the few political issues that really gets me going.
posted by gandledorf at 3:23 PM on September 26, 2007


Shepherding your entry (or "modding your FPP", in MeFite-speak) is considered a faux pas, as your post should primarily speak for itself and otherwise offer free flow of conversation.

Your insertions make you seem combative and shrill at some points, which I can empathise with but can't deny is a bit undermining of your position.

Without other history to modify the opinion being formed by your passionate defense of that post, it makes sense that folks are dubious about your reasons for being here and participating so...vehemently.
posted by batmonkey at 3:30 PM on September 26, 2007


Gandy, commenting too often in a thread YOU posted, (and getting repetitive in your defense when everybody else says you're full of it): that kind of passionate opinionating IS discouraged. Feel free to find an already-posted topic you feel passionate about and tell the poster he/she is full of it.

And I saw almost no "Hillary is awesome" comments in the mix, at best "Hillary is adequate" or "the best we're gonna get under the circumstances."
posted by wendell at 3:31 PM on September 26, 2007


"BTW, for what its worth, if commenting is somehow discouraged here, I'm sorry if I commented "too much". I kind of thought this operated like most places (Fark, Slashdot, etc), where commenting was both welcomed and appreciated. Maybe y'all work by a different set of rules. I usually don't read too deep on Metafilter."

No, commenting is discouraged unless it is absolutely necessary. Due to Matt's Laotian server farm, each comment sucks a year off of the life of the poor orphan whose brain is used to route it.

It's all very Matrix.
posted by klangklangston at 3:32 PM on September 26, 2007


Hey, give gandledorf a break! He only has 405 days left to scream share his opinion on this topic.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 3:32 PM on September 26, 2007 [1 favorite]


Ok, I'm confused. How do I mod or shepherd it? I just commented.
posted by gandledorf at 3:33 PM on September 26, 2007


Yeah, the holier than thou, know it all, comment pile-on is probably not the best way to convince people on this site that your ideas are worth anything.
posted by subtle_squid at 3:34 PM on September 26, 2007


I'll bet some of the FPP pros here could link you a couple of examples of how to participate in your own post without undermining yourself so thoroughly.

Me, I'm still trying to get over my fear of commenting ;]
posted by batmonkey at 3:35 PM on September 26, 2007


How do I mod or shepherd it?

Generally, comments by the OP that are "defending" the topic of the post are discouraged.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 3:36 PM on September 26, 2007 [1 favorite]


Seriously, gandledorf, I'd support Obama too, but attacking the same people who will support your candidate if he wins the primary so vigorously...you don't win elections that way. Period. So unless you think Hillary supporters are actually secret Republicans, moderate your tone a bit, for Obama's sake, and don't keep trying to railroad the thread.
posted by StrikeTheViol at 3:37 PM on September 26, 2007


If it ever comes down to TPS or fandango_matt for "Metafilter Ambassador to the United Nations", the two comments just above are the basis on which it will be decided.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 3:38 PM on September 26, 2007 [5 favorites]


gandledorf: Hilary Sucks

MeFi: Hilary sucks less than Gandledorf says she does, and Gandledorf is a dickwad.

If the RNC is reading any of this, they must be laughing themselves to death.
posted by docpops at 3:38 PM on September 26, 2007


Generally, comments by the OP that are "defending" the topic of the post are discouraged.

How does that effect moderation and such? In most places moderation is tied to some kind of score or position on the page. I thought Metafilter was more like fark in that respect, its just a chronological list of stories, each with a comment section.
posted by gandledorf at 3:38 PM on September 26, 2007


Ok, I'm confused. How do I mod or shepherd it? I just commented.

Generally, comments by the OP that are "defending" the topic of the post are discouraged.

Back when I was a lurker, I think it's what they used to call "The first rule of fightclub." Though I could be wrong.
posted by kisch mokusch at 3:39 PM on September 26, 2007


Now, as long as we're giving gandelsdorf the Full MetaHazing Initiation, let's dissect his handle, shall we? The Gandels were a big name in real estate in Australia who've sold off all but their shopping centers after the death of the family patriarch, and Dorf is Tim Conway playing golf on his knees. Of course, he could have been making an oblique reference to LOTR's Gandalf and just misspelled it.

Seriously, gander, I wish you luck in your ongoing efforts to educate yourself in the Ways of the Filter.
posted by wendell at 3:41 PM on September 26, 2007


You misunderstand.

The situation is that your frequent and bellicose comments in the FPP you created are considered "modding the FPP". *You* are modding the post by commenting repeatedly and aggressively.
posted by batmonkey at 3:41 PM on September 26, 2007


" In most places moderation is tied to some kind of score or position on the page."

Here, it's typically meant to indicate an attempt by the poster to steer the flow of conversation.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 3:42 PM on September 26, 2007


Gandledorf, here it's actually a lot less like Fark than you seem to think. Especially in threads without your comments.
posted by subtle_squid at 3:43 PM on September 26, 2007 [1 favorite]


"Now, as long as we're giving gandelsdorf the Full MetaHazing Initiation, let's dissect his handle, shall we?"

It's an anagram of "rad elf dong".
posted by mr_crash_davis at 3:44 PM on September 26, 2007 [3 favorites]


Wendall: It's from Sluggy Freelance.

To those helping me understand the ropes, thanks for your comments. Does anyone maintain an unofficial FAQ? Because none of this is covered in the official site one, and would have been helpful to know in advance.

I'd like to apologize for breaking the unwritten rules. I'll restrict myself to one or two comments per "FPP" in the mean time, until I see more how it works around here.
posted by gandledorf at 3:45 PM on September 26, 2007


Or you could take a FPP hiatus till you think you've figured things out.
posted by subtle_squid at 3:47 PM on September 26, 2007


Ok, I'm confused. How do I mod or shepherd it? I just commented.

grundlebarf, political and advocacy posts tend to be more susceptible to moderation by the poster -- deliberate or not -- than other types of posts. Your post, in essence, advances a thesis, and most of your comments are a defense of that thesis. The thread as a whole conveys the message "Here's a point I want to make" rather than "Here's something cool/interesting I found on the web." The latter is much more consistent with the spirit of this site.
posted by brain_drain at 3:47 PM on September 26, 2007 [1 favorite]


To those helping me understand the ropes, thanks for your comments.

No, I'm sorry, wrong again. It's at this point in the thread where you call us all assholes, question our intellect and our devotion to the cause, and stomp out, never again to return. The use of made-up swear words is encouraged.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 3:47 PM on September 26, 2007 [7 favorites]


On non-preview, I see that (i) you are getting the point already, and (ii) for some reason I called you "grundlebarf," for which I apologize.
posted by brain_drain at 3:48 PM on September 26, 2007 [1 favorite]


How will I figure things out if I don't comment?
posted by gandledorf at 3:48 PM on September 26, 2007


What is non-preview?
posted by gandledorf at 3:49 PM on September 26, 2007


"I thought Metafilter was more like fark in that respect, its just a chronological list of stories, each with a comment section."

Metafilter is exactly like Fark. In fact, they're just different CSS markups for the same content.

And MeTa is TOTAL FARK!

"To those helping me understand the ropes, thanks for your comments. Does anyone maintain an unofficial FAQ? Because none of this is covered in the official site one, and would have been helpful to know in advance."

Search around for the wiki. It's mentioned in the comments on a few MeTa posts below this one (like, everything asking about social networks). Once you're there, you can browse.

This is serious advice; I'm no longer fucking with you.
posted by klangklangston at 3:51 PM on September 26, 2007 [1 favorite]


I thought FPPs just meant a post on the main page. I was referring to commenting on FPPs made by other people.
posted by gandledorf at 3:52 PM on September 26, 2007


Metafilter: Like most places (Fark, Slashdot, etc).
posted by The Bellman at 3:52 PM on September 26, 2007 [1 favorite]


Wendall

This will end wall? and well?

Actually, it has ended rather well.
posted by CKmtl at 3:52 PM on September 26, 2007


"I prefer "Flared Dong", "God Ran & Fled", or "Lord Fagden.""

Not "Fag Denlord"? It sounds like a Swedish cubscouts fantasy.
posted by klangklangston at 3:53 PM on September 26, 2007 [2 favorites]


Search around for the wiki. It's mentioned in the comments on a few MeTa posts below this one (like, everything asking about social networks). Once you're there, you can browse.

This is serious advice; I'm no longer fucking with you.


Want me to pick up a snipe and a left handed smoke shifter while I'm looking for the wiki?
posted by gandledorf at 3:53 PM on September 26, 2007 [3 favorites]


How will I figure things out if I don't comment?

Believe it or not, lots of people lurk on metafilter, and mainly read it.

Do more of the second, and less of the first, at least in posts you make.

Comments you make in your own post should generate more discussion about the post itself, and not what you have to say about it. For cripes sake, you practically derailed your own thread when you started making goofy assertions about the "ultra left" and what "they" believe.
posted by rtha at 3:53 PM on September 26, 2007


Speaking of which, Gandlefrnop or whatever (so lazy, can't scroll up), you'd probably be well served by searching for that comic Fandango Matt did about Metafilter for N00bs.
posted by klangklangston at 3:54 PM on September 26, 2007


I have never, ever wished for the img tag to be restored.

Until right now, where I am wishing I could post a screenshot of this page, right up at the top, where a collection of useful links MIGHT be hiding.
posted by batmonkey at 3:55 PM on September 26, 2007


"Want me to pick up a snipe and a left handed smoke shifter while I'm looking for the wiki?"

Your sarcasm detector is malfunctioning.

And it's a left-handed board stretcher.

And yes, I would like you to get me one. Also, some sky hooks.
posted by klangklangston at 3:56 PM on September 26, 2007


I weigh less than a duck. QED.

I weigh less than a drunk. QED.
posted by ericb at 3:56 PM on September 26, 2007


You need more booze.
posted by klangklangston at 3:57 PM on September 26, 2007


Gandelsdorf = Gandalf + Dumbledore (each fictional characters played by the openly gay actor Ian Mckellen).

Methinks we've got yet another repressed 'gay Republican' on our hands! ; )
posted by ericb at 4:03 PM on September 26, 2007


gandledorf writes "How will I figure things out if I don't comment?"

Watch what other people are doing until you know when to rub blue mud on your belly button.

I'd suggest that until you get the hang of it you be conservative. Make your post and then don't even look at it for 6 hours. I can hear you thinking "but what if someone attacks my post with something I know is untrue"? First off that shouldn't happen to a good post and second off if it's obvious to you it'll be defended by another member so don't sweat it.
posted by Mitheral at 4:08 PM on September 26, 2007


Want me to pick up a snipe and a left handed smoke shifter while I'm looking for the wiki?

The faq is here and the wiki is here.
posted by Gary at 4:10 PM on September 26, 2007


The Unofficial MetaFilter Wiki. From the MetaTalk sidebar.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 4:11 PM on September 26, 2007


Damn you, Gary! That's a whoopin' right there, is what that is!
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 4:12 PM on September 26, 2007


Gandelsdorf = Gandalf + Dumbledore (each fictional characters played by the openly gay actor Ian Mckellen).

Methinks we've got yet another repressed 'gay Republican' on our hands! ; )
posted by ericb at 11:03 PM on September 26

Er, no.
posted by dash_slot- at 4:13 PM on September 26, 2007


Hillary '08: How will I figure things out if I don't comment?

Wait, did I do this right?
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 4:13 PM on September 26, 2007 [1 favorite]


I figured he really, really liked Ganondorf.
posted by Pope Guilty at 4:22 PM on September 26, 2007


It's not a mole thing--this is big news, and it's all over---the sitting president is actively promoting a opposition party's candidate even before there has been any winnowing in primaries--tell me when that's happened before.
posted by amberglow at 4:23 PM on September 26, 2007


the sitting president is actively promoting a opposition party's candidate even before there has been any winnowing in primaries--tell me when that's happened before.

"Hang me just as high as you please, Br'er Fox," says Brer Rabbit, says he, "but for the Lord's sake, don't fling me in that briar patch," says he.

See also, rope-a-dope.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 4:32 PM on September 26, 2007


I blame Ron Paul.

I blame Peter Paul. Their Almond Joys make people feel like nuts, you know.
posted by jonmc at 4:49 PM on September 26, 2007 [1 favorite]


I blame Peter, Paul & Mary. Preachin' to our kids about puffin' on the magic dragon...
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 4:51 PM on September 26, 2007 [1 favorite]


Well, if I had a hammer, I'd use it on them.
posted by jonmc at 4:54 PM on September 26, 2007 [1 favorite]


It's not a mole thing--this is big news, and it's all over---the sitting president is actively promoting a opposition party's candidate even before there has been any winnowing in primaries--tell me when that's happened before.

Knowing Dubya, it's some kind of payback for his Dad hanging out with Bill.
posted by jonmc at 4:55 PM on September 26, 2007


If I had a hammer, I'd sell if for a dollar
I'd use that dollar to start Halliburton
then y'all could kiss my ass.
posted by Divine_Wino at 4:58 PM on September 26, 2007


MeTa: If we can't get the thread yanked, we'll beat the submitter in to submission instead.
posted by iamabot at 4:59 PM on September 26, 2007 [1 favorite]


While you're up, get me a duckweigh.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 5:01 PM on September 26, 2007


20 bucks, same as in town.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 5:02 PM on September 26, 2007


I blame Peter Paul.

Oh, come on - Mary was behind the whole thing.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 5:03 PM on September 26, 2007


Mary made me not preview, too.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 5:04 PM on September 26, 2007


The use of made-up swear words is encouraged.

you can all speem my brundlemert.
posted by quonsar at 5:07 PM on September 26, 2007 [8 favorites]


I think the thread is going surprisingly well for a politics thread.
posted by frecklefaerie at 5:13 PM on September 26, 2007


"How will I figure things out if I don't comment?"

I would posit that the advancement of knowledge is, er, advanced more by shutting up than by running off at the mouth before you know who you are talking to.
posted by Sk4n at 5:20 PM on September 26, 2007


Thanks everyone for the helpful comments and links, and for the wiki... sorry, I thought you were asking me to go on a snipe hunt :)

Sorry for breaking etiquette, I have to say you're all a much nicer group than most, and I appreciate you all taking the time to help me learn how things work around here.
posted by gandledorf at 5:30 PM on September 26, 2007 [3 favorites]


you're all a much nicer group than most

who put the roofie in his drink?
posted by desjardins at 5:37 PM on September 26, 2007 [2 favorites]


roofie? I thought it was acid?
posted by jonmc at 5:46 PM on September 26, 2007


I have waffles for grundlebarf and pancakes for the rest of us.
posted by sciurus at 6:05 PM on September 26, 2007


Shazbot.
posted by jonmc at 6:09 PM on September 26, 2007 [1 favorite]


Tk? Tk?...(shakes head in wonderment and half-forgotten memories).. when did they let you down off of the tree of woe my old friend?
posted by vronsky at 6:11 PM on September 26, 2007


Dude, you were totally easy to beat in Ocarina of Time.
posted by Saucy Intruder at 6:12 PM on September 26, 2007


Metafilter: fictional characters played by the openly gay actor Ian Mckellen.
posted by Smedleyman at 6:13 PM on September 26, 2007


"grundlebarf" FTW
posted by desjardins at 6:31 PM on September 26, 2007


Sorry for breaking etiquette, I have to say you're all a much nicer group than most, and I appreciate you all taking the time to help me learn how things work around here.

Oh, he's totally a plant. Probably sitting on a giant pile of Exxon stock certificates as we speak.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 6:31 PM on September 26, 2007 [2 favorites]


With all this patient explaining and hand holding, how did we escape a bucket of cocks reference? WTF, gondoladerf is right, we have gone soft!
posted by SassHat at 6:33 PM on September 26, 2007


BUCKET OF COCKS! BUCKET OF COCKS!

Oh, wait, that's just a bucket of the Colonel's delicious chicken. My bad.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 6:47 PM on September 26, 2007


gringledurf
posted by desjardins at 6:48 PM on September 26, 2007


gandershank
posted by desjardins at 6:51 PM on September 26, 2007


girXaffe
posted by delmoi at 6:53 PM on September 26, 2007


...and a box of decimal points and some propwash for the horses.

TODD LOKKEN
posted by docpops at 7:51 PM on September 26, 2007


I'm looking forward to the "names I have been called" entry on gandledorf's profile page.
posted by cortex (staff) at 7:53 PM on September 26, 2007 [1 favorite]


Taxing it would be quite assinine.
posted to MetaFilter by gandledorf at 12:15 PM


Gives a whole new meaning to the word.
posted by Xere at 8:16 PM on September 26, 2007


I would like to comment in this thread.

Uhh, dangledorfers.com.?

posted by and hosted from Uranus at 8:21 PM on September 26, 2007


I am not a bot

Exactly what a bot would say.

Bot.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 8:34 PM on September 26, 2007


For when the bots come for you.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 8:56 PM on September 26, 2007


Never trust anything that runs on batteries - like your cell phone.
posted by Cranberry at 9:03 PM on September 26, 2007


MetaTalk: Alvy Ampersand FTW.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 9:10 PM on September 26, 2007


Let me tell you how I make an FPP. First I put on my wizard hat ...
posted by Astro Zombie at 9:26 PM on September 26, 2007


No robe?
posted by dersins at 9:50 PM on September 26, 2007


damn I gotta write down your names or something
posted by Astro Zombie at 10:18 PM on September 26, 2007 [1 favorite]


*checks paypal account for $5 necessary to register "grundlebarf"*
posted by tehloki at 10:27 PM on September 26, 2007


Hey gandledorf, there is something I'm wondering. While it's perfectly true that a lot of people lurk and read without posting, it seems to me that there's no reason for these people to pay the $5 and get an account. Why pay $5 to not post or comment at all?
posted by Arturus at 11:49 PM on September 26, 2007


dangleberry is a much better name, why has no one called themselves dangleberry yet ?
posted by sgt.serenity at 12:26 AM on September 27, 2007


I'm a bit late to the party, but this is addressed to gandeldorf, if you're still paying attention: Why do you link to the same blog three times in a row? That, to me, is pretty bad form, if only because it makes you look like a person who (a) has an agenda and (b) is pushing one particular website.

Maybe that's just your favorite blog, but you could take up some other hobbies. Crochet, backgammon, decoupage, recaning old furniture. All joking aside, maybe lay off the twelve angry men for awhile, you know? That's why people think/thought you're a mole.
posted by brina at 6:10 AM on September 27, 2007


Why pay $5 to not post or comment at all?

To be fair, it also makes the ads go away. I could see a lurker paying $5 for that if they read the site a lot.
posted by Tehanu at 7:40 AM on September 27, 2007


Why pay $5 to not post or comment at all?

So on the occasion that I do want to post or comment (like yesterday), I can do so. Unlike subscriptions to total Fark, which are monthly, $5 here is a one time sunk cost. Might as well sink it if I think I will ever use it.

Why do you link to the same blog three times in a row?

Uhhh, I didn't. If you look at the FPP I linked to:

FoxNews
WashingtonPost
WashingtonPost
MetaFilter(to another one which linked to the WaPo)
Wordpress
Dallas News

So yes, I suppose you can take the double WaPo followed by MetaFilter as linking to the WashingtonPost three times in a row. Maybe you're not familiar with the WashingtonPost but:

A) It's not a blog. It's a well respected American Newspaper distributed in my area.
B) It's the #5 newspaper in the US. I think its worthy of a few links if it has good stories.

Its just about as widely read as the NYT, and more so in my region (its published a few hundred miles from here, so I actually see the print version too).

While I'll admit the WaPo has a liberal agenda... I'm gonna have to say "So?" Most good papers do. The conservatives ones are typically trashy rags. As for pushing the WashingtonPost, no. I don't work there, but I do admit to living in the region it is circulated in, so perhaps I do have some unconscious regional bias towards it. I don't see this as pushing though. I bet folks from Texas cite the Houston Chronicle pretty often.
posted by gandledorf at 7:51 AM on September 27, 2007


You misunderstand, gandledorf; they're asking after your pattern of linking 12angrymen in your post as well as in your first two comments on the site. Nothing to do with the WaPo.
posted by cortex (staff) at 7:54 AM on September 27, 2007


You misunderstand, gandledorf; they're asking after your pattern of linking 12angrymen in your post as well as in your first two comments on the site. Nothing to do with the WaPo.

Oh, sorry. Misunderstood. Much like the WaPo, Its a site I read pretty often. Found it through Fark one day, and have been a fan ever since. Not always the best (its writers are a mixed bag, there are some conservative douchebags on it, and even the most left can be right-wing douches from time to time), but its funny/insightful enough to keep my interest for the time being. Its really only worth reading if you can stand complete and total kool aide drinkers from time to time, as some of the writers seem to want to have Bush's love child.

I have my regular daily reads like you have yours. Much like most peoples, mine contains some blogs.
posted by gandledorf at 8:08 AM on September 27, 2007


I don't read any websites, ever.
posted by breezeway at 9:31 AM on September 27, 2007


ganglespork
posted by quonsar at 9:40 AM on September 27, 2007


wundermint
posted by breezeway at 9:44 AM on September 27, 2007


I think we could populate children's stories with all these alternative names for poor gandledorf.

candledwarf
ganderwart
dandlebork
janglesnorf

I mean no offense to him; the permutations just make me giggle.
posted by desjardins at 10:01 AM on September 27, 2007


dangleberry is a much better name, why has no one called themselves dangleberry yet ?

Dingle-Berry.
posted by ericb at 10:30 AM on September 27, 2007


manberries
posted by Pope Guilty at 11:58 AM on September 27, 2007


This whole hidden rules thing makes Metafilter like Mao. Good thing I don't really have much to say/post.
posted by garlic at 11:59 AM on September 27, 2007


Ooh. Yow. You're gonna have to draw three, garlic. No, not like that. That's two more.
posted by cortex (staff) at 12:00 PM on September 27, 2007 [1 favorite]


Has everyone seen the video of the seagull stealing the doritos? I'm usually kind of behind on these sorts of things, and just saw it today. I thought it was kind of funny.
posted by marxchivist at 12:53 PM on September 27, 2007


That bird is my long-lost child.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 1:00 PM on September 27, 2007 [1 favorite]


Related to you because of the stealing or the dorito-lovin'?
posted by marxchivist at 1:08 PM on September 27, 2007


Both.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 2:00 PM on September 27, 2007 [1 favorite]


Grankledonk.
posted by never used baby shoes at 2:21 PM on September 27, 2007


Ghandiporn.
posted by Pollomacho at 2:27 PM on September 27, 2007


So here is where Gandeldorf appears in Sluggy Freelance - a Harry Potter parody plotline, obviously. A bit of advice to future MeFites: be careful which webcomics you get your references from. Sluggy is so... so... sluggy! (Although it would get my attention immediately when an "Aylee" or "inflatable hoverbike" made a first comment) And please note that wigu and clango are taken... by the webcomickers who created them.
posted by wendell at 6:46 PM on September 27, 2007


Has everyone seen the video of the seagull stealing the doritos?

Heh. He said "crisp-munching."
posted by mediareport at 8:06 PM on September 27, 2007


So. What do you burn apart from witches?

MORE (GOD DAMNED) WITCHES.

See. Consensus reached.


We could build a bridge out of him. (did I skip a step)
posted by Bonzai at 11:01 PM on September 27, 2007


you can all speem my brundlemert.

try and make me, gandelfelcher! dorf you, and dorf your mom, too!
posted by UbuRoivas at 11:31 PM on September 27, 2007


Hey gandledorf, there is something I'm wondering. While it's perfectly true that a lot of people lurk and read without posting, it seems to me that there's no reason for these people to pay the $5 and get an account. Why pay $5 to not post or comment at all?

Well, for the final word of course, goddamnit.
posted by h00py at 2:17 AM on September 28, 2007


Out loud, obviously. (duhh, must. read. question). Sometimes, the urge to respond is worth at least $5.
posted by h00py at 2:19 AM on September 28, 2007


And even the most apathetic lurker is moved to say 'ferfucksake' on occasion. (Please excuse my trilogy).
posted by h00py at 2:22 AM on September 28, 2007


I think we could populate children's stories with all these alternative names for poor gandledorf.

That's exactly what I thought when I saw Sciurus's post above:

"The envelope please. This year's Newbery Award winner is .... Waffles for Grundlebarf!"
posted by harkin banks at 5:50 PM on September 28, 2007


Yo, gandy -- I appreciate you taking all of the ribbing (both good-natured and otherwise) in stride...seems to me like you're being very reasonable about what I consider to be a pretty lame call-out. Keep on reading the unofficial and behind-the-scenes MeFi stuff (wiki, FAQ, etc), and peruse some more threads with a critical eye, noting the level of involvement of the original posters in each thread (particularly political threads)...do that several dozen times, and you should get pretty comfortable.

Hang in there. We've all been "newbies" on MeFi at one point.
posted by davidmsc at 2:04 AM on September 29, 2007


Hang in there. We've all been "newbies" on MeFi at one point.

Totally. Consider this your welcoming post/initiation. : >
posted by amberglow at 11:57 AM on September 29, 2007


NP guys, I appreciate the help, and figure its all in good fun ;)
posted by gandledorf at 3:34 PM on September 29, 2007


does this mean we don't burn the witch?

i mean, s/he survived the trial by fire, when a normal person would have burned. gandledorf must be a witch then, right? right...?
posted by UbuRoivas at 2:49 AM on September 30, 2007


If by "witch" you mean "true mefite", yes.
posted by cortex (staff) at 9:09 AM on September 30, 2007 [1 favorite]


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