MetaFilter

MetaTalk post: Sixteen Years

If I'd known this was going to happen I'd never have signed up.
posted to MetaTalk by MiguelCardoso at 9:37 AM on March 5, 2015

This is a wonderful site -- indeed pretty much the only site I regularly comment on other than my own -- and that's because of what you did to help it be what it is. So thank you, Matt. Enjoy your retirement from the site.
posted to MetaTalk by jscalzi at 9:12 AM on March 5, 2015

Give him a Gold Star!
posted to MetaTalk by Stan Chin at 8:59 AM on March 5, 2015

I was thinking this morning about all the concrete, real-world improvements I've enjoyed in my life thanks to Metafilter. The biggest is that right now I'm working towards a career shift into a field that I'm incredibly excited about but had never considered before someone suggested it to me in a question I'd asked. I'm still pretty early on in the path here, but it boggles me to think that my entire life might end up being different in a very positive way thanks to this place!... [more]
posted to MetaTalk by DingoMutt at 8:44 AM on March 5, 2015

You give 16 years and what do you get
A gastric ulcer and a tumor in your head
St Alia don't you call me 'cuz I can't go..........
I owe my soul to the MetaTalk folk.
posted to MetaTalk by terrapin at 8:13 AM on March 5, 2015

By "venture out into another gig", we understand that you mean "put on the Iron Man suit."

Thank you for everything.
posted to MetaTalk by Halloween Jack at 8:33 AM on March 5, 2015

So now we can say that Cortex is, ahem, the brains behind this whole operation?

I'll be here all week.
posted to MetaTalk by Liesl at 7:54 AM on March 5, 2015

wait is this the nicest happiest MeTa ever could there be a better send off no ok
posted to MetaTalk by Sebmojo at 3:07 AM on March 5, 2015

Oh, AND... for anyone struggling with their feelings of happysad at this announcement, please join us over at MeFiMusic, where we are cashing in, Hallmark-style, on this time of emotional outpouring and will be channeling it into the medium of song via this month's Music Challenge.
posted to MetaTalk by greenish at 3:05 AM on March 5, 2015

Hey Matt, have you changed your mind yet?
posted to MetaTalk by Cranberry at 12:43 AM on March 5, 2015

Man, that is such a smart, reasonable, intelligent, healthy way to go about it. Good for you. Good for everybody. Except all the low-lifes who would have contributed to your head-long tail-spin crash and burn as you recumbent-bicycled your way into Sin City for just one more try at old lady luck and a couple/dozen snifters of brandy over the line.

Thanks, you did so fucking good.
posted to MetaTalk by From Bklyn at 11:54 PM on March 4, 2015

Awesome! We both quit on the same day! Many happy returns, and best of luck with the new endeavors!
posted to MetaTalk by infinitewindow at 10:33 PM on March 4, 2015

You have made me strive to be better. Thank you so much.
posted to MetaTalk by pipoquinha at 9:38 PM on March 4, 2015

I had SO MUCH fun here over the years, I had to come back just to say thank you. Thanks for creating, nurturing and supporting this place that was such a big part of my online life for so long! Best of luck on your new ventures, Matt! And congrats to Cortex, well deserved.
posted to MetaTalk by jonsonCameBack at 2:34 PM on March 4, 2015

thanks, Matt. I've learned so much here over the years, and my life is in a very different place than it was when I first stumbled in here around a decade ago.

From one fellow bike nerd to another, if you ever happen to swing through Boulder, please drop me a note so we can go ride bikes at Valmont Park and grab a beer at Avery or something.
posted to MetaTalk by lonefrontranger at 9:05 PM on March 4, 2015

As is usual in this community, folks have already chimed in with what I've thought of to say, and a fair amount of stuff I hadn't, but wish I had...so I'm here to chime in on the thanks, best wishes, and a whole bunch of can't wait to see you racing cyclocross this fall. Big thumbs up and a hug to you.
posted to MetaTalk by dylanjames at 7:33 PM on March 4, 2015

Thank-you matt.
posted to MetaTalk by Neale at 7:23 PM on March 4, 2015

I want MiguelCardoso and mr_crash_davis here now, but I only know how to reach one of them.
posted to MetaTalk by yhbc at 6:47 PM on March 4, 2015

Ask MeFi post: Why the dearth of female philosophers?

I am a woman and a philosophy teacher. There are a number of issues you are asking about all at once. Let's separate them.

1. Who are the great women philosophers?

Here are several lists.
Medieval era, 500-1600
Modern era, 1600-1900
Geocities page that covers 600 BCE - 1500 CE
Wikipedia has a mixed list of historical and contemporary women philosophers
A page with photos and portraits... [more]
posted to Ask MetaFilter by LobsterMitten at 1:03 AM on August 12, 2006 marked best answer

MetaTalk post: Sixteen Years

One of the best sites on the Internet and you started it! And now it's being handed over to people who will love it, too. Congratulations to Matt, and to the new mods too.
posted to MetaTalk by ftrain at 5:51 PM on March 4, 2015

I'd like to add that my son was 9 years old when I joined this site, and is now going on 18. I'm Japanese and so is my husband, so my son is raised in Japanese. I'm not sure how to say this without it becoming a rambling essay, but I've brought my son to the (admittedly too few!) MeFi Tokyo meetups in the past and I don't think I would have been comfortable doing so if it weren't for the culture of MetaFilter and the wonderful Japan MeFites. I feel it's hard to get a good idea of the value of... [more]
posted to MetaTalk by misozaki at 5:36 PM on March 4, 2015

I don't remember when I started reading Metafilter - Probably 2000/2001/2002ish. Late junior high. Someone upthread said they grew up with Metafilter, and that's definitely true for me. I don't participate all that much but I've always valued the fantastic little piece of the web you built which has always made an effort to be non-shitty, early on on the strength of your moderation and then later as you picked good people to help you manage it.

I'm glad you're doing... [more]
posted to MetaTalk by dismas at 5:22 PM on March 4, 2015

Well, that's a surprise.

But good on you for making a decision in favor of quality of life.

I have a couple of Rules to Live By. One is "Never miss an opportunity to pee or get water," which I figured out on an epic bike ride down the Pacific coast in 1992.

But the more important one is, "Life is too short to be miserable at work." And if work stresses you out and keeps you up at night and all... [more]
posted to MetaTalk by suelac at 4:24 PM on March 4, 2015

Thanks so much for creating and nurturing such a wonderful place, mathowie! I've been amazed that after all these years, you are still patient, kind, humble and generous. You could probably have sold mefi or just shut it down, but you are generous to the last.

Plus, I want to say this: We've had a lot of threads lately talking about whether mefi is or isn't welcoming to this or that group -- all a part of the process of improving. But as a long-time site member, I... [more]
posted to MetaTalk by madamjujujive at 3:15 PM on March 4, 2015

Alsø alsø wik: would a link to this thread be appropriate for the frontpage sidebar?
posted to MetaTalk by Celsius1414 at 2:41 PM on March 4, 2015

*searches cost of engraving Oolong the Rabbit onto a watch*
posted to MetaTalk by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 2:40 PM on March 4, 2015

Have you seen Specklet's Kid? That dude is cool as hell, he flipped off ColdChef wrong finger, happy kid style! (twitter joke).
posted to MetaTalk by Divine_Wino at 3:36 PM on March 4, 2015

> (that particular camera does infrared is why everything looks funny)

I'm so glad to see those photos again - I'd forgotten how weird and great they are.

> Have you seen Specklet's Kid? That dude is cool as hell, he flipped off ColdChef wrong finger, happy kid style! (twitter joke).

Awesome! Yeah, if it hadn't been for this place you made, Matt, I wouldn't be flipping off a... [more]
posted to MetaTalk by rtha at 3:44 PM on March 4, 2015

MetaFilter is responsible for me meeting my husband and our consequent lovely offspring. Thank you so much and best wishes!
posted to MetaTalk by Specklet at 3:29 PM on March 4, 2015

Metafilter: basically a muttering, sputtering nonsense person while jessamyn asks coherent questions.
posted to MetaTalk by MCMikeNamara at 3:19 PM on March 4, 2015

There were so many ways this could have gone—so many decisions that Matt could have made that would have been easier, from closure to sale—and this is the best possible scenario for everyone involved. Matt gets the break he so badly needs, and the community lives on into the next decade. Class act, that Matt Haughey.
posted to MetaTalk by waxpancake at 3:13 PM on March 4, 2015

Thanks for everything Matt! You created something great!
posted to MetaTalk by The Deej at 2:55 PM on March 4, 2015

Thank you Matt, for everything.
posted to MetaTalk by vacapinta at 2:54 PM on March 4, 2015

A thousand years from now, hologram Brian Blessed will play mathowie in a BBC miniseries about the founding of MetaFilter.

cortex, it's on you to make sure MetaFilter endures for another thousand years.
posted to MetaTalk by prize bull octorok at 2:51 PM on March 4, 2015

Just in time to take over for Maggie Smith as the Dowager Countess next season. I'M JUST SAYING!!!

Also: thanks for everything, Matt!
posted to MetaTalk by Celsius1414 at 2:38 PM on March 4, 2015

Reprise!

MEFITE:
Dear kindly mod Mathowie
we're sad to say goodbye.
You're leaving MetaFilter;
that might just make us cry.
We know you'll still be a user,
but you're no longer a mod.
Golly Moses, natcherly we'll sob!

MEFITES:
But, Mister Mathowie, we're so glad to see
That your days at work will be so much more stress-free.... [more]
posted to MetaTalk by ocherdraco at 2:30 PM on March 4, 2015

Brb drafting my list of demands for changes I expect to see in the cortex era, starting with inline gifs and ending with a dedicated Parappa the Rappa subsite.
posted to MetaTalk by Potomac Avenue at 2:27 PM on March 4, 2015

Metafilter sucks, Matt sucks, good riddance
posted to MetaTalk by Joel Johnson at 2:25 PM on March 4, 2015

I assume cortex is just waiting an appropriate amount of time before he adds a gold crown to his name.
posted to MetaTalk by the agents of KAOS at 2:17 PM on March 4, 2015

good luck hosting the Daily Show. That is your new gig yes?

Actually, I didn't think Capaldi would be leaving Doctor Who so soon, but I guess if you can't get Zachary Quinto to play the first American Doctor, you can get his non-union equivalent.

But seriously, congratulations Matt and thanks.
posted to MetaTalk by MCMikeNamara at 2:16 PM on March 4, 2015

May the road rise to meet you but not so fast you skin your knees.
posted to MetaTalk by eamondaly at 2:00 PM on March 4, 2015

It is the dawning of the age of Butts Lol
posted to MetaTalk by Pronoiac at 2:00 PM on March 4, 2015

That'll do, pig. That'll do.

Congrats, Matt. Enjoy your new endeavors.
posted to MetaTalk by Kafkaesque at 1:57 PM on March 4, 2015

Having just recently celebrated my MeFi tenthiversary, I can only say thank you, mathowie, and all the best going forward. Keep making quiet little posts that don't attract much attention, and enjoy the place from our side of the looking glass for a while.
posted to MetaTalk by Rock Steady at 1:55 PM on March 4, 2015

Good for you, mathowie. I've been struggling with the same issues of burnout and stress regarding my site, and recently began the same move to the background (slowly). May your next thing be both as awesome as and more relaxing than MetaFilter.

Cortex, good luck in the captain's chair!
posted to MetaTalk by me3dia at 1:56 PM on March 4, 2015

Oh shit, retired tag, y'all

YAY. Welcome, my friend.
posted to MetaTalk by jessamyn at 1:55 PM on March 4, 2015

I guess this is the right time and place to tell this story...

Sometime when MetaFilter was much younger, before it was even Matt's full-time gig, maybe a dozen years ago, Matt crashed on my couch for one of his first visits to NYC. We stayed out a bit late, having fun meeting MeFites, and then both went to bed.

I got up a bit early, and was puttering around my apartment and I saw Matt sitting stock upright, fully awake, without having moved... [more]
posted to MetaTalk by anildash at 1:47 PM on March 4, 2015

When I heard you say you'd returned to full moderation and day-to-day oversight in addition to running the company, I thought whoa, that's exactly the step backwards you don't want to take if you can avoid it. I'm glad you were able to process it well enough to know your limits, and I'm really really happy for you. This is a Good Thing, for you and for your company and the site.

Thanks for all that you've done and continue to do, Matt. I know it's been hard and mostly... [more]
posted to MetaTalk by middleclasstool at 1:46 PM on March 4, 2015

Thanks Matt. Metafilter played literally the biggest role in evolving college student me into a grown man and I am grateful. Good luck in whatever comes.
posted to MetaTalk by Kwine at 1:43 PM on March 4, 2015

You're starting something with m00t, aren't you.
posted to MetaTalk by ardgedee at 1:40 PM on March 4, 2015