I need teaching resources about race: the biology of human "races"; why "race" is not biological but social; how racial categories have shifted over time and place; and related questions on teaching about race? This is as a supplement to reading The Mismeasure of Man in a university "Critical Thinking" class. I need more science and verifiable cross-cultural examples to back up my "there are no biological races" claim.
posted to Ask Metafilter by LobsterMitten at 3:22 PM on November 5, 2007 (40 comments)

I need recipes and ideas for appealing appetizers and cool party food for a hip get-together!
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 1:44 PM on May 31, 2007 (31 comments)

I am a new tenure track professor (research uni) in the US. I just finished my first year and feel barely competent in a lot of areas -- ok but not good teaching evals, 3-6 weeks late in paper "deadlines", so many last minute "preparations" for classes or meetings, no good ideas for future research. I need some help figuring out how to better play the game, or to be happier with just getting by. Fellow academics (or others in similar professions), to the bat phone!
posted to Ask Metafilter by Anonymous at 9:49 PM on May 23, 2007 (31 comments)

I'm working on a book of international curses and insults and I'm supposed to write a section on the U.S. and Canada. Now, I have no problem finding examples of invective by Yanks, but (like a typical Yank) I'm completely at a loss when it comes to the Great White North. I'd appreciate any pointers to good use of wicked language by Canadians (doesn't have to be obscene; cf. Twain's "Harte is a liar, a thief, a swindler, a snob, a sot, a sponge, a coward..."), old or new, online or off. Thanks!
posted to Ask Metafilter by languagehat at 8:52 AM on May 21, 2007 (43 comments)

My wife is helping throw a shower for a close friend and colleague.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Heminator at 1:06 PM on May 16, 2007 (7 comments)

Iam 20 years old and have a internship job, the only thing I have to pay for are gas,food, general maintenance and miscellaneous stuff. From all this money, Iam trying to save towards early retirement and was thinking of investing into Vanguard 2050 retirement fund. anyone have experience with them or have better ideas for me to invest in? I can start a accnt balance of $3k and add about $1k per year. Iam new into this field and almost have no experience.. any links that have helped you through your finance times would be helpful Thanks
posted to Ask Metafilter by radsqd at 7:08 AM on May 14, 2007 (20 comments)

I've been asked to give a reading at a friend's wedding, so I'm looking for a poem that would be appropriate. Ideally, it should be modern (written after 1900) and sweet, but not sexual, religious, schmaltzy, or emetic. Most suggestions online are variations of Maya Angelou's "Touched By An Angel". I found the previous two AskMe questions on this topic helpful, and I have some ideas, but I'm hoping to generate a few more.
posted to Ask Metafilter by painquale at 2:40 PM on May 14, 2007 (20 comments)

What is the best way to startup a small scale art gallery? I'm moving to a new apartment next week. The front room is an old store front. The previous tenant used it as a small art gallery. I'd like to continue this every so often. Not every month but when I get a really good show organized. I'm not concerned about making any money just mostly about showing off work I like. Do I have to register it as a business or non profit organization? Although, it's going to be small scale I would like to do some advertising as well. Not a whole lot but enough to get peoples attention. I'm really new to all this so I don't know very much about it. I've been thinking of some solutions like calling it an exhibition space and if someone wants to purchase something I'll just refer them to the artist and let them handle it themselves. Will that make things more complicated than necessary? Any advice would be very much appreciated.
posted to Ask Metafilter by austinlee at 6:58 AM on May 11, 2007 (4 comments)

North Carolinian MeFites: Please fill me in on the treasures of the Raleigh-Durham area in preparation for a visit . . .
posted to Ask Metafilter by spitbull at 10:05 AM on May 9, 2007 (31 comments)

Please point me toward resources to help me cope with my family and their responses to my impending (gay) engagement. My Google-fu seems to be failing me. There's more details on my specific situation inside.
posted to Ask Metafilter by fiercecupcake at 6:53 AM on April 3, 2007 (36 comments)

I'm hosting a large dance party next week (combined birthday party and other celebration), and I'm trying to put together a playlist for it. I'm leaning toward electro, synthpop, funk, and remixes, but after looking through my library (which is pretty weighted towards indie rock and folk), I've realized I don't have very much. Any suggestions for songs that should go on there?
posted to Ask Metafilter by OverlappingElvis at 4:20 PM on March 20, 2007 (30 comments)

Academics: What's your filing system for academic papers? As I finish up my undergrad degree and enter grad school, I'm reading a lot of papers. Currently, they're just in a tall stack on my desk and in a folder in my Mac. I'm interested in hearing filing solutions -- both hard copy and electronic -- for academic papers.
posted to Ask Metafilter by pealco at 7:18 PM on December 14, 2006 (28 comments)

ChrisWareFilter: I want to read some Chris Ware, but I don't where to start and I'm worried I'll end up either duplicating work or reading stuff out of sequence.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Glum at 1:30 PM on December 6, 2006 (7 comments)

Weird-in-a-good-way-filter: I need suggestions for online stores/catalogs for Christmas Shopping!
posted to Ask Metafilter by deedeep at 1:08 PM on November 14, 2006 (47 comments)

I want to buy some real, original paintings, but don't want to spend a fortune. Is there a good source for finding some original but affordable artwork? Bonus points for San Francisco-based (shouldn't be hard, I know.) [+]
posted to Ask Metafilter by robbie01 at 8:10 PM on January 2, 2005 (23 comments)

I like to look at and buy relatively cheap new art... What am I missing?
posted to Ask Metafilter by crabintheocean at 7:51 PM on September 12, 2005 (23 comments)

It's that time of year again...it's getting cold and I'm craving soup more and more. The only problem is I'm sick of canned soup and I'd rather make most of it homemade. Lay your best soup recipes on me, ingredients/prep the works! Any type of soup accepted! Hot, cold, lukewarm! Chicken, cream-based, potato leek, broth-based etc. I want to start a good collection of new recipes to try!
posted to Ask Metafilter by PetiePal at 9:46 AM on October 25, 2006 (49 comments)

TeaFilter: should I buy a kettle for my cooker (hob/stove/whatever you call it), or a regular electric one? [UK resident]
posted to Ask Metafilter by dash_slot- at 2:17 PM on August 29, 2006 (23 comments)

GoogleMapFilter: I'm looking for a Google Maps application/website that will allow me to create custom maps with location markers and then let me view those markers by tags.
posted to Ask Metafilter by mullacc at 1:03 PM on August 26, 2006 (3 comments)

Upbeat acoustic indie folk rock blues! Most of my songs are about drinking.
posted to MeFi Music by armoured-ant at 12:29 AM on June 30, 2006 (15 comments)

Where can I find vintage scientific illustrations online, along the lines of these? Images of flora, fauna, human anatomy, sea creatures, and the like.
posted to Ask Metafilter by inactivist at 9:55 PM on July 6, 2006 (14 comments)

Where to go for a three day get away within driving distance of North Carolina?
posted to Ask Metafilter by jne1813 at 11:55 AM on July 6, 2006 (9 comments)

Next year I'm teaching a course on science and literature after 1945. What should I put on the syllabus?
posted to Ask Metafilter by josh at 5:24 PM on July 5, 2006 (28 comments)

I'm looking for American Psycho style business cards.
posted to Ask Metafilter by andrewzipp at 9:54 AM on June 15, 2006 (22 comments)

What are some cheap and effective ways to make your life easier?
posted to Ask Metafilter by 0xFCAF at 6:09 PM on June 12, 2006 (43 comments)

I am going to Rio de janeiro, Brazil next week for a 4 day vacation. I am not quite prepared for this and welcome advice on what to do, where to stay and how to keep safe while I am there.
posted to Ask Metafilter by blueyellow at 11:13 AM on April 6, 2005 (13 comments)

Me and a friend of mine are planning a 9-day trip to South America, likely Brazil or Peru. Are there any specific things we should know/do before we go and destinations we should see when we get there?
posted to Ask Metafilter by Big Fat Tycoon at 3:59 PM on February 20, 2005 (6 comments)