Why Was I Deleted?

November 10, 2004 12:32 PM

What happened to my thread about the November 9, 2004 Christopher Hitchens article on Slate.com? I know it was not DP (I searched), so that's not the answer. What exactly are the guidelines for deleting a thread? In light of the fact that I though my thread was relevant, appropriate and interesting I think the guidelines should be posted somewhere or e-mailed to MIFI uses.
posted by Bag Man to Etiquette/Policy at 12:32 PM (59 comments total)

This post was deleted for the following reason: dude, this is so a personal blog entry.
posted by neckro23 at 12:36 PM on November 10, 2004

From the "post a link" page:

Just to be clear: the point of MetaFilter is to find the best and most interesting of the web to share with others, not things described here.

links to this.

Because of [link], [link] and [link], I think [personal opinion that may or may not be substantiated by the link].

Lots of warbloggers do this, but it doesn't go over very well on MetaFilter when someone posts something like this. If posts that link to an opinion piece lead to discussions that MetaFilter doesn't do very well, then a post that drags together a few links in order to justify the poster's opinion is doubly bad. Besides, the point of the post then becomes the poster's opinion, when it should really be about what the poster found on the web. The poster should be as invisible as possible.

Your post is an almost word for word recitation of an example of what not to do.
posted by karmaville at 12:47 PM on November 10, 2004

Because you are of an undesirable ethnic persuasion.
posted by xmutex at 12:53 PM on November 10, 2004

This 'wahhhh! who deleted my precious post and whyyyyy?' stuff lately is getting out of hand.

Suck it up, and try harder, god damn it. And keep deleting the crap ones, Matt. It may not be that consistent with the laissez faire attitude you've taken in the past, but it's refreshing, and maybe it'll learn them scoundrels to actually try and find worthwhile shit to link to.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 12:53 PM on November 10, 2004

Note: Myself, I rarely post, I admit, but I have had many deletions. That's life.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 12:55 PM on November 10, 2004

Even with the deletions, mefi's as much of a "let's bullshit about some politics-related news story or blog entry" as it ever has been. It's weird.
posted by Ethereal Bligh at 12:58 PM on November 10, 2004

I agree with stavrosthewonderchicken!
posted by timeistight at 12:59 PM on November 10, 2004

Bag Man, your post used a throwaway example as a jumping off point to pontificate about how you feel about Hitchens. That's perfect for a personal blog, as I do stuff like that all the time, but it doesn't quite fit here anymore, given that millions are blogging their personal thoughts and this is more of a community shared space.

If we all made personal posts that were only tangentially related to links on the web, it'd be a tough site to read.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 1:01 PM on November 10, 2004

I agree with timeistight who agrees with stavrosthewonderchicken!

On preview, I also agree with mathowie!
posted by jpoulos at 1:02 PM on November 10, 2004

I agree!
posted by DrJohnEvans at 1:06 PM on November 10, 2004

what jpoulos said!
posted by eastlakestandard at 1:14 PM on November 10, 2004

Side note: I've actually begun *reading* the front page again instead of zipping towards the green since the US Election because there's been some really interesting posts lately. Moving in the right direction, keep on doin what you're doin.
posted by Stan Chin at 1:25 PM on November 10, 2004

I do not want to offend the MIFI Gods and I want to know if the overall guidelines are posted somewhere. If there are not posted anywhere, can they be post hence? I fear mighty hammer of thor and want to avoid it in the future.
posted by Bag Man at 1:26 PM on November 10, 2004

How I feel about the subject can be summed up by previous user comments!
posted by dhoyt at 1:26 PM on November 10, 2004

Mefi. Mefi.
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 1:27 PM on November 10, 2004

Bag Man, you are an old user who has been around since 2000 and has posted lots of great links. It seems that after 35 links you, if anybody, should already have a sense of the spirit of the site. The question I have is why did you assume this would be ok, or this would fly?
posted by vacapinta at 1:27 PM on November 10, 2004

I want to know if the overall guidelines are posted somewhere.

Bag Man, this is from the 'Post a Link' page :

Just to be clear: the point of MetaFilter is to find the best and most
interesting of the web to share with others, not things described here.

There are some previous discussions on what makes a good post to MetaFilter as well.

Those links sum things up pretty well, policy wise, I think.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 1:32 PM on November 10, 2004

Besides, the point of the post then becomes the poster's opinion, when it should really be about what the poster found on the web. The poster should be as invisible as possible.

Just for the record, the post was about Christopher Hitchens. Stating my opinion was to get the decision going. Moreover, I really do want to know if anyone feels that way about him. In light of a similar thread, I felt mine was just ok.

On preview: stavrosthewonderchicken, I don't need a lecture, I've been posting here a while (almost as long as you) thank you very much.

PinkStainlessTail, I see you have made your typical comment posted.

Thanks vacapinta see above.
posted by Bag Man at 1:37 PM on November 10, 2004

Stating my opinion was to get the decision going.

Exactly.
posted by timeistight at 1:41 PM on November 10, 2004

PinkStainlessTail, I see you have made your typical comment posted.

Once a year. Keeps me regular.

Mefi. Mefi.

Or rather MeFi, with an intercap, now that I think about it.
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 1:43 PM on November 10, 2004

Posting questions like this on Mefi should be grounds for banning. How the hell do you have an account here without having once looked at the FAQ or with even a cursory understanding of what Lofi is?

Thousands of random people without accounts who read this are slapping their heads and know that they understand Mefi better than a lot of people who post here.
posted by graventy at 1:47 PM on November 10, 2004

Well, I guess it's on...

On preview: stavrosthewonderchicken, I don't need a lecture

Apparently, you do, since after matt and several others have explained it to you (not to mention years of being a member) you're still confused.

Stating my opinion was to get the [discussion] going.

You are aware that this isn't explicitly a discussion site, right?
posted by jpoulos at 1:48 PM on November 10, 2004

You are aware that this isn't explicitly a discussion site, right?

You are aware that there is discussion on this site, right?

You have no arguments so you insult me and my spelling. How low.

I don't need lecture from the likes of just because I want to better MEFI member.
posted by Bag Man at 1:51 PM on November 10, 2004

It's been explained. Chin up. Move on.
posted by The God Complex at 1:54 PM on November 10, 2004

The likes of me?

How did I insult your spelling? See, this is the problem. You're getting all insulted, when no one is insulting you. Matt deleted your post. Big deal. We're all sure you're a swell person. It's the running-around-demanding-satisfaction that people are objecting to.
posted by jpoulos at 1:55 PM on November 10, 2004

stavrosthewonderchicken, I don't need a lecture, I've been posting here a while (almost as long as you) thank you very much.

Eh? You asked for posting guidelines. stavros gave them to you. Very basic exchange skills in play here.

Stating my opinion was to get the decision going.

Links should be posted because they're good. Links should not be posted for the sake of discussion. Good discussion will follow good links.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 1:56 PM on November 10, 2004

I don't need lecture from the likes of just because I want to better MEFI member.

But look right there: this thread has already helped you!

You're welcome.
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 1:56 PM on November 10, 2004

Is there any way that when mathowie deletes a thread the poster gets an email sent automatically that has the "This post is deleted" message in it?

And if you're not into having an email address listed, then, erm, maybe you don't get to post but can still comment or something?

Or maybe a deleted post shows up in your "all posts by this user" profile so you can check yourself? Just throwin' it out there -- no ponies needed.
posted by macadamiaranch at 1:59 PM on November 10, 2004

Links should be posted because they're good. Links should not be posted for the sake of discussion. Good discussion will follow good links.

I though it was thought provoking piece...sorry to offend...I guess you should put your chin up. If you don't like discussion, MEFI is bad place for you.

PinkStainlessTail,

If you were as intelligent as you are sarcastic, well then you might have something....you're welcome
posted by Bag Man at 2:06 PM on November 10, 2004

Bag Man, do you really not see that you're being defensive and a prick besides?
posted by cortex at 2:09 PM on November 10, 2004

You're missing the point. There was no "thought-provoking" piece. You linked to a Hitchens article and your idea of "thought provoking" was to give us your opinion of it as a front page editorial, not even as a comment. What you thought was interesting wasn't the link, but your reaction to it. If you'd posted a hitchens article and then some link expressing disgust (or whatever) over his turn, then commented yourself inside the thread, perhaps it would have been relevant (even though it's been discussed before).


I though it was thought provoking piece...sorry to offend...I guess you should put your chin up. If you don't like discussion, MEFI is bad place for you.

PinkStainlessTail,

If you were as intelligent as you are sarcastic, well then you might have something....you're welcome

Dude, go for a walk.

[more outside.]
posted by The God Complex at 2:09 PM on November 10, 2004

I just wanted to say that I'm enjoying this very much in a Roman-Coliseum-ey kind of way.

Go Bag Man! Watch out for those lions!
posted by _sirmissalot_ at 2:12 PM on November 10, 2004

I think this is one of the overall problems with MeFi in general. Here's my rule (which I'm sure I may have broken, but I TRY to stick to it): if your link requires, demands, or is improved by discussion... it's not a good link. I honestly--truly--believe this.

*lies down on the ground and waits for the pile-on*
posted by dobbs at 2:23 PM on November 10, 2004

*grabs dobbs, gives him a noogie*
posted by _sirmissalot_ at 2:26 PM on November 10, 2004

posted by DrJohnEvans at 2:27 PM on November 10, 2004

mathowie should randomly delete a dozen posts a day until people quit complaining about it.
posted by timeistight at 2:30 PM on November 10, 2004

Well, hell, Bag Man. You asked "I want to know if the overall guidelines are posted somewhere" and I provided a link to the guidelines, and even reproduced the relevant text for you, in answer to your question.

That's not really a lecture, is it?
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 3:13 PM on November 10, 2004

That said, I suddenly realized that in my pre-coffee haze I neglected to post a link to the actual guidelines!

Please do not interpret this as a lecture. Just tryin' to help, here.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 3:25 PM on November 10, 2004

Dobbs is right.
posted by five fresh fish at 3:37 PM on November 10, 2004

Big hugs, everyone!
posted by ColdChef at 3:55 PM on November 10, 2004

Sorry Cold, I think the "hugs all around" is a bit off. Wait until post 60 and see if anyone gets a timeout first.

Grabs popcorn. . .
posted by Quartermass at 4:02 PM on November 10, 2004

I'm the only one of my friends that doesn't like the song, "Dig For Fire."
posted by mcsweetie at 4:27 PM on November 10, 2004

PinkStainlessTail,

If you were as intelligent as you are sarcastic, well then you might have something....you're welcome

THAT WAS MEAN.
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 4:41 PM on November 10, 2004

*head-butts ColdChef*
posted by Stauf at 4:49 PM on November 10, 2004

“Links should be posted because they're good. Links should not be posted for the sake of discussion. Good discussion will follow good links.”—DrJohnEvans

“...if your link requires, demands, or is improved by discussion... it's not a good link.”—dobbs

Words to remember.
posted by Ethereal Bligh at 5:04 PM on November 10, 2004

Comn, keep it going, I sense a meltdown a brewin'.

Oh, and ever heard of the definite and indefinite articles, Bag Man?
posted by bonaldi at 7:02 PM on November 10, 2004

This "agreeing" stuff lately is getting out of hand.
posted by jonmc at 7:04 PM on November 10, 2004

He hasn't come back from his walk yet.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 7:10 PM on November 10, 2004

I agree with jonmc.
posted by pmurray63 at 7:18 PM on November 10, 2004

I do not want to offend the MIFI Gods and I want to know if the overall guidelines are posted somewhere. If there are not posted anywhere, can they be post hence?

On preview: stavrosthewonderchicken, I don't need a lecture, I've been posting here a while

well, i may not have been posting here for as long as you, but at least I have the half a brain it takes to READ FUCKING COMMENTS that link to the posting guidlines, tell you what they are, then explain why your post is bad. Your snippy attitude doesn't help any, and now you've gotten me all upset!
posted by bob sarabia at 8:07 PM on November 10, 2004

He hasn't come back from his walk yet.

Or else he can't type because he's already cut off his right hand.

hey, hey HEY!!!!! I KID!!!!

I kid 'cause I love.




kidding, that is.
posted by soyjoy at 8:11 PM on November 10, 2004

soyjoy, I wonder about that boy sometimes.

You think maybe he really did it?

There might be a one handed vagrant roaming the streets, begging for change and wiping windshields with a filthy rag clutched in a claw while muttering, "that fucking quonsar... I'd have two hands if it wasn't for him..."
posted by cedar at 10:51 PM on November 10, 2004

"...if your link requires, demands, or is improved by discussion... it's not a good link."-dobbs

Ah. A link should have enough intrinsic value to overwhelm the extrinsic value of its deliberation.

In lieu of a link to God, or to some other terminal thing, my first front page post will consist of a link to the soft parallel hairs which decorate a young woman's forearm.
posted by Opus Dark at 11:02 PM on November 10, 2004

Okay, but only if your link title is sarcastic.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 11:38 PM on November 10, 2004

Hir sute curls my toes?
posted by Opus Dark at 11:50 PM on November 10, 2004

matt deleted my comment in this thread which was uncommonly snarky (for me) and certainly delete-worthy. It's too bad since I'm sure that Bag Man needed a severe tongue-lashing.




I like the sound of that . . . . . . tongue-lashing.
posted by ashbury at 5:12 AM on November 11, 2004

Personally, I'm always up for a Hitchens-bashing session. Kind of sorry I missed it before it was gone...

As for why BagMan thought it would fly: Because it has been flying. Things got lax. Now things are tightening up. Neither of those were or are things to have gotten very excited about. We don't own this bar -- we just hang here.

And dobbs: "... if your link requires, demands, or is improved by discussion... it's not a good link. I honestly--truly--believe this."

I truly don't understand that rule, at all. It makes absoltely no sense to me. You seem to be saying that all links should be of interest completely devoid of context, aside from presentation "in the blue". For an illustration of the type of post that would be excluded, look to any matteo entry.
posted by lodurr at 7:52 AM on November 11, 2004

Because it has been flying.

Not to that extent. If Bag Man had posted the Hitchens piece with a little tag remark about his newfound idiocy, that might have been analogous (if still delete-worthy). But read the post - it's wayyyyyyy over the top as personal-opinion blathering, and I'm saying that as someone who agrees with the content 110%. Nay, 111%!
posted by soyjoy at 9:17 AM on November 11, 2004

lodurr, that's exactly what I'm saying. I think the best links on the blue are links that, were I to come across them myself, I'd think they were fantastic, regardless of the opinions of anyone else I may point the link out to.

I love matteo's posts and have said so many times in the blue. However, I also feel that they're sometimes (even the ones I've liked) out of place on Metafilter. This isn't a condemnation of of matteo or his posts... they just seem to disagree with MeFi's purpose. It's like walking into a video store and finding, I dunno, a copy of Philip Roth's the Dying Animal. I love the book and appreciate the person who turned me on to it. I just don't expect it in a video store.

In addition, matteo's posts work because he's the only one (for the most part) pulling them off on a consistent basis. I think if everyone posted FPPs like his, the membership here would be quite different.

Lastly, many, many of matteo's posts have very few comments in them even though you might think the FPP warrants or begs discussion. Many times when there are posts in his threads, they are "Thanks!" or "Great Post!" That's not discussion. In my opinion, this 'phenomenon' proves my point. It doesn't go against it. People don't NEED to discuss his posts; they're self-contained even though they're made up of multiple links.
posted by dobbs at 10:56 AM on November 11, 2004