April Last! April 29, 2012 11:30 PM Subscribe
Just wanted to mention that the semi-official thread of this year's MetaFilter April Fool's Thingy (and the only one that continued to issue "staff tags" to every comment after April 1st was over) is going to be closing in a few hours. So if you haven't found out what your randomly-selected title is supposed to be, go there and leave a comment. (And if you don't like the tag you've been given, just refresh the page! It's so random!)
An unauthorized message from MetaFilter's [staph] [stef] [stiffie] [stapler] [stanky] [stasi] [stab] [stable boy] [stoned] [stoooooooooooooned] [studebaker] [stavrosthewonderchicken] [star wars] [stfu] [stairway to heaven] [hairway to steven] [stand and deliver] [stack exchange] [starship trooper] [hurf durf butter staffer] [esteban] [SHAFT] [chaff] [naff] [gaffe] [graft] [taffy] [zach braff] [sweeney toddler] [stephen hawking] [smithers release the hounds] [sunday sunday SUNDAY] [sylvan learning center] [puff daddy] [cory doctorow] [horse ebooks] [fapfapfap] [spouse] [winner]
An unauthorized message from MetaFilter's [staph] [stef] [stiffie] [stapler] [stanky] [stasi] [stab] [stable boy] [stoned] [stoooooooooooooned] [studebaker] [stavrosthewonderchicken] [star wars] [stfu] [stairway to heaven] [hairway to steven] [stand and deliver] [stack exchange] [starship trooper] [hurf durf butter staffer] [esteban] [SHAFT] [chaff] [naff] [gaffe] [graft] [taffy] [zach braff] [sweeney toddler] [stephen hawking] [smithers release the hounds] [sunday sunday SUNDAY] [sylvan learning center] [puff daddy] [cory doctorow] [horse ebooks] [fapfapfap] [spouse] [winner]
So, mods, tell us, how many different tags were there?
posted by DreamerFi at 3:24 AM on April 30, 2012
posted by DreamerFi at 3:24 AM on April 30, 2012
Fart.
posted by Joseph Gurl at 3:28 AM on April 30, 2012
posted by Joseph Gurl at 3:28 AM on April 30, 2012
There are 136 staff tags in the (currently) 1620 comments in that thread. Note that they're randomly generated every time the page is loaded. I reloaded the thread several times, and didn't find any more. The chances of loading that page four times and missing one tag is (136/137)6480 ≈ 2.415 × 10-21, or about one in 400 billion billion.
posted by Plutor at 4:43 AM on April 30, 2012 [18 favorites]
posted by Plutor at 4:43 AM on April 30, 2012 [18 favorites]
That's assuming it's completely driven by PRNG. There might be a user id seed or some such that would change the probabilities.
posted by Plutor at 4:44 AM on April 30, 2012
posted by Plutor at 4:44 AM on April 30, 2012
[beanplater]
posted by pompomtom at 5:04 AM on April 30, 2012 [4 favorites]
posted by pompomtom at 5:04 AM on April 30, 2012 [4 favorites]
Plutor: "The chances of loading that page four times and missing one tag is (136/137)6480 ≈ 2.415 × 10-21, or about one in 400 billion billion."
I love that you calculated this.
posted by Grither at 5:24 AM on April 30, 2012
I love that you calculated this.
posted by Grither at 5:24 AM on April 30, 2012
10 days ago, the April Frist thread was sneaking up on a record number of different MeFites commenting in it. I posted this in order to shove it over the edge. (Take that, Steve Jobs obit!!!) I'm assuming someone will be posting the final stats here after that thread closes (because I'm not going to bother, I'm a provocateur, not an accountant).
posted by oneswellfoop at 5:33 AM on April 30, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by oneswellfoop at 5:33 AM on April 30, 2012 [1 favorite]
"Stabilizer"!
Aaahahahahahahaha wow that's rich.
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 5:46 AM on April 30, 2012
Aaahahahahahahaha wow that's rich.
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 5:46 AM on April 30, 2012
I thought the official thread was the one about how FPPs are treated unfairly compared to "other posts."
(When I joined Metafilter, I was equally confused about people referring to FPPs, as there are no "sub-metas" or whatever the equivalent would be.)
posted by modernserf at 6:14 AM on April 30, 2012
(When I joined Metafilter, I was equally confused about people referring to FPPs, as there are no "sub-metas" or whatever the equivalent would be.)
posted by modernserf at 6:14 AM on April 30, 2012
Last.
posted by trip and a half at 6:26 AM on April 30, 2012
posted by trip and a half at 6:26 AM on April 30, 2012
oneswellfoop: "10 days ago, the April Frist thread was sneaking up on a record number of different MeFites commenting in it. "
On the overhead server, without any fuss, the threads were going out.
posted by zarq at 6:46 AM on April 30, 2012 [3 favorites]
On the overhead server, without any fuss, the threads were going out.
posted by zarq at 6:46 AM on April 30, 2012 [3 favorites]
On the overhead server, without any fuss, the threads were going out
posted by infini at 7:15 AM on April 30, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by infini at 7:15 AM on April 30, 2012 [1 favorite]
or about one in 400 billion billion
So your telling me there's a chance!
posted by grog at 7:25 AM on April 30, 2012 [2 favorites]
So your telling me there's a chance!
posted by grog at 7:25 AM on April 30, 2012 [2 favorites]
I thought the official thread was the one about how FPPs are treated unfairly compared to "other posts."
So did anyone ever find out what Benbenson thought FPP stood for? That thread should be analyzed in communications classes--it's such a perfect example of the havoc wrought by a metacommunicative frame (the fact of it being April Fool's day). The more people try to persuade the OP that they're not screwing around and that they really, truly don't know what he's talking about, the more he feels sure that this is all part of the April Fool's gag.
posted by yoink at 9:50 AM on April 30, 2012
So did anyone ever find out what Benbenson thought FPP stood for? That thread should be analyzed in communications classes--it's such a perfect example of the havoc wrought by a metacommunicative frame (the fact of it being April Fool's day). The more people try to persuade the OP that they're not screwing around and that they really, truly don't know what he's talking about, the more he feels sure that this is all part of the April Fool's gag.
posted by yoink at 9:50 AM on April 30, 2012
That was fun and thanks for reminding us - I'd missed it the first time.
posted by Lynsey at 9:54 AM on April 30, 2012
posted by Lynsey at 9:54 AM on April 30, 2012
I GOT SICK
posted by Smart Dalek at 11:14 AM on April 30, 2012
posted by Smart Dalek at 11:14 AM on April 30, 2012
The chances of loading that page four times and missing one tag is (136/137)6480 ≈ 2.415 × 10-21, or about one in 400 billion billion.
posted by Plutor at 6:43 AM on April 30
Dude I can't *believe* that you're not still a planet.
posted by tzikeh at 11:40 AM on April 30, 2012 [5 favorites]
posted by Plutor at 6:43 AM on April 30
Dude I can't *believe* that you're not still a planet.
posted by tzikeh at 11:40 AM on April 30, 2012 [5 favorites]
Smart Dalek: "I GOT SICK"
Perhaps you should see The Doctor.
posted by zarq at 11:46 AM on April 30, 2012 [1 favorite]
Perhaps you should see The Doctor.
posted by zarq at 11:46 AM on April 30, 2012 [1 favorite]
Come on Ye Gods. Bestow this humble subject with an awesome name!
posted by MuffinMan at 1:06 PM on April 30, 2012
posted by MuffinMan at 1:06 PM on April 30, 2012
Perhaps you should see The Doctor.
Listen to the doctor
Just like you ought to
posted by Kevin Street at 1:52 PM on April 30, 2012
Listen to the doctor
Just like you ought to
posted by Kevin Street at 1:52 PM on April 30, 2012
Just commented. Got the tag "Stop Sign", which is kinda funny.
posted by marienbad at 3:31 PM on April 30, 2012
posted by marienbad at 3:31 PM on April 30, 2012
Oh thank god now it will finally drop out of my RA.
posted by rabbitrabbit at 3:52 PM on April 30, 2012
posted by rabbitrabbit at 3:52 PM on April 30, 2012
Note to everyone who is just now seeing this, or didn't notice it the first time around: the [staff-ish] tags are randomized on page loads, not when you initially submit your comment.
Linking to a comment in that thread in an attempt to point out a humorous comment + [staff] tag combination will not show anyone the same joke that you saw. You will not even see the same joke upon refreshing the page. You have to re-post the comment and the [staff] tag to save your fortuitous, ephemeral joke.
posted by filthy light thief at 4:54 PM on April 30, 2012
Linking to a comment in that thread in an attempt to point out a humorous comment + [staff] tag combination will not show anyone the same joke that you saw. You will not even see the same joke upon refreshing the page. You have to re-post the comment and the [staff] tag to save your fortuitous, ephemeral joke.
posted by filthy light thief at 4:54 PM on April 30, 2012
Oh thank god now it will finally drop out of my RA.
See that link on the right side of RA that says 'remove from activity?' You're welcome.
posted by axiom at 8:56 PM on April 30, 2012
See that link on the right side of RA that says 'remove from activity?' You're welcome.
posted by axiom at 8:56 PM on April 30, 2012
No, I don't. I'm on an iPhone and I'm guessing it doesn't show on the mobile version of the site. But thanks, good to know there's something to be done about it.
posted by rabbitrabbit at 10:01 PM on April 30, 2012
posted by rabbitrabbit at 10:01 PM on April 30, 2012
I WISH IT WOULD STAY OPEN FOR AN ADDITIONAL MONTH
THAT WOULD BE MAGICAL
LIKE OIL LASTING MORE THAN THE EXPECTED DURATION
WHAT I AM SAYING IS
IT WOULD BE A MIRACLE
MY CAPSLOCK IS STUCK
posted by TwelveTwo at 11:15 PM on April 30, 2012
THAT WOULD BE MAGICAL
LIKE OIL LASTING MORE THAN THE EXPECTED DURATION
WHAT I AM SAYING IS
IT WOULD BE A MIRACLE
MY CAPSLOCK IS STUCK
posted by TwelveTwo at 11:15 PM on April 30, 2012
I used my April Fools Modly Powers to keep it open until tomorrow night. You're welcome!
posted by Pronoiac at 11:55 PM on April 30, 2012
posted by Pronoiac at 11:55 PM on April 30, 2012
Yes, the April Frist thread is closed. But not before it reached 2030 comments, meaning it will take 5th place in the all-time longest MetaTalk threads when-and-if the infodump is updated.
As for its final ranking for 'most unique MeFites contributing', I hope Pronoiac redoes the voodoo that he did because I don't know how to check...
posted by oneswellfoop at 12:24 AM on May 1, 2012
As for its final ranking for 'most unique MeFites contributing', I hope Pronoiac redoes the voodoo that he did because I don't know how to check...
posted by oneswellfoop at 12:24 AM on May 1, 2012
Sometimes, I look in the mirror and question if I'm truly an adult adult.
posted by infini at 12:52 AM on May 1, 2012
posted by infini at 12:52 AM on May 1, 2012
I am many things - stodgy, stoned, etc. I thank you for giving me a forum. Any thread that encourages silliness is a thread of mine.
posted by h00py at 5:19 AM on May 1, 2012
posted by h00py at 5:19 AM on May 1, 2012
tzikeh: "Dude I can't *believe* that you're not still a planet."
It may shock you to learn that I agree that Pluto is not a planet. When it was discovered, it was thought to be about the size of Earth (and the color of asphalt). By the 70s, it was clear this was based on incorrect measurements of Neptune's orbit, and it was in fact much smaller than even our own moon. The more trans-Neptunian objects we found as big (or bigger) than Pluto, the less it deserved to have the title. Not sure I agree with the exact definition the IAU chose, but I do agree we need to have a definition, and by any useful definition we've either got 8 planets or we've got at least 13 (including Eris, Makemake, Ceres, etc).
/derail
posted by Plutor at 6:04 AM on May 1, 2012
It may shock you to learn that I agree that Pluto is not a planet. When it was discovered, it was thought to be about the size of Earth (and the color of asphalt). By the 70s, it was clear this was based on incorrect measurements of Neptune's orbit, and it was in fact much smaller than even our own moon. The more trans-Neptunian objects we found as big (or bigger) than Pluto, the less it deserved to have the title. Not sure I agree with the exact definition the IAU chose, but I do agree we need to have a definition, and by any useful definition we've either got 8 planets or we've got at least 13 (including Eris, Makemake, Ceres, etc).
/derail
posted by Plutor at 6:04 AM on May 1, 2012
Pluto will always be a moon in my heart.
posted by h00py at 6:50 AM on May 1, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by h00py at 6:50 AM on May 1, 2012 [1 favorite]
So, the April Frist thread died about 10 hours ago, amassing 2030 posts altogether. About 150 or so were oneswellfoop's. The next most prolific poster may have been Burhanistan with about 60 posts.
Oneswellfoop actually had about 200 posts in the top-posted metatalk thread, and Burhanistan about 150. Not saying you were slacking, or anything ;)
I like the sentiment and imagery left by languagehat in that thread, some time long after they were aware they were building a legacy.
2030 is not an insignificant number. 2030 is the year that How I Met Your Mother is set (the show was on last night). The year 2030 will begin and end on a Tuesday (like today). Albert Brooks projected to the year 2030.
So, I'm happy with the number.
posted by jabberjaw at 11:14 AM on May 1, 2012 [1 favorite]
Oneswellfoop actually had about 200 posts in the top-posted metatalk thread, and Burhanistan about 150. Not saying you were slacking, or anything ;)
I like the sentiment and imagery left by languagehat in that thread, some time long after they were aware they were building a legacy.
2030 is not an insignificant number. 2030 is the year that How I Met Your Mother is set (the show was on last night). The year 2030 will begin and end on a Tuesday (like today). Albert Brooks projected to the year 2030.
So, I'm happy with the number.
posted by jabberjaw at 11:14 AM on May 1, 2012 [1 favorite]
2030 is also enough comments to rank as the #5 most commented MeTa thread, 199 comments short of the Hurricane Irene thread from last August. Not that it's a competition, just as a point of reference.
And now that I'm looking at numbers, why is it that the Info Dumpster lists the Irene thread with 2231 comments, while the in-thread tally is 2229?
posted by filthy light thief at 1:34 PM on May 1, 2012
And now that I'm looking at numbers, why is it that the Info Dumpster lists the Irene thread with 2231 comments, while the in-thread tally is 2229?
posted by filthy light thief at 1:34 PM on May 1, 2012
2030 is also the year in which Theodore Rex is set.
posted by filthy light thief at 1:36 PM on May 1, 2012
posted by filthy light thief at 1:36 PM on May 1, 2012
oneswellfoop: As for its final ranking for 'most unique MeFites contributing', I hope Pronoiac redoes the voodoo that he did because I don't know how to check...
Okay - my final tally is 1038 unique contributors, with 802 of those only posting 1 comment. I had the top 20 contributors in this comment briefly, but on consideration I removed it.
batmonkey: I owe Pronoiac cookies.
Yay! Email me!
filthy light thief: And now that I'm looking at numbers, why is it that the Info Dumpster lists the Irene thread with 2231 comments, while the in-thread tally is 2229?
My guess is that a couple of comments got deleted, and the data in the Infodumpster (& its data source, the Infodump) hasn't been refreshed since then.
posted by Pronoiac at 11:30 PM on May 1, 2012
Okay - my final tally is 1038 unique contributors, with 802 of those only posting 1 comment. I had the top 20 contributors in this comment briefly, but on consideration I removed it.
batmonkey: I owe Pronoiac cookies.
Yay! Email me!
filthy light thief: And now that I'm looking at numbers, why is it that the Info Dumpster lists the Irene thread with 2231 comments, while the in-thread tally is 2229?
My guess is that a couple of comments got deleted, and the data in the Infodumpster (& its data source, the Infodump) hasn't been refreshed since then.
posted by Pronoiac at 11:30 PM on May 1, 2012
I need to post an AskMe on cookies. I want understand these various types.
posted by infini at 8:37 AM on May 3, 2012
posted by infini at 8:37 AM on May 3, 2012
You are not logged in, either login or create an account to post comments
posted by alltomorrowsparties at 2:16 AM on April 30, 2012