Isn't this kind of post better suited to FreeRepublic? October 26, 2001 9:34 AM Subscribe
Isn't this kind of post better suited to FreeRepublic?
holgate:
You have obviously (and I suspect deliberately) misinterpreted the nature of my post. I intended to start a discussion of nation-building in Afghanistan, and what nature such an effort would take. I used the example of our own founding as a starting point -- to wit, that the Declaration is a universal statement of human rights.
How is this "non-themely"? Or does it just offend your sensibilities somehow?
posted by mrmanley at 9:46 AM on October 26, 2001
You have obviously (and I suspect deliberately) misinterpreted the nature of my post. I intended to start a discussion of nation-building in Afghanistan, and what nature such an effort would take. I used the example of our own founding as a starting point -- to wit, that the Declaration is a universal statement of human rights.
How is this "non-themely"? Or does it just offend your sensibilities somehow?
posted by mrmanley at 9:46 AM on October 26, 2001
Taken from the guidelines.
A good post to MetaFilter is something that meets the following criteria: most people haven't seen it before, there is something interesting about the content on the page, and it might warrant discussion from others.
Note the use of and, not or.
posted by billybunny at 9:51 AM on October 26, 2001
A good post to MetaFilter is something that meets the following criteria: most people haven't seen it before, there is something interesting about the content on the page, and it might warrant discussion from others.
Note the use of and, not or.
posted by billybunny at 9:51 AM on October 26, 2001
MrManley, are you suggesting that because Holgate is british that he may still be sore about the declaration?
People are very rules conscious around here, because without them, we'd turn into FreeRepublic. Or something worse. It's not personal, but your post doesn't belong on MeFi. For the reasons explained in the thread itself.
posted by Doug at 9:51 AM on October 26, 2001
People are very rules conscious around here, because without them, we'd turn into FreeRepublic. Or something worse. It's not personal, but your post doesn't belong on MeFi. For the reasons explained in the thread itself.
posted by Doug at 9:51 AM on October 26, 2001
I intended to start a discussion of nation-building in Afghanistan, and what nature such an effort would take. I used the example of our own founding as a starting point -- to wit, that the Declaration is a universal statement of human rights.
I don't think that he did. The contention, and the standard operating procedure of MetaFilter is to take things that are interesting on the web and generally not seen by others, and link them so that people can see them and discuss them. As such, it is a weblog first and a discussion site second, meant to filter out the interesting from the internet. This is why it is called "MetaFilter" and not "DiscussionSite".
This does not preclude putting up a link that it timely and will provoke discussion and debate. However, it is likely that folks are already familiar with the Declaration of Independence. If you want to start this discussion, then you should find something on the web that talks about "nation-building" link (preferrably a non CNN/Yahoo/NYTimes/newssite of your choice) that is an original source. The Declaration of Independence may be good as a supporting link, but by itself it is not enough for MetaFilter.
posted by Avogadro at 9:53 AM on October 26, 2001
I don't think that he did. The contention, and the standard operating procedure of MetaFilter is to take things that are interesting on the web and generally not seen by others, and link them so that people can see them and discuss them. As such, it is a weblog first and a discussion site second, meant to filter out the interesting from the internet. This is why it is called "MetaFilter" and not "DiscussionSite".
This does not preclude putting up a link that it timely and will provoke discussion and debate. However, it is likely that folks are already familiar with the Declaration of Independence. If you want to start this discussion, then you should find something on the web that talks about "nation-building" link (preferrably a non CNN/Yahoo/NYTimes/newssite of your choice) that is an original source. The Declaration of Independence may be good as a supporting link, but by itself it is not enough for MetaFilter.
posted by Avogadro at 9:53 AM on October 26, 2001
I will close this thread -- and the one on MeFi -- with this statement:
A) I doubt that most MeFi readers have ever read the Declaration, or if they have, it was long ago. Prove me wrong.
B) The post was topical and interesting.
Given these two points, it was valid grist for MeFi's mill. If that chaps your collective asses, too bad.
posted by mrmanley at 9:56 AM on October 26, 2001
A) I doubt that most MeFi readers have ever read the Declaration, or if they have, it was long ago. Prove me wrong.
B) The post was topical and interesting.
Given these two points, it was valid grist for MeFi's mill. If that chaps your collective asses, too bad.
posted by mrmanley at 9:56 AM on October 26, 2001
Maybe this would have worked better:
The president would prefer to call it "the stabilization of a future government". Some believe that Women play a key part. The former Soviet Republics are dealing with it. And America did it, once upon a time. In theory, winning this war in Afghanistan is going to require a change in goverment. But how that will be done, and who will be involved, could determine its success or failure.
And that only took about 5 minutes of research.
posted by iceberg273 at 9:56 AM on October 26, 2001
The president would prefer to call it "the stabilization of a future government". Some believe that Women play a key part. The former Soviet Republics are dealing with it. And America did it, once upon a time. In theory, winning this war in Afghanistan is going to require a change in goverment. But how that will be done, and who will be involved, could determine its success or failure.
And that only took about 5 minutes of research.
posted by iceberg273 at 9:56 AM on October 26, 2001
B) The post was topical and interesting.
Ah yes, what's 225 years between friends?
Perhaps you missed this statement on the link-posting page:
Ah yes, what's 225 years between friends?
Perhaps you missed this statement on the link-posting page:
PLEASE: If you're posting something related to the Current Situation, try and make sure it is new information? And if so, is the URL you are linking to contain new information with plenty of evidence to back it up? Almost every possible point has been discussed thus far, so please, show some restraint on the Current Situation stuff.posted by boaz at 10:11 AM on October 26, 2001
A) I doubt that most MeFi readers have ever read the Declaration, or if they have, it was long ago. Prove me wrong.
B) The post was topical and interesting.
Regarding A, maybe you are right, but the Declaration of Independence is easily found in any library or government office in the U.S.
Regarding B, the topic is timely and interesting, but the post itself is not. Look at Icy's example to see what a good post is.
If that chaps your collective asses, too bad
Too bad for all of us, because with a little work, this could have been an interesting thread. My contention is that a well-made thread shows respect for MetaFilter, and everyone who reads it. A thread that posts something that is uninteresting in and of itself treats MetaFilter poorly, and disrespects Matt and the guidelines that he asks all of us to follow.
posted by Avogadro at 10:14 AM on October 26, 2001
B) The post was topical and interesting.
Regarding A, maybe you are right, but the Declaration of Independence is easily found in any library or government office in the U.S.
Regarding B, the topic is timely and interesting, but the post itself is not. Look at Icy's example to see what a good post is.
If that chaps your collective asses, too bad
Too bad for all of us, because with a little work, this could have been an interesting thread. My contention is that a well-made thread shows respect for MetaFilter, and everyone who reads it. A thread that posts something that is uninteresting in and of itself treats MetaFilter poorly, and disrespects Matt and the guidelines that he asks all of us to follow.
posted by Avogadro at 10:14 AM on October 26, 2001
From the MeFi thread: So links to kitties with strobe-lights flashing from their eyes is topical, but a link to a founding document of the nation is not.
Actually, yes. The DoI link is:
1. More intelligent
2. A better discussion
3. More "important"
BUT the strobe-kitty link, pointless as it is, is closer to the spirit of this site than the DoI link. IMO, of course.
posted by jpoulos at 10:27 AM on October 26, 2001
Actually, yes. The DoI link is:
1. More intelligent
2. A better discussion
3. More "important"
BUT the strobe-kitty link, pointless as it is, is closer to the spirit of this site than the DoI link. IMO, of course.
posted by jpoulos at 10:27 AM on October 26, 2001
BUT the strobe-kitty link, pointless as it is, is closer to the spirit of this site than the DoI link.
Except for the minor detail that it has been posted ad naseum already (mainly within threads, though I thought there was one previous front page posting).
posted by rushmc at 5:25 PM on October 26, 2001
Except for the minor detail that it has been posted ad naseum already (mainly within threads, though I thought there was one previous front page posting).
posted by rushmc at 5:25 PM on October 26, 2001
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posted by holgate at 9:38 AM on October 26, 2001