Civil discourse that's actually civil February 4, 2010 5:00 PM   Subscribe

I nominate the Colorado Springs thread for a sidebar callout.

The FPP is substantive, as is the very long thread. Almost every word is worth reading. The comments are respectful, cogent and sincerely argued; even the lengthy derail circles back to the main post very gracefully. It was a great way to spend an evening. Well done, y'all. Moar plz.
posted by GrammarMoses to MetaFilter-Related at 5:00 PM (27 comments total)

Well I just gave it its twelfth favorite so its on the sidebar of the 2 MeFites who've added chrch as a contact, at least.

/doin' my part.
posted by Effigy2000 at 6:34 PM on February 4, 2010


I'm not totally sure that a thread that you have to read so much of in order to appreciate, and includes a few comments that some might find insulting, is sidebar worthy. But yes, I liked this thread also.
posted by The Devil Tesla at 7:28 PM on February 4, 2010


GrammarMoses: “Almost every word is worth reading.”

I am certain that you are correct. However, can I have some highlights, pretty please?
posted by koeselitz at 7:54 PM on February 4, 2010


"Almost" covers a lot of ground, friend.
posted by turgid dahlia at 8:11 PM on February 4, 2010


Koeselitz, the discussion gets stronger as the thread goes on. Some things I particularly liked: Mister_A's comment here; Legomancer's Sim City reminiscences; FuManchu's data sharing; Baby_Balrog's appreciation of the humble streetlight and the fiery debate between shmegegge and pla that starts here; it gets a little GRAR around the edges but everybody keeps the conversation on the right side of the line, and people actually talk nuts and bolts.

And yes, turgid dahlia, I am perhaps too forgiving. I blame the Malbec.
posted by GrammarMoses at 8:46 PM on February 4, 2010


Also I have been reading nothing but snark sites for the longest time. My own fault, really.
posted by GrammarMoses at 8:48 PM on February 4, 2010


Huh? This is basically a good plastic.com thread from 2003.
posted by Monday, stony Monday at 9:07 PM on February 4, 2010 [1 favorite]


Yes, but it's ok to like!
posted by boo_radley at 9:52 PM on February 4, 2010 [2 favorites]


It's pretty soft-pedaled OutrageFilter served with a healthy helping of jerky knees.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 10:21 PM on February 4, 2010


Also, if someone wants to gaze rapturously upon the wonder that is the cosmos in all it's awesome and terrible glory, move to the effing country.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 10:24 PM on February 4, 2010


Okay, now that I've read the thing, I nominate that Colorado Springs thread for a Metatalk callout. Of the 'severe derail concerning a superficial, politicized discussion of education + semi-GRAR fightiness' variety.
posted by koeselitz at 11:23 PM on February 4, 2010


Almost every word is worth reading.

The other ones are being turned off to save some money.
posted by armage at 11:43 PM on February 4, 2010


Also, if someone wants to gaze rapturously upon the wonder that is the cosmos in all it's awesome and terrible glory, move to the effing country.

Well that's about 1/100th of the reason why I don't like streetlights, and I may someday move to the country, but I'm pretty sure the two local observatories aren't.

Sometimes when I see energy being wasted it reminds me of pictures of dead civilians in Iraq, and men in orange kneeling in cages. I know that's kind of hyperbolic, and I don't generally get too worked up about it. It's the nature of the beast that wanting a government that supports libraries, education, public transit, etc... means I'll get some things I don't want that other people do. Also, the traffic safety study is definitely making me rethink things.
posted by BrotherCaine at 12:59 AM on February 5, 2010


Also, if someone wants to gaze rapturously upon the wonder that is the cosmos in all it's awesome and terrible glory, move to the effing country.

The objections to streetlights were seldom mentioned in terms of wishing to see the stars in that thread. The objections are more pragmatic, like the tremendous waste of energy that poorly focused street lights represent. That, and the whack-a-mole approach that street light proliferation becomes.

That's like opposing a city cleanup initiative with, "if you want to experience clean living, move to the effing country." It's kind of offensive, really, to people who love city living and want it at its best.
posted by explosion at 4:25 AM on February 5, 2010


Now we know what it takes for a fiscal conservative to love public transit: to scream malfeasance when its funding is cut.
posted by fleacircus at 4:44 AM on February 5, 2010


ProTip: The "fantastic post" and "fantastic comment" flags essentially function as sidebar nominations.
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 6:05 AM on February 5, 2010


I nominate the Colorado Springs thread for a sidebar callout.

As do I. It's a fine example of thinking that a passing grade in Econ 101 means that you know how to run a country.
posted by octobersurprise at 6:30 AM on February 5, 2010 [1 favorite]


Also, if someone wants to gaze rapturously upon the wonder that is the cosmos in all it's awesome and terrible glory, move to the effing country.


That's why I come here.
posted by Babblesort at 7:40 AM on February 5, 2010


effing

Say it with me: FUCK. FUCK. FUCK.

See, nobody died, nobody got leprosy, we didn't lose the war.
posted by jonmc at 7:58 AM on February 5, 2010


Oh, I didn't avoid fuck because of some self-bowdlerizing prudery or something like that, sometimes I just prefer to go with effing or frigging.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 8:29 AM on February 5, 2010


Everyone needs a hug frigging.
posted by Babblesort at 8:38 AM on February 5, 2010


jonmc, we did lose the war.
posted by craven_morhead at 8:40 AM on February 5, 2010


Say it with me: FUCK. FUCK. FUCK.
posted by jonmc at 7:58 AM on February 5

I'm just trying to make a point, Frank. You don't have to celebrate it.
posted by Optimus Chyme at 10:12 AM on February 5, 2010 [1 favorite]


See, what's interesting is that now, 'effing' is probably more offensive than 'fucking,' simply because it's such an apparently pointless form of self-censorship. So it's somehow more effective.
posted by koeselitz at 10:32 AM on February 5, 2010


Gentlemen: How do we bowdlerize "effing"? That is the question before us.
posted by boo_radley at 10:58 AM on February 5, 2010 [2 favorites]


effete-ing
posted by Babblesort at 11:14 AM on February 5, 2010


My beloved grandmother used to say 'kin hell'. When pulled up on it she would say that no one knew what she was really saying.
posted by tellurian at 12:55 PM on February 5, 2010 [1 favorite]


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