What are the best exercises to improve photographic skills? I am planning a series of workshops with both young and mature students who want to engage with photography. The workshops can be a preparation for studying photography at university or form a basis of a portfolio. Ultimately I am trying to encourage creative development and critical thinking about photography.
posted to Ask Metafilter by slimeline at 4:59 PM on July 24, 2008 (15 comments)

What are some great sci-fi novels that take place on planets with unusual climate/geography?
posted to Ask Metafilter by mamessner at 3:32 AM on July 12, 2008 (42 comments)

All of you have been given a harsh gift. It’s the same gift the graduating class of 1917, and 1938, and 1968 and now you guys got – the chance to enter adulthood when the world teeters on the rim of the sphincter of oblivion. You’re jumping into the deep end. You have no choice but to be exceptional. Patton Oswalt addresses the class of 2008 at his old high school.
posted to MetaFilter by jbickers at 4:44 AM on July 10, 2008 (104 comments)

I have just found out I'm a big fan of post apocalyptic fiction books. Somehow I like the idea of an individual or small group of survivors almost alone in the world trying to find out what the hell happened to the planet and fighting for their survival. What are some good books and movies the hive mind can recommend?
posted to Ask Metafilter by dcrocha at 11:24 AM on June 27, 2008 (99 comments)

I got laid-off recently but don't want to continue doing web work. I want to do what I should've when I was younger, which is really figure out what I like. But is it too late? I'm 34.
posted to Ask Metafilter by 0217174 at 6:34 AM on June 8, 2008 (15 comments)

"You people bring matches for Mikey?" When people fondly remember TV's Mystery Science Theater 3000 they commonly focus on the film riffing part of the show, but some of the best comedy to come out of the Satellite of Love involves the host segments that provided a break from the movie. MSTies over at Satellite News have spent the past ten weeks discussing the best host segments from each season of the show, analyzing what makes some segments work while others fall flat.
posted to MetaFilter by Servo5678 at 5:03 AM on May 23, 2008 (66 comments)

I remember coming across a book a few years ago that detailed life in (I think) California mining camps (it may have been less specific, but the general theme was frontier/wild west). The book's focus was on customs and social mores and it had a kind of "mythbusting" approach and was fairly academic and rigorous. I've tried searching, but I can't seem to find it. Any ideas?
posted to Ask Metafilter by entropicamericana at 11:09 PM on April 24, 2008 (4 comments)

Team Fortress 2 Metafilter Server
posted to MetaTalk by eurasian at 10:49 AM on April 17, 2008 (179 comments)

I love listening to the groaning music of Mark Morgan (the Fallout soundtracks) and Lustmord (dark, dark ambient) while I read. I've been trying to find some similar music, but last.fm insists that Mark Morgan is like all other game soundtrack composers and Lustmord is akin to gothic wailing*. So I turn to you. What other artists make music with this grinding, eerie, screetchingly dark post-apocalyptic quality? * Nothing wrong with gothic wailing, just not when I'm reading.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Skyanth at 1:41 PM on March 27, 2008 (19 comments)

What are some activities that are like 'going to the gym' for your profession?
posted to Ask Metafilter by mullingitover at 11:26 PM on March 27, 2008 (90 comments)

Help introduce me to new indie music and any blogs that cover them.
posted to Ask Metafilter by phyrewerx at 7:00 PM on March 25, 2008 (24 comments)

Calling all MeFi Xbox360 gamers. I'm going to maintain an Xbox gamertag for us to make it easy to find other Mefites to game with using the Friends of a Friend feature on Live.
posted to MetaTalk by i_am_a_Jedi at 10:31 AM on March 13, 2008 (33 comments)

If you only watch the opening credits of 279 shows from the late 1980s, make it these 279 shows from the late 1980s.
posted to MetaFilter by Horace Rumpole at 9:44 AM on February 1, 2008 (57 comments)

Baking: I tried some rolls that a distant acquaintance served many years ago- I think they were whole grain, about the size of a baked potato, and they had filling- made of feta, some olives, and maybe soft tofu?? They were really good and I seem to recall that she referred to them as "Bolsas." Does anyone know how to make these?
posted to Ask Metafilter by ohdeanna at 10:52 AM on January 30, 2008 (9 comments)

MidlifeCrisisFilter: my old itch to play the electric bass has resurfaced. Please help this middle-aged lady make a fool of herself.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Quietgal at 4:58 AM on January 30, 2008 (21 comments)

The Crate Digger Death-Match. A couple of weeks ago, Drown Radio challenged 12 musicians to create a complete album in 12 hours while utilizing only $12 worth of materials purchased at thrift stores. Here are the results of round one, complete with MP3s.
posted to MetaFilter by The Card Cheat at 9:15 AM on January 29, 2008 (18 comments)

I'm looking for stories involving "last man on earth" type scenarios.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Ziggy Zaga at 4:27 PM on January 25, 2008 (69 comments)

How can I beat Desktop Tower Defense on hard mode?
posted to Ask Metafilter by COBRA! at 8:20 AM on January 14, 2008 (16 comments)

How to get started writing comedically?
posted to Ask Metafilter by aleahey at 7:20 AM on December 19, 2007 (9 comments)

Life-altering experiences. Can you point to a single experience in your life, as a child, which you can define as having contributed to the person you are today? (+)
posted to Ask Metafilter by jeremias at 4:41 AM on February 2, 2005 (216 comments)

What Kung Fu movie would make a good gift?
posted to Ask Metafilter by pantsrobot at 1:31 AM on November 30, 2007 (28 comments)

What monsters are still scary? When described with words only?
posted to Ask Metafilter by markovich at 7:48 PM on November 26, 2007 (45 comments)

Beginning with Slow Food in 1986, the idea of rejecting the "cult of speed" has gradually spread from a focus on food into other fields. In his book In Praise of Slow, Carl Honore explores the spread of the worldwide Slow movement, urging greater attention to all aspects of daily life, human relationships, and the quality of experience. Meanwhile, on the web, witness the spread of Slow. Slow down your stuff with Slow Home, Slow Travel, Slow Fashion, Slow Art, Slow Craft, Slow Design. Relax with some Slow Reading; check out a Slow Read from a Slow Library. Plan for Slow Cities governed by Slow Leadership. Use Slow Schooling, Slow Research, and the Slow University to explore Slow Science and Slow Math. Bank with Slow Money [PDF]. Explore the world with Slow Travel, using Slow Fuel for Slow Transportation. What's the rush? Come on. Take it easy.
posted to MetaFilter by Miko at 7:42 AM on November 26, 2007 (60 comments)

Ever made slushy cocktails? We're renting a slushy machine for a party in a week. We're looking for recipe ideas...
posted to Ask Metafilter by sycophant at 1:22 PM on November 17, 2007 (20 comments)

The problem is that I googled myself and found that a website had a bunch of my private documents, stuff like correspondence between me and colleagues, a manuscript draft, power of attorney, stuff about a failing (ultimately failed) relationship - very confidential stuff.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Anonymous at 8:38 AM on November 15, 2007 (9 comments)

I've always admired people who are just genuinely nice, warm folks and inspire everyone they talk to. I'd like to be one of those people when I grow up, but I don't know how to do it. Sometimes, when I do or say nice things, people get freaked out and think that I'm hitting on them, want something from them or am being insincere. That isn't the case, but every time it happens, I get a little more timid about doing nice things for people. It's easy to get by with a prickly Dorothy Parker routine, but that's not how I want to live my life. And I'm sick of not doing or saying nice things just because I'm not socially adept enough to pull it off. Being an asshole is easy, and no one ever questions your motives. How can I, as an introvert, act upon my nice impulses without freaking people out? What's the secret to being a mensch?
posted to Ask Metafilter by freshwater_pr0n at 6:58 PM on November 14, 2007 (28 comments)

"Marvel has put the power in the hands of the fans by making thousands of comics—ranging from Golden Age classics to the most recent Marvel masterpieces—available online, including the first 100 issues of FANTASTIC FOUR and AMAZING SPIDER-MAN plus so much more." If Marvel's not your thing, you can always while away untold hours here.
posted to MetaFilter by jbickers at 7:25 AM on November 13, 2007 (36 comments)

Rhyming Idioms: I know a couple of 4-year-olds that were rather tickled when I asked them "What's new, tennis shoe" They begged me for more...
posted to Ask Metafilter by dogmom at 1:00 PM on November 12, 2007 (101 comments)

[Atlanta Filter] Where should two mid-twenties kids who love rock and roll and museums and books and indie films live in Atlanta, GA?
posted to Ask Metafilter by santojulieta at 10:45 AM on May 14, 2007 (19 comments)

What would you recommend to someone who wants to increase their confidence in their writing abilities? (books/websites/other resources)
posted to Ask Metafilter by melissa at 6:35 PM on November 5, 2007 (32 comments)

Looking for moody old-time/Appalachian folk music.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Roman Graves at 11:00 PM on November 5, 2007 (20 comments)

Trying to redo my design portfolio site. I've been told I need it to be in Flash. I'm great with other programs but not Flash, so I'm teaching myself. I SUCK. I don't know what I'm doing!!! So I need 1) technical help* and 2) feedback on the design I have so far. 'Cuz this is all really new to me and I want it to be well-received. Do you have a portfolio site? What works for you? *Calling all Flash wizards in the Bay area! Wanna make a few bucks & help me?
posted to Ask Metafilter by miss lynnster at 5:37 PM on November 2, 2007 (37 comments)

How can my housemate turn down a job offer he's verbally accepted? So my housemate (not me...I wish) was offered a job this fall at Bank of America after doing an internship in cash equities sales there last summer. He verbally accepted it but hasn't submitted the signed contract yet. While he liked what he was doing he wasn't completely smitten, so this winter he interviewed for other jobs at various firms and today landed a job as a consultant at Bain. How can he gracefully get out of the BoA job without pissing too many people off or facing potential sanctions?
posted to Ask Metafilter by reflexed at 12:48 PM on January 27, 2006 (30 comments)

1980s series of commercials told a love story. No, not Taster's Choice. Help!
posted to Ask Metafilter by tzikeh at 2:32 PM on October 16, 2007 (20 comments)

How do you stay motivated creatively?
posted to Ask Metafilter by photoslob at 8:46 AM on July 23, 2006 (26 comments)

Help Me Remember This Book! version 100457: I have a visual memory of a picture book that I came across in elementary school (mid 90s) which featured a distinct sketchy, inked, scribbly style of illustration to accompany some really gruesome, horrifying stories.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dorothy humbird at 9:19 AM on September 24, 2007 (9 comments)

Please help me spoil Harry Potter 7!
posted to Ask Metafilter by fermezporte at 4:44 PM on July 24, 2007 (16 comments)

Why is my new Mac acting so slow, and what can I do to fix it?
posted to Ask Metafilter by stresstwig at 3:32 PM on January 13, 2007 (27 comments)

Is it possible that my MacBook Pro is sucking the life out of our home network?
posted to Ask Metafilter by ukdanae at 11:43 AM on July 22, 2007 (16 comments)