Soul Pancake

March 15, 2009 12:31 PM

Actor Rainn Wilson has launched a community-driven discussion blog focused on life's big questions, such as do we get what we pray for?, why do we spend so much time talking about other people?, and do the imaginations of adults need a serious kick in the balls?
posted by Roach (30 comments total)

Ow, my balls!

holds head
posted by louche mustachio at 12:35 PM on March 15

Big Big Question seems to have petered out, but it was cortex's take on this idea. And it didn't have a shitty name like Soul Pancake.

Also, here are some answers:

Q: Do we get what we pray for?

A: Sometimes we, do sometimes we don't—the prayer is inconsequential, unless you consider its indirect effects (prayer as a contract with yourself, self-fulfilling prophecies, etc). Sky fairies aren't in ur lives, shapin' ur prayed-for destinies.

Q: Why do we spend so much time talking about other people?

A: We are social. Sometimes we talk about others so we don't seem self-centered. Other times we are just being gossipy. There are so many other reasons, but really, this question isn't all that interesting. We are social animals, so talking about others is just part of our nature. If you are spending too much time doing it, you need to work on your time management skills and/or tact.

Q: Do the imaginations of adults need a serious kick in the balls?

A: If the imagery within question is in anyway indicative of the average adult imagination, the answer is a resounding yes.

Somehow this entire website comes off as lacking in confidence.
posted by defenestration at 12:54 PM on March 15 [1 favorite]

Interesting take, defenestration. Many of the questions have dozens or even hundreds of comments/answers from eclectic viewpoints. "Lacking in confidence" was never a descriptor that even occurred to me.
posted by Roach at 12:58 PM on March 15

I don't mean the comments; I certainly haven't read enough to have a real grasp on the quality of the community.

I mean the design, the pitch, the feel, etc. It just seems like it's trying very hard to be cool. Social quicksand, y'know?

I apologize for snarking out of the gate, Roach. It was bad form.
posted by defenestration at 1:07 PM on March 15

Needs to sort comments from oldest to newest.
posted by jz at 1:08 PM on March 15 [2 favorites]

I like pancakes.
posted by biscotti at 1:08 PM on March 15

I like pancakes.

Me too. I started using Karo corn syrup instead of maple syrup and it is much heavier and sweeter. I think this means I can move to Alabama now.
posted by RussHy at 1:13 PM on March 15

It's like AskMe, but without getting flagged for chatfilter?
posted by Xere at 1:17 PM on March 15

I saw Muto (video) this morning from SP (via Rainn's twitter). It was very interesting and definately a lot of work on the part of the artist.
posted by SirOmega at 1:21 PM on March 15

finally! i didn't think anyone was ever going to get around to asking the hard questions.
posted by klanawa at 1:49 PM on March 15

Yes, I'm bored too. Thanks for asking.
posted by Zambrano at 2:10 PM on March 15 [1 favorite]

posted by biscotti I like pancakes.

Would you like some maple syrup, to mindlessly dribble over them?

LIFE'S BIG QUESTIONS
There's a lot of crap out on these here Internets. We want to cut through the mindless dribble and get focused on why we're alive, what art and Faith are for, and what this whole mess is all about. You know, the important stuff. There are no right or wrong answers, so speak up!
posted by mattdidthat at 2:26 PM on March 15

A viral marketing effort for the film was begun on August 11, when Rainn Wilson posted a message to the MySpace blog of Jenna Fischer, his co-star from The Office. According to his message[2], he had "kidnapped the lovely Jenna, put her, bound, in the trunk of my firebird and logged onto her MySpace to send out this bulletin....To free America's sweetheart...you must attend my new movie, 'The Rocker', which opens August 20th....As soon as the film grosses 18.7 Mil, she will be released and given a peach smoothie." A subsequent blog entry pointed readers to http://freejennanow.com/, where videos were posted and features such as a "Free Jenna Game" and countdown tickers could be found.

The film only grossed 7 million total. So I guess Jenna Fischer died of starvation.
posted by Damn That Television at 3:20 PM on March 15

Odd observation from his art gallery site, http://www.rrwilsonart.com/... there's a hidden div at the bottom of the pages (if you're blocking scripts you'll likely see it) that includes stuff like (this is an actual copy/paste of a tiny portion):

hidef teen pussy videotiffany teen non nudehentai schoolgirl tentacle rapegymnastics women nudeasian teens anal sexwoman of wrestling nudelesbian mom teen pornteens first anal sexamateur video tube adult

Wonder what that's all about...
posted by glider at 3:25 PM on March 15

it all got me to thinking. Now what?
posted by Postroad at 3:26 PM on March 15

So, Rainn Wilson posts funny pictures and a provocative question and we respond? Is this some sort of performance art to couple with David Mitchell's suggestion that we write "You can't be too careful!" in public comment boxes?

Am I supposed to go in here now and write "Just goes to show, you can't be too careful!" as the answer to "Should we be afraid of death?"

HOPE ME PLEASE.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 3:27 PM on March 15 [1 favorite]

I'm sure he's a super nice dude and all, but this annoying as shit. Note to self: Telling your children they can be "anything they want to be" sometimes results in sitcom actor/ artist/ pseudo-philosopher douche-bloggers.
posted by ryaninoakland at 3:45 PM on March 15

I kind of wish I hadn't found this about about Mr. Wilson.
posted by EarBucket at 5:09 PM on March 15

Out about, even.
posted by EarBucket at 5:09 PM on March 15

Aurgh!
glider is so right.
Take a look at the source code on that Wilson Fine Art gallery site- at the bottom of the page are something on the order of at least a few hundred links to hardcore porn websites offering fare with descriptions heavy on different flavors of rape, especially "tiny teen anal rape". Delightful.
posted by stagewhisper at 5:27 PM on March 15

wtf?
posted by defenestration at 6:21 PM on March 15

OMG! Turn off Javascript and then go to the "Contact" page.

Um, don't do that if you're at work!
posted by dirigibleman at 6:52 PM on March 15

WHOIS for rrwilsonart.com.

The site appears to be registered personally by one of them; I'm assuming it's the father. The web design looks simple enough—they may have made it DIY-style, instead of hiring someone. WTF, Wilsons?
posted by defenestration at 7:00 PM on March 15

the Muto video linked above is all kinds of awesome. I hope it is real.
posted by vaportrail at 8:04 PM on March 15

Looking at that source file, I saw one word repeated over and over... apparently the Wilsons aren't the only ones infected with the alenaprosti worm.
posted by hippybear at 8:52 PM on March 15

Snark is the soul of metafilter. But in this age of scat porn and face pissing, are you guys seriously saying this dude is wrong to post a website about whatever the hell he wants.

Bordering on facism/hipster-ism, mefites.

Check yourself before you wreck yourself.
posted by hal_c_on at 9:21 PM on March 15 [2 favorites]

hippybear: "Looking at that source file, I saw one word repeated over and over... apparently the Wilsons aren't the only ones infected with the alenaprosti worm."

That sucks. My bad... that was just odd. I guess I should have thought first before posting; I figured it was some search engine spam related thing, but I had it all flipped. Fuck viruses.

The internet is really fucking weird sometimes. Thank you for the information and clarification.
posted by defenestration at 10:25 PM on March 15

First, I think that he's a decent actor, better than the show he's on. And I like the idea of a Celebrity trying to do something somewhat meaningful.

Next, I like the idea of inviting more meditative discussions to the internet. I've been trying to adopt that same philosophy on my own comments/posts and it's been working out. I find it infinitely more satisfying than just belting out a quick snark.

Most importantly, I often have spiritual moments at the movies and it makes me feel better knowing others do as well.
posted by SinisterPurpose at 10:43 PM on March 15 [1 favorite]

Next, I like the idea of inviting more meditative discussions to the internet. I've been trying to adopt that same philosophy on my own comments/posts and it's been working out. I find it infinitely more satisfying than just belting out a quick snark.
SinisterPurpose
someone had to say it: Eponysterical
posted by vaportrail at 12:02 AM on March 16

Q: Why do we spend so much time talking about other people?

I hate it when actors spell their names funny, especially with a duplicated letter: Rainn Wilson? Come on. Samm Levine? Please. Dann Florek? Bleah.

Thanks for listening,
Scratchh
posted by scratch at 11:11 AM on March 16