Sports can heal political rifts, or send a larger political message. We often see it at the Olympics. A recent example being when Georgian Nino Salukvadze embraced Russian Natalia Paderina, saying, "If the world were to draw any lessons from what I did there would never be any wars.", all while their nations were locked in combat. NBA athletes received rockstar attention and goodwill in Beijing, riding the coattails of homegrown favorite Yao Ming. Jordan Farmar brings together... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by SaintCynr at 10:06 PM on October 5, 2008

Can you blame us, Pastabagel? What's your take on the bill, if you've had time to digest it?
posted by Mister_A at 2:10 PM on September 29

I trust no one. I say pass anything that allows the government to profit from the buyout and mandates some congressional oversight. There's no time to do the bill right, it's too complex and too massive to slap together even in a week.

So we need to elect Obama. After... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Pastabagel at 11:28 AM on September 29, 2008

Ah, Metafilter. Just when I think I enjoyed something, I can come here to find out how wrong I was.
posted to MetaFilter by LooseFilter at 6:49 PM on September 28, 2008

If you want to really do something that would probably make Jesus happy, and the rest of us, too, then memorize and understand the Sermon on the Mount, live by its principles and throw away the rest of the bible. If anybody ever asks you why you're such an awesome person, then tell them that it's because of the Sermon on the Mount, and keep quiet about your religion the rest of the time, especially all that bullshit about how he died for our sins. He didn't die for our sins, he died because... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by empath at 7:35 PM on September 18, 2008

Yeah, I know it seems obvious that he's cheating, but none of us knows for sure. She's invested in the relationship. What if she doesn't want to walk away so quickly? What if it's a little bit important to her? Don't you think she should find out the truth before making a rash decision? Don't you think putting him before a Metafilter firing squad before he explains himself is a little irresponsible?

DTT is right; don't listen to me, or any of us; we're a bunch of... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by BorgLove at 11:10 AM on September 18, 2008

What I'm saying is that AskMe is a crappy place to be posting about what you should do with your relationship when in fact most people know the answer going in, but don't want to admit it.

So you don't actually want a RelationshipFilter flowchart, and this post was basically just a rant against a type of question that you don't like? What a shock.
posted to MetaTalk by burnmp3s at 9:40 PM on September 17, 2008

I don't think you understand what eugneics is. It is not prospective parents choosing to terminate a pregnancy because they found their fetus had a birth defect that would result in their having a child who would need life long care.
posted to MetaTalk by orange swan at 9:16 PM on September 15, 2008

--/\<
posted to MetaFilter by Pastabagel at 10:21 AM on September 15, 2008

Today I am going to censor something. Anything.
I have had enough of being ignored and today
I am going to play God.
posted to MetaFilter by Shepherd at 9:28 AM on September 12, 2008

Oh, I hear it now.
If you listen very closely at the end you can hear "I buried Paul."
posted to MetaFilter by chococat at 11:27 AM on September 11, 2008

Large Hadron Collider too small, say experts

Controversy broke out in the scientific world today, with rival experts shooting opposing arguments out of their mouths at 99.99999% of the speed of light and around a circular path the size of Provence only to smash into one another and be annihilated in a fit of short-lived pique.

The debate began when the Large Hadron Collider was switched on and failed utterly to destroy Earth in a black-hole... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by the quidnunc kid at 8:37 AM on September 9, 2008

SLYT to a crappy cell phone video... not the best of MeFi.
posted to MetaFilter by crapmatic at 6:03 AM on September 10, 2008

Elections Canada doesn't seem to go out of its way to rig elections, get people not to vote, etc. I'm sure bodies around the world work in a similar manner. I'm guessing the way America does things is part of what makes the country so exceptional.
posted to MetaFilter by chunking express at 11:15 AM on September 8, 2008

My husband is in your situation. I know, in my head, that he wants me to be healthy and that's why he's concerned. That doesn't matter - when he suggests exercise or diet stuff, I get defensive and feel shitty. That said, I don't think he should have to not talk about it -- so we talk about it every once in a while when I bring it up (duh, not like I don't know that I need to exercise) and talk about ways for him to be supportive instead of insulting. Really, if it's important to you, you... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by dpx.mfx at 12:29 PM on September 5, 2008

A year and a half ago, I was the unhealthy girlfriend. Today I'm 80 pounds lighter, run 14 miles a week, and eat a lot less junk. My blood pressure and cholesterol levels were "hey, you might die" back then, and today they're at optimal levels. I even have some visible muscles.

To get from then to now took a massive amount of time, patience, frustration, and tears, but I got there. I don't think I could have done it if I didn't want to do it, but I owe a... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Metroid Baby at 1:21 PM on September 5, 2008

Oh my god, really?

Really?

Look, to be fair, I was halfway through a post last night on my own site about how ridiculous I though all the hard-right Freepers/Cornerites/etc. were harping about Palin. She was basically their new Fred Thompson. But I am seriously dumbfounded that they would have been this stupid.

Don’t get me wrong, on a PR level this is masterful for McCain. He’s killed all the... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by XQUZYPHYR at 8:10 AM on August 29, 2008

The roll call was great, well-executed political theater. The disputed Florida and Michigan delegations were given crucial opportunities to cast their full votes, New Mexico honored the Illinois delegation by yielding the floor to them that allowed them to symbolically yield to New York in turn, and Sen. Clinton made the motion herself to nominate Obama by acclamation as expected. I'm certain that for more than a few supporters of Sen. Clinton, the way the ending was choreographed made the whole... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by DaShiv at 6:06 PM on August 27, 2008

OBAMA CAN NOT BE TRUSTED. And for me, that’s the bottom line.

What's that you said, lady from another blog? Please repeat that, because I swear I heard "I AM AN ENORMOUS RACIST."

see, she says she can not trust obama, and you hear "I AM AN ENORMOUS RACIST". that's the kind of shit that makes people think liberal folk are slightly unhinged. that's the kind of shit that can lose this election.
posted to MetaFilter by quonsar at 8:13 PM on August 27, 2008

if this post was being snarky about Christianity instead of Buddhism, there would be a huge outcry.

Yes, we should treat Buddhism with the same solemn respect and deference that MetaFilter traditionally affords Christianity.
posted to MetaFilter by DU at 6:13 AM on August 28, 2008

It would be foolish not to assume this is another play in a gigantic dick-waving contest. But Medvedev raises some very important points the US would do well to address.

On August 7th, Sakaashvilli used artillery fire to raze Tskinvali to the ground and moved the Georgian Army into South Ossetia, killing both Russian citizens and Russian peackekeepers, who were there under the auspices of an internationally-brokered agreement which stopped the fighting that dated back... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by adricv at 8:21 AM on August 27, 2008

Not particularly an original take on this event , nor a particularly surprising response from MeFites everywhere. Besides being a pastor, Rick Warren is also the author of the best selling hardcover book in history, a new kind of evangelical leader on AIDS and poverty, and the man some are calling the next Billy Graham. It's illogical to deny that he has influence among Americans at large and that he will be on the speed dial of the next President of the United States.... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by l33tpolicywonk at 8:05 PM on August 20, 2008

Their pandering to a religious interrogation is what we're talking about here.

And there we have it. This is not about Rick Warren, not about CNN, but about disappointment with Obama. Because he seems happy to discuss issues of religion and faith, and even his own faith, you are left with two uncomfortable options:

a) Obama is being genuine and therefore not an atheistic intellectual like all the rest of you smart people.... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by jpdoane at 8:25 PM on August 20, 2008

my greatest fear is how our government is going to respond. more erosion of freedom in the name of security. mark my words.
posted to MetaFilter by rebeccablood at 10:10 AM on September 11, 2001

If these conservative fruitcakes had their way, masturbation would be made illegal, because semen ejaculated without an egg in the vicinity is the death of potential life.

No, they won't go that far, because it's not really about life, at least not most of the time.

I've said this before, but I'll rehash: when you ask if there should be exceptions to the no-abortions rule for rape and incest, virtually every... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Malor at 2:15 AM on August 10, 2008

peeedro writes "Get over yourself. There are penty of executive orders from the Bush administration that make sense."

By "penty", do you mean "at least five"?... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by orthogonality at 9:55 PM on August 11, 2008

"My assertion, which I will restate for the record, is that this is not happening."

That's an interesting comment. Many/most men don't see subtle misogyny when it's right in front of their faces, I'm not sure why we should expect women to have any more success in identifying subtle misandry, especially when society is tuned in such a way than men are often told to "suck it up" and "be a man."

I'm... [more]
posted to MetaTalk by toomuchpete at 7:00 AM on August 6, 2008

.... popping back in to say that I'm also offended by the degree to which people are just dismissing the OP's concerns. A number of people have done so in a rather insulting manner. And, worst of all - JOKES HAVE BEEN MADE! (gasp!)

Does the OP come off as a bit wingnutty? Yeah, a bit. Do I agree with him completely? No. Do I even read the relationshipfilter questions? Hell no. But is the invective warranted? No, not at all.

If a woman... [more]
posted to MetaTalk by Afroblanco at 8:10 AM on August 6, 2008

I just wanted to say a few things.

1. I am actually kind of upset by how many stupid jokes are in here. I've been hurt by these same sort of dismissive jokes when they are let loose in past sexism threads here, and exactly these sorts of jokes and attitudes have caused female members of the site to leave before (e.g., Danila). In a way I actually think the behavior in this thread has been sexist, because the attitude here seems to be "man up,... [more]
posted to MetaTalk by onlyconnect at 9:06 AM on August 6, 2008

I wonder if she'll read his letter, take his well-reasoned points to heart and go on, not necessarily with a changed mind, but at least with the acceptance that other people have a right to their own beliefs.

I hope so.
posted to MetaFilter by twirlypen at 5:55 PM on July 30, 2008

Man, I wish I could stay that calm, intelligent, and compassionate in the face of ... whatever it was he was facing.

He was facing a request to remove a book that a library patron felt was inappropriate for children--a request that apparently followed library guidelines. Answering those requests with further policy information and well-stated reasoning is part of his job. I have no idea why it would be hard to stay calm and compassionate when faced... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Pater Aletheias at 6:05 PM on July 30, 2008

No it's not a "smackdown," or "dealing with idiots," or a response to "intolerant dumbasses." This is how you respond to people who disagree with you. Like kind of the opposite of how we do it around here. Like Pater Alethias, I fail to see what's so surprising about a reasonable, calm, intelligent reply to what sounded like a reasonable, calm, intelligent request.

Let's get that man a Metafilter membership and see if he... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Avenger50 at 7:42 PM on July 30, 2008

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
posted to MetaFilter by Snyder at 8:45 PM on July 30, 2008

I'll never forget the day gay marriage was legalized here in British Columbia. I remember looking into my wife's eyes, trying to wrap my head around the fact that we couldn't be married anymore. I couldn't look away from the pain those eyes, the sense that I'd let her down, that all the promises we made weren't worth a hill of beans now because the gays had destroyed marriage. And democracy. That was important to us to, what with the stolen elections and the illegal surveillance and the... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Naberius at 11:36 PM on July 29, 2008

it requires honorable behavior

Yes, yes it does.

Critical Mass brings some attention to these issues. Sure, they step over the line...

Sadly, though, in your view, Critical Mass does not require honorable behavior.
posted to MetaFilter by Cool Papa Bell at 4:54 PM on July 29, 2008

I think you've got two separate issues there. Should I be angry at China or at BoingBoing? I've got a tight schedule.
posted to MetaFilter by echo target at 1:49 PM on July 29, 2008

I also wanted to make that joke.

You and thousands of other unfunny nerds.
posted to MetaFilter by cellphone at 12:48 PM on July 24, 2008

I used to love listening to my wife go round and round on the phone with the copyeditors at her last paper. One highlight was when they called her to inform her they were removing a reference to alchemy in the first paragraph, a somewhat important metaphor to open the article, because they figured the readers wouldn't get it and would run away screaming like frightened villagers. At this particular paper, writers battled daily with editors not to have their copy dumbed down.... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by middleclasstool at 7:12 AM on July 24, 2008

This story, posted by a blogger who called himself The literary thug, is relevant here. The blog doesn't exist anymore, so I'll post my saved copy here.


I decided to walk to Sam and Terry’s barbershop to get a hair cut. For 50 years Sam and Terry’s has been one of the few enduring institutions in the African American community in Tacoma. I got my first haircut there in 1983, at the tender age of five from Sam Moore, the co founder still going strong in his... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Termite at 7:03 AM on July 24, 2008

It's because the idiot up front won't get out of the fast lane.
posted to Ask Metafilter by sanka at 9:45 AM on July 23, 2008

I've said this before, but coffee is a foul bean anyway, and anything that destroys its bitter, hateful flavor is okay in my book. I assume the only reason people drink it is because it's too early in the day for alcohol, they're too snobby for soda pop, and they are bored by the idea of water. I suspect there might be an element of masochism involved as well, although I don't know how you would choose a safe-word to let your coffee know that it has started to hurt you too much.
posted to MetaFilter by Astro Zombie at 1:12 PM on July 14, 2008

This is really awful writing.

The whole world turned brown and chunky for a second. Flecks of corn floated past my pupils, and it took me a second to blink it all away.

I stopped reading his story at that juncture.

I think they did a great job describing what it's like to have your own head up your ass.
posted to MetaFilter by Dark Messiah at 4:04 PM on July 14, 2008

I really can't imagine having the sense of entitlement you'd need to commandeer public space the way these kids did.This has to be parody. Seriously--you really can't imagine? They're kids. Kids do stuff like this. Kids everywhere, rich kids, poor kids, in America, and elsewhere. Always have, always will. Anywhere there are kids, you'll see makeshift soccer fields, or bike paths, or basketball goals set up at the end of cul-de-sacs. We dammed streams, shot... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by MrMoonPie at 9:12 AM on July 10, 2008

A couple of years ago, I listened to an interview with James Randi, the skeptic who famously exposed faith healer Peter Popoff and who runs the Million Dollar Challenge. This part of the interview, starting at 40:10, made me about as angry as I've ever been. (I've cleaned it up a bit for readability):Randi: They must see the grief that I have seen. I've attended a great number of these things, always in disguise of course, and to see these people.... Well, after a Benny Hinn performance at... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by JDHarper at 10:56 AM on July 7, 2008

I think there's a bunch of celebrities that manage not to get fucked up by fame & a larger number of ignored people who manage to get fucked up without being at all famous, so I call bullshit on the "price of celebrity" argument.

She got in with a bad crowd & had enough money to really damage herself, so that's what she did. I feel sorry for her family and to a smaller degree I feel sorry for her, but I refuse to accept that this is any different to... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by seanyboy at 5:10 AM on June 23, 2008

"This is exactly what the idiot doing the noodle dance / taking pictures / talking loudly / singing badly says. Here’s a hint: If your “enjoyment” detracts from the enjoyment of the people around you, it’s you. It’s not them, it’s you."

Sweet Jesus...... You actually want everyone at a freakin' rock concert, thousands of people, to not move, not talk, not sing, hands at your sides, no pictures, no dancing, no gum chewing,... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Ragma at 9:25 AM on June 10, 2008

I wish Hillary would read the goddamn writing on the wall.
posted to MetaFilter by ND¢ at 1:41 PM on June 3, 2008

As much of a horrible example of US War on Terror justice this is, I think I speak for most Canadians when I say we don't really want him or his family back any time soon.
posted to MetaFilter by Space Coyote at 8:13 PM on May 29, 2008

Still working on the proportionate-to-betrayal bit and the anal component.

Aw, it's so sweet when people write their own wedding vows.
posted to MetaFilter by FelliniBlank at 2:11 PM on May 27, 2008

My artistic statement is to NOT consider this NSFW.

You purposely not labeling naked photos as NSFW could get someone fired. I don't think that person's boss gives a shit about your artistic point.
posted to MetaFilter by dobbs at 5:29 AM on May 23, 2008

MATHOWIE'S BANHAMMER

Bunnyfire could see, studying theology,
God was on her side.
Told everyone on MetaFilter.
So- o- o- o.

Matthew MetaFi, majoring in SocialSci,
Emails her a note.
"Can I take you out for some pancakes,
Bu-u-u-un?"

But as she's typing out a reply,
A ping comes o'er the Web.

Ban! Ban!... [more]
posted to MetaTalk by wendell at 9:10 AM on May 22, 2008