What the hell? Is this where the bad kids get sent? September 14, 2008 6:47 PM Subscribe
Bonus points to Alvy for not using the phrase "oh just shut up already".
posted by yhbc at 6:50 PM on September 14, 2008
posted by yhbc at 6:50 PM on September 14, 2008
oh just shut up already
posted by puke & cry at 6:52 PM on September 14, 2008
posted by puke & cry at 6:52 PM on September 14, 2008
Retraining? No, no. The term you're looking for is reeducation. That's what we do here in this hotbed of radical communist doctrine we call MetaTalk.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:55 PM on September 14, 2008
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:55 PM on September 14, 2008
cortex explained MeTa to you in the thread:
MapGuy, I'm inviting you to take what is increasingly an argument about your behavior, not your views, to the part of the site where that sort of thing is allowed.posted by Alvy Ampersand at 6:58 PM on September 14, 2008
I don't care about your politics and I'm gladder than you might believe to have a mix of voices on the site, but your behavior in here earlier was manic to the point of producing more noise and distraction than substance.
If you have a problem with this, take it up over there. We've already had to delete some comments from this thread, from you and from people responding to you, and I'm pretty much done dealing with that. If you keep with the shit-stirring behavior over in here, yes, you will get a timeout, and it hasn't got a thing to do with Obama or McCain. So chill out or take it to metatalk, but enough with the antagonistic stuff in here.
We were halfway into A Midsummer Night's Dream when we saw this thread.
Thanks a lot, MapGuy.
posted by An Infinity Of Monkeys at 6:59 PM on September 14, 2008 [6 favorites]
Thanks a lot, MapGuy.
posted by An Infinity Of Monkeys at 6:59 PM on September 14, 2008 [6 favorites]
"We were halfway into A Midsummer Night's Dream when we saw this thread."
You think you were busy...
posted by Britney's Nipples at 7:01 PM on September 14, 2008 [3 favorites]
You think you were busy...
posted by Britney's Nipples at 7:01 PM on September 14, 2008 [3 favorites]
Well, if nobody stirs the shit, it gets clumpy and burnt to the bottom of the pan, and nobody likes to clean that up.
posted by not_on_display at 7:02 PM on September 14, 2008 [3 favorites]
posted by not_on_display at 7:02 PM on September 14, 2008 [3 favorites]
The comment box specifically says "note: Help maintain a healthy, respectful discussion by focusing comments on the issues, topics, and facts at hand—not at other members of the site."
If you spend time in threads individually responding to people who disagree with you rather than participating in the larger discussion, threads quickly become about you and not about the topics. We tried to sort of reign this in gently and then gave you a few in-thread suggestions so MetaTalk is the next avenue.
In short: we'd like you to stop being so fighty and realize that it's a large website with a lot of people in it and if you need to start up individual shit with people, that needs to happen outside of MetaFilter proper.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 7:04 PM on September 14, 2008
If you spend time in threads individually responding to people who disagree with you rather than participating in the larger discussion, threads quickly become about you and not about the topics. We tried to sort of reign this in gently and then gave you a few in-thread suggestions so MetaTalk is the next avenue.
In short: we'd like you to stop being so fighty and realize that it's a large website with a lot of people in it and if you need to start up individual shit with people, that needs to happen outside of MetaFilter proper.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 7:04 PM on September 14, 2008
What the duce? You would give up AMSND for this? Next you will be asking about Cable-Tow's and if I have traveled.
What sort of thing? Free speech?
posted by MapGuy at 7:04 PM on September 14, 2008
What sort of thing? Free speech?
posted by MapGuy at 7:04 PM on September 14, 2008
1. Stop being an ass.
2. Repeat as needed.
I think we can close this up now.
I was out of the house most of the day, so I suppose I could have missed comments that have since been deleted...but I'd like to put in my two cent's worth.
MapGuy may have come across aggressively and argumentatively. But, guys, so do a lot of you on the other side of the political spectrum. Again, possibly some comments on that side got deleted as well...I can see why MapGuy feels picked on.
I want to say here I am tired of constantly being told that if one is a Republican or is choosing to vote for McCain or likes Palin that one is, pardon the language, "batshit insane." Or any of the other pejorative terms.
How is language like that doing anything but drag down the level of discourse? I have to be honest with you-it is hard for me to respect the opinions of people who feel the need to be insulting, or to use insulting language, or to be disrespectful.
If you think the opinions of others are incorrect, certainly, do say so. Say why you think so. You can even be a little irreverent and jokey if that floats your boat.
But being nasty and rude? It doesn't reflect well on the rude person. It doesn't reflect well on the site itself. And it certainly doesn't do your candidate any good.
Maybe you should imagine Obama himself lurks on Metafilter. If you are a supporter of his, make him proud. Don't embarrass him, and yourself.
posted by konolia at 7:05 PM on September 14, 2008 [16 favorites]
2. Repeat as needed.
I think we can close this up now.
I was out of the house most of the day, so I suppose I could have missed comments that have since been deleted...but I'd like to put in my two cent's worth.
MapGuy may have come across aggressively and argumentatively. But, guys, so do a lot of you on the other side of the political spectrum. Again, possibly some comments on that side got deleted as well...I can see why MapGuy feels picked on.
I want to say here I am tired of constantly being told that if one is a Republican or is choosing to vote for McCain or likes Palin that one is, pardon the language, "batshit insane." Or any of the other pejorative terms.
How is language like that doing anything but drag down the level of discourse? I have to be honest with you-it is hard for me to respect the opinions of people who feel the need to be insulting, or to use insulting language, or to be disrespectful.
If you think the opinions of others are incorrect, certainly, do say so. Say why you think so. You can even be a little irreverent and jokey if that floats your boat.
But being nasty and rude? It doesn't reflect well on the rude person. It doesn't reflect well on the site itself. And it certainly doesn't do your candidate any good.
Maybe you should imagine Obama himself lurks on Metafilter. If you are a supporter of his, make him proud. Don't embarrass him, and yourself.
posted by konolia at 7:05 PM on September 14, 2008 [16 favorites]
Of course I get the collective thing. Christ sakes I lived for two years in Denmark.
posted by MapGuy at 7:07 PM on September 14, 2008
posted by MapGuy at 7:07 PM on September 14, 2008
so, in other words, when someone calls you a dick, you're just supposed to lie down and take it - you know, so they can continue to have a "healthy, respectful discussion" about what a dick you are
seems to me that the other people were more out of line than he was
posted by pyramid termite at 7:08 PM on September 14, 2008
seems to me that the other people were more out of line than he was
posted by pyramid termite at 7:08 PM on September 14, 2008
I am a bit amused that I got sent here after calling someone a twit.
I don't feel picked on, perhaps outnumbered, but not picked on.
posted by MapGuy at 7:10 PM on September 14, 2008
I don't feel picked on, perhaps outnumbered, but not picked on.
posted by MapGuy at 7:10 PM on September 14, 2008
You didn't get "sent" here. You can leave whenever you want; it's not Siberia.
You were told that if the urge to fling shit at people is simply too powerful, do your shit-flinging here. It would be preferable if you didn't fling shit in the first place, however.
posted by CKmtl at 7:15 PM on September 14, 2008 [1 favorite]
You were told that if the urge to fling shit at people is simply too powerful, do your shit-flinging here. It would be preferable if you didn't fling shit in the first place, however.
posted by CKmtl at 7:15 PM on September 14, 2008 [1 favorite]
*pokes head out from THE THREAD, sniffs air*
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 7:16 PM on September 14, 2008 [2 favorites]
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 7:16 PM on September 14, 2008 [2 favorites]
This is nice and all, rather ego centric, but why exactly are we having a discussion about my behavior?
As for shat, I flung not first at thee, tho cast back well I did.
posted by MapGuy at 7:17 PM on September 14, 2008
As for shat, I flung not first at thee, tho cast back well I did.
posted by MapGuy at 7:17 PM on September 14, 2008
I believe that the Internet has just achieved the Irony Singularity. Large Hadron Collider, get in line--this thread may destroy the world as we know it!
posted by Sidhedevil at 7:18 PM on September 14, 2008
posted by Sidhedevil at 7:18 PM on September 14, 2008
Is this where we come for the pancakes? No? Down the hall then?
posted by FunkyHelix at 7:20 PM on September 14, 2008
posted by FunkyHelix at 7:20 PM on September 14, 2008
This is nice and all, rather ego centric, but why exactly are we having a discussion about my behavior?
Well, y'know, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think you're the one who started this thread and made yourself its subject. Were you thinking we were going to talk about someone else's hbehaviour? Or sustainable agriculture or something?
posted by ten pounds of inedita at 7:20 PM on September 14, 2008 [7 favorites]
That's twice today. It's rein it in.
</prescriptivist types="obnoxious, unapologetic">
posted by gleuschk at 7:21 PM on September 14, 2008 [1 favorite]
</prescriptivist types="obnoxious, unapologetic">
posted by gleuschk at 7:21 PM on September 14, 2008 [1 favorite]
You didn't get "sent" here.
No, no. He HAS been sent here. And even his two years in Denmark cannot redeem this reactionary running-dog.
Comrades, I urge you to take Revolutionary Action against MapGuy, for the health of our Glorious Website! All hail mathowie!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:21 PM on September 14, 2008 [2 favorites]
No, no. He HAS been sent here. And even his two years in Denmark cannot redeem this reactionary running-dog.
Comrades, I urge you to take Revolutionary Action against MapGuy, for the health of our Glorious Website! All hail mathowie!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:21 PM on September 14, 2008 [2 favorites]
in other words, when someone calls you a dick, you're just supposed to lie down and take it
No, you're supposed to use and trust the flag queue the same as always and if you think we missed something, you can email us. Namecalling and turning a thread into a back and forth fight with a particular user is pretty much against the rules and we do what we can to try to enforce that.
MOST, seriously, most of the work I've been doing this week has been keeping people from frothing at the mouth at konolia [and asking her to be civil which she pretty much has been] in the Palin threads. To me there's a clear difference between disagreeing (even strongly) with something someone says and turning a thread into a chance to personally attack and hound them.
MapGuy seemed to be personally responding to people disagreeing with him with insults which was derailing the thread. We also removed (at least I did, the ones I saw) people calling him a bunch of names as well. The occasional odd insult will usually stick around but when one person is either the attacked or the attacker over a period of time, it sort of inhibits the thread from being about anything else BUT them and that's a problem.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 7:22 PM on September 14, 2008
No, you're supposed to use and trust the flag queue the same as always and if you think we missed something, you can email us. Namecalling and turning a thread into a back and forth fight with a particular user is pretty much against the rules and we do what we can to try to enforce that.
MOST, seriously, most of the work I've been doing this week has been keeping people from frothing at the mouth at konolia [and asking her to be civil which she pretty much has been] in the Palin threads. To me there's a clear difference between disagreeing (even strongly) with something someone says and turning a thread into a chance to personally attack and hound them.
MapGuy seemed to be personally responding to people disagreeing with him with insults which was derailing the thread. We also removed (at least I did, the ones I saw) people calling him a bunch of names as well. The occasional odd insult will usually stick around but when one person is either the attacked or the attacker over a period of time, it sort of inhibits the thread from being about anything else BUT them and that's a problem.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 7:22 PM on September 14, 2008
*bangs pitchfork on ground.* Flame. out. Flame. out. Pls?
Srsly.
kthxbai.
posted by msamye at 7:22 PM on September 14, 2008 [2 favorites]
Srsly.
kthxbai.
posted by msamye at 7:22 PM on September 14, 2008 [2 favorites]
"...why exactly are we having a discussion about my behavior?"
If we opened a thread about monkeys, we wouldn't be wondering why everyone else was discussing monkeys.
posted by An Infinity Of Monkeys at 7:24 PM on September 14, 2008 [2 favorites]
If we opened a thread about monkeys, we wouldn't be wondering why everyone else was discussing monkeys.
posted by An Infinity Of Monkeys at 7:24 PM on September 14, 2008 [2 favorites]
Oh go to hell, konolia. How's that?
posted by puke & cry at 7:26 PM on September 14, 2008 [3 favorites]
posted by puke & cry at 7:26 PM on September 14, 2008 [3 favorites]
And while I'm here:
As for shat, I flung not first at thee, tho cast back well I did.
This is not my first account. I changed names to avoid being a lightning rod. Still, MeFites are no dummies; it's not hard to figure out my previous username. I had a habit of doing just that: throwing back as good as or better than was thrown at me. And I have close to 20 years of Usenet-style argumentation under my belt.
Such behaviour serves nobody and makes the Blue unreadable.
I'm not perfect. I still get drawn in sometimes, but I'm getting better at it. Occasionally, my comments get deleted. I usually take that as a sign to either be more constructive or to abandon the thread. But it doesn't matter if they started it. Suck it up. Move on. It says more about them than it does about you. Unless you perpetuate it: then it says much, much more about you. And none of it good.
Seriously: from one flame warrior to another: cut the shit, and the sooner the better. You'll enjoy the site more.
posted by ten pounds of inedita at 7:27 PM on September 14, 2008
As for shat, I flung not first at thee, tho cast back well I did.
This is not my first account. I changed names to avoid being a lightning rod. Still, MeFites are no dummies; it's not hard to figure out my previous username. I had a habit of doing just that: throwing back as good as or better than was thrown at me. And I have close to 20 years of Usenet-style argumentation under my belt.
Such behaviour serves nobody and makes the Blue unreadable.
I'm not perfect. I still get drawn in sometimes, but I'm getting better at it. Occasionally, my comments get deleted. I usually take that as a sign to either be more constructive or to abandon the thread. But it doesn't matter if they started it. Suck it up. Move on. It says more about them than it does about you. Unless you perpetuate it: then it says much, much more about you. And none of it good.
Seriously: from one flame warrior to another: cut the shit, and the sooner the better. You'll enjoy the site more.
posted by ten pounds of inedita at 7:27 PM on September 14, 2008
Can you guys get rid of the whole cooking an egg thing with two cell phones? I was sitting around with a friend drinking Scotch and being wireless engineers we were having some fun.
posted by MapGuy at 7:27 PM on September 14, 2008
posted by MapGuy at 7:27 PM on September 14, 2008
Am I missing a bunch of deleted comments on the part of MapGuy? Cause I've read through the thread and I can't figure out why he was asked to "cool it", let alone take it to Meta.
posted by nola at 7:28 PM on September 14, 2008
posted by nola at 7:28 PM on September 14, 2008
Just to lighten things up, me, pips and breezeway/hugh janus did this on the request of another Metachat member. I hope it helps in you in your quest for enlightenment
posted by jonmc at 7:29 PM on September 14, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by jonmc at 7:29 PM on September 14, 2008 [1 favorite]
If we opened a thread about monkeys, we wouldn't be wondering why everyone else was discussing monkeys.
posted by An Infinity Of Monkeys
I'd like to discuss monkeys, but that would require, well, infinity. And I just don't have that kind of time.
BTW, loved Othello. I like stories that have at least one black character. Can't you do something else along those lines?
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:31 PM on September 14, 2008
posted by An Infinity Of Monkeys
I'd like to discuss monkeys, but that would require, well, infinity. And I just don't have that kind of time.
BTW, loved Othello. I like stories that have at least one black character. Can't you do something else along those lines?
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:31 PM on September 14, 2008
My Russian tutor from the State Department gave me a biography on the guy who founded Utz. She was Czech. Good times... good times.
I wish I could keep up with the Irony Singularity reference but I am a bit slow sometimes. Please forgive. Is it worth reading?
posted by MapGuy at 7:33 PM on September 14, 2008
I wish I could keep up with the Irony Singularity reference but I am a bit slow sometimes. Please forgive. Is it worth reading?
posted by MapGuy at 7:33 PM on September 14, 2008
nola - I am a bit confused on that one myself. But maybe I was a bit, well, you know, antagonistic....
posted by MapGuy at 7:38 PM on September 14, 2008
posted by MapGuy at 7:38 PM on September 14, 2008
Can you guys get rid of the whole cooking an egg thing with two cell phones? I was sitting around with a friend drinking Scotch and being wireless engineers we were having some fun.
So you were spreading alarmist disinformation about cell phones as a joke rather than out of ignorance? Carry on then.
posted by Pyry at 7:39 PM on September 14, 2008 [1 favorite]
So you were spreading alarmist disinformation about cell phones as a joke rather than out of ignorance? Carry on then.
posted by Pyry at 7:39 PM on September 14, 2008 [1 favorite]
I just made a totally awesome salad for dinner. And I'm psyched because there's some peanut-butter-cup ice cream for dessert.
posted by Miko at 7:40 PM on September 14, 2008
posted by Miko at 7:40 PM on September 14, 2008
So you were spreading alarmist disinformation about cell phones as a joke rather than out of ignorance? Carry on then. uhm... well.... yes.
I design wireless networks for a hobby.
posted by MapGuy at 7:42 PM on September 14, 2008
I design wireless networks for a hobby.
posted by MapGuy at 7:42 PM on September 14, 2008
Time out, gotta pee. I am on my second Vodka seltzer (well maybe third). You guys rock.
posted by MapGuy at 7:44 PM on September 14, 2008
posted by MapGuy at 7:44 PM on September 14, 2008
Jesus, go to irc already. Metatalk isn't for chattering.
posted by puke & cry at 7:45 PM on September 14, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by puke & cry at 7:45 PM on September 14, 2008 [1 favorite]
I don't think Jesus uses IRC. He seems like more of an AIM guy.
posted by jonmc at 7:46 PM on September 14, 2008
posted by jonmc at 7:46 PM on September 14, 2008
Homemade dressing, chicken, almonds, and caramelized onions.
posted by Miko at 7:47 PM on September 14, 2008
posted by Miko at 7:47 PM on September 14, 2008
Actually, Jesus mostly just texts. I follow him on Twitter.
posted by Miko at 7:48 PM on September 14, 2008
posted by Miko at 7:48 PM on September 14, 2008
Frothy outrage to "You guys rock" in a little under an hour. Is that a record, even for a drunk post?
posted by CKmtl at 7:49 PM on September 14, 2008
posted by CKmtl at 7:49 PM on September 14, 2008
I am sorry I thought I was here to be retrained, vetted, admonished, hugged or something. Any who someone suggested I fuck off over here and leave the Obama rally alone. Should we argue about something?
posted by MapGuy at 7:50 PM on September 14, 2008
posted by MapGuy at 7:50 PM on September 14, 2008
Y'know, we really do have a broad spectrum of viewpoints here. Just the other day I noticed we had a Bob Jones University student hanging around Askme, and there was at least one other guy whose username I forget who seemed on the order of a Falangist and never got much attention. I think it's really more an election thing.
posted by StrikeTheViol at 7:53 PM on September 14, 2008
posted by StrikeTheViol at 7:53 PM on September 14, 2008
Oh, I am not drunk yet. I am kind of astounded by how many posts there are on a thread about my dumb ass. Qu'est ce?
Miko - Sounds lovely, we had a lovely duck with a sauce I kicked up and some Moroccan rice.
posted by MapGuy at 7:55 PM on September 14, 2008
Miko - Sounds lovely, we had a lovely duck with a sauce I kicked up and some Moroccan rice.
posted by MapGuy at 7:55 PM on September 14, 2008
Oh, I am not drunk yet.
Shit, dude, you shouls've hung out here tonight. Me and my buddy polished of about 20 beers between us. Plus there was braciole.
posted by jonmc at 7:57 PM on September 14, 2008
Shit, dude, you shouls've hung out here tonight. Me and my buddy polished of about 20 beers between us. Plus there was braciole.
posted by jonmc at 7:57 PM on September 14, 2008
[Peter Griffin] voice "Oh my God, oh my gawd, you guys are totally not going to believe this, Jesus is my uncle!
posted by MapGuy at 7:57 PM on September 14, 2008
posted by MapGuy at 7:57 PM on September 14, 2008
Should we argue about something?
Who would win the election if it was Batman vs Obama?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 7:59 PM on September 14, 2008
Who would win the election if it was Batman vs Obama?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 7:59 PM on September 14, 2008
MapGuy may have come across aggressively and argumentatively. But, guys, so do a lot of you on the other side of the political spectrum.
There is a difference, though it has nothing to do with politics or faith. And for the record, I couldn't give less of a crap about anyone's status, either way.
For example in the second Palin FPP, MapGuy's ACORN reference is succinctly pointed out to be not the indictiment of Obama he presented it as - but, rather than engage, he shrugged and dismissed it with some lame 'they're all dirty' posturing and moved on to his next trick. It can be very frustrating to have a good faith conversation with a contrarian/devil's advocate-type at the best of times, but it's bloody infuriating when the other person uses a very aggressive and irresponsible style of argument, and then invalidates any refutation or counter argument by saying they don't care or it doesn't matter. It's also a recipe for trouble when a person presents only shallow and facile points of view, over, and over, and over, insisting on the validity of their point of view while ignoring that of others as depicted in the first Palin FPP's abortion rigmarole.
No one deserves to be abused for their points of view, but I have a hard time sympathizing when people seem to be more interested in bad faith arguments, baiting, and provocation.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 8:00 PM on September 14, 2008 [15 favorites]
There is a difference, though it has nothing to do with politics or faith. And for the record, I couldn't give less of a crap about anyone's status, either way.
For example in the second Palin FPP, MapGuy's ACORN reference is succinctly pointed out to be not the indictiment of Obama he presented it as - but, rather than engage, he shrugged and dismissed it with some lame 'they're all dirty' posturing and moved on to his next trick. It can be very frustrating to have a good faith conversation with a contrarian/devil's advocate-type at the best of times, but it's bloody infuriating when the other person uses a very aggressive and irresponsible style of argument, and then invalidates any refutation or counter argument by saying they don't care or it doesn't matter. It's also a recipe for trouble when a person presents only shallow and facile points of view, over, and over, and over, insisting on the validity of their point of view while ignoring that of others as depicted in the first Palin FPP's abortion rigmarole.
No one deserves to be abused for their points of view, but I have a hard time sympathizing when people seem to be more interested in bad faith arguments, baiting, and provocation.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 8:00 PM on September 14, 2008 [15 favorites]
No, you're supposed to use and trust the flag queue the same as always and if you think we missed something, you can email us.
the point is that you've got people who are being pretty nasty and the mods call out the target of the nastiness in the thread, not those who are instigating it
of course, you're not known for sticking up for those whose views you disagree with, anyway, jessamyn - you let your political beliefs affect your moderation, and you'd rather blame map guy then the people who are starting this shit
you're not fooling me
posted by pyramid termite at 8:00 PM on September 14, 2008
the point is that you've got people who are being pretty nasty and the mods call out the target of the nastiness in the thread, not those who are instigating it
of course, you're not known for sticking up for those whose views you disagree with, anyway, jessamyn - you let your political beliefs affect your moderation, and you'd rather blame map guy then the people who are starting this shit
you're not fooling me
posted by pyramid termite at 8:00 PM on September 14, 2008
Should we argue about something?
No, not really. If all you're after is a place to dump words, you do have a blog.
Do you have questions still about what jessamyn and I are getting at? Is there something that my email to you didn't address? I suggested you come here if you wanted to discuss what's up, and I even gave you a bit of advice about how that might work best for you in my email, though based on how you presented this you either you didn't read it before posting or you didn't like what I had to say.
konolia, here:
But being nasty and rude? It doesn't reflect well on the rude person. It doesn't reflect well on the site itself.
is spot on, as far as that goes, and it goes both ways—we've removed some comments from MapGuy and from other people in that thread to try and mitigate some off the snipey back-and-forth bullshit that's characterized a fair amount of that early thread.
Over-reactions by some users to unpopular positions can be a problem on the site, and it sucks. As far as that goes, I can understand any frustration on MapGuy's part and I wish it wasn't as much of an issue on the site. That we're in the third act of an increasingly heated election cycle in the US is amplifying a lot of this stuff, too, and that certainly doesn't help.
But the over-reactions go both ways as well, and holding an unpopular position is not an excuse for crappy behavior. There is no blamelessness here for either side of the fighty dynamic that we've been seeing. "He started it" doesn't fly, and neither does "help, help, I'm being oppressed". Folks on this site can and do manage to have civil disagreements about even charged subject matter, and when that happens mefi shines, but when folks drop the ball it gets ugly and gets ugly fast. We need people to actually make an effort on this stuff—even if they feel like someone is trolling, or even if they feel like they're being ganged up on.
posted by cortex (staff) at 8:03 PM on September 14, 2008
No, not really. If all you're after is a place to dump words, you do have a blog.
Do you have questions still about what jessamyn and I are getting at? Is there something that my email to you didn't address? I suggested you come here if you wanted to discuss what's up, and I even gave you a bit of advice about how that might work best for you in my email, though based on how you presented this you either you didn't read it before posting or you didn't like what I had to say.
konolia, here:
But being nasty and rude? It doesn't reflect well on the rude person. It doesn't reflect well on the site itself.
is spot on, as far as that goes, and it goes both ways—we've removed some comments from MapGuy and from other people in that thread to try and mitigate some off the snipey back-and-forth bullshit that's characterized a fair amount of that early thread.
Over-reactions by some users to unpopular positions can be a problem on the site, and it sucks. As far as that goes, I can understand any frustration on MapGuy's part and I wish it wasn't as much of an issue on the site. That we're in the third act of an increasingly heated election cycle in the US is amplifying a lot of this stuff, too, and that certainly doesn't help.
But the over-reactions go both ways as well, and holding an unpopular position is not an excuse for crappy behavior. There is no blamelessness here for either side of the fighty dynamic that we've been seeing. "He started it" doesn't fly, and neither does "help, help, I'm being oppressed". Folks on this site can and do manage to have civil disagreements about even charged subject matter, and when that happens mefi shines, but when folks drop the ball it gets ugly and gets ugly fast. We need people to actually make an effort on this stuff—even if they feel like someone is trolling, or even if they feel like they're being ganged up on.
posted by cortex (staff) at 8:03 PM on September 14, 2008
Alvy Ampersand - It was the lack of point counter point that I think go me to the point of calling someone a twit. I guess this is the part where I should say I could have been the better man. But clearly I am not, so why pretend? (yeah that's the vodka)
posted by MapGuy at 8:05 PM on September 14, 2008
posted by MapGuy at 8:05 PM on September 14, 2008
someone suggested I fuck off over here and leave the Obama rally alone.
Not at all; cortex suggested that if you wanted to have heated, personal conversation directed at specific users, you should do that over here, rather than dominate the thread and re-organize the discussion around yourself. If you have no points to make, we can keep talking about dinner 'n' stuff, and that way you can still draw attention to yourself. I am sure if you engage in honest, good-faith conversation with the users in the thread itself, your comments will be welcome.
posted by Miko at 8:05 PM on September 14, 2008
Not at all; cortex suggested that if you wanted to have heated, personal conversation directed at specific users, you should do that over here, rather than dominate the thread and re-organize the discussion around yourself. If you have no points to make, we can keep talking about dinner 'n' stuff, and that way you can still draw attention to yourself. I am sure if you engage in honest, good-faith conversation with the users in the thread itself, your comments will be welcome.
posted by Miko at 8:05 PM on September 14, 2008
of course, you're not known for sticking up for those whose views you disagree with, anyway, jessamyn - you let your political beliefs affect your moderation, and you'd rather blame map guy then the people who are starting this shit
What in the fuck.
posted by cortex (staff) at 8:05 PM on September 14, 2008 [13 favorites]
What in the fuck.
posted by cortex (staff) at 8:05 PM on September 14, 2008 [13 favorites]
the lack of point counter point
A real discussion is about more than that, though.
posted by Miko at 8:07 PM on September 14, 2008 [1 favorite]
A real discussion is about more than that, though.
posted by Miko at 8:07 PM on September 14, 2008 [1 favorite]
What in the fuck.
well, you can either think about it or give a glib meaningless response - seeing as you've chosen the latter, i'll just drop it
posted by pyramid termite at 8:08 PM on September 14, 2008
well, you can either think about it or give a glib meaningless response - seeing as you've chosen the latter, i'll just drop it
posted by pyramid termite at 8:08 PM on September 14, 2008
I totally haven't checked my email since being enthralled by all of this attention. This may sound pathetic, but I was more pissed at my own perception that Metafilter had digressed into some sort of Reddit crap fest and perhaps my comments reflected that. I didn’t realize that there were people behind it who were actually paying attention to the dialogue.
posted by MapGuy at 8:11 PM on September 14, 2008
posted by MapGuy at 8:11 PM on September 14, 2008
Honestly pyramid termite, your comment seems just as glib and meaningless - well, not meaningless, but rather really, really jerky and wrongheaded - in light of jessamyn's comment in this very goddamned MeTa.
You need to back that kind of shit up.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 8:12 PM on September 14, 2008 [2 favorites]
You need to back that kind of shit up.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 8:12 PM on September 14, 2008 [2 favorites]
Someone's going to have to start a Meta-MeTa to keep up with the craziness on this thread. I recommend a delicate lilac color.
posted by Sidhedevil at 8:13 PM on September 14, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by Sidhedevil at 8:13 PM on September 14, 2008 [1 favorite]
we can keep talking about dinner 'n' stuff, and that way you can still draw attention to yourself. ouch. Is that what I am a needy little attention whore?
posted by MapGuy at 8:15 PM on September 14, 2008
posted by MapGuy at 8:15 PM on September 14, 2008
MapGuy: Please cut out the flip remarks and somehow acknowledge jessamyn's reasonable requests of you. Why? Well, the site deserves the respect.
posted by cowbellemoo at 8:16 PM on September 14, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by cowbellemoo at 8:16 PM on September 14, 2008 [1 favorite]
Is that what I am a needy little attention whore?
So it would appear.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 8:16 PM on September 14, 2008 [1 favorite]
So it would appear.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 8:16 PM on September 14, 2008 [1 favorite]
Should we argue about something?
No, sorry, this is abuse.
(And also Palin Related...)
posted by Eekacat at 8:18 PM on September 14, 2008 [1 favorite]
No, sorry, this is abuse.
(And also Palin Related...)
posted by Eekacat at 8:18 PM on September 14, 2008 [1 favorite]
iconomy - well I don't know exactly why I am here cotex suggested I bring my brand of bullshit here as I was pissing in the che pool over at the Obama rally. So do I have some kind of problem or should we start shouting "Fight, Fight Fight" at these other dudes?
posted by MapGuy at 8:19 PM on September 14, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by MapGuy at 8:19 PM on September 14, 2008 [1 favorite]
Do I have to pick only one?
posted by iconomy at 8:21 PM on September 14, 2008 [2 favorites]
posted by iconomy at 8:21 PM on September 14, 2008 [2 favorites]
What are the requests? Of course the site deserves respect. I was not aware that I was the prick. (can I say prick over here?)
posted by MapGuy at 8:23 PM on September 14, 2008
posted by MapGuy at 8:23 PM on September 14, 2008
Do I have to pick only one?
Dude we are all friend here go.
posted by MapGuy at 8:24 PM on September 14, 2008
Dude we are all friend here go.
posted by MapGuy at 8:24 PM on September 14, 2008
Sure you can say prick. You can say perforate, puncture and stab too. We're cool with it.
posted by iconomy at 8:26 PM on September 14, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by iconomy at 8:26 PM on September 14, 2008 [1 favorite]
There's your problem, thinking Che was a liberal...
Actually, if half the moderators here have suggestions for your behavior, and the moderators are actually quite even-handed here, moreso than any other collective I've participated in, then yeah, you might want to look in the mirror a bit, or maybe lay off the vodka seltzers when you post. Seriously. Alcohol might make you bullet-proof and better looking, but it doesn't make you smarter.
posted by Eekacat at 8:29 PM on September 14, 2008
Actually, if half the moderators here have suggestions for your behavior, and the moderators are actually quite even-handed here, moreso than any other collective I've participated in, then yeah, you might want to look in the mirror a bit, or maybe lay off the vodka seltzers when you post. Seriously. Alcohol might make you bullet-proof and better looking, but it doesn't make you smarter.
posted by Eekacat at 8:29 PM on September 14, 2008
No, I don't drink and post. Only that one time with the egg/cellphone thing and I'll be dammed if it doesn’t keep popping up. I just read cortex’s email and wow what are you guys like Jedi?
Go ahead tear me down if you have wasted this much time let's get something out of this.
posted by MapGuy at 8:36 PM on September 14, 2008
Go ahead tear me down if you have wasted this much time let's get something out of this.
posted by MapGuy at 8:36 PM on September 14, 2008
Dude based on that last comment you are drunk, and I should know cause I've had half a fifth of Jack.
posted by nola at 8:40 PM on September 14, 2008
posted by nola at 8:40 PM on September 14, 2008
let's get something out of this.
FLAME!
OUT!
and jeez, it's about time... but, MapGuy, this is where you're supposed to start, you know, taking it to the next level. You need to cut out the flip comments about being an attention whore (we know that already) and get into juicier stuff, real "I am being victimized" comments. Your account disabling is only a dizzying 30 or 40 comments away, if you do this right! We're counting on ya!
And on preview, hey nola, don't bogart that Jack, my friend, pass it over to me.
Although I'd prefer single malt, if you got any.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 8:43 PM on September 14, 2008
FLAME!
OUT!
and jeez, it's about time... but, MapGuy, this is where you're supposed to start, you know, taking it to the next level. You need to cut out the flip comments about being an attention whore (we know that already) and get into juicier stuff, real "I am being victimized" comments. Your account disabling is only a dizzying 30 or 40 comments away, if you do this right! We're counting on ya!
And on preview, hey nola, don't bogart that Jack, my friend, pass it over to me.
Although I'd prefer single malt, if you got any.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 8:43 PM on September 14, 2008
Could someone close this thread so we can end this fucking assholes soap box?
posted by puke & cry at 8:47 PM on September 14, 2008
posted by puke & cry at 8:47 PM on September 14, 2008
I don't drink scotch, tastes like shoe polish to me. But I do have a mini bottle of glenlivet down stairs that someone left here the other night, you're welcome to it.
posted by nola at 8:48 PM on September 14, 2008
posted by nola at 8:48 PM on September 14, 2008
Go ahead tear me down
That tie does NOT go with those shoes. Geez man.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:49 PM on September 14, 2008
That tie does NOT go with those shoes. Geez man.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:49 PM on September 14, 2008
I fail to see how I am a victim. So I suppose that is a joke, whatever. If this was an interview for something altruistic, I am fairly sure I have fucked that up. Besides being a patsy in the blue is there anything I can do to help you? That is, if your not in the mood to take shots at me?
posted by MapGuy at 8:49 PM on September 14, 2008
PC are you calling me a fucking asshole? Are you trying to wind me up? Hang on, I need to pee again.
posted by MapGuy at 8:51 PM on September 14, 2008
posted by MapGuy at 8:51 PM on September 14, 2008
Save that Glenlivit for me, nola. Okay?
posted by flapjax at midnite at 8:51 PM on September 14, 2008
posted by flapjax at midnite at 8:51 PM on September 14, 2008
I'll let you hang yourself on this one.
posted by puke & cry at 8:55 PM on September 14, 2008
posted by puke & cry at 8:55 PM on September 14, 2008
I just wanna see a little anagnorisis. The jokey and dismissive comments, not so much.
I already see enough posturing in my victorian shilouette collection. oh snap
posted by cowbellemoo at 9:01 PM on September 14, 2008 [2 favorites]
I already see enough posturing in my victorian shilouette collection. oh snap
posted by cowbellemoo at 9:01 PM on September 14, 2008 [2 favorites]
I repeat myself when under stress, I repeat myself when under stress, I repeat myself when under stress, I repeat myself when under stress, I repeat myself when under stress, I repeat myself when under stress, I repeat...
(Thank you King Crimson)
posted by Eekacat at 9:04 PM on September 14, 2008
(Thank you King Crimson)
posted by Eekacat at 9:04 PM on September 14, 2008
Never credit malice for stupidity's deeds.
posted by Astro Zombie at 9:15 PM on September 14, 2008
posted by Astro Zombie at 9:15 PM on September 14, 2008
cortex What in the fuck.
"You've won this time Captain Jessamyn, but you haven't seen the last of me!"
posted by mlis at 9:16 PM on September 14, 2008
"You've won this time Captain Jessamyn, but you haven't seen the last of me!"
posted by mlis at 9:16 PM on September 14, 2008
6.022x10 23rd
posted by MapGuy at 9:17 PM on September 14, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by MapGuy at 9:17 PM on September 14, 2008 [1 favorite]
I was playing Mario Kart today, and I kept on saying "goddamn penguins" (it's one of those icy race tracks where the penguins bump into you). My son thought that was funny.
posted by KokuRyu at 9:21 PM on September 14, 2008
posted by KokuRyu at 9:21 PM on September 14, 2008
Is there any point to this continued autofapping? The guy doesn't understand why he was asked here, doesn't understand why people are discussing him in the thread, and doesn't care to contribute except to toss out increasingly nonsensical comments. What sort of evidence do you need that someone is not interested in being a member of a community?
This isn't about politics. This is about monomania. All mapguy knows is the other thread didn't get to be about him, so he had to go and start another one, and then disrupt it. It's just bad behavior.
posted by Astro Zombie at 9:24 PM on September 14, 2008 [15 favorites]
This isn't about politics. This is about monomania. All mapguy knows is the other thread didn't get to be about him, so he had to go and start another one, and then disrupt it. It's just bad behavior.
posted by Astro Zombie at 9:24 PM on September 14, 2008 [15 favorites]
AZ speaks the truth.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 9:25 PM on September 14, 2008
posted by flapjax at midnite at 9:25 PM on September 14, 2008
Please cut this drunken douchebag off until he dries out. Close the thread. I know you've been directly challenged and are likely therefore reluctant to drop the hammer, but those of us with sense already understand.
posted by middleclasstool at 9:29 PM on September 14, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by middleclasstool at 9:29 PM on September 14, 2008 [1 favorite]
I do think we're pretty much done here, yeah. MapGuy, drop me a line if you need to, but this doesn't seem to be going anywhere. Cool it with the acting out on the site.
posted by cortex (staff) at 9:31 PM on September 14, 2008
posted by cortex (staff) at 9:31 PM on September 14, 2008
This thread is closed to new comments.
2. Repeat as needed.
I think we can close this up now.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 6:49 PM on September 14, 2008 [4 favorites]