August 2020 Archives (all archives)
August 29
Metatalktail Hour: Background Noise
Inspired by a link from ALeaflikeStructure, we pose the question, "What's on your actual or idealized-imaginary zoom backdrop?" Do you have a credibility bookcase or similar? Are you composing a subtle (or unsubtle?!) message with your background, or just winging it? Do you have favorites or notables that you've seen from others? [more inside]
August 28
Site Update #3, 2020
Hello everyone! We’re coming to the end of August, and things are getting caught up around here. We have a lot of stuff in store, so stay tuned!
As usual, comments are turned off. Drop us a line at the Contact Form if you have feedback, and you’re welcome to open a MetaTalk thread for any subject you want to discuss with the community. [more inside]
August 27
U.S. Gulf Coast Hurricane Check-in
Thinking of those MeFites and their loved ones in Louisiana, Texas, and elsewhere along the U.S. Gulf Coast. Please let us know how you’re faring!
August 26
FPP: Local Elections?
The last MeTa about political megathreads got me to thinking that it might be good to have an FPP about local elections. What might be the best way to go about this, in a way that elicits healthy discussion and includes as much of the MetaFilter population as possible. [more inside]
Who's a Good Boy? Johnny Wallflower's a Good Boy.
Let's take a minute to congratulate Johnny Wallflower on his 1,000th post. He's a Good Boi who is always there to remind us that while the Internet may be made of cats, it's not made ONLY of cats. And let us be grateful it's not a literal shitpost.
August 20
Fantasy (American) Football Anyone?
Hey! It's that time of the year again! Assuming the season actually takes place, of course. Who's interested in some fantasy (American) football? I'll probably use Yahoo or ESPN and have a live draft, which honestly, is most of the fun.
Let me know if you're interested and I'll shoot you a link when the league is set up.
Thanks!
August 19
California WIldfires AGain
California MeFites, please be safe and let us know you're okay if you can. My heart is breaking for all of us.
August 18
"Talk... less."
In addition to the ~biweekly megathreads, the 2016 DNC saw four daily threads with 12,536 total comments, plus a 1,598-comment VP thread for literal potato Tim Kaine. This cycle there are no megathreads, and a grand total of *checks notes* zero posts or comments on either the DNC or VP nominee Kamala Harris, a charismatic woman of color with a complex record who may potentially lead the nation for a dozen years if everything breaks her way. I know the megathreads were a burden, but this seems sub-optimal, especially given the desire on the site and in society generally to spotlight women leaders, black voters, and the push for criminal justice reform. [more inside]
August 15
Metatalktail Hour: Good things on the cheap
It's the weekend, Metafilter! This weekend heyho suggests: "How about a thread of users offering up tips on how to do some things for free, or on the real cheap, that others might not know about but might be able to take advantage of." I will add: ...or sharing anything else that you've recently been glad to learn about, or that makes life a little nicer. [more inside]
August 14
Site Update #2, 2020
Hello again, Metafilter! It's time for another update on the state of the site. Comments are turned off for these, but we’re happy to hear from you via the Contact Form. If you want to discuss a particular subject with the community, you’re welcome to open a separate MetaTalk thread for it. [more inside]
August 13
Secret Quonsar 2020 interest questions
Yes, I know -- it's not even spooky season yet! But we're in some difficult times, and I'd like to get a head start on figuring out if we need to do anything different this year. [more inside]
August 12
"Metafilter: quote"s logged anywhere?
You know when we extract part of a comment, and repeat it later, down-thread, preceded by "Metafilter: "? (A couple examples came up together in the Derecho thread.) Are these logged somewhere? Love to see the whole list.
LearnedLeague referrals
Hi! Does any Mefite have a LearnedLeague referral I can use? I think I missed the new season but I'd like to be ready for the next one. Thanks!
August 10
making life choices based on askme
What askme (or mefi, meta, fanfare, etc) posts have had a big impact on your life? [more inside]
August 5
Three ponies for remembering things
I would like to request that, when considering how to delete things and preserve privacy, we adopt these three practices:
- Deliberately leaving empty spaces / blanked comments / deletion notices as replacements for comments in threads that have been closed to discussion and have additional comments removed (e.g. via an account purge). This will help keep discussions that have faded into site history in order while also preserving privacy
- Provides some means -preferably not entailing any kind of download or export- for users to access their own comments on posts/questions/etc. that have been purged. This will let folks remember their own contributions, even if the context has necessarily been lost
- If user A sends user B a memail, user B keeps that memail even if user A purges their account.
August 4
Beirut/Lebanese Mefite Check In
Are any Mefites in Beirut or Lebanon right now? I want to check in to see how you are doing after the explosion.
August 1
Metatalktail Hour: In Your Neighborhood
Happy weekend, MetaFilter! This weekend, I want to know, what's a delightful little thing in your neighborhood? Plants, dogs, children, sidewalk art, a charming fence -- anything! [more inside]
in search of post with specific recipe
I am searching for a certain AskMe post where someone posted a dead simple recipe involving rice and tuna... [more inside]