I really think the purpose of the contest is to find clever and effective ways to leverage social networking strategies. For example, and ideal network for this might be all mail carriers, all truckers, pilots, Twitter dataminers, and some big community like MeFi.

Given that assumption, I think this could turn into a real land grab in terms of locking in your sources and network. In other words, if we say we'll give the money to charity we might be able to get the postal... [more]
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 7:37 AM on November 3, 2009

Note that the rules (you've all actually read the rules right?) state you'll need to pay taxes on the $40,000. If we set it up as a charity can we avoid the taxes? Or is Cortex/Matt going to have to somehow deal with a messy tax issue?
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 7:51 AM on November 3, 2009

The an odd percentage of the rules also go into the possibility that not all of the balloons will be found. Which makes me think some of them might be hidden. There is also the fact that the submission deadline is 9 days after the launch date. What circumstance could make a deadline over 24 hours necessary? The balloons are gone after the first day, so is there some additional investigation that might be done?

Just how big an area is an arc-minute? If someone describes... [more]
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 7:58 AM on November 3, 2009

I've been trying to think of some realistic scenarios they might be wargaming for this.

10 things, easy to visually identify, likely to raise interest, not already tracked by law enforcement or government. Something a social network would be better able to quickly find than say satellites or radar. Random distribution perhaps?

The only thing I'm coming up with is space aliens.
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 9:19 AM on November 3, 2009

And seeing as an arc minute of error in coordinates translates into perhaps a mile that gives you a very solid shot at getting the coordinates without having a GPS unit at the scene. If someone can tell you where they saw it you can easily use Google maps to get the coordinates.
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 9:27 AM on November 3, 2009

Three hosts sounds problematic. Why not one host with three separate forums/wikis? or one forum with three areas? Admins/Cortex could have access to all areas, but users would have to pick a region/function. That setup would let you segment access to information is lots of different ways, and different trust levels, without having to manage several different userbases and physical hosts.
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 9:59 AM on November 3, 2009

Another strategy might be to set aside the idea of winning and just decide to be the team that finds the most balloons. Secrecy puts a huge limt on how fast and how big your team can be. It also, and perhaps more profoundly, limits who will participate. It's possible to be so security conscious that you undermine the big opportunities.

For example, trying to take it viral won't work if there is a big secret security process to go through. If we get mail carriers to help,... [more]
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 10:43 AM on November 3, 2009

I think the "go die in a fire" part pushes it over the edge. I find that part more offensive than the simple explanation of his sexual preferences. In general I think posts like "you don't agree with me, so fuck off and die" should merit deletion most times.

We have people talk about their sexual preferences here all the time. Having it done in a thug-like manner doesn't really change that in my mind.
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 7:36 AM on October 8, 2009

I am an expert on tacos in the Mira Mesa section of San Diego between the 15 and Black Mountain road. Please feel free to flag me as such an expert. I await your taco queries about this 4 block area. (I don't know much about burritos though, so please don't ask about those)
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 10:40 AM on October 6, 2009

BatGrl and I should be there.
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 8:11 PM on August 20, 2009

So what is the plan? Where are we going and when are we suppose to be there?
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 7:24 AM on September 22, 2009

This might seem like MeFi addiction, but it's not.

MetaFilter addiction is when you publicly leave the site via MetaTalk, then check in a couple days later because you need to unwind. You see a thread you should comment on, like really and truly should, but you can't, because you quit. Quit large actually, and said you quit for really important reasons. So you make some sockpuppets and post under those for two years. Because you quit.

That's MeFi addiction.
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 2:24 PM on September 18, 2009

"Why does MetaFilter hate hipsters? "

There's a hotdog place where I live that charges $10 for a hotdog and then adds an automatic 18% tip on top of that. It's where the hipsters hang out to eat hipster food for hipster prices.

That's why I hate hipsters. They fucked with my hotdog. Your hotdog. America's hotdog, shat on by hipsters.

My wife and I actually went down there once, took a look... [more]
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 1:49 PM on September 18, 2009

Seems like a slippery slope to me. Celebrity gossip news we don't need. Look at all of the quality posts on the front page. Surely there are sites that can meet your "Entertainment Tonight" sorts of needs.
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 10:09 AM on September 14, 2009

"I'm probably ok with the newer thread as long as the spelling error in the title is fixed."

There are actually people like this? What is the name for this condition?
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 9:36 AM on September 10, 2009

"I actually know far more about this subject than I think you can imagine."
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 6:42 AM on September 9, 2009

"Isn't it childish to judge somebody based on a superficial impression of their actions?"

You don't really understand how the whole "workplace" thing do you?

Most companies don't want to get sued, so good luck explaining why the person suing them over a "superficial impression" isn't something to fire you over.
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 8:04 PM on August 28, 2009

As I was walking home this evening, a little girl was riding her bike in the middle of the street. She still had the training wheels on as she wobbled and struggled to peddle. It reminded me of when I was little and how badly I wanted a bicycle but couldn't get one. My parents wouldn't let me have a bike until I was 12; my mom was too afraid I'd hurt myself. I'd pass the bike section in the store and just look, having given up asking my parents about it long ago. I eventually did get one after... [more]
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 11:37 AM on August 27, 2009

My favorite is when people tell me my question is wrong because I didn't ask the question they want to answer. Or even weirder, I should forget about my question and embrace their answer to a question I didn't ask.

I asked about apples. You are answering questions about oranges. Please shut up about the oranges.
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 7:41 PM on August 23, 2009

y6, that is, hwahy six.
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 8:06 PM on July 29, 2009

Over thinking a plate of dead beans.
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 5:52 AM on July 22, 2009

Grow into it. This place is great because we're all different, and all found our own way to make it great. We can't show you, you have to show us.
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 6:06 PM on July 20, 2009

Mine from New Orleans. More to come when I get home from work.
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 7:57 AM on July 20, 2009

Opps.... The Flickr group for the New Orleans meetup.
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 8:01 AM on July 20, 2009

This is a reasonable request. But it's going to be a problem anyway.

One of my cameras has a flash feature that needs to be turned off every single time I start up the camera. I hate flash, so I always turn it off. But even I - someone who hates to use flash and always turns it off - frequently forget and am pissed to see my photo ruined by the crappy flash.

So if I was going to the Boston meetup (I'm not) any suggestion or... [more]
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 11:11 AM on July 16, 2009

The more I think about it, the more I'm starting to think this isn't a 100% reasonable request.

Asking 60 people to not take pictures (for fear using flash by mistake) is asking a lot. Especially at an event like this. Is this likely to ever happen again?

Would it be reasonable for people to ask you to leave the room for 30-45 minutes so they could take pictures? That seems reasonable.
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 11:16 AM on July 16, 2009

"Oh, one flash or two on accident is no problem. I totally understand how cameras work."

Ah...... Well, that seems reasonable then. But you might mention in the thread you'd be willing to step out for a bit if people really needed to use flash.
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 11:19 AM on July 16, 2009

"and y6y6y6y6, if you can get a low (or is it high? I can never remember) ISO speed camera, you can take quite good pictures indoors, in low light, without flashes."

As I say....... I never use flash. But it goes off by accident.
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 11:22 AM on July 16, 2009

"Is this good?

I'd be completely comfortable with that. Seems like a very reasonable compromise.
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 12:00 PM on July 16, 2009

"but even more puzzling that the fact that is is the tone that some of the responses have that [...] I should just modify my behavior"

Well.... you are asking people to avoid doing something they were likely looking forward to doing, *and* something that the vast majority of people have never been asked to avoid, *and* something that is a regular part of meetups. Hardly puzzling that you'd get pushback. Remember, MeFi meetup or not these are... [more]
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 12:51 PM on July 16, 2009

"Not surprising, but yes, very discouraging."

If I were you I'd be angry and discouraged, for what it's worth.

I think it really depends on what people at the Boston meetup think. If they want you to come, and they'll help police it, I think you should go. Yes, people x dump camera design x drunk people is a nasty metric, but it will be a great event. Of course I'm not the one risking convulsions.... [more]
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 1:13 PM on July 16, 2009

"Saying "I'll respect your seizures only if you ask REALLY nicely" feels a bit like backhanded sort of acquiescence"

I disagree. What do you think is more reasonable? Starting the request as -

"NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY. Seriously."

or

"I have a medical condition. Please help. I'm sure we can reach a happy compromise."... [more]
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 1:28 PM on July 16, 2009

"Great. Why was this a good idea?"

So you can go to the MeFi 10th party and meet cool people?
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 1:30 PM on July 16, 2009

I'm imaging the people at the NY meetup trying to resist the urge to tell jscott, "Would you PLEASE stop using the damn flash non-stop all night??!!! You've gone through three batteries for @#$% sake!!!"

Just kidding. Seriously. This is suppose to be a happy time. There's no need to bicker about who killed who.
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 2:26 PM on July 16, 2009

Since he has been proven to be an brash lair about the fundimental purpose of his life's work, I think it's safe to assume he lies about everything. If you can't be trusted to even tell the truth about your core principles how likely is it you'll tell the truth about the details of a work for hire.
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 4:53 AM on July 15, 2009

"I actually know far more about this subject than I think you can imagine."

Please.
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 10:24 AM on July 11, 2009

It's not like I sit here going "Grah grah, why aren't things consistent?"

Given the evidence at hand, you might want to reevaluate that. Because it seems you do indeed sit there wondering about stuff like that, hence this post. I'm just sayin'.
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 7:54 AM on July 8, 2009

I'm having doubts it's even real. It seems odd that someone this old would torpedo the rest of their life over something this trivial *and* that this one singular story is the only thing they've created on the net *and* it's this frickin' huge. The three taken together seem a bit implausible.

We've seen crazy folks linked here before. They tend to be very prolific. This guy seems to have lots to talk about but this is the only site/topic he's ever done? Add to that the... [more]
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 3:04 PM on June 30, 2009

When do we get shirts!!!!??????
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 9:48 AM on June 27, 2009

poop
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 10:09 PM on June 27, 2009

Matt - When do we get real MetaFilter t-shirts again?
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 7:28 AM on June 27, 2009

"At no point did I see him lie about who he was."

That's like saying Clinton didn't lie about having sex with an intern, technically, sort of. And I think it's a bullshit thing to assert.

If he had said right up front - "My mom is doing some research on this, here is a link to that research. No, she doesn't have a degree in anything, but here is why you should take it seriously.....", that would be... [more]
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 10:53 AM on June 2, 2009

Numerous reasons -

1) It's really not that vital to see a doctor many times. I self-treated a gunshot wound a long time ago. Spurting blood and all. It was no big deal.

2) Doctors can't be trusted. People want to some idea what's going on before they go see a doctor.

3) It's a total, 100%, undeniable, ripoff. I'd like some agreement I really need to go before I invite the medical industry to steal my money while... [more]
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 7:29 AM on May 28, 2009

"See, now that's dumb."

Why? No organs hit. No major veins or arteries hit. Wound is clean. Entrance and exit reasonably small.

Here is what the doctor would have done: Clean and sterilize, do some stitches, apply a dressing, bill me $2000. Turn me over to the cops.

The only thing I did differently is not do the stitches, and not waste time talking to the cops. And saving $2000. How is that... [more]
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 8:37 AM on May 28, 2009

"Doctors generally are able to sew up bloody wounds far more skillfully than those who are currently suffering from them."

Thus, AskMe.

You weren't there. I was. I have no doubt - none, zero, notta - that I could have sewn up the wound as well as the sadistic bastard in the ER. And it would have hurt a hell of a lot less.

So I'm going to call bullshit on your "generally". People may... [more]
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 8:54 AM on May 28, 2009

"you need to remove it from the proximity of people who shoot you and hit you with large axes."

Done and done. But life is so much more boring now.
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 9:00 AM on May 28, 2009

"y6y6y6, I have to ask, are you Batman?"

Actually I'm a short fat bald guy.

"let me suggest that it was merely a roll of the dice, and that it's wildly irresponsible to recommend that other people subject themselves to those same odds because you once managed to beat them."

I've suggested no such thing. I've suggested that asking some questions before rushing off... [more]
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 12:30 PM on May 28, 2009

"I get that you don't like doctors"

I like doctors just fine. It seems like a noble profession.

I just think it's a good idea to ask questions, even on the Internet, and educate yourself about what's going on. Sometimes you can treat yourself. Seriously, you can.
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 2:14 PM on May 28, 2009

"Since the blog was created in 1999, we decided to examine all the posts and their related comments for that year."

Just for fun I went back and looked at a couple dozen posts from 1999. There are almost no comments. Most days have 1-2 posts. And one person is responsible for almost all the posts. I'm guessing the site had about 10 active users.

Things started to take off in 2000. But in 1999 there wasn't really even... [more]
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 3:06 PM on May 6, 2009

"Consequently, for the purposes of our research, we focus on the process by which knowledge is generated and transferred by the members of a blog community."

You know.......... I'm all for science........ but this is seriously stupid.

The "knowledge" that they're looking at is limited to the context of a CoP. So basically they're studying how people learn how to make good front page posts, and how to comment... [more]
posted to MetaTalk by y6y6y6 at 3:24 PM on May 6, 2009