TiVos are raining from the sky! Jason Kottke won, so I entered. I won, and while my piece was obviously a piece of literary genius, it wasn't *that* good. I think we need to do a scientific study -- who can write the stupidest "Why I Want a TiVo" essay and still win?
posted to MetaFilter by benbrown at 6:04 PM on September 25, 2000 (167 comments)

Two executives of the alternative newspaper chain Village Voice Media were arrested last night after running a story about grand jury subpoenas [PDF] they received seeking reporters' notes and information on who visits their Phoenix New Times Web site. The article, titled "Breathtaking Abuse of the Constitution," claims that the grand jury investigation stems from a long-running feud with controversial county sheriff Joe Arpaio (who calls himself "America's toughest sheriff"). The subpoenas demand New Times turn over all notes, tapes and records of the reporters who have ever written about Arpaio. The subpoenas also seek online profiles of anyone who read four specific articles about Arpaio and profiles of anyone who visited the paper's Web site since Jan. 1, 2004. Also sought is information on what Web users did while on the site.
posted to MetaFilter by ericb at 2:12 PM on October 19, 2007 (58 comments)

What are some of the most beautiful, awe inspiring, large scale, public interior spaces you have ever seen or visited?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by comatose at 6:43 AM on September 28, 2007 (71 comments)

*M*I*R*R*O*R* *W*O*R*L*D* Photographs Of Unknown Origin [NSFW]
posted to MetaFilter by tellurian at 5:46 PM on October 12, 2007 (86 comments)

Which food do you credit most for your weight loss?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by rolypolyman at 10:40 AM on October 14, 2007 (56 comments)

Looking to buy a house in Toronto? Why not buy Toronto's smallest house (about 300 square feet), built in a former driveway. via.
posted to MetaFilter by GuyZero at 10:12 AM on October 18, 2007 (47 comments)

Help controlling ADHD?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by alexplainlater at 11:43 AM on October 13, 2007 (14 comments)

Pop into the Buttonarium. You may find it fasten-ating.
posted to MetaFilter by GrammarMoses at 11:33 AM on October 18, 2007 (36 comments)

How can I help my child learn to pay better attention to instructions and concentrate on his work, without turning him into a perfectionist?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by greenmagnet at 10:42 AM on October 16, 2007 (27 comments)

"New York City 1968-1972" Some very compelling black and white street photography by Paul McDonough. via
posted to MetaFilter by CunningLinguist at 8:06 AM on October 18, 2007 (49 comments)

Each of the following MySpace Music pages features bios and/or photos and/or videos and/or miscellaneous related materials and/or up to four songs by each of the following Delta Blues (and related) artists: Ishmon Bracey, Mance Lipscomb, Son House, Blind Willie Johnson, Charley Patton, Blind Boy Fuller, Skip James, Bukka White, Blind Willie McTell, Mississippi Fred McDowell, Robert Johnson, Babe Turner, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Howling Wolf, Jessie Mae Hemphill, Tommy Johnson, Reverend Gary Davis, Big Joe Williams, Mississippi John Hurt, Ramblin' Willard Thomas, John Lee Hooker and Oscar Buddy Woods. And here's some general Blues pages, featuring various artists: Delta Blues, Pre-War Blues and Blind Blues. You see, Delta Blues lovers, I comb MySpace so you don't have to!
posted to MetaFilter by flapjax at midnite at 5:59 AM on October 18, 2007 (22 comments)

PEZ Dispenser Modification From the strange to the sweet, and everything in between.
posted to MetaFilter by gummi at 6:35 PM on October 17, 2007 (27 comments)

How you'll wear shoes in the future... "You start with a 'bone': the made-to-measure core of the shoe that cradles your foot. You cover the bone with one of many 'skins,' the shell and sole of the shoe that creates the look everyone else sees."
posted to MetaFilter by hermitosis at 12:28 PM on October 17, 2007 (45 comments)

To me, he embodies The classical guitarist with all the clichés attached. But he can also make any material his own, or use forms with humor. He's got good compositions too.
posted to MetaFilter by nicolin at 1:32 PM on October 17, 2007 (7 comments)

The U.S. is of course one of three countries that still use the English system of measurement, but Amy Wang (originally from metric-system-using Taiwan) won the Adobe Design Achievement Award in Environmental Graphics and Packaging in 2006 for “Ametrica!”, a campaign to get the U.S. to switch to the metric system instead. Whether you’re for or against metrication in America, Wang’s project is fresh and practical. [Via.]
posted to MetaFilter by tepidmonkey at 4:38 PM on October 17, 2007 (127 comments)

Reverse Graffiti. Alexandre Orion makes it for a cause and sometimes gets caught [YouTube]. "Moose" of Symbollix makes it for fun and profit.
posted to MetaFilter by brain_drain at 8:40 AM on October 17, 2007 (11 comments)

I'm dealing with the fallout from coming out to my deeply religious immediate family. For years, I had prepared for their tears, their anger, their remonstrances, their appeals to the Bible, and all of those have come. What I hadn't prepared for was how disappointed I would be, and how fundamental and lonely that disappointment would be. Help?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by grrarrgh00 at 9:22 PM on October 16, 2007 (37 comments)

Los Angeles Uber Alles. A passionate argument (by mefi's own bldblog, no less) for why Los Angeles is the greatest city in America. Dissenters, please see the more inside:
posted to MetaFilter by jonson at 2:10 PM on October 16, 2007 (282 comments)

Are there any good shoe (preferably basketball) review blogs?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by cashman at 2:07 PM on October 16, 2007 (1 comment)

The most creative jazz musician to originate anywhere outside the United States (Duke Ellington) is maybe the great guitarist Django Reinhardt. It is true that he gave birth to a style which is now played by many musicians. His achievements are outstanding, if we consider the events of his life. He still fascinates both the scholar (great links but in need of some work : see french wiki for more biographic details) among other things because of controversial details (his survival during WWII and the very origin of swing manouche (gypsy jazz)) and the aspiring guitarist (more) (essential resource). But it's maybe better just to listen - and watch - him play. Further watching : Nuages, an amateur documentary in 1 2 3 4 5 parts. Previously.
posted to MetaFilter by nicolin at 6:26 AM on October 9, 2007 (17 comments)

The amount of Afghan land used for growing opium is now larger than the combined total under coca cultivation in Latin America - Colombia, Peru and Bolivia. No other country has produced narcotics on such a deadly scale since China in the 19 th century. Opium in Afghanistan: Eradicate or subsidize?
posted to MetaFilter by nickyskye at 10:27 AM on October 16, 2007 (33 comments)

I am an artist with an hell of demons in my past, who wants to start a website for my work without any of said demons tracking me down via google. So... I would like to start using a professional pseudonym, without changing my real name legally. How simple/complicated is this, and how do I go about it?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Anonymous at 11:54 AM on October 9, 2007 (13 comments)

Video (8MB, MPEG) of arctic sea ice extent, recorded from January to September 2007. [other formats] This summer a dramatic decrease compared to previous years in the extent of the north pole ice cap was observed. Scientists are freaked out [bugmenot]. This summer, the Northwest Passage was open for a few weeks, allowing three ships to traverse it.
posted to MetaFilter by sergeant sandwich at 2:49 PM on October 12, 2007 (29 comments)

Does anyone else live with the constant feeling things are about to take a turn for the worse?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by hansbleep at 9:38 PM on October 12, 2007 (32 comments)

Did you donate your kidney?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Anonymous at 11:31 PM on October 12, 2007 (9 comments)

Where can I find plans (not kits) for cottages with a modern design aesthetic?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by SNACKeR at 5:04 AM on October 16, 2007 (10 comments)

Please help me kill my introversion before it kills my relationships.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by allkindsoftime at 4:30 AM on October 16, 2007 (39 comments)

Mysterious ice circles are large rotating ice disks on ice covered rivers or other bodies of water. Their origin and nature is controversial. Perhaps they are related to UFO's or something more prosaic, like pancake ice.
posted to MetaFilter by Tube at 1:12 PM on October 14, 2007 (34 comments)

In fourteen hundred ninety-two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue. Great, Columbus=1492, got it. What else you know? I'm looking for silly and/or clever ways to remember history.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by iamkimiam at 5:09 PM on October 15, 2007 (54 comments)

Zappos brings customer to tears (in a good way)
posted to MetaFilter by growabrain at 7:47 PM on October 15, 2007 (38 comments)

Wikipedia says that Sara Jane Moore, who tried to assassinate President Ford on September 22, 1975, was due for parole on September 21, 2007. I did a little searching, but I couldn't find any other mention of it. Does anybody know what happened? Or did Wikipedia get it wrong?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by 314/ at 12:31 PM on October 15, 2007 (11 comments)

For those times when MeFi isn't enough on its own: Google Reader has just started showing the number of subscribers to various blogs, adding hard numbers to the existing top blog listings, which use links to measure popularity. Here is a detailed comparison between TechMeme's Top 100 and actual subscribers, as well as a list of top blogs by subscriber in a neat embedded spreadsheet. They offer a good way to find interesting things to read.
posted to MetaFilter by blahblahblah at 12:32 PM on October 15, 2007 (28 comments)

Where do I find your country's b3ta? that is, all of you non-US mefi's, what site is a good example of exported national consciousness...(before you flag, a bit more inside)
posted to Ask MetaFilter by es_de_bah at 10:33 PM on October 14, 2007 (5 comments)

nuglah is a really odd kid that uploads some really weird youtube videos. Lots of melodrama and poor chromakey. I love it: The Unicorn Kingdom Club | Legend of the Unicorn Kingdom | Legend of the Unicorn Kingdom 2 | A Hopscotch to remeber! | Casandro Crumbrow | Twilight Princess Thief!!! and more… GIF
posted to MetaFilter by blasdelf at 10:00 PM on October 12, 2007 (33 comments)

Some pretty cool aerial photos of London at night from photographer Jason Hawkes.
posted to MetaFilter by dersins at 11:20 AM on October 11, 2007 (15 comments)

Am I normal? Our company recently closed its New York office and asked some of us to stay on and work from home. At first it was heavenly, but now, nearing the end of month two, I think I'm starting to go a bit balmy from lack of stimulation and human contact. Is it me? Or is this somewhat normal?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by cookie googleman at 5:07 PM on October 9, 2007 (28 comments)

Best examples of branding across multiple domains?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by disillusioned at 6:13 PM on October 9, 2007 (9 comments)

I'm a woman, divorced, being audited by the IRS, in some credit card debt and have problems with my rental history. Should I sell my home?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Anonymous at 8:30 PM on October 9, 2007 (12 comments)

I'm trying to find out how naturally thin people eat, so I can see if I can model some of my new habits after them. I'm also very curious (as someone with dysfunctional eating habits) just what is "normal" to some people. So...are you naturally thin/average in terms of weight? What is your typical day like in terms of meals and snacks?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by tastybrains at 9:00 AM on October 10, 2007 (84 comments)

Does anyone have any advice or experiences related to methadone withdrawl and recovery?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by shannie-bananie at 10:52 AM on October 10, 2007 (4 comments)

It is the oldest currently active bike ride in the world. Older than the Tour, the Giro and Race Across America, the Paris-Brest-Paris is a 1200km (750 mile) odyssey from the outskirts of Paris to the coast of Normandy and back that must be completed in 90 hours. It is no longer a professional race, having fallen out of favor amongst racers who viewed it as too grueling for too low a set of stakes. Instead, PBP and its offspring (London-Edinburgh-London, the Rocky Mountain 1200 and Perth-Albany-Perth) are ridden by a group of amateur riders known as randonneurs.
posted to MetaFilter by bl1nk at 11:25 AM on October 9, 2007 (15 comments)

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is seeking an organized candidate to facilitate public and internal access and intellectual property rights for growing object, image and oral history collections as well as to conduct field and documentary research on Chesapeake Bay folklife and develop interpretive programs based on that research. Duties include cataloging, generating and updating loan agreements, supervision of collections volunteers, maintaining database records, conducting oral history fieldwork and documentation, and developing exhibits and programs based on that research. Bachelors in an appropriate field, MA preferred; and experience with museum collections and oral history or folklife research required. Full time position with excellent benefits. Send cover letter with resume and references by October 23 to Human Resources, Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, P. O. Box 636, St. Michaels, Maryland 21663. Please contact employer directly - I have no further information.
posted to MetaFilter Jobs by Miko at 8:12 AM on September 18, 2007

Language Log is a great linguistics blog I have been reading, and I thought that Metafilter might be interested in these posts about sex differences in language use. The (less-technical) articles to which the bloggers are responding are all within the responses, so I didn't link to them. The Barry White Effect (voice pitch seems to correlate with reproduction) - Gabby Guys (men talk more than women) - Young Men Talk Like Old Women (usage of certain words) - Gender and Tags ("Certainly we don't seem to find real women and men as sums of the characteristics attributed to them") Are any of these differences actually caused by the speakers sex? The really fascinating thing, to me, is how unbelievably hard it is to study such a distinction.
posted to MetaFilter by MNDZ at 9:36 AM on October 1, 2007 (18 comments)

Photographs of American Cities from the middle of the 20th Century.
posted to MetaFilter by jonson at 9:43 AM on September 29, 2007 (37 comments)

1897, Eastland, TX. A cornerstone was being laid in the foundation of the new county courthouse (to replace the old county courthouse, not to be confused with the original county courthouse). People put various items in the hollow space in the marble, time capsule style. Just before they sealed the box court clerk Ernest Wood (E.E. to his friends), acting on a whim, grabbed a horny toad that his son, Will Wood, had picked up on the way in to town and placed it in the box. Entombed forever. But...31 years later, 1928. Eastland, having decided it needed a NEW new courthouse, was about to demolish the old one. Someone recalled the time capsule, and the unfortunate horny toad, and 3,000 people showed up to see the poor dead lizard. "As a county official held up the dusty reptile, his leg twitched, and then his whole body came alive."
posted to MetaFilter by dirtdirt at 9:23 AM on September 28, 2007 (22 comments)

Caretaker (mom) almost completely neglects her personal health and life goals to help chronically ill but stable (dad). Her health is now declining. How do I help her understand that she needs to take better care of herself?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Anonymous at 10:48 AM on September 24, 2007 (9 comments)

Bill MacEwen's laptop got stolen last week, but all might not be lost. Someone in possession of the laptop -- possibly the thief -- just posted a self-portrait to Flickr using the account stored in the laptop. If you know anything about the gentleman in the photo, please contact Bill through his blog. If you like to fantasize about committing "the perfect crime", add this boo-boo to your "DO NOT DO" list.
posted to MetaFilter by AccordionGuy at 11:29 AM on September 24, 2007 (74 comments)

Greg Nog was a Host at the Olive Garden. He has also drawn several other cartoons, and made some other stuff which you may like as well.
posted to MetaFilter by yhbc at 10:10 AM on September 25, 2007 (92 comments)

Any female magicians/assistants here? Does anyone know of any web resources/blogs regarding women and professional magic?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by macrowave at 2:06 PM on September 25, 2007 (3 comments)

Star Wars: The Musical. Luke sings ("Uncle Owen I'm not like you. I can't just bury my dreams (in the sands of Tatooine)"). Vader sings ("Bring me the passengers - every child woman and man!"). C3PO sings ("I am a droid, so don't you mess with me."). And Han sings a ballad that starts off like "The Impossible Dream," then mutates into the bastard intergalactic cousin "Do You Hear The People Sing?" as it might be performed by Neil Diamond, Richard Burton and Peter Lorre.
posted to MetaFilter by grabbingsand at 6:09 AM on September 19, 2007 (33 comments)