He doesn't want to talk about the future, make plans, or show any signs of ambition at all. A kid who devours advanced textbooks on math and physics says with all sincerity that he wants to be a magician or to run a taco stand. Given his intellect this would be a crying shame.

(Try to imagine me saying this in something other than a snotty pretentious voice)
I think that your son is a Humean. I think that I like him. The famous Hume quote... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kwine at 1:30 PM on October 2, 2007

I give them away with a smile, unless it's one of my stupid friends who ask regularly and don't buy their own, in which case they can fuck right off. (You know who you are, Mick.)
But why deny a stranger or a friend in need? It's a good way to meet people and to improve someone's day; also it is anectodal in some circles that women who ask men for a cigarette in a social setting are trying to signal romantic interest (not that this is a virtue for me personally [Hello Ms. Kwine!] but... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kwine at 6:09 AM on October 2, 2007

I do what scruss does. UNIX isn't going anywhere. Who knows where Quicksilver will be in $timeframe? Learn UNIX.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kwine at 1:52 PM on October 1, 2007

There is no such thing; they made it up for the game. Just like in real boxing, you don't have to earn a star before you can use the uppercut, despite what Mike Tyson's Punchout said.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kwine at 1:08 PM on August 12, 2007

You fool around when she's drunk, but when she's sober you think that she's pretty indifferent about the sexy stuff. She's been drinking a lot since the breakup. You've been her "cuddle buddy" many times before (while she's been dating other guys?), without it going anywhere too fun. She might be staying at your place for a while during her moving transition.

I think you're pretty solidly in the friend zone, and the only reason that it kind of looks like you... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kwine at 2:43 AM on July 30, 2007

I did an undergraduate senior thesis on statistical analysis in basketball.

The best all-round metric for measuring offensive success is John Hollinger's PER. This metric is weighted such that an average NBA player gets 15; stars score above 20 and players in danger of slipping out of the league score less than 10. It considers every important offensive category, from true shooting percentage to low turnover ratio to shot creation ability to passing.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kwine at 8:11 AM on July 12, 2007

He's got a girlfriend.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kwine at 7:54 AM on July 12, 2007

I think every intro Phil class should have some applied ethics. I think the best way to hook students into caring about philosophical issues is to see how those issues relate to their lives, and topics in applied ethics have the clearest connections. I'd stick in that Singer paper above and Judy Thomson's "A Defense of Abortion" in place of your basic ontology section. You might also have them read that Russell paper on the purpose and importance of philosophy.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kwine at 9:31 AM on July 11, 2007 marked best answer

John McEnroe tackles some of these issues in his book, "You Cannot Be Serious." IIRC, he makes the case that the cause of the decline in the serve-volley game are the powerful lightweight composite racquets that everyone uses today. In the days of wooden racquets, it simply wasn't possible to generate enough power to just crush a forehand past your opponent. To be successful, you had to work the point to create unreturnable angles. It is much easier to create angles at the net, so... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kwine at 9:18 AM on July 5, 2007

What works for me is focusing on a new activity until I get a basic competency at it. For example, I don't play the guitar much anymore, and I'm consequently not a great guitarist, but I have a basic competency with it, and when I pick it up, there's enough muscle memory for me to quickly get some enjoyment out of it. And sometimes I'll catch a bug and play for a whole afternoon, and learn something new that might stick with me.

I think that a lot of items on your list... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kwine at 1:10 AM on June 21, 2007

You aren't clear in your question on whether she just wants an engagement ring, or whether she wants one with a diamond.

I bought a beautiful sapphire engagement ring for soon-to-be Mrs. Kwine not three hours ago. We picked it out together, she loves it, it was about 1/3 the cost of an equivalent quality diamond. I think a non-diamond precious stone is the best compromise for you if she does not insist on a diamond.

If she insists on a diamond,... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kwine at 3:12 PM on June 12, 2007

This question is too ambiguous; I don't know what you mean by "science" and I don't know what you mean by "philosophy". This is the main reason why you are getting answers ranging from "yes" to "kinda" to "no" for both questions.

Define your terms. To what do you understand "science" and "philosophy" to refer?
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kwine at 1:20 PM on May 15, 2007

When I wore my contact lenses regularly, I felt cooler and more confident in them than in my glasses, in the same way that I do when I am dressed my best. People respond better to you when you are confident and socially comfortable. For me, therefore, I think it was more about the effect that eyewear had on me rather than on anyone else. Perhaps you are similar?

FYI, now I wear my glasses almost exclusively; I found ways to feel good about myself in them and contacts... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kwine at 1:39 PM on May 11, 2007

"I want to sleep with her. Why shouldn't I?

Because you will be a shit if you do. A complete and utter shit.

Either you get this, or you don't."

Bears repeating.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kwine at 3:04 PM on May 8, 2007

"...She's religious so we've never had sex or even fooled around. She doesn't want to get married anytime soon. These things bother me, but aren't deal-breakers."

You've been together for ten years and never had sex or fooled around because of her religion, and she doesn't want to get married, which means no prospective sex or fooling around in the foreseeable future? That's not a deal-breaker? What would be a deal-breaker?

I think you... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kwine at 2:42 PM on May 8, 2007

From scody: I personally think dating a former student shouldn't do much than briefly raise a few eyebrows.

I personally know three male professors in my field who have married former students--all were young and untenured when they were dating their former student, and the relationship hasn't appreciably hurt their careers. As far as I can tell, scody's personal opinion is often correct, even for younger faculty.

This is still... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kwine at 2:14 PM on May 8, 2007

you you you you you
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kwine at 2:16 PM on May 8, 2007

I think that you can't go wrong by reading anything that Umberto Eco or Gabriel Garcia Marquez ever wrote. But I wouldn't worry too much about it. I don't think that you should feel any normative pressure to have read books X, Y, and Z. I really like the LobsterMitten cartoon model: you should feel normative pressure to understand at least cartoon versions of as many important ideas as possible, and you don't need to have read the texts to do that. More importantly, you should be always a)... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kwine at 7:28 PM on May 5, 2007

Do you know what the right thing to do is, and have trouble doing it? Or do you have trouble seeing what the right thing to do is at all?
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kwine at 10:12 AM on April 19, 2007

That'll do it! Thanks, Blazecock.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kwine at 7:55 AM on February 23, 2007

Angered TJ&E fan here. Please don't play TJ&E II and let that keep you from trying the first one.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kwine at 9:24 AM on February 20, 2007

Second others with neutral vague responses. If pressed for details, continue to be vague, neutral, and pleasant, and take the first opportunity to turn the conversation towards the future.

Interviewer: So, why did you leave you last job?
bingo: It was not a good fit.
Interviewer: Could you be more specific?
bingo: I had a conversation with my supervisor, and it was apparent that the company and I were heading in different directions.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kwine at 5:25 PM on January 24, 2007

Also, just noticed the ben folds reference in the title. Nice!
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kwine at 5:27 PM on January 24, 2007

I once attempted to get another West Wing 2nd season disc 2 after it somehow became unplayable after a year, about two complete plays, and no abnormal damage. The CSR I talked to at the distribution company said that they would not replace it. So, I nth the rental/torrent fair use ideas.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kwine at 1:23 PM on January 5, 2007

Hi, just like to point out that this has begun to happen to me. iBook G4, after a period of kernel panics and a subsequent OS re-install with archive backup. I just tried to play "Civil War", G&R, and it's gone-poof. It would be awesome if someone had an answer.

What's so civil 'bout iTunes anyway...
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kwine at 3:25 PM on December 6, 2006

Thanks for the responses! There's a lot to chew on here over the next few weeks. This isn't really the sort of thing where a best answer tag is appropriate, I don't think, but I've marked robot rowboat as such b/c the Johnny Boy singer is a gorgeous creature. I'm off to bed; with any luck she'll appear in my dreams.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kwine at 7:52 PM on December 3, 2006

The Ben Folds/Rufus Wainwright cover of Careless Whisper that they perform when touring together is one of my favorite tunes.

/Folds Fanboy Mild Derail
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kwine at 5:40 PM on December 3, 2006

Most likely, this is some kind of pyramid scheme scam, in which you will actually in the end be required to sell the video/business opportunity to new suckers rather than actually following whatever "business advice" is contained in said video to make any money. But it's hard to know for sure without more detail. Cockeyed has some good write-ups on various types of pyramid schemes, especially Herbalife, but I can't get a specific link for you because the ISP for the coffee shop I am... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kwine at 12:48 PM on October 15, 2006

I don't have any hard studies for you, ivarley. But I'm an eat-out person. Let me try to justify it.
I'm a grad student with a teaching appointment, and I also work an additional part time job. This means that my day is nearly completely full from 9-5 during the week, before I even begin thinking about my own work, or grading anything from my students. I live about fifteen blocks from campus, which I walk each morning, and I find that the best environment for me to do work in is... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kwine at 6:03 PM on October 12, 2006

This is intended to be less of an ironic, above it all, type statement, than a celebration and source of laughter and conversation starts. This is why I think that the exclaimation point is key: It will say, I hope, "I support and celebrate body art and self-expression, but at the end of the day I am most committed to going to extreme lengths to amuse you" This connects well with my personality. But it seems the the tide is turing against.

chococat, I don't... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kwine at 10:08 PM on September 1, 2006

I like the idea of comic sans, but everyone seems to hate it-there was a thread on the blue a while back that I am too lazy to search for where everyone just stomped on it in the comments.

Got to go to bed. Thanks for suggestions thus far.

On preview: Damned interesting, spacewrench. I'll sleep on it.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kwine at 10:33 PM on September 1, 2006

Thank you all for your contributions.

I am wavering on the exclaimation point, mostly by Gucky logic: "The world has too many fake superlatives already." I agree. Shame on me. Shame.

My favorite font is still Century Schoolbook. I like it even more today than I did last night. I also like Exocet, but it remains a little too flowery. In any case, it will be horizontal across the bicep, in the traditional male... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kwine at 8:39 AM on September 2, 2006

Here is a link to the finished product. It's about three weeks old and I'm quite happy with it. Thanks to everyone who offered ideas!

Tattoo
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kwine at 7:03 AM on October 8, 2006

Two Dogmas of Empiricism, W.V.O. Quine. The most influential paper in philosophy in the 20th century.

The Naming and Necessity lectures, Saul Kripke. Both revolutionary and easy to understand.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kwine at 7:48 AM on October 4, 2006

My girlfriend and I drank about nine delicious, crisp, fruity bottles of Relax Riesling this summer (although I hate the way it is marketed-you'll see what I mean on the link, it's like "Wine for Doofus Americans").
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kwine at 4:03 PM on September 18, 2006

The Ben Folds Five cover of "She Don't Use Jelly" (orig. Flaming Lips) is like this-Ben, Darren, and Robert alternate verses and all sing the choruses. It's on the extended re-release of Whatever and Ever Amen from 2005.

Also on The Bens self-titled e.p., Ben Folds, Ben Kweller, and Ben Lee sing all the songs like this (I think) -you can listen to parts here.

These may be stretching the definition of popular.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kwine at 5:26 PM on September 5, 2006

If you are a determinist, the answer to this question shouldn't worry you too much. You couldn't help but ask it, and those who respond couldn't help but answer in a certain way, and you'll accept and reject certain of those responses in a certain way, and so on and so forth. So the thing to do is sort of be cool and have a beer and see how things turn out, or at least try your best to feel that way about it, whatever "try" could possibly mean in the context of the sort of... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kwine at 11:38 AM on September 4, 2006

From the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy on Compatibilism:

1.3 Determinism

A standard characterization of determinism states that every event is causally necessitated by antecedent events.[4] Within this essay, we shall define determinism as the metaphysical thesis that the facts of the past, in conjunction with the laws of nature, entail every truth about the future. According to this characterization, if determinism is true, then, given the... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kwine at 12:19 PM on September 4, 2006

Ah, bonaldi, but I didn't say that life would be like watching television with only one channel. I said that the right way to think about how your life was unfolding would be to think about it as though you were watching television with only one channel-to recognize that apparent choices and decisions were illusions and were in fact predetermined. But the funny part is that choosing to think about your life in this way would itself be an illusory choice, so my offering it as... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kwine at 2:01 PM on September 4, 2006

It sounds to me more like cartilage damage than ligament damage. IANAD, but I've torn both ligaments and cartilage before. When the ligaments went, it was not the sort of thing where I hoped it would be alright and maybe posted an AskMe about it-more like the sort of situation where I went straight to the emergency room and, had I not been able to pay, would have performed sexual favors for strangers on the street until I could.

The cartilage was milder, just a bit of... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kwine at 11:12 AM on September 4, 2006