MaxFunCon Scholarships February 7, 2010 7:50 AM   Subscribe

"Thanks to Matt Haughey of Metafilter.com, we are thrilled to be able to offer two full scholarships to MaxFunCon 2010! Scholarships will be awarded to one lady and one gentleman who apply. Each scholarship will cover the full cost of attendance, which includes accommodations, food, beverages, and all MaxFunCon activities at Lake Arrowhead." posted by ColdChef to MetaFilter-Related at 7:50 AM (120 comments total)

From the link:
In order to apply for a scholarship, you must meet all of the following criteria:

1. You have significant financial need. Specifically, it would be difficult or impossible for you to attend MaxFunCon 2010 if you did not receive a scholarship.
2. You are able to arrange your own transportation to and from Lake Arrowhead to attend MaxFunCon 2010.
3. You will be able to participate in the entire weekend-long conference. MaxFunCon begins –
4. 4 PM on Friday, May 7th and ends at 1 PM on Sunday, May 9th.

If you are interested in applying for a scholarship, send a short essay explaining why you want to go to MaxFunCon and why you need the scholarship. Essay instructions are as follows:

1. Email your essay to maxfuncon@gmail.com.
2. In the subject line of your email, please write “Application” and indicate either “(Ladies)” or “(Gentlemen)” so we know which pool to place you in.
3. The essay should be included both as an attachment to your email in Microsoft Word format, and in the body of the email.
4. The essay must be no longer than 300 words. Essays longer than 300 words will not be read or considered.
5. Please include your phone number in the body of the email so that we can call you if needed.
Applications will be reviewed by a scholarship selection committee made up of 3-5 friends of TSOYA, Metafilter and MaximumFun.org. Members of the committee will each read all essay submissions and then work together to select one gentleman applicant and one lady applicant to receive this year’s scholarships. In making its selections, the committee will look for the following in the essays:
1. Applicant has significant financial need.
2. Applicant has outstanding desire to participate in MaxFunCon 2010.
Creativity is always appreciated, but please make sure your essay conforms to all the requirements outlined above in order to be considered.

With respect to financial need, in the initial application stage we are not requiring any supporting documentation (like bank statements or tax returns). Even so, you should be able to provide evidence to support any assertions you make in your essay about your financial circumstances. We may need to request supporting documentation once we start narrowing down the applications.

The deadline for scholarship applications is Friday, Feb. 26th.

We hope to select and notify the two recipients no later than Monday, March 8th.
posted by ColdChef at 7:53 AM on February 7, 2010


My essay:

MaxFunCon needs me more than I need MaxFunCon.
posted by mr_crash_davis mark II: Jazz Odyssey at 7:55 AM on February 7, 2010 [5 favorites]


A major attraction of MaxFunCon: You get to meet ColdChef.

A minor annoyance of MaxFunCon: You get to meet me.
posted by The Deej at 8:05 AM on February 7, 2010 [1 favorite]

1. You have significant financial need.
2. You are able to arrange your own transportation to and from Lake Arrowhead to attend MaxFunCon 2010.
Huh? How would they pay for transportation there then?
posted by yeoz at 8:06 AM on February 7, 2010 [3 favorites]


I just checked the price of a attendance - maybe I *do* have serve financial need. Yikes.
posted by The Whelk at 8:06 AM on February 7, 2010 [1 favorite]


Also, Mucho Kudos to Matt for this wonderful opportunity for a lovely gentleman or lady.
posted by The Whelk at 8:07 AM on February 7, 2010


MY MaxFunCon Essay

By Me (Age 25)

Dear MaxFunCon:

i am a bomb.
posted by The Whelk at 8:09 AM on February 7, 2010


I just checked the price of a attendance - maybe I *do* have serve financial need. Yikes.

Yikes indeed.

Also, "a gathering of creative people who wish to be more awesome" sounds both twee and painful, though there should be some spectacular ego collisions.
posted by Forktine at 8:16 AM on February 7, 2010


Way to play into the gender binaries, guys!

I keed, I keed. But it does seem silly to make someone with significant financial need pay for airfare.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 8:19 AM on February 7, 2010


I'm still seriously confused about what this about.
posted by geoff. at 8:19 AM on February 7, 2010


It's a "scholarship" for someone to attend MzxFunCon (which seems like it's gonna be ..maximum ...fun) cause the whole event (meals, accommodation, etc) is pricey. So it's a way for a super awesome gentleman or lady to attend who may not have been able to attend otherwise.
posted by The Whelk at 8:24 AM on February 7, 2010


Huh? How would they pay for transportation there then?

If you live in the general area (L.A.), and have a car, the transportation costs would be pretty minor.
posted by smackfu at 8:30 AM on February 7, 2010


I understand the scholarship part, but I'm unclear as to what exactly happens at MaxFunCon. The web site indicates that there will be Internet people there, but I'm sort of confused as to what the conference is about. Is it business-y? Can I deduct it as a business expense?
posted by geoff. at 8:37 AM on February 7, 2010


I imagine the only limit is yourself.
posted by The Whelk at 8:38 AM on February 7, 2010 [2 favorites]


Also, "a gathering of creative people who wish to be more awesome" sounds both twee and painful, though there should be some spectacular ego collisions.

You could not be more wrong. It's a weekend of comedy geekery, podcasting, and...well, arts and crafty camp fun. Put it this way: smores are enjoyed un-ironically. And if you can't get behind that, then I'm sorry for you, my friend.
posted by ColdChef at 8:57 AM on February 7, 2010


You can deduct it as a business expense because your employer doesn't know what it is either. I've been to a few of these sorts of things on the East Coast and my understanding is it's sort of like a conference except without all the conference-y stuff and more "networking" stuff except if networking wasn't a dirty word and no one was trying to stuff a business card into your hand and elevator pitch you. I'm going because... well I have no idea why I'm going. I think I just miss mathowie and cortex after they were both here last year.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 8:58 AM on February 7, 2010


. I'm going because... well I have no idea why I'm going.

A journey .....into the night and into ...meaning.
posted by The Whelk at 8:58 AM on February 7, 2010


I'm going because... well I have no idea why I'm going. I think I just miss mathowie and cortex after they were both here last year.

Whoa, I'll finally get to meet jessamyn?! It will be even more awesome than last year!

As ColdChef said, this really is a fun, great, awesome time. It's not for anyone who takes themselves too seriously, and the focus is about 90% on comedy. No ego-collisions, and even though I guess it could be considered a business deduction (see your tax attorney) there is nothing remotely business-y about it.

My daughter and I went to the First Annual MaxFunCon last year, and despite our significant age gap, we both agreed it was the most fun weekend of our lives. I've been counting down the days until MaxFunCon2!

Also, hosted by Jesse Thorn, MeFi's own Young American.

I would say that if you read all the info about it, and still don't get it, then don't worry, it's not for you.
posted by The Deej at 9:19 AM on February 7, 2010


Put it this way: smores are enjoyed un-ironically.

But is it possible even to observe that "smores are enjoyed un-ironically" without being deeply mired in irony?
posted by game warden to the events rhino at 9:22 AM on February 7, 2010 [4 favorites]


Yes.
posted by The Whelk at 9:25 AM on February 7, 2010


Ah, I like your reasoning.
posted by game warden to the events rhino at 9:27 AM on February 7, 2010


$710 dollars?! That's like the cost of a netbook, or 71 lapdances!
posted by orthogonality at 9:39 AM on February 7, 2010


"Oh, man, yeah, the way I've got marshmallow all over my fingers is just really awesome. I better go play with my iPhone right now."
posted by cortex (staff) at 9:39 AM on February 7, 2010


$$ typos on the site, specifically at http://www.maxfuncon.com/2009/10/register-for-maxfuncon.html?

If "Registration for MaxFunCon is $690 per person", then the following cannot be true: "The first $200 of your registration is non-refundable, but the rest ($390) is refundable if you cancel before April 1st"

If ColdChef's statement is true: "$100 discount for moms", then this is wrong: "moms receive a discount of $20, because Sunday May 9th is Mother's Day, and they deserve it. They're moms!"
posted by QuakerMel at 9:42 AM on February 7, 2010


It's so weird that they chose Lake Arrowhead for that (to me, anyway). I live about ten minutes from there. I will not be attending, but last year's looked like lots of fun, I imagine it only gets better!
posted by annathea at 9:50 AM on February 7, 2010


$710 dollars?! That's like the cost of a netbook, or 71 lapdances!

Oh, man. I gotta go to the clubs you go to!
posted by ColdChef at 9:58 AM on February 7, 2010 [1 favorite]


"Ok, you've passed a basketball through your vagina and spend every waking minute trying to make sure your child is alive and healthy, here's $20!"
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 9:58 AM on February 7, 2010 [2 favorites]


Oh, man. I gotta go to the clubs you go to!

I have never had such a thing*, but I am pretty sure a bargain lap dance is not something you want.

* A stripper sat on my lap once, but I don't think that counts as a lap dance. She was a more like a lap wallflower.
posted by pracowity at 10:23 AM on February 7, 2010


This would be cool because I'll most likely be unemployed then, but the no-airfare thing makes it impossible.
posted by desjardins at 10:46 AM on February 7, 2010


This is good. How nice for whomever wins!
posted by crush-onastick at 10:48 AM on February 7, 2010


a gathering of creative people who wish to be more awesome

Doesn't a scholarship involve scholarly pursuits, like book learning and arithmetic and so forth?
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 11:47 AM on February 7, 2010


"You can deduct it as a business expense because your employer doesn't know what it is either."

Goddammit Jess, that's brilliant. I'm required to take forty hours of training every year - what could be better training than training to be more awesome?

I'm putting in my travel request first thing Monday morning.
posted by mr_crash_davis mark II: Jazz Odyssey at 1:07 PM on February 7, 2010


Let me know if you need someone to write you an inscrutable memo about your accomplishments while you're there.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 1:16 PM on February 7, 2010 [2 favorites]


MaximumFunCon is a gathering of creative people who wish to be more awesome,

*sticks head in oven*
posted by jonmc at 1:21 PM on February 7, 2010 [5 favorites]


*sticks head in oven*

Mmmm, pie filling!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 2:09 PM on February 7, 2010


I can't go, but I'll write anyone an awesome essay for $100. I learned how on askme.
posted by cjorgensen at 2:21 PM on February 7, 2010 [1 favorite]


How is this supposed to be fun if there aren't any waterslides or roller coasters? For $700, I demand inner resources be included in the package.
posted by anniecat at 3:05 PM on February 7, 2010


I dream of one day having the resources that I can blow $700 on a weekend.
posted by Pope Guilty at 5:34 PM on February 7, 2010 [1 favorite]


During his time at 2010's Maximum Foundational Convention...

I believe it's Maximized Fundamentals Convention.

I dream of one day having the resources that I can blow $700 on a weekend.

Invest, not blow. Invest.
posted by The Deej at 5:51 PM on February 7, 2010 [2 favorites]


No no, invest in blow.
posted by The Whelk at 5:59 PM on February 7, 2010 [1 favorite]


I'm struggling with my desire to go and my desire to pass any of the gazillion tests that follow that weekend. Curse you medical school... you have won this round...
posted by honeybee413 at 6:16 PM on February 7, 2010


I imagine the only limit is yourself.

I can't wait for ZomboCom.
posted by Staggering Jack at 7:01 PM on February 7, 2010 [1 favorite]


*sticks head in oven*

It's so sad to see jonmc go, but at least there's one less cynical jerk talking mess about something he knows nothing about on MeFi, huh?
posted by YoungAmerican at 7:08 PM on February 7, 2010 [4 favorites]


And yeah, regarding travel costs: we can't pay people's travel costs. I'd rather pay for two people to come from nearby than for one person + travel. You could fly from San Francisco or most of the southwest for a hundred bucks, or drive from anywhere in Southern California for about fifty. I think there are plenty of people who can't afford the registration but can afford to get to Lake Arrowhead.

And about the cost, yeah, $690 is a lot of money, but it includes everything - the shows, the food, the rooms, the sessions, the stuff, all the refreshments (adult and otherwise), the s'mores. Basically this is an event with about 100-150 paid attendees and about 50 presenters and performers. It is an intimate thing, and we are covering everything. This isn't ComiCon, with 700 people lining up to see Adam West take questions for forty minutes then filing off to an overstuffed Quiznos half a mile away.

Also also: I had forgotten what the mom discount was and overstated it in that other post, but if that's the difference between you coming and not coming, email me and we'll work it out. I wish mother's day weekend wasn't the only weekend the resort was available to us this year, but I would love to celebrate mother's day with lots of moms.
posted by YoungAmerican at 7:16 PM on February 7, 2010


I wish I could go, agian, like I wish I could go to every damn meetup and pileup and hootenanny that I read about in my favorite places, but until they start distrubing free suborbital rocketships powered by kimchi and old-man-farts, I'll just have to stay here in Korea and pretend.

Damn you, Pacific ocean! DAMN YOU.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 7:35 PM on February 7, 2010


distrubing agian!
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 7:37 PM on February 7, 2010


It's so sad to see jonmc go, but at least there's one less cynical jerk talking mess about something he knows nothing about on MeFi, huh?

Wow.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 8:08 PM on February 7, 2010 [1 favorite]


It's so sad to see jonmc go, but at least there's one less cynical jerk talking mess about something he knows nothing about on MeFi, huh?

Hi! I think TSOYA is keen and I haven't been a member here as long as you have, but fucking whatever, dude.
posted by mintcake! at 8:14 PM on February 7, 2010 [1 favorite]


Hell, I love jonmc, and he knows it, but come on: 'cynical jerk' isn't all that far off the mark!

Of course, I'm a jerk too, just maybe a bit less cynical.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 8:17 PM on February 7, 2010


I'M GONNA HUG YOU ALL SO HARD
posted by The Whelk at 8:21 PM on February 7, 2010


*NNth!*
posted by The Whelk at 8:22 PM on February 7, 2010


"but I would love to celebrate mother's day with lots of moms."

This sounds a little skeevy, like someone's looking for MILF's or something.
posted by garlic at 8:40 PM on February 7, 2010


I'm under the impression that jonmc more or less agrees with the old adage about kitchens and heat and what to do if one is having trouble standing it, fwiw.
posted by cortex (staff) at 9:29 PM on February 7, 2010


It's so sad to see jonmc go, but at least there's one less cynical jerk talking mess about something he knows nothing about on MeFi, huh?

Were you trying to be funny? It kind of seems like you were trying to be funny. But I didn't laugh.
posted by ocherdraco at 9:43 PM on February 7, 2010


You know, I'm sure this thing would be fun and all. That's not really the question.

The *real* question is whether it would be fun enough to make you forget that you just dropped seven hundo on some kind of weird event that apparently doesn't involve fire, nudity, or drugs.
posted by Afroblanco at 10:40 PM on February 7, 2010 [2 favorites]


I'm under the impression that jonmc more or less agrees with the old adage about kitchens and heat and what to do if one is having trouble standing it, fwiw.

Specifically, jonmc's position is that he was in that kitchen first and and individuals currently in the kitchen are childish poser idiots.
posted by Pope Guilty at 10:44 PM on February 7, 2010


And if there is someone on this site that can stick up for himself it's jonmc. The rest of you are just a bunch of babies.
posted by cjorgensen at 4:36 AM on February 8, 2010


And yeah, regarding travel costs: we can't pay people's travel costs. I'd rather pay for two people to come from nearby than for one person + travel. You could fly from San Francisco or most of the southwest for a hundred bucks, or drive from anywhere in Southern California for about fifty. I think there are plenty of people who can't afford the registration but can afford to get to Lake Arrowhead.

There are plenty of people on Metafilter who live absolutely nowhere near the west coast and would love to go to this sort of thing--myself included. I mean, nice and generous of Matt to pitch the money in, but I still think it's really weird to offer a "scholarship" so limited in its applicant pool.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 5:30 AM on February 8, 2010 [2 favorites]


I've been to a few of these sorts of things on the East Coast...

Could you list a few of the better ones jessamyn? This infernal machine recalcitrantly refuses to divulge any more information on the subject...
posted by Mister_A at 5:48 AM on February 8, 2010


The rules kind of make it seem like "poorest person wins!" especially with the emphasis on financial statements that may need to be verified. I think you'd be better off just picking the best essay on the face of it.
posted by smackfu at 5:52 AM on February 8, 2010


Well technically I think ROLFCon counts, though it's more of a conference-type thing and less of a creativity-hangout thing. I've also been to BitNorth which is another small not-cheap hangout in the woods thing [with CANADIANS] that's not about work. There are also work-specific things like Library Camp which are part work and part hangout and pretty much no networking. There's a Pecha Kucha group in the Boston area that I never get it together to hang out with and until this year I was going to MIT for the Puzzle Hunt which is very goal-oriented, but is really just an excuse to hang out on campus for a weekend and eat snacks.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 6:00 AM on February 8, 2010


Thanks jessamyn! I would love to get my job to pay for me to hang out with some geeks in another town..
posted by Mister_A at 7:19 AM on February 8, 2010


There are plenty of people on Metafilter who live absolutely nowhere near the west coast and would love to go to this sort of thing--myself included. I mean, nice and generous of Matt to pitch the money in, but I still think it's really weird to offer a "scholarship" so limited in its applicant pool.

There are lots of people who can probably scrape together airfare, but not the full amount for airfare and the registration fee. And once you're there, you literally need zero cash in your pocket.

Additionally, there are numerous people driving in, even from quite a way away, and the MaxFun forum has a thread where people can arrange carpooling.

I agree, it's nice and generous of Matt to offer this scholarship. I disagree that there is any weirdness about it at all.
posted by The Deej at 7:27 AM on February 8, 2010 [1 favorite]


There are lots of people who can probably scrape together airfare, but not the full amount for airfare and the registration fee. And once you're there, you literally need zero cash in your pocket.

Would someone who's not local who's able to scrape together $300+ for a round trip ticket really have "significant financial need"?
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 7:31 AM on February 8, 2010


Would someone who's not local who's able to scrape together $300+ for a round trip ticket really have "significant financial need"?

I'll leave the hair-splitting to the generous donor.
posted by The Deej at 7:57 AM on February 8, 2010


Would someone who's not local who's able to scrape together $300+ for a round trip ticket really have "significant financial need"?

Should anyone who can muster up the cash to pay for part of college be required to pay for all of it? I'm not asking to be snarky, I'm just trying to find the point of comparison on a scholarship idea that makes this somehow such an odd idea. Especially since the cost of hosting an attendee is a fairly fixed (and thus pretty strictly budgetable) sum whereas the cost of paying someone's travel expenses is far less so.

Anyway, I have no real investment in the argument either way, but willingness to write an essay and scrape together some travel money somehow in case that essay wins so that you can attend something worth all that effort that you otherwise can't afford pretty much sounds like financial need + good candidate for scholarship.
posted by cortex (staff) at 8:00 AM on February 8, 2010


It's not the comparison to a scholarship that makes it an odd idea to me, but the emphasis on financial need in the criteria. This essentially limits the applicant pool geographically because airfare is a not insignificant cost if you live out of the area. It might seem like splitting hairs if you're already planning on going, or if you live right next door, but to peeps like me (and, I'm guessing, the few people who have chimed in similarly here), who wouldn't be able to enter due to airfare, it's a bummer, you know?
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 8:08 AM on February 8, 2010


I can dig that that's a bummer, but I also feel like "this thing you'd really like to go to will cost you three hundred bucks instead of a grand if you're willing to write an essay and get lucky" is neither a weird or ungenerous offer.

If you can't swing even the three hundred bucks despite being stoked about the idea, that's a legitimate bummer and I feel you there, but that's not really the fault of the guy making the event at least a little more financially accessible than it would be otherwise, you know?
posted by cortex (staff) at 8:12 AM on February 8, 2010


Yeah. I just wish I had a chance to meet Andrew WK :(
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 8:18 AM on February 8, 2010


I would encourage anyone to take the first step and send in an essay. You never know how the rest of it might work out. I can tell you from my nearly-old-man experience, that some of the best things happened in my life because I took the first step even when the way looked impossible. Don't quit before you've even started.
posted by The Deej at 9:05 AM on February 8, 2010 [2 favorites]


PhoBWanKenobi writes "Would someone who's not local who's able to scrape together $300+ for a round trip ticket really have 'significant financial need'?"

It's not like the organisers are demanding you fly to the event. If you are broke and especially if you are unemployed there are myriad ways of traveling long distance for much less than a round trip airfare. Whether that's craiglist; cashing in airmiles; hitch hiking; or ride sharing with another attendee to name just a few.

Heck the event is in May, someone completely broke but in good shape could walk there from a good portion of the United States.
posted by Mitheral at 9:39 AM on February 8, 2010


Overly harsh, man

Look, I work 60 hours a week on this stuff. If someone's going to publicly state, in a thread about me and Matt *giving away* tickets to this event that I have begged dozens of awesome and talented people I know to come and work at for free so people can enjoy it, that the fact that it's dedicated to being awesome makes them want to kill themselves, then I feel pretty comfortable making a joke about being fine with their decision.

I mean seriously, do you understand how that could be a mean thing to say? Not just to me, or Matt, but to the other hundred and fifty people who went to MaxFunCon last year and are going this year because they actually wanted to go somewhere that was about fun and not about being a jerk? Many of whom are MeFites (like I am)? I should include myself in this, but maybe one's kneejerk reaction should be to investigate rather than to say something super mean.

I know both from my own experience and from that of friends that people who are working really, really hard to make something great and get cut down by half-considered and really mean comments on MeFi really do get hurt by that. So, you know, remember that. And maybe I should have turned the other cheek, but dang, you can only take so much. Again: this is a thread about how me and Matt cooked up a plan to GIVE AWAY tickets to this thing. This thing which to me currently represents $30,000+ in credit card debt and many, many, many hours of hard work.

ANYWAY, if you want to get a feeling for what MaxFunCon is like, an attendee last year, Rebecca, made this website, with lots of photos and memories from folks who went. You can probably catch Deej and his daughter and ColdChef and Matt in some of them, among the many people having a f*cking blast.

"but I would love to celebrate mother's day with lots of moms."

This sounds a little skeevy, like someone's looking for MILF's or something.


Now this is fair :).

Sincerely: given that we are holding this thing on Mother's Day weekend, I want it to be as mom-friendly as possible, especially given the dude-centric quality of many similar events. We had a great mix of demographics last year, and I hope that the fact that it's mother's day will mean more moms celebrating their awesome special weekend, and not less.
posted by YoungAmerican at 10:21 AM on February 8, 2010 [3 favorites]


You can probably catch Deej and his daughter and ColdChef and Matt in some of them, among the many people having a f*cking blast.

WHOA! WHOA! WHOA!!!!! I specifically asked for that video to be destroyed! My parole officer will not like this one bit.

(Also: well-said Jesse.)
posted by The Deej at 10:28 AM on February 8, 2010


It's not the comparison to a scholarship that makes it an odd idea to me, but the emphasis on financial need in the criteria. This essentially limits the applicant pool geographically because airfare is a not insignificant cost if you live out of the area. It might seem like splitting hairs if you're already planning on going, or if you live right next door, but to peeps like me (and, I'm guessing, the few people who have chimed in similarly here), who wouldn't be able to enter due to airfare, it's a bummer, you know?

I totally understand. We just want the scholarship to go to someone who wouldn't otherwise be able to come. It isn't geographically limited, and our primary criterion will be the little essay. We just don't want it to go to someone who would just rather spend the money on Playstation games or whatever. We want it to go to someone who wouldn't otherwise get to go.

And yeah: just apply, we made the little essay super short so it wouldn't be too big of a burden.
posted by YoungAmerican at 10:31 AM on February 8, 2010


You can probably catch Deej and his daughter and ColdChef and Matt in some of them, among the many people having a f*cking blast.

Holy cow! That's me on the front fricking page! To the left of the campfire, you can see me and the lovely Sasshat! Thanks for pointing this out, Jesse, I'd somehow missed it. I look forward to another awesome MaxFunCon this summer.

And hey! If any of you MeFites can get your way to LA, I'm renting a car and I'm more than happy to provide a ride up into the hills for the conference. I won't even make you spring for gas, because I'm a nice fellow and I love you.
posted by ColdChef at 10:50 AM on February 8, 2010


shotgun!
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 10:52 AM on February 8, 2010 [2 favorites]


I know both from my own experience and from that of friends that people who are working really, really hard to make something great and get cut down by half-considered and really mean comments on MeFi really do get hurt by that. So, you know, remember that. And maybe I should have turned the other cheek, but dang, you can only take so much. (YoungAmerican)

That's totally fair. I think we all leapt up to defend jonmc because, well, we're used to him, so to us that comment was just jon being jon, and while he might be a curmudgeon, he's our curmudgeon.

For what it's worth, I really appreciate all the time you're putting into this (and your many other projects, including some of my favorite radio shows [yay!]), and I think we were just caught a little off guard by the collision of MeFi and Maximum Fun in ways that brought out the not-so-great from all sides.

So, in conclusion: hugs for everyone, hooray for Maximum Fun, and let's all of us get off jonmc's vast and all encompassing lawn.
posted by ocherdraco at 11:05 AM on February 8, 2010


Dear pizza
I lvoe you
You are my favorite food
Your friend
Todd
posted by Damn That Television at 11:47 AM on February 8, 2010


You know, I'm kind of embarrassed that this thread made me click on that ad on the front page that KEEPS COMING BACK even though I keep clicking "hide."
posted by Afroblanco at 12:09 PM on February 8, 2010


Is scholarship being used whimsically? Are there degrees or certifications being offered here?
posted by boo_radley at 12:16 PM on February 8, 2010


KEEPS COMING BACK

If ads bother you in an allcaps sort of way, I'd suggest learning to use Ad Block Plus which will ensure that you never see it again. If you think there's a technical problem [and I assure you, we're not fucking with you by ignoring your "I'd like to hide this, thanks" wishes] please drop us a note via the contact form.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 12:19 PM on February 8, 2010


M.A in Awesome.
posted by The Whelk at 12:19 PM on February 8, 2010


Dear pizza
I lvoe you


I watched The Money Pit the other night just to kind of try and recalibrate my memories of big-budget mid-80s comedies some I guess, and I was pleased to discover for the first time in my life the Peter Alsop song I Am A Pizza.
posted by cortex (staff) at 12:27 PM on February 8, 2010


The Whelk: "M.A in Awesome"

LISTEN I DIDN'T GO THROUGH EIGHT YEARS OF THEORETICAL MAXFUNCONOMY FOR YOU TO CALL ME MR. AWESOME: IT IS DR. AWESOME, THANK YOU.

*ahem*

let me tell you about my day of dealing with surly faculty.
posted by boo_radley at 12:28 PM on February 8, 2010


Shotgungun!
posted by tristeza at 12:31 PM on February 8, 2010


My application:

cornflakes cornflakes cornflakes cornflakes cornflakes cornflakes cornflakes cornflakes cornflakes cornflakes cornflakes cornflakes cornflakes cornflakes cornflakes cornflakes cornflakes cornflakes cornflakes cornflakes cornflakes cornflakes cornflakes cornflakes wheaties*


* to avoid plagarism charges
posted by lalochezia at 12:32 PM on February 8, 2010


I assure you, we're not fucking with you by ignoring your "I'd like to hide this, thanks" wishes

Huh. Maybe it's something on my end. I'm guessing this is cookie-based, and not stored w/ the regular set of site preferances?
posted by Afroblanco at 12:32 PM on February 8, 2010


Jesus. I'm sure this little thingabob is the bee's knees, really, it was the cornyass 'be even more awesome' Pollyanna verbiage that made me do the swandive into Westinghouse.
posted by jonmc at 12:34 PM on February 8, 2010 [1 favorite]


"Pollyanna" was awesome. When all the townspeople come over to her house to cheer her up? Christ, I'm getting weepy just thinking about it.
posted by ColdChef at 12:39 PM on February 8, 2010 [1 favorite]


those awesome tinted glasses too.
posted by The Whelk at 12:39 PM on February 8, 2010


Whew.

Thank goodness jonmc is ok. He must have left the windows open.
posted by The Deej at 1:04 PM on February 8, 2010


LISTEN I DIDN'T GO THROUGH EIGHT YEARS OF THEORETICAL MAXFUNCONOMY FOR YOU TO CALL ME MR. AWESOME: IT IS DR. AWESOME, THANK YOU.

Eight years? I hope you got a scholarship, a stipend or at least some student loans!
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 1:05 PM on February 8, 2010


Jesus. I'm sure this little thingabob is the bee's knees, really, it was the cornyass 'be even more awesome' Pollyanna verbiage that made me do the swandive into Westinghouse.

I am just *shocked* this doesn't appeal to you:

"Then, of course, a s'mores party, and off to bed in your 'condolet.'"
posted by smackfu at 1:10 PM on February 8, 2010


Also: the thing is called the "Maximum Fun Convention" sponsored by MaximumFun.org, hosted by Jesse Thorn, host of The Sound of Young America, a "radio show about things that are awesome." Jesse calls himself "America's Radio Sweetheart" and he's joined by "Jordan Morris, Boy Detective" for Jordan Jesse Go!

And the use of the word "awesome" sent you over the edge?
posted by The Deej at 1:12 PM on February 8, 2010


Jesus, people. All this drama about something that's supposed to be Max Fun? What the hell?
posted by mr_crash_davis mark II: Jazz Odyssey at 1:15 PM on February 8, 2010


Blazecock Pileon: "LISTEN I DIDN'T GO THROUGH EIGHT YEARS OF THEORETICAL MAXFUNCONOMY FOR YOU TO CALL ME MR. AWESOME: IT IS DR. AWESOME, THANK YOU.

Eight years? I hope you got a scholarship, a stipend or at least some student loans
"

It's a secondary doctorate. The first four years are a Ph.D. in practical maxfunconomy (D.S.).
posted by boo_radley at 1:19 PM on February 8, 2010 [1 favorite]


And just to explicitly state where I am on the scale, I am promaxfuncon.
posted by boo_radley at 1:22 PM on February 8, 2010


Please come to my event: MaxDramaCon!
posted by The Deej at 1:26 PM on February 8, 2010


MaxDramaCon: No! You're wrong!
posted by The Whelk at 1:27 PM on February 8, 2010


You would be shocked at how fast something can go from MaxFun to MaxDrama when things don't go right.
posted by smackfu at 1:37 PM on February 8, 2010


MaxDramaCon: Where you can learn to be even more of a doodyhead.
posted by The Deej at 1:40 PM on February 8, 2010


MaxFactorCon: Where you too can learn how to put lipstick on a pig.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 1:44 PM on February 8, 2010


MaxDramaCon: Hurling Things Workshop, when and how to chuck, throw, or toss an object for dramatic effect.
posted by The Whelk at 1:45 PM on February 8, 2010


MaxPayneCon: Welcome to track 1, Explosions and WATCH OUT
posted by Potomac Avenue at 2:14 PM on February 8, 2010


MaxHeadroomCon: L-L-Learn to love those blip-blip-blip-blipverts!
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 2:26 PM on February 8, 2010 [2 favorites]


MaxKlingerCon: Learn what dresses flatter a hairy Lebanese.
posted by jonmc at 2:28 PM on February 8, 2010


MaxMinCon: We offer a wide range of courses to choose from.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 2:30 PM on February 8, 2010


MaxPowerCon: Obtain the ultimate power and make them all pay!
posted by The Whelk at 2:31 PM on February 8, 2010


MaxHeatCon: The how and why of dryers, radiators.
posted by The Whelk at 2:32 PM on February 8, 2010


Fun Max Jump-In: Where families have Fun to the Max.
posted by smackfu at 2:38 PM on February 8, 2010


MaxMumCon: British Moms get the full $100 off!
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 2:40 PM on February 8, 2010


MaxMumbleCon: Hmmm mmmugh gghmmmfgh mmmnh gh
posted by The Whelk at 2:43 PM on February 8, 2010 [2 favorites]


MaxMSPCon: Bleep bloop bleep bloop ding!
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 2:46 PM on February 8, 2010


MaxOverdriveCon: Tuesday Panel- Fleshcreatures Must Die, A New Initiative. Hosted by Your Phone.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 3:04 PM on February 8, 2010


MaxMaxCon: Get Smart fans rejoice!
posted by InfidelZombie at 3:36 PM on February 8, 2010


MaxMadCon: Just walk away. Just walk away and there will be an end to the horror.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 4:48 PM on February 8, 2010


Well alright, if it'll end horror.
posted by The Whelk at 5:02 PM on February 8, 2010 [2 favorites]


go deep multi-reference or don't go at all
posted by The Whelk at 5:02 PM on February 8, 2010 [3 favorites]


MAXMAXICON: For the lover of the enlarged in all it's forms.
posted by The Whelk at 12:58 AM on February 9, 2010


MAXIPADCON - for users of Apple's latest product (what were YOU thinking?)
posted by desjardins at 6:22 AM on February 9, 2010


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